What is spirituality?

[Pyper]

I've heard many people say, "I'm a very spiritual person," or "I'm not religious, but I'm very spiritual."

Frankly, I've never understood "spirituality" when not connected with religion. Does being spiritual entail some belief in the supernatural? Does it involve faith in something that cannot be confirmed?

What is your definition of spirituality? Can an atheist be spiritual?

 

[J.B.]

I concider myself a spiritual person, but don't follow anyone particular religion

 

[Guest]

It's all about CV, baby!

 

[Pyper]

I concider myself a spiritual person, but don't follow anyone particular religion

Yes, but what makes you spiritual?

 

[J.B.]

The fact that I am in tune with what I truly want and my conscience is clear. I strive to do right and help those who need it. I care and have a great respect for life. Spirituality to me has more to do with your soul as opposed to the rituals man requires of us.

 

[Pyper]

So you believe in the existence of a soul? Or is this a hypothetical soul, more of a concept than an actual thing?

 

[J.B.]

I believe in the existence of a soul. What I have trouble with is this need to identfy god as a singular or particular being. All these holy wars fought in the name of a god. People persecuted because they don’t believe what is considered “right” in other peoples book. What makes theses people so sure that they’re the ones who are right? The basis of most belief systems is that there is a higher power, that we make sure to help our fellow man and the planet. I simply pick and choose that with which I agree with and believe contributes to my spiritual well being.

 

[Pyper]

So for you, spirituality does entail belief in the supernatural, although not in any organized manner. Do you think it's possible to be spiritual without believing in any sort of supernatural forces or the existence of a soul?

 

[J.B.]

Why not? What about those who have a great respect for nature and all it entails, but don’t believe in the supernatural? They’re in their own right spiritual just not in the same way I am.

 

[Pyper]

Why not? What about those who have a great respect for nature and all it entails, but don’t believe in the supernatural? They’re in their own right spiritual just not in the same way I am.

I'm not sure. I have respect for nature, but I don't see why that would be spiritual any more than having respect for keeping the sidewalk clean or having respect for your grandparents is spiritual. Glorification of nature is a holdover from a religious past.

When I'm asked the question "are you a spiritual person?" I think, "Hell, I don't know." I'm trying to get a grasp on what spirituality is. Most of the time, from my point of view, it simply seems like a transition belief. People can't stomach organized religion, but aren't sufficiently strong enough to give up supernatural forces all together.

Well, I've got to go, but when I come back, I expect people to have explained spirituality to me in detail, and if it always must contain belief in the supernatural.

 

[Angel]

Can an atheist be spiritual?

No, but I'm basing my answer off of my own lack of spirituality.

 

[J.B.]

I don't see why that would be spiritual any more than having respect for keeping the sidewalk clean or having respect for your grandparents is spiritual.

Why not? It’s life. A respect for life I would think of spirituality in itself.

 

[Olivianna]

I'm not sure. I have respect for nature, but I don't see why that would be spiritual any more than having respect for keeping the sidewalk clean or having respect for your grandparents is spiritual. Glorification of nature is a holdover from a religious past.

Exactly - think Caspar David Friedrich or Thomas Cole....or Thoreau.

Spirituality is about having access to twelve different brands of tofu and 10 different brands of beer.

 

[Pyper]

Bumpity bump. Maybe Olivianna will elaborate on tofu and beer.

 

[Olivianna]

Bumpity bump. Maybe Olivianna will elaborate on tofu and beer.

Noooooo...
I have to memorize 45 images for an AH exam tomorrow.
Don't distract me.

 

[Pyper]

Oh yeah, I love it when posters say, "Don't distract me, I have to work!" yet for some reason they are already on Lit.

Hrm, I wonder why nobody is responding. I'm such a sucky thread-starter. C'mon people, this is easy! Just define spirituality as it means to you! Edumucate me!

 

[pelipé]

For me, spiritualism in its most basic form is being agnostic, someone who is sure there is something out there but they either need proof or guiding or something as to show them what it may be.

I think of myself as spiritualist for two reasons, firstly because I am not religious, I don't believe in a god but I do believe in another system of existance [too dull to go into here!] which involves souls/spirits etc.

The second reason I count myself as spiritual is because I believe that there is something after life, again, it's all debatable; including the idea of after life - my thoughts are that it is continual - just a different vibrational level - but won't go on any more!

The two things are mutually exclusive but they are the reasons I count myself that way.

 

[Pyper]

Thanks for your response, pelipé.

I'm starting to get the feeling one cannot be spiritual and atheist at the same time. Where's Dilly to answer these important questions when you need him?

 

[calypso_21]

I've heard many people say, "I'm a very spiritual person," or "I'm not religious, but I'm very spiritual."

Frankly, I've never understood "spirituality" when not connected with religion. Does being spiritual entail some belief in the supernatural? Does it involve faith in something that cannot be confirmed?

What is your definition of spirituality? Can an atheist be spiritual?

I think that J.B. came close to how I define spirituality...for me. First I need to state that it is different for each person. And yes an atheist can be spiritual...it does not necessarily have to do with God or a belief in a higher being or the supernatural. Many who are spiritual have a faith/belief that goes along with it...even atheists have a belief...that God does not exist.

