What does Spirituality mean to you?

[RoseRen]

I'm going through a Life Coaching kit, in one of the questions to reflect on was this. I'm actually lost. I thought I'll listen to different perspectives and may be that will help.

 

I have thought of a few terms like ... Prayer, Enlightment, Being Virtuous/Good, Rituals etc. Any thoughts ?

[taiko]

I'm going through a Life Coaching kit, in one of the questions to reflect on was this. I'm actually lost. I thought I'll listen to different perspectives and may be that will help.

 

I have thought of a few terms like ... Prayer, Enlightment, Being Virtuous/Good, Rituals etc. Any thoughts ?

 

All that but it is personal, not community based. You have no group of fellow belivers that you are accountable to. No judge of "good" except yourself. Nobody else to point out when your spirit life starts to drift away.

[Zona76]

It's different for everyone. Depends if you are feeling a Spiritual moment or reaching for a Spiritual leader.

Individualy it's a moment of peace and calm with no worries. But that's me.

Good thread though.

[disgracian]

Beyond the realities of everyday life, competing for limited resources and procreating to preserve the species, and all other instinctual drives, you can call anything spiritual. Pondering one's place in the universe, one's own conscience, finding peace amidst chaos, doing good when it is easier or more beneficial to do otherwise, stepping outside your own subjective experience, all these things may be considered spiritual.

 

Cheers,

D.

[lonelybird]

when God corrects you, you don't kick and scream, but listen to what he has to say, and keep humble youself, and be careful not to wrap up in "self-righteousness", IMO

[Moose]

Beyond the realities of everyday life, competing for limited resources and procreating to preserve the species, and all other instinctual drives, you can call anything spiritual. Pondering one's place in the universe, one's own conscience, finding peace amidst chaos, doing good when it is easier or more beneficial to do otherwise, stepping outside your own subjective experience, all these things may be considered spiritual.

 

Cheers,

D.

doing good when it is easier or more beneficial, (to whom?) to do otherwise

Interesting view point. The exact opposite of what I believe to be Truth. Thanks for doing the typing for me......

[disgracian]

That's a good sign that I'm on the right track then, Moose.

 

Cheers,

D.

[nashua]

IMO, religion and spirituality are an integrated system of belief, lifestyle, ritual activites and institutions by which individuals give meaning to (or find meaning in) their lives by orienting themselves to what they take to be holy, sacred or of the highest value.

 

I find being out in Nature to be spiritual, dancing and losing myself in the music, even eating a ripe juicy mango can be spiritual. It is whatever you want it to be and is not restricted by "boxes." I think that some people, who conform to a specific religion might disagree with me, but like i said, its my opinion.

[RoseRen]

Thanks for your responses friends. Great to know the varied perspectives!

 

I find being out in Nature to be spiritual, dancing and losing myself in the music, even eating a ripe juicy mango can be spiritual. It is whatever you want it to be and is not restricted by "boxes." I think that some people, who conform to a specific religion might disagree with me, but like i said, its my opinion.

 

Very unique response Cairo. Btw, do you associate these activities with any feelings/emotions/thoughts?

[RoseRen]

It's different for everyone. Depends if you are feeling a Spiritual moment or reaching for a Spiritual leader.

Individualy it's a moment of peace and calm with no worries. But that's me.

Good thread though.

 

Thanks Zona.

 

I think I have got a few inputs already. It was worth putting this question here.

[quankanne]

IMO, religion and spirituality are an integrated system of belief, lifestyle, ritual activites and institutions by which individuals give meaning to (or find meaning in) their lives by orienting themselves to what they take to be holy, sacred or of the highest value.

 

great definition, CG. I'll go one step further to say that spirituality is my relationship (or journey) with God, and religion is the vehicle that carries me along the way.

[Enema]

To me spirituality is a way for humans to escape their fear of normalcy.

 

They use any of the many forms of spirituality (not just religion) to attempt to convince themselves that we're not just animals like any other, with a finite lifespan.

 

They use spirituality to hide from their fear: fear that there is nothing before, nothing after, and nothing overly special during a humans' life.

[nashua]

Thanks for your responses friends. Great to know the varied perspectives!

 

 

 

Very unique response Cairo. Btw, do you associate these activities with any feelings/emotions/thoughts?

 

Well, not every time I"m out in nature, or dancing is a spiritual experience, but its ususally a feeling of one-ness with myself. Its a moment of ineffible euphoria. I was a religious studies major in college, and have found many ways to be spiritual. there was an event i had to go to once, for college. it was a Sufi dancing experience, and I was kind of close minded about it before experiencing it, but after the event, i was feeling very whole with everyone. I guess that would be the best description...a sense of wholeness or oneness with myself. I was full of very powerful feelings of goodness and i felt alive and awake.

