hengellisyys

Hengellisyys, or spirituality, refers to the dimension of human life concerned with the sacred, the transcendent, or ultimate questions about meaning and purpose. In Finnish usage, the term covers beliefs, experiences, and practices through which people relate to something beyond the ordinary, whether that is understood as God, a higher power, the universe, or a broader sense of connectedness.

Hengellisyys is not identical to organized religion, though it can be closely related. People may express hengellisyys within religious communities, outside of them, or in ways that blend traditions. It encompasses prayer, worship, meditation, ethical commitments, contemplation, and experiences described as sacred. Expressions can be traditional and liturgical, or modern and individualized, including mindfulness, nature-based spirituality, or interfaith exploration.

Historically in Finland, concepts of hengellisyys have been shaped by Lutheran Christianity, revival movements (herätys), and later secularization and globalization. In contemporary contexts, hengellisyys is understood as a plural phenomenon: individuals may identify with a formal religion, adopt a broader spiritual orientation, or have no religious affiliation while still describing themselves as spiritual.

Scholarly perspectives on hengellisyys come from the sociology of religion, anthropology of spirituality, and psychology of religious experience. Core topics include the private versus public expression of spirituality, its relation to ethics and social life, and its role in well-being, resilience, and meaning-making.