Distinguishing Spirit from Spirituality in the Healing Arts
In the journey of holistic and energy healing, few questions are as fundamental as the distinction between “spirit” and “spiritual.” While often used interchangeably in common parlance, these terms represent two profoundly different, yet intrinsically linked, dimensions of the human experience. For a healing arts practitioner, clarity on this distinction is not merely academic; it is the bedrock of effective and compassionate practice. To put it simply, spirit is the essential, non-physical core of our being, while spiritual refers to the active process of nurturing and connecting with that core. One is the noun of our existence; the other is the verb that gives that existence meaning and direction.
Spirit: The Innate Essence of Being
At its heart, “spirit” refers to the non-physical, animating principle within a person or being. It is the seat of our deepest consciousness, character, and vitality. As the provided definitions note, it is “the essence that connects individuals to what is perceived as higher consciousness or divine entities,” often considered the eternal part of a being. This concept of an indwelling, essential life force is a universal constant across healing traditions.
In Shamanism, the world is perceived as being alive with individual spirits. Every tree, river, and person possesses a unique spirit—a core consciousness. The shamanic view of illness often involves a fragmentation or loss of part of this vital spirit due to trauma, and the healing process is one of retrieval and restoration. Here, spirit is the fundamental substance of identity and life itself.
The practice of Reiki Ryoho operates directly with this concept, though it frames it as an impersonal universal force. The “Ki” in Reiki is the Japanese term for this universal life force energy (akin to “Qi” in Taoism or “Prana” in Yoga). It is the subtle, intelligent energy that animates all living things. A Reiki Ryoho practitioner serves as a conduit or focal point for this universal spirit energy, allowing it to flow to a recipient to restore balance and vitality. In this context, the client’s individual spirit is a localized expression of this greater universal spirit.
Taoism offers a refined model through its “Three Treasures.” Here, Jing (essence) is refined into Qi (energy), which is further refined into Shen (spirit). Shen represents the highest, most luminous aspect of a human being—our conscious awareness and connection to the divine, ineffable Tao. It is the radiant core of our being that, when cultivated, can align with the cosmic order.
Even Buddhism, which carefully deconstructs the idea of a permanent soul, points to a foundational quality of pure, luminous awareness—the Buddha-nature inherent in all sentient beings. This potential for awakening and purity, unobscured by defilements, functions as the Buddhist conception of our fundamental spirit.
Across these traditions, the consensus is clear: spirit is our birthright. It is the inherent, eternal, and essential “what” of our being. It does not need to be created, only recognized, honored, and healed.
Spiritual: The Conscious Path of Connection
If “spirit” is the core, then “spiritual” describes the path one walks to relate to that core. It encompasses the beliefs, practices, and experiences dedicated to personal growth, inner peace, and a deeper understanding of life’s purpose. As outlined, being spiritual “involves a focus on personal growth, inner peace, and a deeper understanding of life’s purpose.” It is the active cultivation of a relationship with the essence of life.
In Shamanism, the spiritual path is one of rigorous practice and relationship-building. It involves the disciplined use of journeying, drumming, and ceremony to communicate with the spirit world. A shaman’s life is spiritual not because they possess a spirit, but because they actively cultivate relationships with spirits for the healing and guidance of their community.
For the Reiki Ryoho practitioner, the spiritual dimension is embodied in the Reiki Precepts: “Just for today, do not anger, do not worry, be grateful, do your duties (work), and be compassionate to yourself and others.” These are not healing techniques but guidelines for living a spiritual life. By working to reduce ego, anger, fear, and embody gratitude and compassionate living, the practitioner becomes more and more attuned to the essence that is Reiki. Their spirituality is measured by their daily commitment to this personal growth and compassionate service.
The Taoist spiritual path (Xiu Dao) is the dedicated practice of internal alchemy—through meditation, Qigong, and ethical living—to refine one’s essence and energy, ultimately to merge with the Tao. It is a conscious, lifelong process of alignment and harmonization with the natural flow of existence.
In Buddhism, the spiritual life is explicitly codified in the Noble Eightfold Path, which encompasses ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom. Spirituality here is the active engagement in meditation, mindfulness, and compassionate action to purify the mind and realize the true nature of reality.
Synthesis in the Healing Arts
For a healing arts instructor and practitioner, this distinction is operational. We are working with the client’s spirit—their core life force, which may be weakened, imbalanced, or disconnected. We interact with this essence through our intuitive senses and the modalities we employ.
Simultaneously, we must be engaged in our own spiritual practice. This is the commitment to our own personal growth, inner peace, and ethical conduct. It is our ongoing work to clear our own channels of perception and energy so that we do not project our own “unfinished business” onto the client. A healer with a vibrant personal spirit but no spiritual discipline may be powerful but lack wisdom and grounding. A healer with spiritual knowledge but a disconnected spirit may be theoretically sound but lack the authentic, embodied presence required for deep healing.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the journey in the healing arts is a dance between the noun and the verb, the essence and the path. Our spirit is the untouched canvas and the vibrant paints—the inherent potential for wholeness and connection within every client and ourselves. Our spirituality is the skill of the painter, the dedicated practice, the choice of subject, and the humility to be a vessel for a creativity greater than ourselves. By honoring both—by tending to our own spiritual development to better serve the spirit of another—we participate in the most sacred of arts: the art of facilitating remembrance, wholeness, and the return to one’s own essential, luminous nature.
Bibliography
Harner, M. (1980). The Way of the Shaman: A Guide to Power and Healing. Harper & Row.
Lubeck, W. (1998). The Complete Reiki Handbook. Lotus Press.
The Dalai Lama. (2001). Ethics for the New Millennium. Riverhead Books.
Wong, E. (1997). The Shambhala Guide to Taoism. Shambhala Publications.
Christianity.com “Difference Between a Soul and a Spirit.” Retrieved from:
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/salvation/difference-between-a-soul-and-a-spirit.html
BibleChat.ai “What is the difference between soul, spirit, and heart according to the Bible?” Retrieved from:
https://biblechat.ai/knowledgebase/theological- concepts/pneumatology/what-difference-between-soul-spirit-heart-according-bible/