Spirituality is a way of life for me. It is not a faith per se and taking out the higher power/soul aspect it is more about...being strong, determined, self aware...getting in touch with your wants, needs, emotions, strengths, weaknesses, etc. Acceptance of who you are and who you can be...how you can accomplish this.

For you it may be just taking a look at what your spirit is to you...what your determination is, what your dedication is, what animates you...what does it for you? In your daily life? Where do you want to go? How will you get there?

For me it is to take joy in my children, fix up my house, enjoy the company of friends, love my love, play in my garden, read books I want to learn more from, study subjects I've had questions about, expand my horizons, journey on new adventures, sit in the pooling light of a full moon...and so much more...it is for me to find the good in all things.

 

[pelipé]

I'm not sure about that, I don't think anyone can be truly atheist - I think atheism is confused with not believing in a god or following suit to a religion...

If you asked most people - are they at least curious as to their existance they will reply, 'yes', that to me suggest that they are not truly atheist.

The opposing argument to god and the rest is usually based on some cobbled together remnants of scientific theory which remarks upon carbon molecules and the big bang - the problem is most scientists now believe in the existence of a soul...perhaps it is because we don't full understand the neural system in the brain but our bodies are in effect a machine...where does the mind go after we die should be the question asked - also - how is it created?

All very confusing but I think typically atheists are associated with not believing in god, god doesn't necessarily exist in a spiritualist mind and thus the two can co-exist - atheism and spiritualism - I think!

enuff of my going on now!

*sorry*

 

[sufisaint]

seeing life as sacred... precious...priceless...joyful in existence itself...consciousness beyond the Little "I"...love

 

[Pyper]

Thank you, calypso, that is a very interesting definition. I never thought about spirituality in that way. I just accepted my self-acceptance and self-determination as part of myself, without needing to separate it out and call it "spirituality."

Can I ask, though, on top of those things you listed, do you nurture a belief in the supernatural?

I'm thinking perhaps our different views on the existence of the supernatural may lead us to label a part of ourselves differently. For some it is the spiritual side, for others it is simply another aspect of our personalities.

 

[Pyper]

I'm not sure about that, I don't think anyone can be truly atheist - I think atheism is confused with not believing in a god or following suit to a religion...

If you asked most people - are they at least curious as to their existance they will reply, 'yes', that to me suggest that they are not truly atheist.

The opposing argument to god and the rest is usually based on some cobbled together remnants of scientific theory which remarks upon carbon molecules and the big bang - the problem is most scientists now believe in the existence of a soul...perhaps it is because we don't full understand the neural system in the brain but our bodies are in effect a machine...where does the mind go after we die should be the question asked - also - how is it created?

All very confusing but I think typically atheists are associated with not believing in god, god doesn't necessarily exist in a spiritualist mind and thus the two can co-exist - atheism and spiritualism - I think!

enuff of my going on now!

*sorry*

Hey now, don't start insulting me after that lovely initial post.

I am truly atheist. I harbor no believe in deities, a soul, an afterlife, or anything supernatural. I am not curious as to the meaning of existence (I believe there is only meaning that we create for ourselves). I am simply curious in the concept of spirituality. It is gaining much popularity in these days as more and more people move away from organized religion. I am one of those who left organized religion but never considered (or wanted, or needed) to replace it with anything.

No scientists believe in the existence of a soul, unless we are speaking of a soul metaphorically- a personality or essence that come from the brain and dies with the body.

It seems to me that many people who are "spiritualist" have a strong belief in animism, although they don't realize it and believe that they are creating religion for themselves. Animism is the generalized belief that everything is alive and life flows through everything. It's actually one of the oldest religious beliefs.

 

[pelipé]

Hey now, don't start insulting me after that lovely initial post.

I am truly atheist. I harbor no believe in deities, a soul, an afterlife, or anything supernatural. I am not curious as to the meaning of existence (I believe there is only meaning that we create for ourselves). I am simply curious in the concept of spirituality. It is gaining much popularity in these days as more and more people move away from organized religion. I am one of those who left organized religion but never considered (or wanted, or needed) to replace it with anything.

No scientists believe in the existence of a soul, unless we are speaking of a soul metaphorically- a personality or essence that come from the brain and dies with the body.

It seems to me that many people who are "spiritualist" have a strong belief in animism, although they don't realize it and believe that they are creating religion for themselves. Animism is the generalized belief that everything is alive and life flows through everything. It's actually one of the oldest religious beliefs.

sorry - am a self opionated git at times...give me an inch and I take a mile


What I meant to say was, I find it difficult (perhaps due to my own beliefs) to detach atheism from spiritualism...the reason I think that is purely from a personal point of view, in that I for most of my life was a total atheist, didn't believe in god or religion or spirits/souls - totally none curious about it or so I thought. It's a very strange thing, I just began to be very curious and started to try to find out as much as I can, I'm still very sceptical - I agree with the above though - it's a lifestyle...it really changed my attitudes towards ceratin things - death mainly.

What a great start to my literotica career

 

[lobito]

I've heard many people say, "I'm a very spiritual person," or "I'm not religious, but I'm very spiritual."

What is your definition of spirituality? Can an atheist be spiritual?

my spirituality comes from my beliefs... in several different things. I'm not religious at all.