Spirituality, what does it really mean?
It seems like everywhere you turn today people are talking about Spirituality. There are formulas to attain it, books written about it, websites devoted to it, and thousands of blogs written about it every day. Promises of wealth, happiness, romance, and anything else you can think of are made to the masses on a regular basis. Cries of follow this path or that one and you will find all your dreams. New Age, Wicca, Angel Therapy, Yoga, Hinduism, Taoism, Gnosticism, Buddhism, and Spiritualism are considered prescribed paths to this elusive thing called Spirituality. What is it, can we know what it is?
Dictionary.com offers the following definition of spirituality.
spir·it·u·al·i·ty
Audio Help /ˌspɪrɪtʃuˈælɪti/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[spir-i-choo-al-i-tee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun, plural -ties.
1. the quality or fact of being spiritual.
2. incorporeal or immaterial nature.
3. predominantly spiritual character as shown in thought, life, etc.; spiritual tendency or tone.
4. Often, spiritualities. property or revenue of the church or of an ecclesiastic in his or her official capacity.
How interesting that even a dictionary has 4 different definitions of the word. It is no wonder so many are confused, bewildered and skeptical. The first three definitions all make sense to me, the third is a mystery to me and doesn't fit within the context of this discussion. The explanation of the word still gives no concrete understanding.
First of all lets be clear about the difference between spirituality and religion. A person can be very religious yet not the least bit spiritual. In like manner a person can be spiritual and not be the least bit religious. It is absolutely possible to be both religious and spiritual at the same time.
Religion is a prescribed set of rituals and/or doctrines that if followed and believed, bring the adherent closer to God. Catholicism, Methodist-ism, Lutheranism, Islam, Mormonism, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and even Satanism are all religions. Within all religions there is a core belief of a power greater than the individual be it God, Nirvana, the Universe, or the power of the community of believers. Religions have founders, a person that received an enlightenment of sorts, a path to God that was revealed to them personally. Others spring from a more refined concept of belief and practices than the religion it sprang from, as in the many Christian, Jewish and Islamic sects. The founding of the Lutheran Church by Martin Luther was an example of this, he was dissatisfied with the doctrines of Catholicism and his followers splintered off into a new denomination. Martin Luther, Buddha, John Wesley, Lao Tsu, Joseph Smith, Muhammad, Charles T. Russell, and others founded various religions.
Spirituality is a state of being, a mindset, a relationship, a matter of personal character. It is not defined by rules or specific doctrine, spirituality is the way someone relates to their own concept of God, themselves and/or the world around them. It is as unique as the individual. For some it is a relationship with God, others view it as relationship with and an appreciation of nature, still others view it as an understanding of self. There are no hard and fast rules involved and this is the beauty of true spirituality. It is what works for you! And starts with a desire to find peace and inner satisfaction and blossoms into what the individual needs it to be for themselves.
I find spirituality preferable to religion. It transcends the rules and isolation of religion, it has room for give and take, and it grows and matures as the individual's life and experience does. It is for me, the personal expression of relationship. It is the deep flow between our character and our source, the beauty of spirituality is, there are no rights or wrongs. The spiritual person is free to incorporate anything into their expression of a deeper life. A cornucopia of thought, ideas, and beliefs that become a foundation of sorts.
My spirituality is a reflection of me, the woman and the spirit that I am. I find nature to be deeply spiritual, a reflection of the power, majesty and beauty of the Creators. By spending time in nature and paying attention to the natural world I see the cycles of life and feel the energy of the created and the Creator. I find value in most of the worlds religions as the core belief is the same. Inner direction received from Divinity, doing good to yourself and others, living a life full of joy and connectedness to God or the Divine. My spiritual life if full of direction and care provided for me from the world of the unseen. I understand the flow of energy between all things. It is the foundation of my life, the premise that I operate from, the core of my being. I didn't find true happiness in life until I began to follow what my heart said, not the beliefs and doctrines of religion but the quiet truths that I have always known.
My advice is to be open to the things of the spirit, listen to
different ideas and teachers, pay attention to what works for you. A
"take what you need and leave the rest" ideology. I encourage you to search within for what you believe, it is there perhaps buried under the opinions of others, but deep within you it can be found. Quiet reflection on your values, likes, dislikes, what brings you joy, and what brings you peace. If you think on these things, you will define your spirituality. It is not the confusing and elusive thing that it seems on the surface, but a simple and pure belief and relationship with yourself, your concept of God, and your place in the world.
Posted by redhead57 at 6:13 PM
Reverend Amy J. Parnell