What is Spirituality?
Before debunking the myths surrounding spirituality we need to get an idea of what is meant by the term “spirituality”. The word spirituality comes from root words in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that all mean wind, breath, or air—that which gives life. In the same way as your purpose in life or your relationships or career may change, so does your personal definition of spirituality. It certainly means different things to different people at different stages in their life.
The Center for Spirituality and healing at the University of Minnesota defines it as..
Spirituality is a broad concept with room for many perspectives. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for meaning in life.
http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/enhance-your-wellbeing/purpose/spirituality/what-spirituality
Most ordinary people would say spirituality has something to do with being connected in a non physical way to the universe, to some higher energy force or divine being. So, one could say that spirituality is something within us- but it is not tangible, you cannot physically touch it.
Myth Number One
Spirituality Means Religion
So, this is a controversial subject and I want to present a balanced view. There are those who have faith in a deity. This may be God, Buddha, Allah. Most of these people would class themselves as spiritual. Then there are those people who feel there is an indefinable force connecting them to the universe we live in, but they do not see it as a god or supreme being. Then there are those in traditional faiths who get quite angry with the idea that you can be “spiritual, but not religious”. However it is also clear that there is a rise in those who do not feel they are a specific religion.
A poll conducted among Americans in 2012 revealed the following.
The number of Americans who do not identify with any religion continues to grow at a rapid pace. One-fifth of the U.S. public – and a third of adults under 30 – are religiously unaffiliated today, the highest percentages ever in Pew Research Center polling.
http://www.pewforum.org/2012/10/09/nones-on-the-rise/
However…
…although a substantial minority of the unaffiliated consider themselves neither religious nor spiritual (42%), the majority describe themselves either as a religious person (18%) or as spiritual but not religious (37%).
A contrary viewpoint is that expressed by Lillian Daniel who wrote a book called “When Spiritual But Not Religious Is Not Enough”, she says
Being privately spiritual but not religious just doesn’t interest me. There is nothing challenging about having deep thoughts all by oneself.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lillian-daniel/spiritual-but-not-religio_b_959216.html
She gets quite angry but also makes some statements about how spiritual people are loners, non contributors to community and selfish. This is not the case! Research has found that many spiritual people work in groups, participate in communities and passionately want to make a difference in people’s lives. I count myself in that group!
Being “spiritual but not religious” isn’t necessarily vague or wishy-washy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/19/us/examining-the-growth-of-the-spiritual-but-not-religious.html?_r=0
I really like the idea embodied in the following quote
Spirituality is:
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Beyond all religions yet containing all religions
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Beyond all science yet containing all science
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Beyond all philosophy yet containing all philosophy
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/exploring-the-meaning-of-spirituality.html
Religious people can be deeply spiritual, but religion is not a prerequisite for spirituality. Many people dislike the institutions that go with religious faith. They don’t like the rules, the opinions, the representatives, the pomp and rituals. One does not need to be affiliated with a particular religion to be deeply spiritual, caring about others, connected to nature, and to live by the Golden Rule.
Myth Number Two
Spirituality is NEW AGE nonsense
Hmmm..well we have all seen some kooky stuff that describes itself as spiritual and new age! It does make me laugh when I hear practices that have been going on for thousands of years described as New Age. Is it new age to meditate? Is it new age to believe in the energy of the universe? Hollywood may have tried to make it blockbuster sensational with films such as “The Secret” but, newsflash, “There is NO secret!!” Being in touch with your spirituality is simply wanting to know more about your life’s purpose, it’s direction and meaning. Self-awareness is not new age, it is curiosity. The need to understand our environment, our “reason for being” is hardly new. Mankind has been exploring the meaning of the universe since time began- hardly new age!
I like William Blooms view
“Spirituality, for me, is everyone’s natural connection with the wonder and energy of life…and the instinct to explore that experience and its meaning.”
William Bloom
http://www.williambloom.com
Myth Number Three
Spirituality is Difficult
This is the myth that you need some special teaching, expensive visits to retreats and guidance from gurus to be spiritual. Naturally there are those “seekers” who will conduct their spiritual journey with visits to masters and yes, I have done that. However, my first steps in developing my spiritual self came from within. I had the idea that there was more to life than just working, sleeping, playing. I literally could feel the energy within and around me and I was curious. Yes, I read a lot of books, and I would still say, today, that in this technological age there is a HUGE amount to learn from just reading. There are some extraordinary people out there with challenging, passionate and uplifting ideas. It is certainly not difficult to read their ideas. If you want to broaden your learning in this area, check out my Lorane Recommends page for books I have read that you might enjoy.
Connecting with your spirituality
With intention and practice you can connect more deeply with your spirituality. CLICK TO TWEET
You do it unconsciously, often, when you take a walk or spend time in nature. For those of you who feel spirituality is a difficult concept, start with 5 small steps. I challenge you not to feel better and more connected with your world having completed these steps.
Step 1
Get into nature- no cheating here- a walk around the block is good but not what I’m talking about. Walk in a park, by a river, on a beach, in a wood or forest. You could quietly sit under a tree, look deeply at a flower or even observe a houseplant. Take time to just breathe deeply and LOOK at the nature, really look and notice the details.
Step 2
Go help someone else- this does not need to be a huge commitment to a charity marathon! Drop off some items at goodwill. Volunteer for your local little league team, you could do the refreshments! Whatever you do, it is not for you, but to help someone else. This fills the reserves in your heart- it will make you feel more connected.
Step 3
Relax and spend some quiet time with yourself. Listen to music, light a candle, take a soothing bath. Allow your mind to empty and let whatever thoughts come and go without judgment. They’re only thoughts after all and not necessarily the truth.
Step 4
Practice gratitude. Be grateful not judgmental. For help on this read my post on gratitude
Step 5
Practice mindfulness. OK this takes a determined intent but is doable. This is about cultivating awareness of your thoughts, reactions and feelings. It can be done as part of step 1- getting into nature, mediations and present moment awareness. More help here
Spirituality does not have to be difficult- we are all essentially energy in the form of human beings, so actually we ALL have the potential to cultivate our spirituality.
Myth Number Four
Spirituality is a Waste of Time
You may feel that you are too busy for all of this “nonsense” about spirituality. Too busy just surviving? Do you think that is why we are here, to simply survive? We humans are far too complex and intelligent creatures to simply practice survival. Haven’t you ever gotten to the end of the day, collapsed exhausted onto the sofa and thought, “Is that all there is, is this my life?” We were born to question, to explore, to discover. Inside each of us is a passion bursting to express itself. Spirituality connects us with the energy of the universe, makes us better than selfish, self-serving creatures. Spirituality puts us in touch with our higher selves. This is certainly far from being a waste of time;
Spirituality is as necessary as the air we breathe. CLICK TO TWEET
For an alternative view of connecting to spirits, listen to my radio show with Garnet Schulhauser who has some interesting things to tell you about his own spiritual journey from mainstream successful lawyer to “new thought” author.
Thank you as always Lorane for very insightful information. I love your Successful Sunday Starts!!!!!!