Faith / Spirituality / Religion

Issue 09 | The Theoretical Leader

Rational Architect INTP - Marie Curie

Making Sense
of Spirituality

Does it make sense to be spiritual? Each of the temperaments finds comfort in the divine when it does something for them. It has to resonate. What makes sense for one person may not seem all that sensible to another. That is why spirituality is a different journey for each of us. In this article we take a glimpse at the central themes of the spiritual pursuit for each of the temperaments.

Artisan

Pain & Pleasure

Spirituality resonates for the Artisan when it alleviates pain. It becomes that place where they can feel a sensation of the divine. When an Artisan has faced tragedy, has an awakening, or they “hit rock bottom,” they find that the divine is the only sensation that can touch them. All that once touched their senses have lost its ability to stimulate, and so in the midst of numbness to pleasure, they find the divine at the deepest parts of their pain. It is like finding light in the darkness, water in the desert, and sight for the blind. They seek this kind of touch, for it is the only touch that satisfies and lasts beyond the moment.


Guardian

Blame & Credit

Spirituality resonates for the Guardian when they feel rewarded for their diligence. They get to experience salvation and love amidst an evil world, where wrongdoers have left creation all twisted, tainted and troubled. A place with the divine is where they feel credited for standing up against the darkness of humankind. It is where they are affirmed for resisting temptation and choosing the higher ground. From their safe refuge, they can look outward and assign blame for the condition of humanity to propagators of evil. They meet the divine and find comfort in knowing that they are clothed in righteousness because of their good deeds.

Idealist

Reality & Ideality

Spirituality resonates for the Idealist when it gives them hope for their dreams. They see life as the fulfillment of destiny, where a relationship with the divine secures ideality for what is yet to come. Idealists seek harmonious relationships, desiring to love and be loved. To be considered worthy of affection. And this is what they receive at the deepest levels from the divine. It is in this place where they can be authentic, and unconditionally accepted. There is no need to search for their identity, for they are known here. Finding purpose and meaning is no longer a necessary pursuit, for it is where love resides, that they can just be.

Rational

Faith & Reason

Spirituality resonates for the Rational when it makes sense to them. They require an explanation for what they know. Ideas and theories adopted by Rationals are ones that are most superior in explaining reality as they experience it. If evolution seems more probable to them, that is what they adopt. If intelligent design presents itself to be more likely, then this is what they will accept. Rationals don’t believe blindly. They follow no prescriptions or directives unless they see the usefulness of such a system. Rationals are agnostics at heart about most of life’s pursuits, for they understand that there is still so much that is yet to be understood.

Faith, Spirituality, Religion

Some refer to themselves as “religious,” some as “not religious,” then there’s “spiritual, but not religious,” a “person of faith,” and let’s not forget about the “atheist,” or “agnostic.” At Keirsey, our research indicates that depending on your temperament, you are likely to approach faith, spirituality, or religion differently.

Different Kinds of Spirituality

We believe that temperament has a significant impact on what will make a person feel most alive. And we believe that the spiritual pursuit must include elements of connection with what brings life for you. In this article, we explore some of the intricacies of what gives life and breath to each of the temperaments.