what is spirituality?

Question

I have an assignment to rate my 'spirituality'. As a non-religious personI have my own idea on what it is but wondered what others thought.

Answer 1

it is your connection with all life. We are all one, connected through the great energy field, all plants, animals and humans. How do you connect with life and with people? Do you believe in karma (what goes around comes around) with being gentle with yourself and others?

Answer 2

If I say this car is very mechanical it will sound ridiculous. Or if I say that this fridge is more electrical than that one over there that too will make someone laugh. It is just too obvious that a fridge an electrical device.

Similarly when we call ourselves spiritual, we go very far from our normal self. Yes, all human beings have a self, and this self is in form of human spirit. - human spirit that enables us to be functional in this world. We think thoughts and do things and the energy for all these come from our spirit.

But our mind is susceptible to foreign influences. Sometimes we do things that are not truly representative of our own self. The course of action that is truly representative of our true self is said to be a spiritual path.

It is not easy to live a pure life and interact with the world of temptations and distraction. We therefore feel need to understand what is right for us and what is not. Religion provides us the answer. There are certain rules and principles that guide us along the path of ‘righteousness’ and ensure our salvation and wellbeing of both worlds.

A religion is for our selves, not the other way round. This is how some people venture out of established religions and seek enlightenment own their own. They try to cater for the needs of their self, or ensure the just course for their spirit.

Apart form the worldly requirements of our spirit, our self also we also have transcendental qualities and capacities. It seeks the best, the ultimate or the supreme in existence.

Answer 3

Spirituality is the fundamental part of all of our religious and philosophical systems. It is the core of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and all other religions. It is also at the core of every thought system that we as humans have ever created: modern physics, communism, atheism, humanitarianism, and all the others too! This is because we, as humans, all have the same basic needs and wants. Like it or not, we all wear trousers or skirts, and eat a meal or two (if we're really lucky) each day. So, spirituality is concerned with our deepest and most important desires for happiness, peace, and a bit of fun.

The spiritual part of our nature is subtle and ordinarily quite difficult to fully experience. It is usually so deep down inside of the heart that, most of the time, one can barely hear it. The many experiences and sensations of mind, body, and the external world also tend to drown it out. Thus, spiritual practice is all about learning to get in touch with our most precious part, our spiritual nature.

Answer 4

You are asking a question which has as many answers as there are human beings. Is it a truth that two members of the catholic dogma have exactly the same notion of spirituality as each other? Would one member of the Muslim fraternity consider another member's spirituality as being of exactly the same in content? A Buddhist monk may agree that his/her view on life and spirit is totally the reverse of his/her master’s. And, his/her master would agree that that is OK, no problem, get on with your life, don't worry etc. Spirituality is a quality, a need that most humans have. It is a human trait that has been very successfully manipulated by religious organisation since humans were living in caves. To sum up: Spirituality is a natural drive of the individual; religion is not spiritual, in any sense, and must not be confused and considered “spirituality” by the individual. Unfortunately, humans have an urge to join groups, fashions, fads and all manner of causes to fulfil their inner spiritual needs. A truly free human is one that realises and acts upon its own sense of spirit without resorting to following other humans’ interpretation of spirituality.

Answer 5

"Spirituality" resists a precise definition. Like Beauty, it may well be in the eye of the beholder.
Spirituality does not have to mean religion. It can be glimpsed in the shape of a tree or in the sky. It can be glimpsed in the beauty of a person helping another person through sheer goodness or kindness.

I am shocked that you have been asked to "rate" your own spirituality, as that is an impossible (and meaningless) task. It would be like asking someone to state whether they were a good person. Or a beautiful person. How could you possibly know?
You cannot know if you are spiritual and it cannot be rated.
If I was forced to define "spirituality", I would say it is a quality of caring....about people, about Nature, about the world, a quality of selflessness, an ability to appreciate the beauty of our planet and to live in a way that helps, not spoils, it.
Simon 2

Answer 6

You don't need to be religious to be spiritual - but it can help to express your spirituality.

For an assignment like this one, your own idea is what counts. Just think as deeply as you can, look at how it makes you feel, write with courage from the heart and you'll do great.

Answer 7

Spirituality is a state of the sensuous state of being.
To be able to lookout beyond the norm.
to caste off to another place from the physical.
To see from the ethereal plain and be guided by all knowledge attained from within such meditative state.

Answer 8

You can be "non religious" and still spiritual. Spirituality is how you apply your code of what's right and wrong. what's sacred, and what is "evil, or bad" in your daily life. People usually get that code from religion but you surely have one whether you attend a mainstream church or not.

Answer 9

Spirituality is your faith and commitment to the unknown, that which cannot be measured through convential methods such as science. Catholics believe the 'Holy' spirit is the essence of God which can enter us to make us more divine. I am a catholic and I believe in the power of good, but not 100% covinced on the power of God as of yet.

Answer 10

It is the desire within us to find deeper meaning. Some rely on dogmatic teachings, some make personal quests, some study texts of other cultures, some look deeply within, each person must make their own choice. Not making a choice is still choosing.

Answer 11

It's whatever Beliefs or Ideals you believe in that govern your Faith. It doesn't have to embrace any particular religion.

It's possible to be Spiritual without being Religious.