Q: Recently, I've read about people identifying as "Spiritual But Not Religious" (SBNR). What does that mean?
A: As we age, maintaining physical strength, balance and mobility is essential, but cultivating a positive outlook is equally vital. A recent Pew Research Center study (July 2023–March 2024) highlights how Americans view spiritual and religious self-descriptions:
21% Spiritual but not religious
53% Spiritual and religious
5% Religious
21% Neither spiritual nor religious
Spirituality is a universal human experience that connects us to a sense of meaning and a reality larger than ourselves. But how do we find a personal path within that vast landscape? Because spirituality is deeply individual, it manifests through various traditions and mindsets. To navigate this search, consider which of these three primary approaches resonates with you:
The Thinker: If you connect best through books, philosophy, and deep analysis, lean into Intellectual Spirituality. This includes stoicism, secular humanism, existentialism, and analytical Buddhism, as well as the mystical sub-paths of major world religions.
The Feeler/Doer: If you feel most aligned when volunteering or fighting for a cause, your path may be Service-based Spirituality. This includes traditions like Tikkun Olam, Bhakti yoga, the Catholic Worker Movement, and the Sikh practice of Seva.
The Experiencer: If you crave quiet moments, deep meditation, or a sense of oneness with the universe, explore mystical or earth-based spirituality. This includes Indigenous traditions, paganism, deep ecology, Sufism, Christian mysticism, and Zen Buddhism.
The rise of the SBNR movement-now representing roughly a quarter of U.S. adults-is a significant sociological shift driven by several factors:
1. Institutional disillusionment: Frustration with political polarization and ethical friction within traditional religious organizations.
2. The rise of autonomy: A cultural shift toward individualism and the rejection of rigid dogma.
3. The fading stigma: Being "unaffiliated" is now socially acceptable, removing the fear of judgment.
4. Digital accessibility: The ability to access diverse perspectives online without needing a physical building to participate.
5. Persistent "mystic hunger": An enduring human search for meaning beyond the material world.
Aging often acts as a natural catalyst for this search. As the years pass, the illusion of control fades, forcing a transition from outward achievement to inward exploration. The evolution of how our priorities change as we age is called gerotranscendence -a natural shift from a materialistic, rationalistic worldview to a more cosmic and spiritual one. This transition involves five fundamental changes:
1. Shedding the ego: Moving from status-seeking to inward reflection.
2. Reframing time: Recognizing time as a finite, precious resource rather than an infinite horizon.
3. Integrating experience: Balancing the grief of life's losses with the resilience gained through them.
4. Neurological maturation: Embracing the strengthening of empathy and emotional regulation.
5. Transcending competition: Shifting from personal ambition to leaving a legacy of wisdom.
To find your path, start by inventorying your core values and the activities that naturally evoke awe or curiosity. Treat your search like an experiment: try different traditions and mindsets to see what resonates. Feel free to be eclectic-you might combine Buddhist mindfulness for calm, Stoic philosophy for perspective, and community service for ethical grounding. Just as you prioritize physical strength, mobility, and balance to sustain your body, a consistent spiritual practice is essential for sustaining your inner well-being. Ultimately, your spiritual path is uniquely yours to build; keep what connects, and discard what doesn't.
Karen Casanovas, PCC, CPCC, CLIPP is a translational resilience researcher, speaker, and co-author of "Cracking the Rich Code (Volume 19)". Her work focuses on the art of human connection and the power of intentional practices to navigate the spiritual and emotional transitions of aging with grace. For inquiries, contact her at info@karencasanovas.com.
