In the last days of Rome - language visible, soul invisible

While the world is heatedly debating “doctors vs. doctors,” the spiritual dimension remains largely ignored.

The SPINE app poses the question openly: If we gender our language, why don't we create spaces in which the soul becomes visible?

This thesis challenges us: measuring visibility based on the dictionary alone is insufficient.

Who goes unnoticed?

Often those whose concerns cannot be captured in metrics or life stories: people who are searching for meaning, connection and inner healing.

The gender debate: visibility at any price?

The debate about gender-fair language has real value. It aims to make marginalized people visible. The German Orthography Council published recommendations in 2023 that institutionalized the discussion [German Orthography Council — Communication](https://www.rechtschreibrat.com/geschlechtergerechte-schreibung-erlaeuterungen-begruendung-und-kriterien-vom-15-12-2023/).

Tagesschau and ZEIT analyzed the consequences for orthography and everyday life [Tagesschau: Decision of the Spelling Council](https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/gesellschaft/genderzeichen-orthografie-100.html) | [ZEIT ONLINE: Background to the Spelling Council](https://www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2023-07/gendern-rat-fuer-deutsche-rechtschreibung-genderzeichen-empfehlung).

For many, gendering is an expression of respect. For others, it's an intrusion on legibility and tradition. Media outlets like DW offer understandable explanatory pieces that document the mood [DW: Explanatory pieces on gendering](https://www.dw.com/de/themen/gendern/s-38233423).

Yet the debate often remains formal. It negotiates signs and rules. It rarely asks: What does language do to our willingness to truly see people's inner worlds?

Imagine for a moment: We change words, but not the cultures in which people live.

What is the point of visible language if people continue to be neglected internally?

The forgotten dimension of humanity

The soul is defined here as the inner core of consciousness: values, meaning, and the way we experience the world. Modern societies often only measure what is visible—body, performance, status. The inner world remains private or is dismissed as "esoteric."

Many people sense this. They are looking for answers beyond consumerism and psychology. Pew data shows that interest in personal spirituality is growing in Western Europe [Pew Research Center: Attitudes toward spirituality and religion](https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2018/05/29/attitudes-toward-spirituality-and-religion/).

At the same time, research documents how the pandemic changed religious practices and deprived traditional structures of their monopoly [Study: Changes in spiritual practice in Germany](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8730476/).

A short, hypothetical example: Sandra, 40, self-employed, has been searching for years for a community that takes her spiritual life seriously. She's tried therapy, meditation apps, and courses. She's mostly left alone with questions like: "Where can I speak honestly about my experiences?"

She encounters platforms that are either purely consumer-oriented or treat spiritual content superficially.

That hurts.

The result: isolation, doubt, the feeling of not belonging.

Historically, spirituality was often channeled through social institutions. Today, these channels are fragmented. Many spiritual practices are shifting to the digital realm. But digital presence alone is not enough. People need encounters. Genuine listening. Spaces where they can share their experiences without judgment.

The lack of spiritual representation

Spiritual people rarely have a structured lobby. Healers, consciousness researchers, and seekers operate in a scattered fashion. Social media algorithms often favor polarizing or easily consumable content. Spiritual depth thus falls through the cracks.

There are niche solutions: Platforms like Insight Timer demonstrate the need for communal meditation offerings [Insight Timer](https://insighttimer.com/). Other services like Gaia offer rich content but little space for vibrant community connections [Gaia](https://www.gaia.com/). Articles on niche social networks like Pray.com illustrate how specialized platforms can gain importance in times of crisis [Vox: Niche social networks & religious apps](https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/3/27/21197287/pray-com-religion-app-coronavirus).

In short: Content exists, but community is missing. And that's precisely the crux of the problem.

A concrete thought: If the search for meaning were as easy as finding a coffee shop, more people would find connecting options. Today, this is often not the case. The result is scattered offerings, a lack of quality signals, and confusion among those searching.

