Does spirituality need a definition?
I think I know what spirituality is, but I also think its definition varies from person to person. Some people are religious and spiritual. Others are non-believers but still spiritual. Religion and spirituality are not mutually exclusive, but they’re also not the same.
I find that a lot of people who are spiritually oriented struggle with what being spiritual means. In part, that’s because spirituality is too broad. It has all sorts of different meanings and associations for people. Some people feel embarrassed about their spirituality because of the New Age movement of the 80s and 90s, while others feel like they can’t own it because they’re not Zen enough, or they don’t meditate on a regular basis, or they’re not hippies. I’ve heard all kinds of self-doubts.
In creating Three Intentions, I’ve thought a lot about spirituality, since it’s at the core of what we’re doing here. I read this article about spirituality being arbitrary and losing meaning, in which the author calls for a definition, saying that he proposes “we either give the buzzword a concrete definition or stop using it.” This guy is a senior in college, so part of me thinks he has a lot of life experiences before him and that he might be wrenched out of his rigidity at some point down the road, but I think this opinion is widely held.
As I read and realized that I disagreed with the idea that spirituality must be defined, it brought with it some relief. Professing that you’re spiritual can be burdensome, bringing with it a whole host of supposed-to’s: you’re supposed to be enlightened, not cuss, be in tune with nature, you name it. But spirituality is a feeling, it’s a connection with something bigger than us. It’s a way to be religious for many of us who have felt failed by religion, or for whom religion has simply not been able to provide the answers or be the support that we need—for whatever reason.
Having grown up in a Christian household, I find my current experience with spirituality is not so different from my childhood relationship with God. It’s a feeling. It’s a support. It gives me ground. And it doesn’t have to be the same as anyone else’s. How about you? What does spirituality look like, feel like to you? Do you have your own definition for what it means to you?
This is so interesting to me. How many people follow a religion and feel estranged from themselves? In “spiritual” life coaching, we look for opportunities to go deeper into the self, asking questions to discover and fulfill our life purpose. As a “spiritual” person, I use mindfulness practices that bring a focus and depth to my everyday life.
The mind wants to categorize. People tend to feel better with a narrow definition. But God, life, spirituality is all-encompassing. There is a holiness in being part of this vastness — whatever one may choose to call it.
It is my belief that we each have our own unique relationship with Spirit, thus creating our unique spirituality. It is like our fingerprints, or rather our soul prints. This is how I see spirituality. The following are excerpts from my book, Spirit Expression for EveryOne, A Guide to Living a Soul-driven life.
The part in quotes is from my meditation writings. After I meditate I write down what I have heard. I see this as my “spirit expression” or my unique voice coming together with the Divine.
The intricate unique beauty of the inner life of each soul astounds my senses. As each individual touches the Divine, another incredible mixing takes place. Spirit and the soul create another, third distinct form: the soul expresses a one-of-a-kind relationship with God.
There is no one way to know God over the other. Each being is unique. Each being has his or her own beautiful inner world where he/she is allowed to be with his/her thoughts and expression and love of his or her own God . . . a God of many names; a God of many faces; a God of many songs; a God of many dances. These are all ways of expressing the same truth. God is experienced through you. God is not owned by one faith over another. God is not owned by one country over another. This is a way of believing that leads to pain. Take the other road for a while. Experience what it feels like to walk through your day knowing that the way that you see the world and love God is unique, valued and loved unconditionally. If you talk with the trees, you do not have to be ashamed that you do. If you find your love for God in listening to the breathing of the earth, you do not have to think that you are wrong to know God in this way.”
“It is time to start from another perspective. It is time to send the message. The message is:
Your expression of God is valued. Your expression of how you see and feel and express Spirit is celebrated. It is not judged. The way that you experience God enhances the way that I see God. I can sit with you in my space and be with you, and not feel that I have to convince you to see it my way. I can celebrate what you see, and let it be so… I have nothing to prove to you, because I know that there is no right or wrong in terms of the spirit world. I let go into the belief that each one is a magnificent creation and creator with Spirit.
One of our true pains comes from judging ourselves in terms of others. There is no need to do this. This just creates separation and misunderstanding. Your journey is your own and it is sacred. Just be with that for a moment. Know the ultimate beauty that you are expressing in your own unique way. There are no finger-tapping moments when Spirit is saying, “When will she get it? What is she thinking?” It does not work that way. You do not need to know the name of this guide who is working with you. Others do, however; they need to know the name of the spirit who they are working with. This is okay also. Do you see that is all fine, just as it is? This is also true for wars and conflict that seem senseless to you. It is all fine. It all has purpose. Know this deeply: you are all making choices at every moment, and at the same time, you are all working within guidelines that you chose to assist your soul’s journey.”
Thank you so much for sharing these insights, Cathy.