 

There was another time I went to the beach early in the morning just as the sun was rising. i sat there with myself for atleast an hour...in and out of meditating, and eventually felt a sense of awareness and fullness...;like some higher power enered me through my feet and came out my mouth in utter laughter. It was really weird, but very cool. I probably sound like a freak, but I'm not. i'm normal. I hope this answered your question.

[sb129]

Nah, I agree with you Cairodancer. I am an atheist, but certain experiences make me feel more "spiritual" or euphoric.

 

Music is one of them, live music especially, seeing a beautiful sunrise or experiencing nature firsthand, that kind of thing.

[RoseRen]

Well, not every time I"m out in nature, or dancing is a spiritual experience, but its ususally a feeling of one-ness with myself. Its a moment of ineffible euphoria. I was a religious studies major in college, and have found many ways to be spiritual. there was an event i had to go to once, for college. it was a Sufi dancing experience, and I was kind of close minded about it before experiencing it, but after the event, i was feeling very whole with everyone. I guess that would be the best description...a sense of wholeness or oneness with myself. I was full of very powerful feelings of goodness and i felt alive and awake.

 

There was another time I went to the beach early in the morning just as the sun was rising. i sat there with myself for atleast an hour...in and out of meditating, and eventually felt a sense of awareness and fullness...;like some higher power enered me through my feet and came out my mouth in utter laughter. It was really weird, but very cool. I probably sound like a freak, but I'm not. i'm normal. I hope this answered your question.

 

I don't think you are a freak. I find this very interesting.

[sb129]

I hate to lower the tone, and no offense to some people here who are anti that kind of thing, or are truly religious and spiritual, but I have had some intensely spiritual moments under the influence of some drugs.

 

Unfortunately, like anything artificial, the feelings can't last, and are usually eventually followed by intense lows which aren't fun, so now the highs aren't worth it IMO.

 

Just for your reference Rose.

[RoseRen]

To me spirituality is a way for humans to escape their fear of normalcy.

 

They use any of the many forms of spirituality (not just religion) to attempt to convince themselves that we're not just animals like any other, with a finite lifespan.

 

They use spirituality to hide from their fear: fear that there is nothing before, nothing after, and nothing overly special during a humans' life.

 

I think even I've been thinking about Spirituality all of sudden, because I can't find any purpose for living and the more I think about life, I am confused.

[sb129]

I think even I've been thinking about Spirituality all of sudden, because I can't find any purpose for living and the more I think about life, I am confused.

 

You should buy a beginners guide to Philosophy.

 

Exploring whether we have a purpose for living is a big part of Philosophy and you might find it interesting to read the opinions of respected intellectuals.

[RoseRen]

I hate to lower the tone, and no offense to some people here who are anti that kind of thing, or are truly religious and spiritual, but I have had some intensely spiritual moments under the influence of some drugs.

 

Unfortunately, like anything artificial, the feelings can't last, and are usually eventually followed by intense lows which aren't fun, so now the highs aren't worth it IMO.

 

Just for your reference Rose.

 

What do you feel like when you have drugs? I always thought drugs just would make people senseless or without any feelings and sleepy and drowsy. Never tried any before.

[sb129]

Some drugs have quite the opposite feeling to that.

 

Ecstasy, for example, makes you alert and much more acutely aware of sensory stimuli such as colours, sounds, lights and touch. It can give you a feeling of euphoria that makes you almost feel like you will burst with happiness. It reduces inhibitions, and you feel like you think everyone and everything is amazing, and interesting. You end up having looong looong "deep" conversations about anything and everything with total strangers, and dancing all night to music (most of which sounds amazing even if it isn't really)

Its pretty cool, BUT the downside is once all the serotonin it releases has flooded OUT of your brain again a few days later (not the most scientific way to explain it, I know) you feel quite simply like Sh**. Tired, depressed, sad, moody.

 

As someone who has had quite bad depression in the past and recovered, I am not prepared to mess my brain chemistry up again. The lows aren't worth the highs for me now that I have my head together. Now that I am on a more even keel, I don't feel that desperate need to get those artificial highs anymore either.

[Geishawhelk]

Drugs cannot induce any feeling of spirituality. they just space you out, alter your perception through a chemical influence and fudge you up. Any attempts to use drugs to attain a spiritual level is self-defeating and fruitless. It's synthetic, false misguided and somewhat dangerous.

