The Transformation of the Spiritual History: The Essence

The concept of spirituality, historical changes and modern significance

The concept of spirituality has undergone complex evolution along with human history, and has undergone particularly significant changes from 1848 to 2023.
The background to this is a wide range of factors, including the change in religious beliefs, the development of human knowledge and culture, interaction with science and technology, and changes in social structure.

This article re-examines the history of this spirituality from a new perspective, and explains in depth the changes and significance of this modern era, with detailed examples and analysis.

1. The Breeding of Spirituality, Ancient Rituals, Nature Worship and Shamanism

1. Tracing the origins of spirituality leads to the awe that ancient people have for the power of nature and the mystery of life. In ancient society, it was believed that it deified natural phenomena and that spiritual power was found in everything, including the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, trees, and more.
   
2. Nature worship was expressed through various rituals and festivals and served as a strengthening community unity. Shamanism is also a belief system centered around shamans who are said to have the ability to communicate with spiritual beings, heal illnesses, and foresee the future, and has been seen in ancient times around the world.
   
3. Examples: In ancient Egypt, they worshiped gods who deified the power of nature, such as the sun god Ra and the Nile god Hapi. Pyramids and temples are sacred places for worshiping the gods, and the rituals held there supported the people's spiritual stability.
   
4. Some Native American tribes believed that spirits resided in animals and plants, and tried to maintain harmony with nature through totem faith and shamanistic rituals. For example, the Medicine Wheel is a symbol of the view of the universe and life, and was used in rituals and meditation.

2. The establishment of religion and the institutionalised and organized belief system of spirituality

1. As history progressed, spirituality evolved into an organized religion. World religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam each had their own unique doctrines and precepts, sought a specific moral and ethical view of their followers.
   
2. Religion not only sought salvation through faith in God, but also played a role in maintaining social order. On the other hand, these religions also confined spirituality to specific doctrines and organizations, which also constrained individuals' free mental activity.
   
3. In Buddhism, we aim to achieve enlightenment through training such as meditation and zazen. The Buddha's teachings, "Four Truths" and "Eightfold Ways," became guidelines for those seeking liberation from suffering. In Christianity, we believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and seek God's love and salvation.
   
4. The Bible contains moral teachings and God's Word, and by keeping them, followers aim to reach heaven. In Islam, we believe in Allah as the only God and live our lives according to the teachings written in the Quran. The obligation to pilgrimage to Mecca and fast are important practices that deepen the faith of believers. While these religions provide spiritual support to people, they can also have an exclusive side to pagans, and have also been a source of conflict in history.

3. Renaissance and Enlightenment: The rise of reason and individualism

1. During the Renaissance and the Enlightenment era, reason and individualism rose to the rise, leading to criticism of religious authority. The scientific revolution was an attempt to scientifically understand natural phenomena, overturning traditional religious interpretations.
   
2. Enlightenment has spread an emphasis on individual freedom and equality, and a greater emphasis on rational thinking. These movements also had a major impact on people's views on spirituality, raising interest in more free spiritual activities that are not bound by religious doctrines.
   
3. The Heliocentric theory of Copernicus overturned the traditional view of religion called geocentric theory, making it possible to capture the world through a scientific perspective. Galileo Galilei observed the celestial bodies using his own telescope, supporting the heliocentric theory.
   
4. Newton discovered the law of gravitation and mathematically unraveled the structure of the universe. These scientific discoveries shook religious authority and encouraged people to think rationally. Rousseau's social contract theory and Locke's natural rights philosophy placed emphasis on individual freedom and equality, and criticised the traditional status and class system. These ideas were the driving force behind social change, such as the American Revolution and the French Revolution, and changed the mindset of people.

4. The rise and spiritual exploration of 19th century spiritualism

1. As the 19th century began, while social changes and advances in science and technology were progressing as a result of the Industrial Revolution, there was a spiritual craving that could not be satisfied with material abundance alone. Amid this social situation, the spiritualism movement that began in America in 1848 spread rapidly.
   
2. The Fox Sisters' necroticism sparked interest in the existence of the spiritual world and the afterlife, and séances and necroticism became popular. Spiritualism placed emphasis on mystical spiritual experiences that were different from scientific rationality, giving people spiritual peace and hope.
   
3. Examples: Famous spiritualists of the 19th century include British physicist William Crooks and French novelist Victor Hugo. Crooks attempted to verify necroticism using scientific techniques, documenting the material phenomena generated by the medium.
   
4. Hugo communicated with the spirit world through séances, reflecting his experiences in poetry and novels. Also, paranormal phenomena researchers have investigated the abilities of spiritual mediums and tried to scientifically explain them. Spiritualism was a singular phenomenon at the time, when science and mysticism intersected, attracting many intellectuals and the general public.

5. The 20th Century New Age Movement and the Diversification of Spirituality

1. In the 20th century, spirituality became even more diverse. In particular, from the 1960s to the 1970s, the New Age movement was particularly active in the United States.
   
2. The New Age Movement embraced a variety of elements, including Eastern religious thought, ancient mysticism, and psychology, and placed emphasis on the internal growth and self-realization of individuals. The movement spread a variety of spiritual practices, including meditation, yoga, crystal healing, and chakra theory, and diversified people's spiritual quests.
   
3. Examples: Representative figures in the New Age movement include psychologist Carl Rogers and author Carlos Castaneda. Rogers advocated client-centric therapy and placed emphasis on individual self-realization.
   
4. Castaneda wrote about the teachings of Yaki shaman Don Juan in his book, with themes on transformation of consciousness and exploring the spiritual world. The New Age Movement also influenced areas such as music, art and fashion, creating psychedelic culture and ethnic styles.

6. Modern (21st century): Globalization and spirituality reevaluation

1. As the 21st century progresses, spirituality has transformed into something more personalized, beyond religious frameworks. The spread of the Internet and social media has enabled people all over the world to share and interact with spiritual information.
   
2. Practices such as meditation, yoga, and mindfulness have become widely accepted as tools for reducing stress and maintaining mental health. Scientific research is also beginning to clarify the effects of meditation on the brain and the psychological effects of spiritual experiences.
   
3. Examples and Mindfulness have also been introduced in corporate training and educational settings, and is used as a tool to reduce stress and improve concentration. Yoga has become a popular exercise all over the world and has become a means of maintaining physical and mental health.
   
4. More and more people are talking about spiritual experiences, and more people are looking inside themselves and exploring the meaning of life. In addition, as interest in environmental issues grows, spirituality, which places emphasis on harmony with nature, is also attracting attention.

Summary: The future of spirituality and human growth

Spirituality will continue to change and evolve with the history of humanity. The concept of spirituality develops into something richer and more multifaceted, as various elements interact with each other, including religion, science, philosophy, and culture.

Spirituality is an essential component of our own gaze, explore the meaning of life, and achieve human growth. I hope that spirituality will continue to be a guide to our efforts to build a better society and live a happier life.

Shokey Hayashi

Exorcist/Radionics Technique Researcher

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Born in Aomori Prefecture in 1965, he has been suffering from troubles, illnesses and injuries caused by spiritual phenomena since childhood. However, one day, when he was 20 years old, he attended an event, had a mysterious experience at the venue, and was hit by lightning energy from the heavens, as if piercing the spinal cord from his brain, and his psychic abilities blossomed. He then began studying psychology and psychiatry, and now he has combined psychiatry and consciousness engineering. Established "Radionics exorcism" using our own radionics techniques. "It's possible to treat your fortune" beyond exorcism, memorial service, and healing.