Spiritual Sciences

The systematic study of things you feel in your gut but cannot prove in a lab, requiring a methodology that involves equal parts meditation, introspection, and Googling crystals at 2 AM. It's the academic discipline that attempts to quantify vibes, measure auras, and develop a taxonomy for chakras, all while acknowledging that the primary research instrument is "how it makes you feel." Spiritual sciences operate on a peer-review system where the peers are usually also the ones who wrote the book on energy healing, and the data is considered significant if it leads to a personal breakthrough.

Example: "After a weekend retreat, she earned her certificate in spiritual sciences, which meant she was now qualified to tell people their anxiety was just a blocked root chakra. She set up a practice in her living room and charged $75 for an 'auric reading.'"

by Abzugal February 14, 2026

Spiritual Technologies

The tools, both ancient and app-based, designed to upgrade your spiritual operating system. This includes everything from Tibetan singing bowls and meditation cushions to $30-a-month apps that guide your breathwork and smart malas that count your mantras for you. The paradox of spiritual technology is that it often requires you to stare at a screen to disconnect from the digital world, and the most advanced piece of spiritual tech remains a simple candle, which has a 100% success rate of not needing a software update.

Spiritual Technologies *Example: "He had the full suite of spiritual technologies: a jade egg for $80, a Bluetooth-enabled incense holder that played 'om' chants, and a meditation cushion made from sustainable hemp. He used them all for approximately 12 minutes before checking Instagram."*

by Abzugal February 14, 2026

Spiritual Engineering

The practice of deliberately constructing your belief system, daily rituals, and ethical framework with the precision of an architect designing a skyscraper. It's about building a sturdy internal structure that can withstand life's earthquakes, complete with reinforced prayer beams, load-bearing gratitude pillars, and a well-insulated attic for storing existential dread. The problem is that spiritual engineering often requires blueprints that were written thousands of years ago, and the building codes have changed significantly since then, leading to structures that are either too rigid or creatively unsound.

Example: "She thought she had done the spiritual engineering work, building a solid foundation of yoga, veganism, and daily affirmations. But when her dog died, the whole structure collapsed, revealing she'd forgotten to install any supports for actual grief."

by Abzugal February 14, 2026

Spiritual Social Sciences

The study of how groups of spiritually-inclined people form communities, establish hierarchies, and develop their own unique cultures and jargon. It examines the social dynamics of the yoga studio (why is there always a competitive mat-placer?), the unspoken rules of the crystal shop (don't touch the selenite with dirty hands), and the politics of the meditation circle (who gets to ring the bell?). It's a field dedicated to understanding how people who are seeking inner peace somehow manage to create so much outer drama.

Example: "A deep dive into spiritual social sciences reveals that the 'namaste' said at the end of a yoga class has a direct correlation to how aggressively someone will cut you off in the parking lot. The divine light in them acknowledges the divine light in you, but their Honda Pilot has right of way."*

by Abzugal February 14, 2026

Spiritual Sociology

The specific analysis of group behavior within spiritual communities, focusing on the herd mentality of enlightenment-seekers. It explores why, when one person in a spiritual group starts wearing only white linen, everyone eventually starts wearing only white linen. It studies the phenomenon of the "guru effect," where a charismatic leader can say something completely nonsensical ("the moon is made of cheese, and you are that cheese") and the entire group will nod sagely, pretending to understand. Spiritual sociology confirms that the desire to belong is often stronger than the desire for truth.

Example: "When their spiritual leader announced that true enlightenment required a 3 AM cold plunge in January, the entire group participated, citing 'community resonance.' Spiritual sociology notes that not a single person asked if the leader would be joining them. He was 'meditating' indoors."

by Abzugal February 14, 2026

Spiritual Philosophy

The branch of thought that asks the really big, uncomfortable questions about the soul, the universe, and why your meditation app keeps trying to upsell you to a premium subscription. It grapples with the classic paradoxes: if we are all one, why do I still hate my neighbor's loud music? If thoughts become things, why am I still thinking about my ex? And if everything happens for a reason, what's the reason for wasps? Spiritual philosophy doesn't provide easy answers, but it does give you a sophisticated way to say "I don't know" while sounding wise.

Example: "Sitting on a mountaintop at sunset, he engaged in some deep spiritual philosophy. 'If the universe is within me,' he mused, 'then where does my parking ticket go? Do I have to pay myself? And if so, can I pay myself in good intentions?' He then realized he was hungry and went to find a taco truck."

by Abzugal February 14, 2026