Posted on October 7, 2025

By Mary Kay Rizzolo, President & CEO, CQL

Spirituality can play an important role in people’s lives, offering deeper meaning and purpose. But what does spirituality actually look like? While it is oftentimes associated with popular faith traditions, people may want to pursue a spiritual journey through non-traditional practices, outside of religious institutions. Human service organizations may struggle in supporting people with disabilities to both learn about and practice non-traditional forms of spirituality that resonate with them.

In this edition of Capstone, we’re gathering different perspectives on this topic. First, we hear from Tammy Besser, a member of AAIDD’s Religion and Spirituality Interest Network, who provides insight and examples involving non-traditional forms of spirituality. Then, we learn about a personal spiritual journey from Michelle Johnson, describing types of practices and tools that have helped Michelle along the way. Finally, Camphill Communities Ontario, a provider organization in Ontario, Canada, shares how their agency is intentional in supporting non-traditional forms of spirituality.

Non-Traditional Forms Of Spirituality: Definitions & Examples

By Tammy Besser, LCSW, NCG, Clinical Supervisor, Services for People with Disabilities at JCFS Chicago

There are a multitude of definitions of spirituality. What they all have in common is a person’s sense of connection to something greater than themselves, a sense of meaning and purpose, and/or a connection to something divine. As noted in a previous Capstone article, spirituality is essential for the quality of life for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Carter, 2024).

For those who work at the intersection of intellectual disability and spirituality, the definitional themes of spirituality are community, connection to something greater than oneself, the search for meaning and purpose, and what an individual defines and experiences as sacred and holy (Carter, 2024; Gaventa, 2009). There are also a multitude of ways in which one’s spirituality is expressed, supported, and developed. These practices can be traditional or non-traditional. Traditional spiritual expressions and religions are sets of beliefs and practices that are followed and passed down in various forms of communities. Generally known examples include Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Indigenous rituals.

Exploring Spiritual Practices

What is considered a spiritual practice is defined by the individual. How we frame and name practices is important. A practice or activity may be framed as a prayer, a spiritual practice, and/or a mental health or general health promotion. For example, there are Buddhist meditation practices and Christian prayers that focus on gratitude. An individual may develop a non-traditional spiritual practice around gratitude such as a gratitude jar, writing of thank you notes, or participating in gratitude circles. Other people who participate in these activities may not label them as spiritual practices.

If certain practices are done regularly, they could be considered as that person’s spiritual rituals. In her memoir Stutterer Interrupted, Nina G. describes the Brainwash Cafe and Laundromat where she performed at open mic nights as her church. For her, it fulfilled many of the functions that a traditional faith community does. For most other people, it wouldn’t be considered a traditional church in any sense, but Nina G. defined it as one for herself.

Examples Of Non-Traditional Forms Of Spirituality

There are many activities that could be framed as spiritual practices. Some are individual, some are communal, and some can be both. Some examples are:

• Music: Participating in a choir or song circle, playing an instrument, playing in a band, or participating in a drumming circle.
• Creative Activities: Dance, creating personal altars, writing poetry, storytelling, or any of the visual arts such as ceramics or painting.
• Being in Nature: Gardening, stargazing, birdwatching, fishing, hiking, or forest bathing.
• Service Activities: Mutual aid groups, making and serving meals at a soup kitchen, forest restoration, neighborhood clean ups, coaching Little League, and tutoring.
• Personal Spiritual Practices: An individual may frame activities associated with traditional religions as personal spiritual practices, even if they do not feel a connection to a particular religious tradition. Examples of these include meditation, sweat lodges, or prayer.
• Communal Activities: Solstice celebrations, mutual aid groups, storytelling circles, or community activism.

People may also combine these activities and consider them a spiritual practice. Someone may play the piano at a nursing home every Thursday night or grow vegetables in a community garden that are then shared with a food pantry.

References

• Carter, E.W. (2024). Spirituality, disability and quality of life. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 21(1), e12458. https://doi.org120.2222/jppi.12458.
• G., Nina (2019). Stutterer interrupted: The comedian who almost didn’t happen. She Writes Press.
• Gaventa, W. C. (2018). Disability and spirituality: Recovering wholeness. Baylor Press.

My Healing Journey With Non-Traditional Forms Of Spirituality

By Michelle Johnson

Hi, my name is Michelle, and I’m 57 years old. I have been diagnosed with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Growing up in a very religious household, I experienced significant religious trauma, commonly referred to as Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS). For much of my life, God played a major role in shaping my identity until I turned 40.

I unexpectedly lost my faith, as if a veil had been dropped. This can also be a symptom of PTSD. I had to grieve for God and eventually find something to fill the void left by the absence of comfort. This journey of self-discovery is personal for everyone.

I do not have any religious affiliations; however, I believe in the universe. By this, I mean that we are all the universe experiencing itself. To me, this perspective is comforting and encompasses much more than religious dogma. There are a number of ways I practice non-traditional forms of spirituality, which support my healing journey.

Meditation

Instead of prayer for quieting my thoughts, I decided to try meditation. I discovered Sam Harris’ Waking Up app, which teaches the tools of meditation, practice, philosophy, and theory. There is even an online community. The best part is that it’s free for anyone who requests a full scholarship.

Yoga

Yoga helps with healing my mind and body. As part of my insurance plan, I have access to the Silver Sneakers program, which allows me to join multiple gyms in my area and participate in community yoga classes. I recommend calling the phone numbers on the back of your insurance card to inquire about coverage options. Additionally, there are meditation classes available. I have learned to move my body in new ways and to breathe through the experience. These classes can help release trauma that has been stored in the body for years.

