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Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 5/2019

Open Access 01-10-2019 | Original Paper

‘Spirituality’ in Health Studies: Competing Spiritualities and the Elevated Status of Mindfulness

Author: Maria Nita

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 5/2019

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Abstract

The article investigates discourses of ‘spirituality’ in the field of Health Studies, among scholarly voices and the voices of the practitioners and patients these studies reflect. It examines current trends in contemporary spirituality as well as links with debates involving science, religion and secularisation. The article argues that, in the public domain, ‘spirituality’ is beginning to denote a collective practice rather than an individual search for meaning. Furthermore, the article identifies some common understandings of spirituality in the context of Health Studies and health environments, such as it being a tool that can facilitate closeness and emotional exchanges. Finally, it proposes that the success and, as I will show, elevated status of ‘mindfulness’ in this field points to ‘competing spiritualities’, despite shared understandings.
Footnotes
1
This study speaks of ‘the therapeutic potential of mindfulness-based interventions’ and claims to ‘set the foundation for future studies to further assess meditation strategies for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions’ (Kaliman et al. 2014: 96).
 
2
Gedge and Querney do not necessarily advocate a spiritual intervention in addiction treatment, but they show the limitations of current clinical practice when patients’ recovery depends upon the satisfaction of their own spiritual and religious needs (Gedge and Querney 2014: 48).
 
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Metadata
Title
‘Spirituality’ in Health Studies: Competing Spiritualities and the Elevated Status of Mindfulness
Author
Maria Nita
Publication date
01-10-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 5/2019
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00773-2

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