What is spirituality?
I've been thinking today about spirituality. It's inspired many individuals and nations to reach their greatest achievements and arguably accelerated the development or "progress" of humanity. In fact, one might even claim that it's a defining characteristic of our species. Other kinds of organisms have sensation, impulses, and emotion, and some even have primitive rationality (e.g. planning). But do any other species have spirituality? How would we know? Is altruistic behavior evidence of spirituality? (Or at least what looks like it to us?) How do we define it? Is it, perhaps, the sense that we belong to a richer existence than just what we can see and sense and measure in the world around us?
Well, I just read the wikipedia entry on spirituality and it opened my eyes a little. Still, I'm interested in what spirituality means to real people, both those who practice religions and those who don't. When do you feel most spiritual? What brings out your spirituality? Do you feel most spiritual when you're alone or as part of a group? Consider taking a minute to reply to this post or to email me with your thoughts. Thanks!
Well, I just read the wikipedia entry on spirituality and it opened my eyes a little. Still, I'm interested in what spirituality means to real people, both those who practice religions and those who don't. When do you feel most spiritual? What brings out your spirituality? Do you feel most spiritual when you're alone or as part of a group? Consider taking a minute to reply to this post or to email me with your thoughts. Thanks!
posted by jared at 3:54 AM
4 Comments:
I guess I'd better answer my own questions first. :)
I've experienced several different kinds of spirituality, I think. I often get warm fuzzies when I hear a powerful musical performance, a moving story (e.g. about someone sacrificing a great deal for their convictions or for others), or someone's courageous self-expression (including my own). To me that's one wonderful flavor of spirituality.
A few times during my life, I've felt tremendous love from God. I don't have any real evidence that I didn't just will the feeling into existence, but it sure felt as though it genuinely came from outside myself, and I appreciated that.
Another kind of spirituality I've felt is a profound sense that I'm part of a great whole -- or several great wholes, actually: humanity, life on earth, and our universe. I guess this was more of a realization than a feeling, but I consider it part of my spirituality because it came to me powerfully and has stayed with me. It gives me greater patience and respect for strangers. It doesn't infuse me with a great sense of purpose though, except the desire to reproduce to contribute to humanity and repay my debt to nature.
Okay, your turn.
When I pray I know without a doubt that Heavenly Father is listening. When I kneel to talk with Him I feel a joy and peace that comes from somewhere else.
I like all your thoughts.
For me spiriutality is the peaceful assurance that Heavenly Father knows and loves me and that everything will be OK.
I've received a few emails in addition to the comments here. Spirituality certainly has many different meanings to people with different backgrounds, but I think there's much in common at a level deeper than the words people use to understand it and describe it to others. Thanks everyone for sharing!
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