What does being spiritual mean to you?

[sparklekaz]

The new 'in term' these days, being used when people are asked what are their religious beliefs, is "I am spiritual rather then religious". What does this mean? Are the barriers between religions coming down and people are seeing themselves more as open to all beliefs. Or is classing yourself as spiritual rather then religious a 'new religion' for want of a better word to describe it? I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

[holistichealer]

Hi, Kaz:

"Spiritual" to me means that no organized religion today resonates with my inner knowing. There is truth in all, but none have "all" of the truth. And by and large, most of them seem to have lost sight of the personal experience available to all of us and instead, focus on being a placebo for an individual relationship with the Creator of All.

So, by definition, "spirituality" is about direct, personal experience, rather than reading about it or being told about something that happened to someone else.

There is a lot of talk these days about the "shift to unity". Considering the fact that religion has typically been so divisive, I see the emphasis on spirituality as indicative of such a shift. Since people are identifying in increasing numbers as "spiritual- not religious", it only adds to the evidence.

[gruntal]

At the risk of flogging a dead horse: at one level our social economic political system has denounced discrimination to such a extent sometimes we need to identify ourselves just to ensure we are diverse. To the extent that forces us to assume labels ( so one group can't predominate) the system unwittingly encourages at least some of us to eschew those very labels as an act of individuality. If in doubt just confuse the bureaucrats! Question authority ! Freedom lives !

At another more personable level I don't think the trend towards Spirituality is all that new or unique. There have always been "Carnal Christians" or " Jack Mormons" or "Non-Orthodox Jews". Back then it was sort of straddling the fence. I do think a major problem now is when some person just can't accept the traditional religion but eventually realizes they still want to cling to the old culture with all it's benefits and connections. That hasn't happened so much in the past because there weren't so many options; now we can be what ever we want to be and get away with it. Alas the red skin and horns and long pointed tail ( and the sulphurous body odor ) may not be our style just because we are free thinkers hence the term " Spirituality" sounds nice and nuetral.

I do kind of regret not looking foward to a proper religious burial as a final statement of belief and association but then I intend to be cremated with no funeral so again times change and the old ways just don't seem to interest me that much.

[Ishtahota]

Religion is someone else's idea of God, Creator, Higher Power, or what ever you wish to call it. Religion comes to you from the outside. Others expect you to believe and have faith in what they believe.

Spirituality is when you make an inward journey to reclaim authentic self, and conscious contact happens as a result of this journey. Then God, Higher Power, Creator, or what ever you wish to call it reveals itself to you on a personal level, while you step into the knowing.

[markings]

Spiritual means seeing the possibility of connections, seen and unseen.
All people, including religious ones and atheists can thus be spiritual.

Spiritual must be an inclusive term. To use it in an exclusive sense is imo just wrong.

[holistichealer]

[samy03]

Spirituality is something which is not limited to a particular phase or an object to be with always. Its all about free and live the life to the fullest. See the Satvik/Tamsik/Rajsik divisions of the nature, and feel the presence of divine in all of them always.

The spirit being put itself to a particular mind set of Things being categorized according to the mindset satisfactory levels; is nothing more than what called as EGOs own consequences in some another way even in which ever levels it is at that time.

Spirituality teaches about how to be equal and see equal always. Distributing the materialistic things in the form of seeing that GOD in them, is as same as like living in the silent place of chanting the name of the GOD always.

Its all the place of the mind that actually puts the individual/spirit, at a place of heaven or hell in his/her on levels or view of seeing the conscious world.

There is a very well thought that "The time you experience and actually ensure that neither you came something with yourself at the time of birth. Nor, you will be taking away anything with you at the time of death". So, whatever the individual is doing, is all belongs to the materialistic world only.

But, its the name of that divine which he will carry himself even after the death too...like taking with himself the thoughts which will turn it into the law of karma in the nature.

So, spirituality talks about Doing everything without doing anything.

Is is something that can boost up the individual seeing or feeling his/her own presence at many places in a single point of time. And thats how this spirit is more powerful than the one who lives in the shadow of this physical body always.

Spirituality talks about seeing your reality and experience that sense of seeing yourself away from this body itself.

