Inward Journeys: Forms and Patterns of College Student Spirituality

Abstract

There is considerable evidence that a growing number of college students today are engaged in many new forms of spiritual search and practice. The forms and patterns of contemporary college student spirituality are diverse and multifaceted and not yet well understood or documented. Consequently, there is much to be learned about this recent development in college student spirituality in order to determine its meaning and importance for today’s college students as well as for the educational and student developmental efforts of colleges and universities. This article reports on the findings of the authors' research into the contemporary forms and patterns of college student spirituality and offers an analysis and discussion of the implications of these findings for colleges and universities. The authors examine in particular the behaviors and involvements of college students related to spiritual search activities and what some colleges and universities are doing to respond to this important student trend.