Beginners Guide to Spirituality: Everything You Need to Know
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What is spirituality? How is spirituality different from religion? Where do I start with spirituality? Am I spiritual? These questions may be floating around your mind, and you might not know where to begin. Below is a beginner’s guide to spirituality—everything I have learned on my own spiritual journey. I am in no way an expert, and my words are only here to guide you. I hope this helps.
So, what is spirituality?
When you type it in Google, the Oxford languages definition appears and describes it as:
“The quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.”
Brené Brown, one of my favourite researchers, offers this beautiful definition:
“Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning, and purpose to our lives.”
Some psychologists, such as Carl Jung, believe spirituality isn’t necessarily about belief but about integrating our conscious and unconscious selves. He argues that this leads to personal fulfilment and helps us overcome our deepest fears. His work is fascinating, and I’ve shared some links below if you’d like to explore further.
Personally, I believe only you can define spirituality for yourself.
For me, spirituality is believing in something greater than myself. It’s understanding that everything and everyone is here for a reason—that life is about growth, healing, and learning valuable lessons. I believe everything is energy, which means we are all connected. The quality of that connection—whether it’s rooted in love and compassion or fear and negativity—is up to us. We choose how we show up in the world, and to me, that choice is the essence of spirituality.
Practical Examples of Spiritual Practices for Beginners
Spirituality is personal, so your practice should resonate with you. Below are some beginner-friendly practices that worked for me:
- Meditation: Start with 10-minute guided meditations on YouTube. It’s a great way to quiet your mind and connect with your inner self.
- Journaling: Write in the morning or at night to reflect on your thoughts and emotions. It helps with self-awareness and emotional regulation.
- Gratitude Practice: Write down five things you’re grateful for every day. Studies show that practising gratitude regularly can rewire your brain for positivity.
- Affirmations: Challenge negative thoughts by repeating positive statements to yourself. I have a separate blog post on how you can get started.
- Study Spirituality: Read 10 pages a day from books like The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.
- Shadow Work: Use journaling to explore and integrate the hidden aspects of yourself. This can be a powerful tool for self-acceptance and healing. Read more about it in my shadow work blog here.
How to begin your spiritual journey?
Start small. I began with journaling and gratitude, then added affirmations and meditation. Over time, I incorporated shadow work. The key is not to rush—just take one step at a time.
My Spiritual Journey
My journey started in 2019 when I went to see a psychic called Debbie. I was in such a dark place at the time. I felt so unhappy and lost – I went to her for guidance. That psychic reading changed my life. She said I was going through a spiritual transformation at the time and that is why I was feeling what I was feeling.
A spiritual transformation is a shift in beliefs, values, and consciousness, leading to a deeper understanding of life, personal growth, and a stronger sense of connection with a higher power or the universe. And I was. I had enough of feeling the way I was feeling – I decided to make a change and this is when my healing journey started.
The psychic readinf reinforced what I needed to do and from that point on, I did the work to be happier and healthier. I filled my cup with all things spiritual and it truly changed and healed my inner world and this was reflected in the things around me. From my family life to my career – everything in my life all of a sudden became more aligned.
I still have work to do when it comes to healing, but I have come such a long way – I have spirituality to thank for that. And of course, the physic who catapulted my journey and past Kay for going within looking at our shadows doing the work to heal and live a fulfilled life.
Spirituality and healing
Spirituality and healing go hand in hand. Many people turn to spirituality when they feel lost, seeking comfort, answers, or a deeper understanding of their struggles.
Spiritual healing isn’t just about emotional wellbeing, in my opinion, it’s about aligning with your true self and breaking free from limiting beliefs, past traumas, and negative energy that hold you back. It helps you process emotions, release fear, and embrace life with love and compassion.
How Spirituality Supports Healing
- Emotional Healing: Through mindfulness, meditation, and self-reflection, spirituality can help you process pain and develop self-compassion.
- Energy Healing: Practices like Reiki, breathwork, and grounding techniques can help clear emotional blockages.
- Scientific Evidence: Research shows that meditation reduces stress, anxiety, and even physical pain by rewiring the brain.
For me, spirituality was a guiding light during difficult times. When I embraced it, I found peace, resilience, and a deeper connection to myself and others.
Spirituality vs. Religion
One of the biggest misconceptions about spirituality is that it’s the same as religion. While they can overlap, they are quite different.
| Spirituality | Religion | |
| Definition | A personal connection to something greater | Organised beliefs & worship of a higher power |
| Structure | Self-guided, personal practices | Community-driven, follows doctrines |
| Belief System | Open-ended, individual interpretation | Follows specific teachings |
| Goal | Personal growth, enlightenment, inner peace | Salvation, moral guidance |
Some people find deep spiritual fulfillment within religion, while others feel more connected by following their own path. There is no right or wrong—it’s about what feels true to you.
Are You Asking Yourself, ‘Am I Spiritual?’
Only you can answer that.
But if something in this blog resonated with you—if you felt a little spark of recognition—you might be more spiritual than you realise.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear about your journey!
Final Thoughts:
Your spiritual journey is yours. It doesn’t have to look like mine or anyone else’s. Explore, stay curious, and most importantly—trust yourself. 💫
Further reading
- Spirituality and Religion, By Margaret Clark
- Carl Jung the Spiritual Master by Dr Olly Alexander Branford MD MBBS MA(Cantab) PhD
- Mindfulness Meditation and Placebo Modulate Distinct Multivariate Neural Signatures to Reduce Pain by Society of Biological Psychiatry
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