How one defines it depends largely on the person one is talking to. Sumner also makes an important distinction between spiritualism and religion.
Many people believe that they are one and the same.
Spiritualism, however, is a manifestation of religion, a way of expressing one's religious beliefs. It is entirely possible to be spiritual but not religious. The main concern here is whether or not there is a place in occupational therapy for spiritualism. By examining the various paradigms that have given occupational therapy direction throughout its history, we are able to understand what Sue Baptiste is saying. Occupational therapy's original paradigm was the Paradigm of Occupation.