spiritual

This word describes a dimension of human experience that transcends the physical world. It often carries a sense of lightness, invisibility, or an internal essence that remains after the body is gone. In modern usage, there is a sharp distinction between 'spiritual' and 'religious'. While religious refers to organized systems, dogmas, and institutions, spiritual suggests a personal, subjective journey toward meaning, peace, or connection with a higher power or the universe. When used as a noun (a spiritual), the word shifts from an abstract quality to a specific cultural artifact. It evokes images of deep emotion, suffering, hope, and the historical resilience of African American communities through song.