Spirituality & Thriving

4 Spiritual Practices

While there are a variety of practices that can protect and nurture our spiritual health and well-being, finding the ones that will sustain us throughout our journey is imperative. These 4 simple, everyday practices can help you get started in your journey towards thriving. (Hover each practice to learn more.)

Readings on Spirituality

The Search for Meaning during Holy Week

By Pamela Ebstyne King | Apr 1, 2023

Easter is time of great hope and joy as we celebrate the miraculous. It is a time to reflect on the triumph of God’s love, light, and life in the world, and on the power of forgiveness. The story of Easter brings meaning to suffering and provides hope even in the most turbulent times. The…

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What’s Love got to do with it?

By Pamela Ebstyne King | Feb 1, 2023

I I am often asked about strategies for thriving. “How do I thrive?” “What practices help with thriving?”  Thriving is complicated, and individuals thrive differently. However, I have a simple answer to the question of how to thrive. Offer more love. Love provides heart and motivation for the growth and contribution so essential for thriving – the love of…

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What is Thriving and Why is it Important?

By Pamela Ebstyne King | Jan 1, 2023

Thriving is living life on purpose. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10b) Psychology and theology come together to provide a vision for the good life What is the fuss about thriving? From Kaiser Permanente to Petco, everyone uses the word. It’s an appealing idea, the…

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Accessing the Transcendent: How might we practice something that seems so existential?  

By Cynthia Erikson | Oct 14, 2022

Dr. Cynthia Eriksson reflects on rituals and to help us connect to the transcendent – something beyond ourselves.

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The Power of Transcendence and Spirituality in a Modern World

By Pamela Ebstyne King | Sep 2, 2022

Pamela King reflects on the church of her youth and considers lessons from her current research findings about spirituality for the future.

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Moments of transcendence

By Jilleen Westbrook | Sep 2, 2022

According to psychologist and executive director of the Thrive Center, Pamela Ebstyne King, transcendent experiences are emotional responses, often profound, that inform how individuals see themselves in relationship to God, others, and the world.  Transcendent experiences give our lives meaning, and shift our focus from ourselves, connecting us with something more – whether that be…

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Rethinking Traditional Church for a Modern Age

By Pamela Ebstyne King | Aug 1, 2022

Pamela King reflects on the church of her youth and how it deeply formed her identity, sense of purpose, and belonging.

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The 5 B’s of Thriving: Accessing God’s Love

By Thrive Center | May 2, 2022

Our research-based framework will help you develop and strengthen your thriving “muscles.”

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The Promise of Easter: Thriving in a Difficult World

By Pamela Ebstyne King | Apr 4, 2022

Dr. Pamela King discusses how tapping into our faith and contributing to a flourishing world can help us thrive through difficulty.

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Cultivating Spiritual Practices for the New Year

By Pamela Ebstyne King | Jan 3, 2022

As we enter a new year, Dr. Pamela King invites us to find daily spiritual practices that will draw us closer to ourselves, others and God.

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An Invitation to Thrive

By Pamela Ebstyne King | Nov 1, 2021

Dr. Pamela King invites leaders to reimagine and lead in new ways in order to enable all people and communities to thrive.

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Finding Anchoring Practices in Times of Disruption

By Esther Tan | Jul 30, 2020

Fuller alumna, Esther Tan shares her COVID-19 experience and how anchoring rituals, such as prayer, have helped her find resilience.

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Planting Seeds of Healing Through Spirituality

By Stephanie Trudeau | Apr 30, 2020

Postdoctoral Researcher, Stephanie Trudeau provides ways spirituality can be resource for healing within ourselves and our families.

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Staying Grounded, Connected, and Directed through Disruption

By Pamela Ebstyne King | Apr 23, 2020

Dr. Pam King discusses how spirituality can help us stay grounded, connected, and directed throughout challenges.

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On the Road to Healing: Meaning-Making and Beliefs During COVID-19

By Stephanie Trudeau | Apr 13, 2020

Dr. Stephanie Trudeau continues her discussion on loss, and how meaning-making and beliefs can guide us toward healing.

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Light in Darkness: Not a Wholly Unprecedented Holy Week

By Pamela Ebstyne King | Apr 9, 2020

Dr. Pam King explores how our beliefs can bring hope and light to our lives during dark times like COVID-19.

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Homebound: Protecting Our Spiritual Health

By Angela Gorrell | Mar 26, 2020

Guest blogger, Dr. Angela Gorrell emphasizes the importance of nurturing our spiritual health in order to thrive during COVID-19.

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Orienting Ourselves Through the Holi-daze

By Pamela Ebstyne King | Dec 18, 2019

Dr. Pamela King reminds us about the significance of the holidays and orienting our lives to what matters through the holiday craze.

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The 3 Religious and Spiritual Assets of Youth Thriving

By Pamela Ebstyne King | Jul 15, 2019

Pamela King shares the 3 dimensions of religion and spirituality that promote positive youth development.

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Adolescents and Spirituality: Do Mountaintop Spiritual Experiences Really Make a Difference?

By Abigail Shepherd | Jul 20, 2016

Learn 3 ways caring adults can stimulate spiritual experiences and growth in teens.

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Installation Address: An Invitation to Thrive

By Pamela Ebstyne King | May 16, 2016

In her installation address, Pamela King speaks on thriving as an invitation to embrace our purpose in God’s ongoing story.

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What Research Says

Decades of research affirm that being engaged in our religious traditions and having a sense of spirituality can enable us to thrive. Often overlooked as potential resources for thriving, religion and spirituality are key to understanding our psychological development through:

Icon representing beliefs, values, and morals

Ideology (Beliefs, Values, Morals)

These are the beliefs, values, and morals made available through religious and spiritual traditions. These inform what is right or wrong and what’s of most importance. It allows us to find meaning, to make sense of challenges, and to forge an identity and purpose.

Icon representing social connections

Social Connections

These are the relationships available through religious communities that support one’s faith development. They provide social capital and service and leadership opportunities.

Icon representing meditation

Transcendence

This is a cognitive and emotional experience where our beliefs, values, and morals are connected to something greater than ourselves. This shapes our identity, virtues, and actions/behaviors.

Dig Deeper

The Telos Project

Dr. King uses teleology to further understand the ends and means of human development and thriving.

Measuring Spirituality Among Adolescents

Dr. King tests the psychological viability of the MDAS scale among diverse youth.

Spiritual Exemplars II Project

A continuation study, Dr. King follows up on the spiritual journeys of elected youth exemplars.

Study of Spirituality in America

Our team uses cutting-edge structural model analysis to understand diverse spirituality in the U.S.

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