What was surprising in the research presented was the above quote from Future Directions International, an independent research institute.
Dr Hughes noted that Australians are rich in material things, but poor in the spiritual dimension. And it is this dimension of sharing common core values and spirituality that was correlated to positive physical health, reduction of risk behaviours, increased resilience, improved responsiveness and longevity from recovery programs.
It simply pays not to neglect that part of being human that pertains to growing the spiritual person. Education without spirituality does not meet the whole person – particularly the part of humanity so closely connected to general happiness and wellbeing.
Spirituality is sometimes seen as being irrational, but as ABC presenter Rachel Kohn suggested, young people may be seeking to make sense of a pre-rational experience.