Relationships, Interactions are what consists a part of this nature which is running because of that only. Our own karmas build up our own existence in the society that we came in the mother earth and get to see and meet in this conscious world. And spirituality is much much far far away experience of this reel or dreamy land of consciousness between the sub-conscious sole that is present in everywhere, either in the form of plant, animal, rocks, or whatever being seen from this spirit or individual in this world of Maya/Nature.

Spirituality comes in the picture of self-realization. Making of point of debating on the thoughts, is nothing more than boosting the own EGO levels of the spirit and nothing more than that. And spirituality teaches about how to be cool even at the situation of getting involved with fire also.

Its the body that gets impacted from the situations and the elements of the nature. Spirituality talks about knowing your real sense, and see yourself how this spirit exists without existing in this so called nature too.

Its just the divine that was there in the past, present and even future also. And spirituality is something that being termed as a word called 'Spirituality' and nothing more than that.

Otherwise, being the same always is what this whole word is meant about. The spirit itself exists till the time "I' is there.
Anything that is happening is going to happen. And its is for the goodness of everyone only.
Now, the question that being debatable with the individuals is Knowing something exceptionally different apart from others is what make the individual feeling confident and being inclined in the dream of comparing himself/herself attached to spirituality.

Seeing the God in a small rock is as equal is worshipping it in the temple of even in a physical self too. So, there is something called as seeing and experiencing that sub-consicous part of the soul within yourself as a spirit. Is what spirituality termed at in all the scriptures, religions, customs, origins, & whereever beeing seen by these senses of the individuals.

Elsewise, seeing the moon coming in the night, doesn't denotes the Sun has been closed from its shineness. Its all that the way clouds of darkness and light will travel in this nature of happiness and sadness... And those mood variations feels the individual sometime being feeling connected to the energy and sometimes living in his/her own energy of over-confidence levels that built up nothing more than the disaster in his/her own life in the future, like the way its being done so far from last billions of years.

Seeing the God in a particular thing is just a matter of thought and own self created illusion of comparing Gods own existence in a specific terminology of things. And Spirituality is what let the individual get rid out off these wrong mis-conceptions, and experience the real truth of the divine itself.

No matter how the things work out in this material worlds, they will be all the creation of the spirits own inner levels of satvikta or tamsiktaa only. And spirituality speaks about how to see and experience these levels within himself or herself, without distinguishing them and seeing the Energy of both them at a same level of sub-consciousness.

So, spirituality talks about practicing the divines own realization while living in this physical body of consciousness.


Spirituality describes that living in a particular shape or lifestyle, though have effects in the way of Satvik, Tamsik and Rasik energies flowing in the spirit all the time. But, when it comes to the real experience of Mokshaa of Enlightenment, than the way of seeing this life of the nature will become completely different than it was before for the same individual.

At the same point of time, spirituality provides a lot of powers within in the individuals that exists and presents in this nature. As everything that is being shown something magical or away from this material world, is all that which comes from the Satvik Bhao of experiencing the divine. And thing like being patient, Calm, easy going, relaxable, neither practical nor emotional, doing everything without doing anything comes along with it as a complimentary thing in the spirituality.

Amen.

God Bless Everyone.

[larsapher]

To me: spiritual means always knowing there is an energy that was ,an is always there. When you give that energy a name like God, you give in to surrender. And learn to accept things as positively as one can. And keep on.

[prepmack]

Spiritual to me means I belong to no "religion." Religions follow certain beliefs, and I'm open to anything. Spiritual is realizing and being aware of a dimension we can't physically see. It can be many dimensions come to think of it with any types of "species", but mainly the dimension that holds our deceased loved one, our guides, and our angels. My life revolves around communicating and connecting with my spiritual guides and guardian angels for the extra assistance and answers. Ultimately, just being aware.

[markings]

prepmack, that sounds very much like some of the religions would describe their world and universe. To be more precise it sounds rather Catholic.
IMO, religions are by definition spiritual.

Moreover, I think that many people who say that they are spiritual use it as a term of superiority over the people who are 'merely' religious.

[sparklekaz]

I never met a practicing catholic Markings, who communicates with their 'spirit guides'.

