Skip to main content

Integrating Spirituality and Sustainability for Individual Success

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Spirituality, Sustainability, and Success
  • 704 Accesses

Abstract

The central theme of this chapter is that the combination of spirituality and sustainability are beneficial for individual success. Because limited research exists concerning the relationships among sustainability, spirituality, and individual success, much of the focus of this chapter will be with the development of an argument for, and a conceptual framework from which to examine the proposed relationship of these constructs. Spiritual and sustainable lifestyles, such as voluntary simplicity and flourishing, and corresponding benefits will be examined. Systems thinking, the Holistic Model of Wellness, Vocational Souljourn, and the complexity theory are introduced as frameworks through which to understand the individual-level benefits of combined spirituality and sustainability. Spiritual intelligence, sustainable leadership, ecospirituality, and ecologism are discussed within the context of individual spirituality, sustainability, and success.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Akman, K. (2008). Sufism, spirituality and sustainability: Rethinking Islamic mysticism through contemporary sociology. Comparative Islamic Studies, 4(1/2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1558/cis.v4i4.1-4.2.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ANGOC, IRED Asia, & PCDF Forum. (1993). Economy, ecology & spirituality: Toward a theory and practice of sustainability. Quezon City: Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development, IRED Asia, and People-Centered Development Forum. Retrieved March 6, 2018, from http://angoc.org/portal/economy-ecology-and-spirituality-toward-a-theory-and-practices-of-sustainability/

  • Ansbro, J. J. (1982). Martin Luther King, Jr: The making of a mind. Ossining, NY: Orbis Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Behan, J. R., Richards, M. T., & Lee, M. E. (2001). Effects of tour jeeps in a wildland setting on non-motorized recreationist benefits. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 19(2), 1–19. Retrieved February 21, 2018, from https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20013130719

  • Bloch, D. P., & Richmond, L. J. (1998). SoulWork: Finding the work you love, loving the work you have. Palo Alto, CA: Davies-Black.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloch, D. P. (2004). Spirituality, complexity, and career counseling. Professional School Counseling, 7, 343–350. Retrieved March 2, 2018, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/42732603

  • Bloch, D. P. (2005). Complexity, chaos, and nonlinear dynamics: A new perspective on career development theory. The Career Development Quarterly, 53, 194–207. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-0045.2005.tb00990.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bobilya, A. J., Akey, L., & Mitchell, D., Jr. (2009). Outcomes of a spiritually focused wilderness orientation program. Journal of Experiential Education, 31(3), 440–443. https://doi.org/10.1177/105382591003300403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brayley, R. E., & Fox, K. M. (1998). Introspection and spirituality in the backcountry recreation experience. In M. D. Bialeschki & W. P. Stewart (Eds.), Abstracts from the 1998 symposium on leisure research (p. 24). Ashburn, VA: National Recreation and Parks Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brewer, E. W. (2001). Vocational souljourn paradigm: A model of adult development to express spiritual wellness as meaning, being, and doing in work and life. Counseling and Values, 45, 83–93. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-007X.2001.tb00187.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, K. W., & Kasser, T. (2005). Are psychological and ecological well-being compatible? The role of values, mindfulness, and lifestyle. Social Indicators Research, 74, 349–368. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-004-8207-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, J. E. (2004). Sustainability and spirituality. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavanagh, G. (1999). Spirituality for managers: Context and critique. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 12(3), 186–195. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534819910273793

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chavez, F. I. (2010). Sustainability & spirituality: Common threads. Originally published in the GreenMBA Journal, 6(1). San Rafael, CA: Dominican University of California. Retrieved February 11, 2018, from http://feliciachavez.com

  • Dhiman, S. (2017). Holistic leadership: A new paradigm for today’s leaders. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, E. W., Aknin, L. B., & Norton, M. I. (2008). Spending money on others promotes happiness. Science, 319(5870), 1687–1688. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1150952

