wholeness
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈəʊlnəs/
US
- /ˈhoʊlnɪs/
Description
- completeness
- unity
- integrity
Wholeness is not just about having all the pieces. It is about those pieces fitting together in a way that feels complete and natural. Think of a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, or a person who feels balanced and at peace with different parts of life. The word can describe objects, people, ideas, or experiences. It often suggests unity, balance, and a sense that nothing important is missing.
Wholeness speaks to a state of completeness, unity, and integration. It goes beyond simply having everything you need; it's about those elements working together in harmony. This concept appears across many fields—from psychology and spirituality to art and ecology.
In psychology, wholeness often refers to mental and emotional health: the ability to bring different parts of your personality into a stable sense of self. A person seeking wholeness accepts both strengths and weaknesses and tries to live in a way that matches their values.
In spiritual writing, wholeness is often linked to inner peace or to feeling connected to something larger than oneself. Many traditions connect it with practices such as meditation, prayer, or mindfulness.
But wholeness isn't limited to internal states. It can also describe external things. A beautifully crafted piece of pottery feels whole because of its form and function working in unison. An ecosystem thrives on the wholeness of interconnected relationships between plants, animals, and their environment.
The idea of wholeness often implies a sense of being enough or complete. It is not the same as perfection. Instead, it suggests that even flaws can be part of a complete life, object, or system. The word often carries a calm, thoughtful feeling, pointing to the value of bringing separate parts together into one meaningful whole.
Examples
- 1
Yoga
Yoga gave her a sense of wholeness she had not felt in years.
- 2
Recovery program
The program treats recovery as more than stopping a habit; it also aims for emotional wholeness.
- 3
Family reunion
After months away, being back with his family brought a feeling of wholeness.
- 4
Modern life
His essays are all about finding wholeness in a fragmented modern life.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- wholenessnoun