I was raised a catholic myself and believe it gave me a solid spiritual foundation. It opened my eyes to the spiritual realm, albeit through a religious format. I now consider myself a spiritual person rather then a religious one. But not from any feelings of superiority, simply as mack as said, because I am not confined to a religious doctrine. But embrace and am open to the beliefs of others. If I feel a resonance with what they are saying and it 'feels right' for me I incorporate it into my own belief system.

In my own personal experience I have never met a person who has defined themselves as spiritual who had any sense of superiority. Quite the opposite. On the other hand, I have met more then one religious person who has come over as being superior because they believe that their way is the only and true way and everyone else is deluding themselves. I don't include every religious person in this, simply sharing something from my own perspective, as I am sure you are too. In my opinion, spiritual people are very tolerant and easy going. Curious, interested in other people and are very open minded. They are explorers, seekers of knowledge and wisdom and not hampered by bias or pre conceptions. I feel that if more people were like this, there would definitely be less religious friction in the world.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Love and light
Kaz

[markings]

What are angels, especially guardian angels, other than spiritual guides? One may not talk but still petition them or express gratitude to them.

Superiority can be expressed in many ways, e.g. saying 'not hampered by bias or pre conception' is one way of saying that one's way is better than the other.

[prepmack]

Markings, I am literally Catholic by being baptized as a baby, but in no means do I follow their belief system. I don't even know what it is! Lol! I personally do not believe in the bible or churches, as ignorant as that may sound? I don't know how to really define myself. I just know there's life out there. I've been sensitive to the spiritual world since I was small.. Lots of spirit encounters, I spend lots of my time in new age sections in book stores, spiritual shops that carry crystals, meditating to channel, or meditating to open chakras, energy work. My life just kind of revolves around these beings. Maybe it doesn't make me spiritual? Haha!

[prepmack]

Sparklekaz, very well said.

[sparklekaz]

A spirit guide is not an angelic being. A spirit guide is usually someone who has lived an earthly life and who over time has evolved and grown in divine wisdom. A person's spirit guide is there to teach and guide as their name suggests. One does not petition a spirit guide. They come of their own free will and stay for the whole of that persons life or for as long as they need to help that person with their spiritual development. I use the words unbiased or pre conception, to demonstrate a point markings. Not to mark someone who exhibits these traits as being superior. That is the interpretation, you choose to put upon it.

However, I do not believe, it is the mark of a spiritual or emotionally mature person, to constantly belittle the beliefs of other people or nit pick on their choice of words. I can assure you, it doesn't make your argument any stronger, simply underlines your own lack of understanding and tolerance toward the beliefs of other people. You also come over as very condescending, and if that isn't having a superior attitude towards other people, I don't know what is!

Mack, you do not have to justify or define yourself to anyone. In my opinion we are all spiritual beings inhabiting a physical body. Whether you follow a religion or consider yourself a spiritual person because you do believe in a higher power and the existence of a spirit realm rather then following one spiritual belief system or doctrine. In my experience the latter often describe themselves as spiritual and if that feels right for you then that is what you are, so continue to do so. I do.

Love and light
Kaz

[cyberangel]

Dear Friends (and fellow spirits )

Spiritual to me, is the desire to connect to all spirit energy, be it human, animal, plant, nature, cosmos, celestial and divine.

Spirit cannot be constrained into words nor forced as there really are none that can ‘completely’ express something that can only be felt.

Being spiritual is allowing your heart and mind to open and remain open.

Many have an open heart but closed mind, as are some of the religions I have found.

Some on the other hand have an open mind but a closed heart that means that they only seek but are unable or unwilling to truly share in the experience.

Anyone who declares to be spiritual would never look upon another as lower than them rather an equal or rather another part of the universal spirit energy that connects us all.

It is only EGO that thinks it is superior, never the spirit.

Lastly, Words are energy and they have the power to hurt or heal!


With much Love and Light

and

(((((((SPIRITUAL HUGS)))))))

[markings]

prepmack, I was also baptized and grew up as a Roman Catholic and while my ideas about it may be somewhat dated I think they are still basically true to those who are Catholics.

sparklekaz, what constitutes a guide and how they interact with us is given by ones definitions. Such definitions depend on a larger system of belief, as only possibilities which exist within that system can be taken up.

