The word “spirituality” is hard to define exactly, and forgood reason. It is a highly individual way of experiencing life, and no onepath or method will resonate with everyone the same way.
So we asked one simple question: “What does spiritualitymean to you?” Here are some of the fascinating answers you shared on Facebook.
UniversalSpirituality
- “We are spirits with abody not the other way around. Being spiritual to me means being connected withall of creation not just the earth.”
- “Being aware of and atpeace with one’s true inner self and being open-minded to possibilities. I alsothink being spiritual means having a broader view of… well, everything.”
- “To be completely atpeace with yourself, on all levels. To truly take in everything at every momentit happens. To truly live in the moment.”
- “Being what we wereborn as. In today’s’ world that would be unlearning and getting unattached withanything and everything and just love everything the way it is just like achild. In other words, being a newborn.”
- “Being in touch withthe absolute, relative and the physical and living in realization of theinterconnectivity of all things. Living a life of repentance, readjustment,forgiveness and appreciation.”
Spirituality andReligion
- “Seeking balance andthe peaceful path, looking inward when making decisions or interacting withothers, and making an effort to see all sides of an issue without prejudice,seeing through the eyes of God/Goddess.”
- “Being present to Godand all his people. Forgiving, compassionate and full of divine wisdom andgrace!”
- “Being in tuned withyour Buddha nature. (Mindfulness)”
- “Being mindful, prayingto the creator, being thankful.”
- “Spirituality meanssomething different to everyone. For some, it’s about participating inorganized religion: going to church, synagogue, a mosque, etc. For others, it’smore personal: Some people get in touch with their spiritual side throughprivate prayer, yoga, meditation, quiet reflection, or even long walks.”
Spirituality ThroughCompassion
- “Spirituality is thelove of all things, openness and kindness.”
- “Recognizing we areall spirits and we all have the same basic rights to live…. to look beyond egoand love each other that is spirituality to me.”
- “Love Oneness VeracityEssence”
- “To be expansive,compassionate to all sentient beings and receptive to the influence of nature.”
- “Honoring the soul andthe souls of others. Looking beyondthe outer shell and into the true beauty within a person.”
Uniquely Spiritual
- “Religion isinstitutionalized spirituality, and institutions suck at everything they try todo. I’m ‘spiritual’ because I’m a light unto myself.”
- And of course, to round out the conversation… “Making ghost noises.”
The thoughts above (along with hundreds of others whichcannot fit in this article!) show how different and yet how similar many of ourideas on spirituality really are. Whether spirituality for you is a matter ofbalance and inner peace, or a rich and structured tradition, considering otherviewpoints can help us see what we have in common with others while addingdimension to our own unique viewpoint.
