[1] The term was inspired by engaged Buddhism, a concept and set of values developed by the Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh.
Practitioners of this mode of spirituality tend to hold progressive values which galvanize their efforts for social change.
[5] It may be contrasted with "pop spirituality", which concerns itself primarily with personal psychological betterment, and lacks a deep commitment to social engagement.
For example, prayer or meditation may serve as a way for an individual to gather strength and gain insight that can guide and enhance the effectiveness of their efforts in working for social change.
This can lead to a continual interwoven process of spiritual growth and a deeper commitment to improving one's local or global community.