Spirituality – What does it mean to you?
Our last meeting was about “Spirituality” – a word that comes with a lot of baggage. For some, it feels too tied to religion; for others, it describes something essential to being human – the transcendent feeling we get when we realise that we are part of something far greater than ourselves.
Historically, humanists have been wary of the word, but that’s beginning to change. In 2018, Lindsay van Dijk became the first humanist to lead an NHS chaplaincy team. As she explained in a Guardian interview at the time:
“A lot of people don’t have an organised faith, but they still have spiritual and emotional needs at difficult times. Often people are trying to make sense of their lives and the situations they find themselves in.”
That sentiment feels important to us in Humankind: spirituality isn’t the preserve of religion. Spirituality is something we all experience, whether we use the word or not.
Guest reflections on spirituality
At our recent gathering we were delighted to be joined by the Reverend Dr. Harriet Harris MBE, University Chaplain and Head of the Chaplaincy Service at the University of Edinburgh. We were eager to hear her thoughts, but also to explore what it means to us as humanists.
Tim began by talking about mountains. Throughout history, they’ve been seen as the dwelling place of gods. Yet even without religion, climbers often speak of the sense of transcendence and connection they feel on a summit. Tim recalled weddings he had conducted at the foot – and even at the top – of Buachaille Etive Mhor in Glencoe. For the couples, the mountain setting gave their ceremonies a profound spiritual dimension.
For Tim, spirituality is an essential part to our humanity and it manifests itself in many ways – the awe we feel in nature, music or art, or in moments of compassion and love.
Spirituality in practice
Harriet offered a perspective from within religious chaplaincy. She noted that “spirituality” is a relatively modern word in religious circles, entering popular use in the 1960s as people sought new ways of expressing themselves outside organised religion.
In her work with students, Harriet often asks them to consider four kinds of needs: physical, emotional, practical – and spiritual. That last question, “What is your place in the bigger world? What matters to you?”, often opens new space for reflection.
For her, spirituality is about openness rather than striving – “letting go and allowing the world to come to you.” Compassion and spirituality are lifelong practices, and she illustrated this with a Buddhist paradox; the harder you try to achieve them, the longer it takes. She also shared the story of a student from Africa who connected with her spirituality simply by gazing at the night sky – finding in it a sense of belonging to the universe and to humanity.
Humanist voices
Several of our members also shared their perspectives:
- Sharon described spirituality as an individual experience, a search for meaning and connection. For her, walking through fields, watching wildlife, or stargazing brings clarity and peace. This daily practice of reflection has helped her cope with life’s challenges and deepened her gratitude.
- Dawn spoke of moving away from Christianity and realising she could find spiritual connection in nature – on long walks, in everyday acts of love, and in conversation. For her, spirituality is not distant or unattainable, but woven into the fabric of life.
- Rex finds spirituality in emotional connection and art. He recalled a visitor to his home gallery who was moved to tears simply by being surrounded by paintings and sculptures. For him, humanists should embrace the truth that art, music, and landscape can evoke profound spiritual responses.
- Susie reflected on a funeral she conducted for a lifelong atheist and member of the Secular Society. Despite his rejection of religion, he had found meaning in both Shakespeare and Henry Scott-Holland’s reflection, Death is Nothing at All. He also requested Aaron Freeman’s Eulogy from a Physicist, which affirms that our energy continues after death. Even here, spirituality played a role – not in the religious sense, but in helping people find comfort and connection.
Embracing transcendence
As Tim put it:
“There’s a close connection between the words ‘spirituality’ and ‘transcendence’. In our ceremonies we hope that by talking about love we can create that transcendent moment. That’s what makes humanist ceremonies powerful – they connect with people. The paradox of spirituality is that it doesn’t bear examination. The emotions it provokes – joy, elation, compassion – evaporate when you try to analyse them. The lesson of spirituality is simple: enjoy it when it’s present.”
For humanists, spirituality isn’t about gods or dogma. It’s about recognising those moments of awe, love, and connection – whether in a mountain landscape, a piece of music, a shared ritual, or the quiet wonder of a starry sky.
We’d love to hear your thoughts: how do you experience spirituality in your life?
Our next meeting will be at 6.00 pm on Monday 6th October. It’s a “Members Choice” evening – we hold these every three months – and we haven’t chosen a topic yet, so feel free to suggest one!
