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Spiritual Emergence versus Spiritual Emergency : Considerations Throughout the Life Span. Current Issues in Assessment and Future Directions.
In my years of experience working with children, youth and adults I have found a deficit in the phenomenon of spiritual emergence . This article will serve to look at the differences in spiritual emergence versus spiritual emergency throughout the lifespan.

First it is necessary to establish some differences in spiritual emergence versus spiritual emergency. In spiritual emergence the individual is able to trust in the process versus spiritual emergency often demonstrates dislike or mistrust of the process. In spiritual emergence experiences are seen as an opportunity for change and positive experiences are accepted. In spiritual emergency positive experiences are difficult to accept and are overwhelming. Inner experiences are fluid in spiritual emergence whereas in spiritual emergency inner experiences are dynamic, jarring and difficult to integrate. In spiritual emergence an individual is able to integrate ideas into life with a gradual change of perception of the world. In spiritual emergence the individual is able to discern when to communicate information versus spiritual emergency it is more difficult to understand when to communicate information.
The value of understanding spiritual emergence versus spiritual emergency throughout the life span, is in direct correlation to the new changes and trends we are witnessing L synthesis and integration of psychology ( namely transpersonal psychology),psychiatry and spirituality. While human spirituality has been included under the umbrella of traditional mental health services, it is clear a new paradigm shift is emerging. In the past, psychiatry did not give much value to a client's spirituality, spiritual beliefs, or experiences. In fact some spiritual experiences were incorrectly diagnosed as psychoses, hallucinations, personality disorders etc.
It appears our culture has a new value system associated with an interior life. It also seems evident future generations appear to have more interest in exploring, cultivating and understanding the interior life. Therefore, establishing a new basis of understanding, integration and understanding both across the spectrum of developmental ages span and across the spectrum of psycho-spiritual care systems.
Part of the need to understand assessment of spiritual emergence versus spiritual emergency is the new global communication paradigm.

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