As a psychologist, I am a scientist of human behavior. I am accountable to what can be understood scientifically through empiricism. And yet empiricism is not the only method we use to explore reality.

Michael Polanyi, a philosopher of science, introduced the concept of “personal knowledge,” arguing that personal experiences and intuition also play a crucial role in how we understand and interact with the world around us. Just as we participate in the dance of intimate relationships, spiritual exploration involves listening to our “felt sense of things” in the midst of risk, uncertainty, and conflict.

As such, leading thinkers in the field of modern psychology—from Dr. Marsha Linehan, founder of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), to Dr. Steve Hayes, founder of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to Dr. William Miller, founder of Motivational Interviewing (MI)—have all written extensively about their own spiritual exploration, and have encouraged spiritual exploration in the context of psychotherapy. With this in mind, I invite us to explore the realms of religion, spirituality, and personal values as valid pathways to engage with all that is, alongside empirical science.

Spirituality and religion often intertwine, yet they serve distinct roles in our lives. Spirituality can be defined as the personal exploration of the mysteries of our existence: i.e. purpose, supernatural experiences, Source/Divine/God, boundlessness, ultimacy, beauty, all that evokes awe in us. Spirituality may or may not lead to the development of religious practices and rituals.

Religion, on the other hand, provides a structured avenue for spirituality, encompassing organized traditions, beliefs, and practices shared within a community. Because of the overlap between spirituality and religion, as well as varied definitions of both, individuals and researchers struggle to differentiate their influence. (Therefore, throughout the rest of this article, I will combine them.)

In a world rife with conflict, both globally and within our communities, religion and spirituality often emerge as a battleground, reflecting the profound struggles and contradictions that reside within ourselves. And yet our innate connection with the mystery of existence compels us to explore our experiences and explanations passed down to us from our ancestors, making it challenging to dismiss or evade their influence in our quest for meaning and understanding.

In my work supporting individuals with Mental health concerns, I’ve observed the multifaceted role of spirituality and religion—it can be a contributing factor to Mental health challenges, a wellspring of inspiration for confronting issues, a barrier in the path to recovery, and a valuable support for healing.

In the Context of Mental health, what is “Good” Religion or Spirituality?

First, ask yourself:

• When has spirituality/religion been a beacon of hope in your life?
• Have there been moments when spirituality/religion seemed to cloud your understanding rather than clarify it?
• Can you recall a time when a Mental health challenge deepened your spiritual/religious understanding or practice?
• How has your journey toward Mental health recovery been influenced by your spiritual/religious beliefs?

Research suggests that religion/spirituality often plays a pivotal role in healing and well-being, contributing to a range of positive outcomes including hope, optimism, and resilience. Yet the relationship between religion, spirituality, and Mental health is complex and multifaceted, with trauma and adversity sometimes leading to profound spiritual questioning.

Psychologists have for years attempted to measure spirituality/religion pragmatically. Psychologically speaking, spirituality/religion may be considered “healthy” if it leads to positive health outcomes, and “unhealthy” if it leads to negative health outcomes. Here are characteristics of healthy vs unhealthy spirituality/religion according to the research:

Characteristics of Healthy Spirituality/Religion

• Internalized, intrinsically motivated.
• Based on a secure relationship with the divinity in question.
• Especially valuable in stressful situations that push people to the limits of their resources.
• More helpful if it’s more fully integrated into life. “Religious/spiritual pathways that are broad and deep, responsive to life situations, nurtured by the larger social context, capable of flexibility and continuity, oriented toward a sacred destination that is large enough to encompass the full range of human potential and luminous enough to provide the individual with a powerful guiding vision.” (Pargament, 2007, p. 136).

Characteristics of Unhealthy Spirituality/Religion

• Imposed, unexamined.
• Reflective of a tenuous punitive/coercive relationship with the divinity in question.
• Strong unwavering devotion to strict religious interpretations and practices that contribute to prejudice and bigotry against other groups of people.
• Religious stigma, blame, and unrealistic expectations toward individuals who are suffering that contribute to making a bad situation worse.
• Religious/spiritual pathways that lack scope and depth, fail to meet the challenges and demands of life events, clash and collide with surrounding social systems, change and shift too easily or not at all, and/or clash with other values.

Pragmatically speaking, how healthy is your spirituality/religion?

If your spiritual/religious beliefs and practices do not support your experiences and are negatively affecting your well-being, how might you find support to wrestle with contradictions, transform or revise your spiritual/religious journey, and embrace mystery and paradox?

As Einstein once said, “To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their most primitive forms—this knowledge, this feeling, is at the center of the true religiousness. In this sense, and in this sense only, I belong in the ranks of devoutly religious men.” May we continue to explore with curiosity and compassion!