Education in Values and Spirituality :: Spirituality and Values

Module 2 - Spirituality and Values

Module 2 has three units. They deal with the relationship between spirituality and values. As you learned in Module 1, the desired values are seeded in spirituality. It is important to distinguish spirituality from religion because of the wide spectrum of religious beliefs and practices and consequent divergences of opinion. The great religions of the world originate in spiritual enlightenment, therefore the search for values must involve a return to spiritual roots. Attempts to develop values in the name of secularism have failed, yet we cannot exclude this rich source.

The current crisis in values has brought the subject to the forefront of public consciousness. This module looks at the recent history of changes in attitudes and the shift to a new and positive approach towards confronting the various social and personal ills. The module provides information and methods to develop both values and spirituality. It also addresses the psychological challenges you will meet within yourself and those around you.

Unit 1 is entitled How to Develop Spirituality and Values. You begin the process of identifying values and analysing how they work. This unit also provides tools to develop your spirituality; it explains the inner landscape and introduces meditation.

Unit 2 is entitled Challenges to Your Spirituality and Values. The challenges addressed in this unit include the social, cultural, religious, intellectual and personal obstacles that come in front of anyone who wishes to change, develop themselves spiritually and base their lives on a stronger foundation of values. These obstacles are often significant, and invariably subtle. They are usually not apparent until you begin to progress along the path of spirituality and develop your values. You will be tested by resistances from your old ways, and negativity has a stronger hold than you might expect. These challenges are necessary because they strengthen your character and resolve and bring to your attention areas of weakness and susceptibility. You will confront preconceptions and intellectual rigidity as you enter the unexplored territory of your internal world. Probably the most subtle and challenging obstacle you will meet is your own ego. This you transform step by step.

Unit 3 is entitled Religion, Spirituality and Secularism. In this unit we examine how religion, spirituality and secularism operate within society and impact the human psyche. This unit defines, compares and contrasts the use of all three terms, looking briefly at their social context. Spirituality is considered as awareness of the Divine, and religion as manifesting awareness of the Divine through institutions, organised belief systems and practices.

Varying levels of religious intolerance have contributed to the crisis in values. This course on education in values and spirituality promotes religious tolerance and encourages people of different faith traditions to communicate and negotiate constructive problem solving. Secularism gives importance to universal and human values and attempts to transcend the divisions and antagonism that cause religious conflict. In this respect secularism and spirituality complement each other. The secular is also referred to as the non-religious standpoint which neither accepts nor rejects any religious or spiritual view.