Educating youth towards interiority : The role of the soul friend

Abstract

This research is an empirical study about the spiritual development of young people in a Maltese context, their experiences and ways of thinking and living, considering the three main elements of spirituality mainly Awareness or Awakening, Connecting and Belonging, and A Way of Living, based on a non linear spiritual development, as defined by the Search Institute. It seeks to explore their search for interiority, a space for reflection and personal silence, and whether or not they have already embarked on particular journeys of interiority. Closely linked to all this is the role of the soul friend, that person who accompanies youth in developing and cultivating their personal relationship with God. The research was carried out through a questionnaire distributed among Gozitan post-secondary students, and through four focus groups. The 16-18 year olds are rather spiritual and show a good number of characteristics of The Spirituality Profile. Their strongest characteristics deal with connection and belonging, followed by those depicting a way of living and finally awareness. They feel the call for interiority, which can be enhanced through spiritual accompaniment. This would definitely make their spiritual journey more relevant and hence enrich their holistic development.