Part 1: An Overview

In this talk Rev Prof John Swinton explores the interface between spirituality and science, particularly in relation to the science of mental health. Many would argue that spirituality and science are in opposition, although here John Swinton argues that they are two different ways of seeing the world and both are valid. In the first part of his talk he explores what we mean by the term ‘spirituality’ with a focus on how spirituality can make us see the world in a different way.  He goes on to suggest, using the brain imaging studies of neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, that we are all ‘hard-wired’ for spiritual experiences. 

Fundamental to his talk is the concept of relational consciousness – that is human beings are relationship seeking creatures, reaching out at a human level to each other and at a divine level towards God and that this relational consciousness is the basis for spirituality and religion. Building on the research of David Hay in Oxford, John Swinton shows how children have a natural sense of awe and wonder and at a young age are open to spiritual experiences. Sadly however, the approach we take in our educational system towards finding truth leads to a ‘despiritualisation’ of our children as they grow up. There two important outworkings of relational consciousness. First is theological and John shows how our understanding of being made in the image of God makes sense if this phrase is interpreted in terms of relationship. Further, an understanding of health in terms of the concept of shalom. Shalom means righteousness or a right relationship with God, creation and one another and it expands health beyond the remit of a medical understanding so that it is possible to make a distinction between being healed and being cured. Secondly, he draws attention to the paradox that as human beings we are relationship seeking creatures and yet our culture encourages us to live as individuals; he suggests that there is something wrong with our culture when it pushes us away from relational consciousness.

In the second part of the talk John Swinton describes what is known as the phenomenological approach to mental health challenges. This where there is a focus on a person’s lived story rather than simply their ‘medical’ story. He uses the concept of and thick and thin descriptions of a person’s mental health. A thin description is a clinical/scientific description, whereas a thick description reflects the full range of emotions and feelings associated with that condition. To illustrate this John Swinton describes a number of interviews with people who have severe mental health conditions and explores with them the impact of pharmacological interventions (a place where science and spirituality meet) on their spiritual well-being. The talk concludes with a discussion of healing through friendship and how relational consciousness comes to the fore in friendship.

John Swinton is Professor of practical theology and pastoral care at the University of Aberdeen. He is also ordained in the Church of Scotland. He worked as a nurse for 16 years in the fields of mental health and learning disabilities and later as a community mental health chaplain.