Why use drugs when you can, with practise, achieve a better state under your own steam?

[Moose]

Drugs cannot induce any feeling of spirituality. they just space you out, alter your perception through a chemical influence and fudge you up. Any attempts to use drugs to attain a spiritual level is self-defeating and fruitless. It's synthetic, false misguided and somewhat dangerous.

Why use drugs when you can, with practise, achieve a better state under your own steam?

Eph 5:18

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

 

Yes, I've been in that state where I was completely sober, yet felt, "drunk" when filled with the Holy Spirit.....haven't been in a while......guess that says a lot doesn't it??

[sb129]

Drugs cannot induce any feeling of spirituality. they just space you out, alter your perception through a chemical influence and fudge you up. Any attempts to use drugs to attain a spiritual level is self-defeating and fruitless. It's synthetic, false misguided and somewhat dangerous.

Why use drugs when you can, with practise, achieve a better state under your own steam?

 

I was stating my opinion, and my experience, which was that I have had what I percieve to be intensely spiritual moments under the influence of certain drugs. It may be chemically induced, but in my opinion, thats no less artificial than, for example, some evangelist-induced states.

 

Seeing as its quite a personal thing, and that what is spiritual to one person may not be to another, I am entitled to my opinion.

 

I said that I didn't want to offend anyone, and in a later post I also said this

 

As someone who has had quite bad depression in the past and recovered, I am not prepared to mess my brain chemistry up again. The lows aren't worth the highs for me now that I have my head together. Now that I am on a more even keel, I don't feel that desperate need to get those artificial highs anymore either.

 

I am well aware of the dangers, thank you.

[Geishawhelk]

I'm sorry you feel so defensive. I completely appreciate you are stating your opinion, and of course, it is your absolute right to do so. But if you are stating your opinion, I was responding with fact. I responded without attack or recrimination.

I feel 'Spiritual' is not an accurate description of what you describe, given that spirituality is very much defined generally as being an enlightening or illuminating, 'growing' experience. Maybe we could agree to define it differently? What other term might you apply, in this case?

 

I am not in the slightest bit offended, and whilst I might not agree with what you say or do, it is your complete priviledge and right, as a sentient being, to make your own decisions about everything you think, say and do....

But I'm also aware of us having to accept the consequences thereof....

However, I am extremely pleased that, as you highlighted in your subsequent post, your previous depression issues are a thing of the past and that you celebrate your recovery.

I do likewise, and wish you well. Always and continually.

[RoseRen]

I'm sorry you feel so defensive. I completely appreciate you are stating your opinion, and of course, it is your absolute right to do so. But if you are stating your opinion, I was responding with fact. I responded without attack or recrimination.

I feel 'Spiritual' is not an accurate description of what you describe, given that spirituality is very much defined generally as being an enlightening or illuminating, 'growing' experience. Maybe we could agree to define it differently? What other term might you apply, in this case?

 

I understand what SB was trying to state. And the actual objective of this thread is to identify what other people think spirituality is. I don't think there could be a universal definition for spirituality. Religious/devotional is just one of it.

 

Until recently I thought Spirituality meant just enlightment and morality. (You can see that in my first post below.) But I would disagree now. Feeling happy and peaceful is also Spiritual, isn't it?

 

Some drugs have quite the opposite feeling to that.

 

Ecstasy, for example, makes you alert and much more acutely aware of sensory stimuli such as colours, sounds, lights and touch. It can give you a feeling of euphoria that makes you almost feel like you will burst with happiness. It reduces inhibitions, and you feel like you think everyone and everything is amazing, and interesting. You end up having looong looong "deep" conversations about anything and everything with total strangers, and dancing all night to music (most of which sounds amazing even if it isn't really)

Its pretty cool, BUT the downside is once all the serotonin it releases has flooded OUT of your brain again a few days later (not the most scientific way to explain it, I know) you feel quite simply like Sh**. Tired, depressed, sad, moody.

 

I had never touched alcohol, but I did so, a couple of days ago. I wouldn't want to be an alcoholic, but I should admit that it does make me feel peaceful and relaxed and uninhibited and free - though it is a temporary. Now I can understand what SB was stating about drugs.

 

So far, I had the luck trying a few things that make my friends feel spiritual.

 

I am going for a Reiki session to see what it feels like. Someone else (not in LS) suggested that it is a spiritual thing, too. Any opinions?

 

Btw, someone else suggested that being out on a full moon night is another spiritual experience, and am going to try that on Xmas eve.