Necessity of secular spirituality in a fragmented world

The concept of secular spirituality has become more relevant in a world increasingly divided by religion, ethnicity, politics, and culture. Faced with challenges that transcend national and religious borders—such as climate change, inequality, COVID-19, and the rise of global cyber threat—there is an urgent need for a unified spiritual structure that fosters inclusivity, compassion, and universal ideals. Secular spirituality offers a modern guiding principle that can unify people of all faiths, races, and beliefs.

What is Secular Spirituality?

Secular spirituality, also called neo-humanism, posits that essential spiritual values like love, compassion, empathy, and self-awareness are not limited to any single religion or belief system. Instead, it emphasizes our shared human experience, encouraging qualities that enhance personal awareness and promote collective well-being. Secular spirituality doesn’t reject religious traditions but rises above them to reveal truths common to all people, whether they hold beliefs or not. It suggests that spiritual growth and personal transformation can occur independently of traditional religious frameworks, combining elements from various religious ideas and principles while emphasizing the human capacity for self-exploration, empathy, and connection. This approach nurtures a sense of togetherness that goes beyond religious, national, and ideological boundaries.
The notion of “love thy neighbor” appears in various forms across nearly every major religion. Islam calls for love and charity toward one’s neighbors, while Christianity emphasizes it with the command to “love thy neighbor as oneself.” Hinduism’s concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or “the cosmos as one family” underscores global interconnectedness. Buddhism upholds metta, or loving-kindness, as fundamental. These values of compassion and unity run through all religions, though often obscured by our focus on what sets us apart.

The Polarizing World

As the 21st century unfolds, inequality based on race, religion, and nationality is intensifying. The rise of identity politics and populism has led to a resurgence of cultural nationalism, where political goals are entangled with identities. This has resulted in heightened tensions among religious and ethnic groups, too often leading to conflict, discrimination, and violence. Cultural nationalism, in particular, poses a threat to global unity. It fosters an “us versus them” mentality, which strengthens tribalism and exclusivity and leads to the dehumanization of the “other.” This identity-driven divide hinders efforts to address pressing global issues—such as climate change, poverty, and inequality—that require cooperation and mutual respect.

Role of Secular Spirituality

Secular spirituality offers a pathway to peace and harmony within our divided culture. It focuses on our shared humanity rather than our differences, promoting respect for each person’s dignity and fostering empathy and understanding beyond religious or cultural divides. By highlighting universal principles, secular spirituality fosters intercultural connections essential for global sustainability. Its beauty lies in its non-exclusive nature—it allows people to hold onto their beliefs while embracing values common across spiritual traditions, such as love, justice, and compassion. Secular spirituality can help bridge societal divides by encouraging us to discover shared values.

In Hinduism, the Upanishads express the interconnectedness of all beings through the concept of Brahman, an ultimate reality that pervades all existence.

In Hinduism, the Upanishads express the interconnectedness of all beings through the concept of Brahman, an ultimate reality that pervades all existence. The phrase “Tat Tvam Asi” (“That Thou Art”) encapsulates the idea that individual consciousness is connected to a larger cosmic consciousness, a concept echoed across many spiritual traditions. The 13th-century Persian poet and mystic Jalaluddin Rumi, whose teachings transcend religious boundaries, mapped universal experiences of love, unity, and the divine. His words, “You are not a drop in the ocean; you are an ocean in a drop,” underscore the interconnection of all beings, each having the potential to connect with the universal consciousness that unites humanity.

In this context, secular spirituality can offer a framework for tackling issues through empathy, understanding, and collaboration. Climate change, inequality, and AI risks require cooperative efforts rooted in universal values. Climate change knows no borders or religious divides; secular spirituality reminds us of our shared responsibility as Earth’s caretakers, urging us to preserve it for future generations. It nurtures a deep connection with nature, promoting a global ethic of environmental stewardship.
Meanwhile, as AI advances, secular spirituality could guide its development to benefit humanity rather than harm or divide it. By prioritizing human dignity and integrating ethical considerations into AI use, secular spirituality can shape technology to serve people of all backgrounds.

Inclusivity and Cohesion

Inclusivity is a core tenet of secular spirituality. In a society increasingly defined by sectarian and ideological divides, nurturing a sense of unity becomes crucial. Secular spirituality encourages us to see ourselves as members of a global community, bound together by shared goals and a common destiny. Like the spiritual leaders Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jr., who championed nonviolence, justice, and universal human rights, secular spirituality calls us to address the inequalities and injustices in today’s world. By fostering compassion, empathy, and respect for human dignity, we can envision a more open-minded and harmonious global community.

A Journey to Unite

In a world divided by religion, politics, and cultural identity, secular spirituality offers a way to connect across divides. By advocating universal principles—love, compassion, justice—it urges us to rise above our differences to recognize our shared humanity. By adopting this approach, we can confront the challenges of modern society with wisdom, empathy, and collaboration, cultivating a future where all are valued and respected. Now more than ever, secular spirituality serves as a guiding principle, helping to bridge differences, mend divisions, and create a world rooted in compassion and unity.

Ashraf Karayath is the author of ‘Janaka and Ashtavakra: A Journey Beyond.’