According to a recent article published in the Los Angeles Times, the Swiss town of Neuchâtel, as part of a two-year pilot project, allows doctors to prescribe free museum visits as a form of art therapy. Supported by local and regional authorities, the initiative aims to enhance mental health and overall well-being by leveraging the therapeutic benefits of art. The program has already issued approximately 500 prescriptions and aims to expand in the future.

It’s refreshing to see that governments, healthcare systems, and agencies support the healing of the whole person, acknowledging the human bio-psycho-social-spiritual nature. The Holy Bible provides the following affirmation concerning human spiritual needs: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:1–4).

We understand spirituality in a broader sense—but what is it for us in actuality, and how can it impact our well-being?

As an interfaith clinical chaplain, drawing upon personal experience, I can attest that for many of my patients, spirituality cannot be limited to any structured religion. Rather, it can be expressed as an implicit—internal or external—resource that holds the transformative potency of bestowing life-giving properties for coping, especially during difficult times. In most cases, their spirituality is not directly tied to any faith tradition or worship of a deity. It may be expressed through, for example, recognizing natural beauty or engaging in activities such as hiking, reading, feeding the birds, gardening, cooking, or various forms of art. I have had patients sing for me, recite poems, or talk about a painting they’ve created, or a sports team they are rooting for. I have witnessed their transformation—growing hope and optimism—as they shared their “unconventional” spiritual practices.

You may define spirituality differently (fair enough). Your own faith tradition may support different forms of expression, practices, or symbolism—such as lighting a candle, burning incense, or chanting a hymn. However, before you feel tempted to “teach the right way,” or hasten to judge, allow me to remind you that spirituality is not “one size fits all.” Whatever works for you may not work for someone else—and we cannot blame the person for that.

I share this reflection with you to invite you to explore the sensitivities of human spirituality and its many dimensions. This is an invitation to be more considerate and to acknowledge the essential role of spirituality, in its various shapes and forms, in the healing of the whole person. Whether you experience God’s presence through the everyday ritual of sipping Armenian coffee on your backyard porch, or perceive God’s redemptive power through recognizing the inherent goodness of another person—I support you if it helps you thrive as a whole person: body, mind, and soul.

Let’s pray:

Lord of all beauty and healing,

help me to see You not only in sacred texts and rituals,

but also in colors, melodies, kindness, and creation.

Give me a heart open enough to recognize Your presence in the unexpected.

Amen.