Short answers, pulled from the story.
The word spirituality originates from the Latin verb spirare, meaning to breathe, embedding the concept of life itself into the very definition of the soul. In the Vulgate, the Latin word spiritus translates the Greek pneuma and the Hebrew ruach, linking the animating force of humanity to the breath of God.
In the 11th century, the meaning of spirituality underwent a radical transformation, shifting from a focus on the breath of life to the mental aspect of existence. The word began to denote the mental sphere of life, standing in opposition to the material and sensual aspects, creating a dichotomy described as the ecclesiastical sphere of light against the dark world of matter.
The Theosophical Society searched for secret teachings in Asian religions and influenced modernist streams in several Asian religions, notably Neo-Vedanta and the revival of Theravada Buddhism. Theosophy integrated western notions of personal experience and universalism into their religious concepts, while a second related influence was Anthroposophy, founded by Rudolf Steiner, who was particularly interested in developing a genuine Western spirituality.
In Hinduism, four paths are traditionally identified: Jñāna, the way of knowledge; Bhakti, the way of devotion; Karma yoga, the way of selfless action; and Rāja yoga, the way of contemplation and meditation. Jñāna marga is often assisted by a guru, while Bhakti marga includes chanting, singing, and music in front of idols or devotional symbols.
About 24% of the United States population identifies itself as spiritual but not religious, reflecting a shift where spirituality is often defined as an individual's search for ultimate or sacred meaning and purpose in life, separate from organized religious institutions. This trend emerged after the Second World War when spirituality and theistic religion became increasingly disconnected.