The fact, observable in most spiritual forums, is that followers of traditional Christianity are seen as less developed, mature or spiritual, than the people who profess themselves to be spiritual in some independent way.

[heartlight]

Spiritual to me is understanding that we are eternal, we have always been and we always will be. I came into this body at birth and I will leave it again when the time is right and pass through to the next dimension. We have been on the wheel of birth and death, (entering this 3rd dimension and leaving it) for a very long time, but this time is now over and we are on the cusp of ascension when we will need to do this no more.

[savi]

Being spiritual means you're neither atheist or religious. You believe the existence of spirits, the world after and the Light.

[markings]

That is being a *spiritualist*, not being spiritual.

Atheists, totally a-religious people, as well as very religious ones, can be spiritual in the highest degree.

[zls]

Hi,

I believe that it's actually can number of things depending on who is giving the answer.

To some, claiming to be spiritual is an expression of faith without subscribing to a specific set of rules on how to love your life. To others, it is a religion that is rich with history and concepts that like minded people have shared, on which their religion is based.

My personal view is a combination of the above but with an overarching feeling of guidance, beliefs and principles that I have taken from from a range of religious views and teachings. I'm also constantly evolving my spiritual development through this view.

Very interesting topic.

[qbmonk]

Being spiritual to me means that, I live my life as best as I can never wanting to ride rough shod over anyone's beliefes I have read many books and have even studied with mediums but when it comes down to it I take from all and any religion. I only take what feels right for me I allow my inner being to choose what that might be, and sowith all the things I take I have a peaceful inner life and think myself lucky to be where I am, at this moment in time.

[markings]

Interesting qbmonk. My first reaction to your post was to think "so spirituality is all about being self-centered while being tolerant of others?"

I realize that it is probably not what you meant. A serious question though, how do you know what feels right is in fact right?
As an analogy, lots of obese people feel that eating too much feels right for them even though they KNOW it is not.

[Leon]

Being spiritual is very simple, infact simplicity is the key to being spiritual, if you strip things down to the basics, you will see how easy it is to get along with other people and life itself. Be kind to everyone you meet, even if that is not reciprocated, be mindful of your actions, do not do to another what you would not like done to yourself. None of us are perfect and so some spiritual practices can be hard to achieve or difficult to implement into our daily life, that is why we must try to do our best in any given circumstance, no one can ask any more. If you are evolving into a better person, if you can look back upon your old self and see goodness blossoming then you are heading in the right direction.

[linda]

For me, being spiritual means not following any doctrine but going by what I "feel" from within. The way I see it, there are spiritual things within religion, but it's like the spirituality is the root that gets too overshadowed by other things.

[christdavid]

We must remember that the main "Religions" formed when communication and knowledge was for the elite. Very few could write and events and news were shared at public gatherings in the form of stories. Because each of us has the power to perceive as we "wish," reality was distorted.

When my brother, Christ Jesus, said, "I am always with you," he meant we are one. Now communicating this to the masses was problematic and a magical solution was "made" by his followers. "Knowing" our spirit is one, how could he not be with you?

He tried to explain that there is no death. If God is everything and I assure you he is, then what is his child? Liken to his Father He too is everything. The concept of everything is difficult for those who "believe" they are separate and are a body. Birth is not a beginning, it is a continuance. In reality everybody that walks this earth is you. Trying to explain that 2000 years ago could and would get you crucified. Even today on most forums I am considered blasphemous. So to "believe" in Christ is to "believe" in your true Self. You who will always be, can never die.

To be "born again" is to awaken from your dream of separation, depravation and death. To leave the self you "made" and awaken in your real or true Self. This seems simple but the fear of release is strong. The "self" you "made" has convinced you, "it is you." It is hard to believe who you thought you were was just a dream. Be glad it was or you really could die. Your Father would not have it so, and so, it is not so.

Rejoice in truth. The truth is beyond belief, meaning it does not require it. You can, however, believe in what is true. "Blessed are those who believe and have not seen." Most religions require you to "believe" something. Wishes are powered by belief and can be distorted with magic. They are associated with our perceived self, or antichrist.

In time everyone will awaken. That is what time is for. When this happens, time will end.

Christ David