The parallel: Gender visibility vs. soul visibility

Both movements struggle for recognition. Gendering makes grammatical forms visible. Spiritual people often remain invisible because societies have not institutionalized their questions.

What use is inclusive language if we do not simultaneously create spaces in which inner experiences can be shared?

True inclusion must encompass body, mind, and soul. Not just words.

"If we change the shape of words, shouldn't we also change the shape of our communities."

— a thought that often remains unspoken

The SPINE app attempts to close this gap. It aims to make spiritual people visible by connecting seekers and healers. SPINE is less a content library and more a digital marketplace and meeting place (https://www.spine.app/en).

Think of it this way: Gendering opens doors in text. SPINE wants to open doors in practice. Spaces where people meet on equal terms. Spaces where methods, deadlines, and real meetings don't disappear into opaque feeds.

A society that only sees half

A materialistic perspective judges people primarily by their performance. This leads to visible successes—and an invisible sense of emptiness. Burnout and crises of meaning often follow when the inner dimension is not nurtured. Longreads and reports on online spirituality show how the pandemic opened digital spaces where people found new forms of community [The Guardian: Online spirituality during the pandemic](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/06/zoom-churches-online-spirituality-pandemic).

The contradiction is brutal: We advocate tolerance, but spiritual depth remains a marginal issue. People hunger for belonging, but rarely find a neutral, safe place for exchange.

A concrete image: Society is a vast shop window. Some figures are in the spotlight. Others sit in the shadows. Spiritual people often exist in the twilight. This is especially true for those whose paths don't easily fit into categories.

The solution: A spiritual network for a holistic world

SPINE positions itself as the answer: a multilingual, global platform that combines a search engine and a social network. It connects people seeking healing with healers and offers for personal growth [SPINE App](https://www.spine.app/en).

Concrete, hypothetical examples show the difference:

- A user finds a breath therapy healer near her in just three clicks and immediately books an online session.

- A healer creates a profile, shares appointments, and finds his first regular client within a month.

These examples are hypothetical, but realistic and illustrative.

Why SPINE works differently:

- Focus on community rather than just content. (Compare: Insight Timer offers many courses, but less networking [Insight Timer](https://insighttimer.com/)).

- Global reach and multilingualism to accommodate cultural differences.

- Combination of search and social features that promote long-term relationships.

Key SPINE functions (briefly):

- Healer profiles with methods and availability.

- Event calendar for local and online events.

- Search function to filter offers by language, method or location.

These features aren't just technical building blocks. They're bridges. They help bring people together who would otherwise never meet. Studies and practices on community building show that visibility is created through recurring, reliable encounters [MindBodyGreen: Community Building for Wellness](https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-build-an-online-wellness-community). Comparable platforms like Gaia demonstrate demand for content—SPINE reinforces this with genuine exchange.

A short dialogue example to make it human:

"I often feel alone with my experiences."

"Try SPINE. People there talk about exactly these questions."

"And I'll actually find someone there who'll listen?"

"Yes — and who doesn't judge you."

Such conversations aren't marketing material. They're spaces that need to be created.

Practical steps for readers

- Consciously seek out platforms that offer community, not just content. Insight Timer is a starting point for meditation; SPINE complements this with community features.

- Try a local event. Meeting in person changes the experience. Articles on digital spirituality document how online gatherings can foster community [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/06/zoom-churches-online-spirituality-pandemic).

- Share a short personal experience. Visibility starts with a post in your community. One sentence is often enough: "Today I tried an exercise that helped me..."

Small, concrete actions get things moving: Viewing a profile. Marking an event. Sending a message. All of these are steps that turn anonymous consumers into active participants again.

Time for real inclusion

True inclusion goes beyond grammar. As we make gender more visible, we should also make the soul more visible.

SPINE App offers a practical space for this: a community that connects body, mind and soul [SPINE App — Discover the app](https://www.spine.app/en).

Take a small step today. Check out a profile. Tag an event. Share a short experience. Visibility grows through action—from words to real community.