Is spirituality considered too “woo-woo?” Let’s talk about it.

Who do you picture when you think of someone who’s spiritual? Perhaps someone hippie, witchy or otherworldly, possibly laying out tarot cards, collecting crystals, communicating with spirits or even astrology-obsessed.

And although this person might exist, this is just a generalization, and quite honestly, a somewhat superficial one.

So let me ask you this: what is spirituality?

I myself have toyed with definitions for this term, as it can be interpreted in various personal contexts. However, spirituality stems from an ever-growing mindset, an evolving sense of purpose and a connection to a higher power. Advocating for inner peace, these mentalities can correspond to vulnerability regarding fate or trust. It is often mistaken for its own religion, but alas, it lies in a rather personal pursuit, painted in a less structural manner.

What makes spirituality so intriguing is its ability to intersect with other practices, like religion. Regardless of who you are and what you stand for, you can always delve into the interconnectedness of spirituality’s embrace.

And although these mentalities have now become both widespread, modernized and even generalized, we must consider their origination.

The New Age movements jump-started these mentalities that promoted mindfulness, groundedness and peace. Although such ideas have surfaced for centuries, individuals were heavily immersed in fresh perspectives during the 1960s and ‘70s.

The hippie era was a highly influential time period, coinciding with the counterculture movement. As individuals rebelled against conventional values, materialism and authority, they leaned into promoting a well-versed lifestyle, filled with experimentation and love. This immersion led younger generations to bask in deeper values, as they sought out communalism, art and non-conformist ways of living.

Engaging in spiritual practices appealed to hippies, as they offered further guidance on purpose and self-discovery. Seen participating in Eastern traditions and meditations, alongside music, drugs and fashion, others acknowledged their prominent defiance and modernized perspectives.

“Flower child” was offered as a well-known nickname for hippies. Though the name symbolized prosperity and peace, it instilled slight derogatory notions, as some perceived these individuals as hedonistic, naive and foolish.

People began to take hippies less seriously.

They were now viewed as an unmotivated entity for societal change, overindulging in yoga, drugs and tie-dye. Their spiritual outlooks, once considered inspiring, were now overlooked due to their perceived ditsiness and distraction.

Unfortunately, these perceptions have persisted for decades and might be why some associate spirituality with a narrow outlook, believing it is full of fluff and sole escapism.

This, however, is wrong.

It isn’t yoga, crystals or marijuana that make you spiritual — it’s your growth.

“Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul,” philosopher and peace advocate Marcus Aurelius, author of “Meditations,” said.

Before hippies recognized the intricacies of spirituality, Abrahamic, Dharmaic and indigenous cultures embraced spiritual and divine rituals. Philosophers, like Aurelius, drew on ancient wisdom to tap into worldly ethics and moralities. One thing they prioritized was the nature of reality and the uncovering of spiritual questions.

Who am I? What is my purpose? What do I strive for?

They focused on the elements of self-improvement and the unveiling of the soul. Doesn’t sound too “woo-woo” to me.

And it shouldn’t. We must not forget that spirituality is simply the essence of having spirit. Enjoying life. Living to your fullest ability.

However, over the course of these lasting centuries, people have lost the individualistic intention behind what it means to indulge in mindfulness. Some have succumbed to the commercialization and mainstream influence through promoted spiritualistic products, like “magic” candles or Etsy ‘witch’ readings. Their actions remain performative, as they misinterpret what it means to commit to deeper, authentic practice.

It takes a little more than purchasing a TikTok tarot reading. But not as much as some may realize.

Yes, spirituality is a vast path, but it invites a range of varying fluidity. What I mean by this is that anyone can do it at any time and at any pace. There isn’t one specific end result— another misconception. Its purpose is held through a broader journey of connecting with something greater than yourself. Whatever that means to you. It relies on the subconscious rather than set routines and expectations. As simple as finding stillness can grant moments of intuitiveness. Becoming in tune, you might discover something you hadn’t before.

And who knows? It could lead to longevity.

A 2023 study published in BMC Psychiatry assessed individuals ages 10 to 24 on their involvement in religious and spiritual practices, alongside mental well-being. Results showed that the higher the spiritual participation, the lower the depressive and anxious symptoms were. Researcher Shilpa Aggarwal commented that “spirituality can have a beneficial impact by allowing the development of a positive identity, providing opportunities to connect socially and offering a way to cope with difficulties.”

Likewise, a BMC Palliative Care study surveyed and examined patients with severe illnesses, concluding that a higher “psychosocial-spiritual well-being” correlated with stronger resilience and mindfulness.

So, you might need it more than you think. And tapping into it is quite simple.

You may decide to sit with yourself, finding still moments and simple pleasures. Listen to your favorite music. Join a community outlook. Find a picnic blanket and sit amidst nature and solitude. Pick up a leather journal. You can even begin to invite curiosity into questions like, What makes me happy? What brings me comfort? What do I value? Answering these prompts, even a little, will bolster confidence, alignment and self-love, ultimately allowing reflection over who and what you stand for. Live for.

Like the realm of spirituality, you are always changing, and that is so exhilarating.

However, individuals continue to misinterpret what it means to be spiritual. It’s important to consider where it originated and its purpose that has prevailed. It’s truly the grounds for a bolstered mentality. And although practices like yoga and meditation are no less than beneficial, it is the soul search that matters most. Without intention, there’s no purpose, and with no purpose, there’s no life.

“Woo-woo” is a poor phrase. It is used to undermine beliefs that lack scientific and psychological support. And based on evidence and enlightenment over mindful spirituality, it’s frankly untrue. Everyone could use a little mysticism and whimsy in their life.

Even you, reader.

Charlotte Roselin is a sophomore at UT studying Communication Studies. She can be reached at [email protected].

Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.