A qualitative examination of sanctification: Sources and varieties of appraisals of sacredness.
International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP January 1, 2025 Elizabeth J Krumrei-Mancuso, Janet P Trammell, Jennifer A Harriger et al.
People often interpret everyday experiences as sacred, and these appraisals involve a mix of emotions and sensory perceptions. In a study where 144 religious or spiritual individuals recalled a time they felt something was sacred, divine, miraculous, spiritual, holy, or blessed, the most common descriptions involved people, relationships, and places considered sacred by association with a higher power or transcendent reality, rather than being inherently sacred. Different sacred adjectives were linked to distinct features. The findings suggest that mental health professionals should recognize how clients may spontaneously sanctify ordinary aspects of life.