spirituele

Spirituele is the Dutch adjective meaning pertaining to spirit, soul, or inner life. It is used to describe spirituality as well as religious or non-religious practices and experiences related to the inner dimension of human existence. In Dutch, spirituele is the feminine and plural form of the adjective; with masculine or neuter nouns the form is spiritueel. Examples include spirituele ontwikkeling (spiritual development) and spirituele tradities (spiritual traditions).

Origins and scope: The term derives from Latin spiritus via Old French esprit and entered Dutch to denote both religious and secular notions of the spirit or inner life. It is closely linked to the noun spiritualiteit (spirituality) and is used across various registers, from theology to everyday language.

Usage and contexts: Spiritueel is common in phrases describing beliefs, practices, and experiences related to the inner life. In religious contexts it can refer to mysticism, devotion, and the cultivation of the soul; in secular discourse it may refer to personal growth, mindfulness, or existential reflection. The word can also appear in discussions of culture, art, and philosophy when addressing the spiritual dimension of life.

Academic and cultural usage: In theology, psychology, sociology, and cultural studies, spirituele is used to discuss experiences or practices not strictly tied to organized religion but connected to values, meaning, and the search for transcendence or ethical orientation. Dutch discussions often distinguish between spiritualiteit (spirituality) and godsdienst (religion), while acknowledging overlap through rituals and moral life.

Historical note: European movements around spirituality, including mysticism and spiritualism (spiritisme in Dutch), have influenced the broader understanding of spirituele in Dutch-language discourse.