So why is there this huge interest in spirituality at the present time?
Well. One could point to the prevalence of Materialism in Society and 21st century living in general. While we have and own so much “stuff”, there is a malaise, an uncomfortable sense that things are not right; that there is more to the human being than our capacity to possess and consume. We have a gnawing awareness that none of this will help us to address some of the more fundamental, central questions of human life and experience. Equally, people are looking for depth, guidance and wisdom in the way they live their lives to counterbalance the emphasis they find, on material comforts and possessions.
Another factor is the opening up of geographical and ideological barriers through the broadening of mind sets that has taken place from exposure to alternative lifestyles, philosophies and moral values. (There is a story about a man living in a remote area of Donegal who claimed that in his time, it would have been impossible for him to commit adultery since he didn’t own a bicycle).
Some would point to the process of Orientalization which has swept across western Europe, bringing knowledge of Eastern values, its vision of life and its’ purpose, and practices such as Zen meditation and Taoism. Forms of exercises, discipline and sources of healing such as Tai’chi, Reiki, Qigong and types of head and body massage have now also become familiar features and experiences in our part of the world.
There is little doubt that the steady decline of traditional religious faiths, ideologies and practices has been a strong influence in the rise of interest in spirituality. It is very common today to hear people say, “I am spiritual, but I’m not really religious.” This is usually intended to convey that while the person has departed from or rejected the notion of ‘organised religion’ i.e. attendance at a service or celebration of the sacraments in church; acceding to a set of moral principles and lifestyle promulgated by an authority; or the embracing of dogmatic and normative beliefs held in common with a likeminded community or organisation; they nonetheless hold ideals, principles and a way of life which is the result of reflection, appreciation of nature and the environment; and perhaps, the guidance of a spiritual leader or teacher whose teachings offer a further dimension to their lives.
The present scandals and revelations about the abuse of children by some priests and members of religious orders and congregations and by some workers and the regimes in state homes and institutions, has led to people leaving the Catholic Church and seeking their salvation elsewhere. Disturbed and dismayed by what has become known of the actions or lack of actions on the part of bishops and leaders in dealing with these issues, many people are shocked and stunned and confused as to what is happening to their faith and religious world.
In the middle of all this we have all of the troubles and challenges of living in this moment in history, the 21st century. When we look around we become conscious of the struggles and defects of the postmodern world. (Or as some say, the post-postmodern world.) - Fragmentation, alienation, lack of meaning, loss of community and cohesion; and a sense of being alone in a God-forsaken Universe. The meta-narrative by which we understood our existence and were supported in our vision of life, has disappeared. Some would attribute the rise is crime against the person, particularly with the kind of cruelty or finality which is everyday news now, to this vanishing of the glue which held things together for so long.
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