Spirituality as a natural part of transmaterial worlding. A reflexive approach in systemic practices.

Abstract

Many suggest that we are part of something larger. There is something more within and between us than we can see and measure, and sometimes, cannot put into words. Spirituality, “the power of life”, is a complex phenomenon expressed through culture, tradition, discourse, and experience, and can be linked to religion, faith, and soul. Spiritual practices become relational and material, not merely an inner belief. Spirituality is a dimension of systemic, contextual,  and ecological meaning-making processes that can enrich systemic practice by opening up and closing off experiences in clients' lives. As such, it is part of transmaterial worlding, which invites us to examine how assumptions, values, and beliefs shape relationships and identity.

We argue that spirituality has long been undervalued in systemic therapy and deserves a clearer place. We recognise that spirituality can be both life-giving and divisive, yet it may also offer a solid foundation for compassion, love, and connection with humans and the natural world. We explore how systemic practitioners can develop spiritual literacy and integrate spirituality through reflectivity, contextual reflectivity, and reflexivity. By deepening our practices with these concepts, we expand our understanding of identity, relationship, responsibility, and interaction in a more‑than‑material world.