Retrospective spiritual narratives: exploring recalled childhood and adolescent spiritual experiences

Abstract

Abstract This paper draws on a collection of retrospective narratives of childhood and adolescent spiritual experiences to explore the qualities and characteristics of the spirituality of the young. They recall a range of spiritual experiences that touch on death, mortality, visions, and perceptions and connections beyond the self. Their experiences include varying intensities of emotion and invoke a range of responses in them and others. The paper considers the social, emotional and familial context of these early life experiences and their impact on spiritual experience and the possibility/impossibility and freedom/lack of freedom to express, and integrate spirituality. Keywords: Adolescent spiritual experiencesRetrospective spiritual narratives Notes ∗ School of Child & Youth Care, PO Box 1700 STN CSC. University of Victoria. Victoria BC, V8W 2Y2 Canada, Email: dgscott@uvic.ca All names used are pseudonyms and the numbers following are the ages at the time of the experience. Additional informationNotes on contributorsDaniel G. Scott Footnote∗ ∗ School of Child & Youth Care, PO Box 1700 STN CSC. University of Victoria. Victoria BC, V8W 2Y2 Canada, Email: dgscott@uvic.ca