Journaling

I was advised by mental health professionals to keep a journal. After I meditate, I find it’s usually a good time to journal because so much is revealed when I am in an open state of awareness. Putting these thoughts on paper is a helpful tool for reflection. Additionally, it can improve sleep; by writing down my intrusive thoughts, I give them less power in the middle of the night, which helps prevent them from keeping me awake. 

Breath Work

Learning various breathing techniques can be incredibly beneficial for a multitude of purposes. Specific breath patterns can help with anxiety, sleep, energy, focus, and more. Taking the time to incorporate these tools into my life at the right moments has been transformative for me.

Addiction and Recovery

I recently discovered Dharma meetings, which are non-theistic and inclusive of all religious backgrounds. Many individuals who struggle with mental health issues or trauma often turn to self-medication, which can lead to addiction. Dharma meetings offer a supportive space for healing, incorporating meditation, mindfulness, and trauma-informed practices.

These meetings serve as a meaningful alternative to traditional programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and the Big Book, especially for those who may not resonate with a theistic approach.

Additional Tools

• Sound Baths: Immerse yourself in a sound bath using Tibetan meditation bowls. The vibrations can help quiet the mind and support meditation, grounding, and relaxation.
• Tarot: Use tarot deck as a tool to tap into your unconscious mind. Approach it with curiosity to explore insights and reflections about yourself.
• Tapping (EFT): Emotional Freedom Technique, or tapping, is a therapeutic practice that involves gently tapping on acupressure points to help reduce stress and emotional distress.

I’m constantly seeking new ways to support my healing journey. The universe always seems to offer something new when I stay open and aware.

Supporting Non-Traditional Spirituality At Camphill Communities Ontario

By Camphill Communities Ontario

Camphill Communities Ontario is one of many worldwide communities in which practices are rooted in Anthroposophy, a spiritual movement founded by Rudolf Steiner. Anthroposophy emphasizes the importance of spiritual development, holistic living, and recognizing the potential within each individual. We support the Camphill Movement that offers the opportunity for people to connect spirituality to their own personal uniqueness. The Camphill movement is recognized as an initiative for social change, seeking to create a more inclusive and compassionate society – a goal that aligns with Anthroposophy’s vision of a more just and equitable world. 

Camphill has a holistic approach to well-being, considering the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a person’s life. This can be seen in the therapeutic opportunities offered – the arts, the garden, the natural environment, and land. Opportunities to learn about the Camphill movement are presented to people in conversations, book studies, ‘lunch and learns,’ and by trying out what Camphill has to offer through experience and exposure to new things. Discoveries about individual preferences for spirituality happen in informal interactions or more formal Personal Outcome Measures^® (POM) conversations. Family or people who know the person best also help with finding out about a person’s spiritual preferences. 

The Impact On People’s Lives

Offering the opportunity for people to spiritually participate may allow inner peace, and relieve symptoms of physical or mental health. This can offer a safe space where someone may not feel judgement if they are with fellow peers that share a similar experience. People may use their spirituality to connect with others in the present or past. The overall feedback we’ve heard from people who attend their chosen place of worship is feeling good after services, being happy to be with friends, and feeling peace.

We encourage and support people to connect to their spirituality in a way that is best suited for them. For those who actively practice their spirituality, we have seen benefits including inner peace and a better connection to peers, family, and broader community members.

Supports For Non-Traditional Forms Of Spirituality

Educating staff with a basic understanding of a person’s non-traditional form of spirituality helps create an environment free of judgement. One of the ways we educate staff is to host events.

We participate in many Anthroposophical cultural celebrations throughout the year. These activities foster creativity, empathy, and understanding of diverse cultures, contributing to a more cohesive and vibrant society.

At Camphill we have Novalis Hall. This building is a communal space designed to bring people together. This location has a stage and seating for public events that includes local culture and community. Hosting events such as a “Lunch and Learn” allows anyone the opportunity to come together to listen and learn about Camphill’s festivals that coincide with Christian events such as Easter, St. John’s Day, Candlemas, All Saints Day, and the Advent, to name a few. We also support and encourage Indigenous people to share their rich traditions and customs. 

Eurythmy is movement that has spiritual meaning. Recently, Novalis Hall hosted a eurythmy event: A Celebration of Light. This was an hour of music and movement performed by trained eurythmists. People supported by Camphill and the broader community attended the event. The performance created an atmosphere that seemed to mesmerize the audience in peaceful state of balance and spiritual connections.

Working together with the person supported, their family, and friends to better understand the history of their spirituality, helps to best support their continuing spiritual practice now and into the future.

Confronting Challenges With Responsive Solutions

Some of the barriers and associated solutions we’ve encountered include:

• Limited access to a person’s place of worship.
  We assist in arranging support to help people get to their place of worship, including driving the person and attending if needed. One person found out about a shuttle bus service the church offers and takes this to get to his church. Another person has made friends who sit with him if staff can only provide a drop off.
• Staff can carry preconceived biases.
  This impacts a person’s ability to participate in spiritual practices. In response, we encourage staff to practice empathy to understand people’s spiritual experiences 
• A lack of education and understanding.
  We conduct POM training for all staff and help them in learning about different cultures and practices through potluck meals and discussions. We also have a diverse group of people that offer unique experiences and perspectives.
• Not knowing a person’s life story.
  Along with talking to the person, we reach out to family or friends who can help, and the we record the information for all to know. We also research archived information, if natural supports are unavailable. 

Additional Tips For Spirituality Supports

Supporting people in expressing their spirituality is an important aspect of person-centered care. Reliable interviews and POM conversations are good ways of discovering how people want to express their spirituality. 

Organizations can offer opportunities to engage in a variety of spiritual options. Supporting access to spiritual practices is key; a discovery made during the pandemic was that the use of technology can help connect people with their spiritual preference. Recognize that spirituality isn’t just religious, it can include a connection to nature, music, art, ancestors, or community as well.