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrenfeld, J., & Hoffman, A. J. (2013). Flourishing: A frank conversation about sustainability. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elgin, D. (1993). Voluntary simplicity (Rev. ed.). New York: William Morrow.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elkington, J. (1998). Cannibals with forks: The triple bottom line of 21st Century business. Stony Creek, CT: New Society Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox, R. J. (1997). Women, nature and spirituality: A qualitative study exploring women’s wilderness experience. In D. Rowe & P. Brown (Eds.), Proceedings, ANZALS conference 1997 (pp. 59–64). Newcastle, NSW: Australian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies, and Department of Leisure and Tourism Studies, The University of Newcastle.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fry, L. W., & Wigglesworth, C. G. (2010, August 1–17). Towards a theory of spiritual intelligence and spiritual leader development. Management, Spirituality & Religion Conference Paper Abstracts. Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grafanaki, S., Pearson, D., Cini, F., Godula, B., McKenzie, B., Nason, S., & Anderegg, M. (2005). Sources of renewal: A qualitative study of the experience and role of leisure in the life of counselors and psychologists. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 18(1), 31–40. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070500099660

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gregg, R. (1936). The value of voluntary simplicity. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harman, W. (1992). 21st century business: A background for dialogue. In J. Renesch (Ed.), New tradition in business: Spirit and leadership in the 21st century (pp. 11–24). San Francisco: Berrett- Koehler.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heaton, D. (2016). Higher consciousness for sustainability-as-flourishing. In S. Dhiman & J. Marques (Eds.), Spirituality and sustainability: New horizons and exemplary approaches (pp. 121–137). Heidelberg: Springer International Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heintzman, P. (1998). The role of introspection/spiritual in the park experience of campers at Ontario Provincial Parks. Culture, environment, and society. Book of Abstracts from the Seventh International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MS, pp. 169–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heintzman, P. (2000). Leisure and spiritual well-being relationships: A qualitative study. Society and Leisure, 23(1), 41–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/07053436.2000.10715603

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heintzman, P. (2002). The role of introspection and spirituality in the park experience of day visitors to Ontario Provincial Parks. In S. Bondrup-Nielsen, N. Munro, G. Nelson, M. Willison, T. Herman, & P. Eagles (Eds.), Managing protected areas in a changing world (pp. 992–1004). Wolfville, NS: Science and Management of Protected Areas Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heintzman, P. (2009). Nature-based recreation and spirituality: A complex relationship. Leisure Sciences, 32(1), 72–89. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400903430897

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holthaus, G. (2012). Learning Native wisdom: What traditional cultures teach us about subsistence, sustainability, and spirituality. Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inskeep, S. (2017, October 25). Albert Einstein’s quote about living a modest life sells For $1.3 million. Washington, DC: National Public Radio (NPR). Retrieved February 3, 2018, from https://www.npr.org/2017/10/25/559963919/albert-einsteins-quote-about-living-a-modest-life-sells-for-1-3-million

  • Jaret, P. (2017, December). Common ground. Mindful, 64–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jung, C. G. (1934–1954). The archetypes and the collective unconscious. (In 1981 2nd ed. Collected works Vol. 9 Part 1). Princeton, NJ: Bollingen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasser, T. (2009). Psychological need satisfaction, personal well-being, and ecological sustainability. Ecopsychology, 1(4), 175–180. https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2009.0025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kovacs, G. (2014). Buddhist spiritual orientation to nature and sustainability. In L. Zsolnai (Ed.), The spiritual dimension of business ethics and sustainability management (pp. 57–68). Heidelberg: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11677-8_20

  • Laszlo, C., Saillant, R., Pose, I. B., & Brown, J. S. (2014). Flourishing enterprise: The new spirit of business. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Livengood, J. (2009). The role of leisure in the spirituality of new paradigm Christians. Leisure/Loisir, 33(1), 389–417. https://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2009.9651444

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loeffler, T. A. (2004). A photo elicitation study of the meanings of outdoor adventure experiences. Journal of Leisure Research, 36(4), 536–556. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2004.11950035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Louv, R. (2008). Last child in the woods. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovelock, J. E. (1972). Gaia as seen through the atmosphere. Atmospheric Environment, 6(8), 579–580. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7944-4_2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marques, J., Dhiman, S., & King, R. (2010). Exploring the link between spirituality and sustainability. Business Renaissance Quarterly, 5(1), 19. Retrieved December 11, 2017, from https://www.proquest.com

