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How to Define Spirituality

Thursday February 19, 2009

I'm afraid Gus at A Pagan' Blog mistook my thoughts on his "spirituality and buying local" for criticism.  Quite the contrary, I was admiring and agreeing with his insight on spiritual connection coming from the world around us - not in terms of what we buy or what we have, but who we are within our communities, on our planet, and in relationship to others.  I agree that that idea can, does, and should translate into buying local whenever possible.

What I was wondering about is whether it starts to feel like a luxury during hard economic times to take that spiritual connectedness with us into the marketplace.  That's not to say it's ever a good idea to set aside deep spiritual principles for material reasons, but I just wondered if Beliefnet readers are struggling with it.

Also, I'd love to hear readers' thoughts on how to define spirituality, and the process by which we decide that something is "spiritual" as opposed to smart, responsible, joyful, etc.

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Comments
~Sshadow~
February 25, 2009 2:02 AM

I think spirituality is within us. Not found in a book. It goes with us where ever we go. It's with us and does not discriminate, or judge us. I think it is bigger than a religion and yet very personal and to some private.
I had a fall on Jan 21st. To even write this takes exreme focus and force of words. I've been thr more docs than i have toes and fingers and yet no one no for sure wat is wrong wtih me. As you can see my sp is not wat it shud be. I hav no memry of be for the fall. And i hav no memory of Mnday or Sun day or any day be for that. I lose tim, i lose words, thots, and my head som times. But on thing that I did not lose was my spirituality. I hav days wen I am not happy. I hav days wen I am angry as evr. But I hav my spirituality. I do not look at what I've endured in my life or wat I am going thru now as evil or a bad thing. I view it as all thin hapn for reson. I view it as : May be I hav lesson I need to lern. May be I am to teech som 1 else. What i do no is that all happn as it shud and when it shud. Life is to short about where othrs find their spirituality and then to critse it. I'm 33 year old who went thru cancer, orphan by age 7, suffr from chronic nerve and muscl pain on daily basis. and if I can sit heer and tell you that spiritulity com from within you can tak that to the bank! LJ I lik the def you found for it. I think in all that encompas it betr than i evr cud or just did. Thank you for sharing that with us. Lov lite and peace be with all.
~Sshadow~

Melissa
February 25, 2009 2:21 PM

I feel that spirituality means what each person believes in as their perception of God or a higher power. It is what you choose to enliven your spirit. It is what your GOD meand GOD=Good Orderly Direction. I've learned that from the meetings I go to I'm a recovering addict whom regularly attends NA meetings and that is where I got the good orderlay direction and I will say that without God or spirituality I would not be here as the person I am today and each person is going to believe the defintion of spirituality differently. All I know is that every morning I thank God for letting me open my eyes every day and I thank him for the air I breathe very day.

Your Name
February 25, 2009 7:46 PM

By essence we are all spiritually since the spirit and soul are
a connection to our human existence. Although there are schools
of thought that say no everyone has a soul. We are spiritual beings
bound to Earth. Spiritual by definition involves thoughts and
feelings. Churches and religion is a choice of who you allow to
assist in shaping your actions and beliefs. I relate to all the
above comments. May we all live our soul purposes fully.

Cheryl in okc
February 26, 2009 9:58 AM

Spirituality, for me, is my conscious connection with and my relationship I have with my higher power.

raj
April 2, 2009 6:57 AM
http://www.findyourfate.com

Spiritual means living with god, Each religion talks about different ways one can be spiritual. in this site findyourfate.com I love the way religion and astrology is portrayed. The doctorines of all religion and things to do before you die is an interesting subject.

When the world talks about travelling doing advernturous things before death. here in this site it is related with various religion and spirituality. Interesting thaught thou.

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Fresh Living is a natural health and holistic blog for people like you, who care about what you eat, how you feel, and how to be more alive, connected, and in-the-moment. We wade through the latest in mind-body-spirit wellness and plumb ancient wisdom to bring you tools, tips, ideas, and inspiration. Plus, you get to hang out with us as we journey on our paths, one breath at a time.

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