Själslig

Själslig is a Swedish adjective meaning related to the soul or inner life. It is formed from själ, meaning soul, and the suffix -lig, which yields “soul-related” or “spiritual.” The term traditionally carries connotations of the inner, ethical, and spiritual aspects of a person, rather than the purely physical or clinical.

In modern usage, själslig describes not only religious or spiritual life but also meaning, purpose, and emotional interiority. It is distinct from psykisk, which is used in clinical contexts to refer to mental or psychological conditions. Själslig can appear in discussions of faith, existential questions, and the overall well-being of a person, especially when the inner dimension of life is emphasized.

Common phrases include själslig vård (pastoral care or spiritual care), själslig hälsa or själsligt välbefinnande (inner or spiritual well-being), and själslig kris (existential crisis). In secular contexts it may be used to acknowledge values, meaning, or moral considerations as part of holistic health.

Historically, the concept stems from theology and philosophy of the soul and remains in use in Swedish literature, religion, and discussions of human flourishing. In contemporary Swedish, it complements, rather than replaces, psykisk or andlig when describing different dimensions of a person’s health and life.