  • Pappas, J. B., & Pappas, E. C. (2014). The sustainable personality: Values and behaviors in individual sustainability. International Journal of Higher Education, 4(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v4n1p12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pfeffer, J. (2010). Business and the spirit. In R. A. Giacalone & C. L. Jurkiewicz (Eds.), Handbook of workplace spirituality and organizational performance (2nd ed., pp. 27–43). New York: M. E. Sharp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, L. B. (2000). Choosing simplicity: Real people finding peace and fulfillment in a complex world. Carmel, CA: Gallagher Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rimanoczy, I. (2014). A matter of being: Developing sustainability-minded leaders. Journal of Management for Global Sustainability, 2(1), 95–122. https://doi.org/10.13185/1902

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rule, M., & Udd, E. (2002). Resident camp directors, spirituality, and wilderness. In S. Todd (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2001 northeastern recreation research symposium (Gen. Tech. Rep. NE- 289) (pp. 418–420). Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, P. (2008). The global brain: The awakening earth in a new century (3rd ed.). Edinburgh: Floris Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schein, S. (2014). The ecological world views and post-conventional action logics of global sustainability leaders. Doctoral dissertation, Fielding Graduate University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, C., & Little, D. E. (2007). Qualitative insights into leisure as a spiritual experience. Journal of Leisure Research, 39(2), 222–247. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2007.11950106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, C. (2009). Reconnecting with Earth: Ecospirituality as the missing dimension in spirituality and sustainability education. International Handbook of Education for Spirituality, Care and Wellbeing, 653–675. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9018-9_35

  • Stead, J. G., & Stead, W. E. (2014). Building spiritual capabilities to sustain sustainability-based competitive advantages. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 11(2), 143–158. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2013.832359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stringer, L. A., & McAvoy, L. H. (1992). The need for something different: Spirituality and wilderness adventure. The Journal of Experiential Education, 15(1), 13–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/105382599201500103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Targowski, A. (2012). Spirituality 2.0—A condition for a wise civilization. Dialogue and Universalism, 22(2), 133–143. Retrieved November 21, 2017, from https://www.researchgate.net

  • Tate, W. (2009). The search for leadership: An organisational perspective. Charmouth: Triarchy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolle, E. (1999). The power of now: A guide to spiritual enlightenment. Novato, CA: New World Library.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trainor, S. F., & Norgaard, R. B. (1999). Recreation fees in the context of wilderness values. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 17(3), 100–115. Retrieved February 21, 2018, from http://js.sagamorepub.com/jpra/article/view/1634

  • Trott, J., & Crow, S. (2002). Soak up the sun [music recording]. Toronto, ON: Ole Media Management & Reservoir Media Management.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Schalkwyk, A. (2011). Sacredness and sustainability: Searching for a practical eco-spirituality. Religion and Theology, 18(1–2), 77–92. https://doi.org/10.1163/157430111X613674

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vatican Insider. (2015). Pope Francis’ encyclical: This “wounded world” needs “an ecological conversion”. Vatican City: The Vatican. http://www.lastampa.it/2015/06/17/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/pope-francis-encyclical-this-wounded-world-needs-an-ecological-conversion-VIDiWxrhCcCwmSDen1R9yI/pagina.html

  • Walker, A. G. (2013). The relationship between the integration of faith and work with life and job outcomes. Journal of Business Ethics, 112(3), 453–461. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1271-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Witmer, J. M., & Sweeney, T. J. (1992). A holistic model for wellness and prevention over the life span. Journal of Counseling & Development, 71, 140–148. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1992.tb02189.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Commission on Environment and Development. (1987). Our common future. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Beehner, C.G. (2019). Integrating Spirituality and Sustainability for Individual Success. In: Spirituality, Sustainability, and Success. Palgrave Studies in Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77806-8_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics