Spiritual vs. Supernatural — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 9, 2024
Spiritual relates to the human spirit or soul, often involving personal growth and inner peace, while supernatural pertains to phenomena beyond scientific understanding, including magic, ghosts, and otherworldly beings.
Difference Between Spiritual and Supernatural
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "spiritual" is primarily associated with matters of the spirit or soul, emphasizing inner experiences, personal enlightenment, and connections with the divine or the essence of being. It often involves practices and beliefs that aim at personal growth, understanding of one's inner self, and achieving a state of peace or enlightenment. On the other hand, "supernatural" refers to phenomena that lie outside the natural world as understood by science. It includes events or entities that cannot be explained by the laws of nature, such as ghosts, vampires, magic, and miracles.
While spiritual practices and beliefs can involve aspects of the supernatural by incorporating belief in higher powers or realms beyond human perception, they are grounded in the individual's inner life and moral development. In contrast, supernatural phenomena are characterized by their external manifestation and the awe or fear they inspire, often forming the basis of folklore, religion, and speculative fiction.
Spirituality is often personalized and can be experienced within or outside religious contexts, focusing on personal harmony, ethical living, and the pursuit of inner peace. Supernatural beliefs, however, are usually shared within a community or cultural group and involve collective narratives about beings and powers that influence the material world in ways that defy conventional explanation.
The pursuit of spirituality is typically aimed at enhancing one's quality of life, understanding of the universe, and connections with others and the divine, if applicable. Meanwhile, interest in the supernatural often stems from curiosity about the unknown, the desire to explain experiences or phenomena that do not fit within the scientific worldview, or the entertainment value of exploring fear and wonder.
The distinction also reflects in the methodologies of engagement: spiritual practices may include meditation, prayer, mindfulness, and ethical living, focusing on transformation and growth. Supernatural phenomena, however, are often explored through storytelling, rituals, and sometimes attempts to document or communicate with entities or forces beyond the ordinary.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Relates to the human spirit or soul, focusing on inner peace and personal growth.
Pertains to phenomena beyond scientific understanding or the natural world.
Focus
Inner life, moral development, and personal enlightenment.
External phenomena, entities, or events that defy natural laws.
Context
Can be experienced within or outside of religious traditions.
Often linked to folklore, religion, and speculative fiction.
Practices
Meditation, prayer, mindfulness, ethical living.
Storytelling, rituals, paranormal investigations.
Aim
Enhancing quality of life, understanding, and connections with the divine or the universe.
Exploring the unknown, entertainment, satisfying curiosity about non-ordinary realities.
Examples
Personal spiritual experiences, enlightenment, yoga, ethical veganism.
Ghosts, magic, miracles, otherworldly beings.
Common Beliefs
Belief in a higher power or inner divinity, interconnectedness of all beings.
Belief in entities and forces outside the scope of scientific explanation.
Compare with Definitions
Spiritual
Beyond material or physical needs.
They pursued spiritual fulfillment over material success.
Supernatural
Beyond the laws of nature or scientific explanation.
The haunted house was said to be filled with supernatural phenomena.
Spiritual
Seeking inner peace and enlightenment.
His spiritual journey led him to live a life of simplicity and mindfulness.
Supernatural
Investigation of paranormal activities.
They used EVP recordings to capture supernatural voices at the site.
Spiritual
Practices aiming at moral and ethical development.
Adopting ethical veganism was a part of his spiritual beliefs.
Supernatural
Fascination with otherworldly beings.
Vampire legends are a popular form of supernatural folklore.
Spiritual
Pertaining to the soul or personal growth.
She found her yoga practice deeply spiritual.
Supernatural
Pertaining to magic or miraculous events.
The ancient text contained spells of supernatural power.
Spiritual
Connected with the divine or universal energy.
Meditation helped her feel a spiritual connection with the universe.
Supernatural
The supernatural encompasses supposed phenomena or entities that are not subject to the laws of nature. It is derived from Medieval Latin supernaturalis, from Latin super- (above, beyond, or outside of) + natura (nature ).
Spiritual
Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not material; supernatural
Spiritual power.
Supernatural
(of a manifestation or event) attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature
A supernatural being
Spiritual
Of, concerned with, or affecting the soul
Spiritual guidance.
Spiritual growth.
Supernatural
Manifestations or events considered to be of supernatural origin, such as ghosts
A frightening manifestation of the supernatural
Spiritual
Not concerned with material or worldly things
Led a spiritual life.
Supernatural
Of or relating to existence outside the natural world.
Spiritual
Of or belonging to a religion; sacred
Spiritual practices.
Spiritual music.
Supernatural
Attributed to a power that seems to violate or go beyond natural forces.
Spiritual
A religious folk song of African American origin.
Supernatural
Of or relating to a deity.
Spiritual
A work composed in imitation of such a song.
Supernatural
Of or relating to the immediate exercise of divine power; miraculous.
Spiritual
Often spirituals Religious, spiritual, or ecclesiastical matters.
Supernatural
Of or relating to the miraculous.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the spirit or the soul.
Respect towards ancestors is an essential part of Thai spiritual practice.
Supernatural
That which is supernatural.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to God or a place of worship; sacred, pure; inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Supernatural
Above nature; beyond or added to nature, often so considered because it is given by a deity or some force beyond that which humans are born with.
In Roman Catholic theology, sanctifying grace is considered to be a supernatural addition to human nature.
Stephen King's first novel is about a girl named Carrie dealing with supernatural powers.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to spirits; supernatural.
Supernatural
Not of the usual; not natural; altered by forces that are not understood fully if at all.
The house is haunted by supernatural forces.
Spiritual
Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal.
A spiritual substance or being
Supernatural
(countable) A supernatural being
Spiritual
Of or relating to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.
Supernatural
(uncountable) Supernatural beings and events collectively when used with definite article: "the supernatural"
Spiritual
Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical.
The spiritual functions of the clergy; lords spiritual and temporal; a spiritual corporation
Supernatural
Being beyond, or exceeding, the power or laws of nature; miraculous.
That is supernatural, whether it be, that is either not in the chain of natural cause and effect, or which acts on the chain of cause and effect in nature, from without the chain.
We must not view creation as supernatural, but we do look upon it as miraculous.
Spiritual
A Christian religious song, especially one in an African-American style, or a similar non-religious song.
Supernatural
Supernatural forces and events and beings collectively;
She doesn't believe in the supernatural
Spiritual
Any spiritual function, office, or affair.
He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor in temporals. — Lowell.
Supernatural
Not existing in nature or subject to explanation according to natural laws; not physical or material;
Supernatural forces and occurrences and beings
Spiritual
Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal; as, a spiritual substance or being.
It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the moral feelings or states of the soul, as distinguished from the external actions; reaching and affecting the spirits.
God's law is spiritual; it is a transcript of the divine nature, and extends its authority to the acts of the soul of man.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the soul or its affections as influenced by the Spirit; controlled and inspired by the divine Spirit; proceeding from the Holy Spirit; pure; holy; divine; heavenly-minded; - opposed to carnal.
That I may impart unto you some spiritual gift.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings.
If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one.
Spiritual
Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical; as, the spiritual functions of the clergy; lords spiritual and temporal; a spiritual corporation.
Spiritual
A spiritual function, office, or affair. See Spirituality, 2.
He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor in temporals.
Spiritual
A kind of religious song originated by Blacks in the southern United States
Spiritual
Concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church;
Religious texts
A nenber if a religious order
Lords temporal and spiritual
Spiritual leaders
Spiritual songs
Spiritual
Concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul;
A spiritual approach to life
Spiritual fulfillment
Spiritual values
Unearthly love
Spiritual
Lacking material body or form or substance;
Spiritual beings
The vital transcendental soul belonging to the spiritual realm
Spiritual
Like or being a phantom;
A ghostly face at the window
A phantasmal presence in the room
Spectral emanations
Spiritual tappings at a seance
Common Curiosities
Can scientific viewpoints accommodate spiritual or supernatural beliefs?
While science seeks to understand the natural world through empirical evidence, many people find ways to integrate spiritual beliefs or experiences with a scientific understanding of the universe. Supernatural phenomena, by definition, remain outside scientific explanation.
How do spiritual practices impact mental health?
Spiritual practices often have positive impacts on mental health, offering ways to cope with stress, find meaning, and connect with a supportive community.
Is belief in the supernatural necessary for spirituality?
No, spirituality can be practiced and experienced without believing in supernatural phenomena, focusing instead on personal growth and ethical living.
What role do supernatural beliefs play in society?
Supernatural beliefs can play various roles, from explaining the unexplainable to providing comfort, enforcing moral standards, or entertainment.
How do personal experiences influence beliefs in the spiritual or supernatural?
Personal experiences can profoundly influence an individual's belief in spirituality or the supernatural, often serving as the foundation for their worldview.
Can one be spiritual without being religious?
Yes, many people identify as spiritual but not religious, seeking personal growth and inner peace outside traditional religious frameworks.
What are common criticisms of supernatural beliefs?
Critics often point to the lack of empirical evidence and the potential for such beliefs to lead to superstition or detract from scientific understanding.
How do cultures influence perceptions of the spiritual and supernatural?
Cultural background greatly influences how individuals understand and engage with spiritual and supernatural concepts, shaping beliefs, practices, and interpretations.
Can something be both spiritual and supernatural?
Yes, some beliefs and experiences can overlap, involving spiritual significance and supernatural phenomena, such as miracles considered divine.
Are supernatural phenomena always considered frightening?
Not always; while some supernatural beliefs involve fear of unknown entities or forces, others might find comfort or fascination in the idea of a world beyond what is seen or understood scientifically.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
