Spirituality* is the underserved child amongst the pillars of positive education and positive psychology. Many societies experience a decline of religious affiliation yet an increasing interest in spirituality. (1) Although research indicates the contribution of religion and spirituality to subjective well-being and resilience, (2) the application of spirituality in education hasn’t gone much beyond the intervention of mindfulness. Non-religious spirituality (NRS) offers additional tools to connect with one's own inner being and strengths.
In its nature, spirituality is concerned with flow, moving forward and hope.(3) It is argued that in times of an increasingly unpredictable future, where young people are faced with constant change, decisionmaking and relearning, spirituality could serve as an important inner anchor, compass and direction. It is suggested to encourage educators and students to increase their knowledge around non-religious spirituality and to offer it more methodically to help young people cultivate their inner values and connection.
Examples of non-religious spiritual work at an International School in Berlin are presented: strategies for open dialogue, work with teenagers, embeddedness in positive education curriculum, professional development
*Spirituality is a closeness to connection with some object (humanistic, environmental, transcendent). (4)**