Over time, spirituality has evolved and expanded, and numerous connotations may now be found alongside one another.
Spirituality is used to refer to a religious re-formation process that aimed to "recover the original shape of man orientated toward "the image of God," as demonstrated by the founders and sacred scriptures of the world's faiths. The phrase was first used in early Christianity to denote a life centered on the Holy Spirit but it was later enlarged to include mental aspects of life during the Late Middle Ages. In current times, the phrase has taken on new meanings.
religious traditions have been widened to encompass a broader spectrum of experiences, including esoteric and religious traditions. Modern usages frequently relate to a subjective perception of a sacred dimension, as well as the "deepest values and meanings by which individuals live," often outside of formal religious institutions. Personal growth, a search for an ultimate or sacred purpose, religious experience, or an encounter with one's own "inner dimension" are all examples of this.