Understanding My Own Sense of Spirituality

A practical resource for exploring meaning, connection, and inner life

Important note
This resource and the accompanying worksheet are educational tools, not replacements for professional mental health, cultural, or spiritual support. Exploring spirituality should feel supportive and respectful of your beliefs, boundaries, and wellbeing.

Introduction: Why This Matters

Many people experience curiosity about spirituality at different points in life. This may happen during times of transition, growth, loss, achievement, or reflection. For others, spirituality has always been present — even if it has never been clearly defined.

Spirituality is a deeply personal experience. It does not require belonging to a religion, holding specific beliefs, or having certainty about life’s biggest questions.

This resource is designed to help you:

• Understand what spirituality can mean
• Explore your own sense of connection and meaning
• Reflect without pressure to define or label anything
• Recognise spirituality as something that can evolve over time

The goal is not to arrive at answers, but to create space for understanding your own inner experience.

What Do We Mean by “Spirituality”?

Spirituality is often confused with religion, but the two are not the same.

Spirituality generally refers to:

• A sense of meaning or purpose
• Connection to something beyond the individual self
• An inner life or reflective dimension
• Values, ethics, and how one relates to the world

For some people, spirituality is closely connected to religion or faith traditions. For others, it is expressed through nature, relationships, creativity, philosophy, or personal values.

There is no single definition that fits everyone.

Spirituality and Religion: Connected or Separate

Religion typically involves:

• Organised beliefs or doctrines
• Shared practices or rituals
• Community and tradition

Spirituality may:

• Exist within a religious framework
• Exist independently of religion
• Change over time

Some people feel deeply spiritual without being religious. Others find spirituality primarily through faith. Both experiences are valid.

Spirituality is about how meaning is experienced, not which structure it fits into.

Why Spirituality Matters for Wellbeing

Spirituality — broadly understood — can support wellbeing by:

• Providing a sense of meaning during difficulty
• Offering comfort, hope, or perspective
• Supporting values-led living
• Encouraging reflection and self-awareness
• Fostering connection beyond the self

It does not remove suffering, but it can help people relate to life’s challenges in ways that feel steadier and more grounded.

Spirituality as Personal Experience

Spirituality does not need to be dramatic or extraordinary.

It may show up as:

• A sense of connection with nature
• Feeling guided by values or ethics
• Moments of awe, gratitude, or peace
• Reflection on life, existence, or purpose
• A feeling of belonging or interconnectedness

These experiences are often subtle and ordinary — yet deeply meaningful.

Uncertainty Is Part of Spiritual Exploration

Many people feel pressure to “know what they believe.”

In reality:

• Uncertainty is normal
• Questions are not failures
• Beliefs can coexist with doubt
• Spiritual understanding often evolves

Exploration does not require commitment. It requires curiosity and honesty.

Spirituality and Identity

Spirituality can influence:

• How you see yourself
• How you relate to others
• How you respond to suffering
• What you consider meaningful

For some, spirituality becomes central to identity. For others, it remains a quiet, background influence. Both are healthy.

There is no correct level of importance spirituality “should” have.

Boundaries and Safety in Spirituality

Healthy spirituality:

• Supports wellbeing
• Encourages compassion
• Respects autonomy
• Allows questioning

If spiritual beliefs or practices create fear, guilt, pressure, or harm, it may be helpful to pause and seek support or guidance.

Spirituality should support your life — not restrict it.

Spirituality Over Time

Spiritual beliefs and experiences often change with:

• Life transitions
• Loss or hardship
• Learning and reflection
• New perspectives

Changing beliefs does not mean previous beliefs were wrong. It means growth is happening.

How Understanding Spirituality Supports Wellbeing

Understanding your own sense of spirituality can:

• Increase self-awareness
• Support meaning and purpose
• Encourage values-led choices
• Provide comfort during uncertainty
• Strengthen inner stability

Spirituality is one of many ways people make sense of life — and it is allowed to be uniquely yours.

How to Use the Worksheets

The accompanying worksheet is designed to:

• Support reflection without pressure
• Honour both belief and uncertainty
• Encourage personal meaning-making
• Avoid judgement or expectation

You may return to it over time as your understanding evolves.

A Final Note

You do not need to define your spirituality to honour it.

Spirituality is not about having answers —
it is about listening, reflecting, and living with intention.

And you are allowed to let that understanding grow slowly.

 

How to Access Further Support in New Zealand:

• Contact your local GP

• Dial 111 for immediate support

 • Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor

• Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)

• Youth line – free text 234, call 0800 376 633, webchat at youthline.co.nz, DM on Instagram @youthlinenz, message on Whats App 09 886 56 96.

• Samaritans – 0800 726 666

• Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

• Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 To talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions

• Anxiety NZ – 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY)