Spiritual Health Education: Restoration of Connectedness with Others, with Nature, and with the Transcenden

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to teach students about spiritual health through regular college courses. This study is based upon the hypothesis that spiritual health can be cultivated through restoring a sense of connectedness with others, with nature, and with the transcendent. First, after exploring the construct I developed a scale to assess spiritual health. Second, I proposed an educational programme to foster spiritual health. Third, using this programme and scale, I taught, observed, and evaluated courses in several universities. Finally, based on my analysis of classroom practices, I constructed a model and theory of spiritual health realization. Quantitative and qualitative assessment data revealed the students' improvement in spiritual health after the class. The students showed their improved awareness of connectedness, gratitude and their sense of responsibility in participating in the wider world. This study suggests the possibility of cultivating spiritual health through regular college courses.