How do you meet spiritual needs without involving religion?

Question

I'm operating from the premise that all people have needs of a spiritual nature. But religion is not for everyone. What are the alternatives?

Answer 1

Personally I think that spiritual needs really mean internal peace and connections to other people and to nature.

Internal peace can be obtained through meditation, self-reflection, actions that reflect one's sense of values, and a willingness to be comfortable with ambiguity and limited knowledge.

Connections to other people are available through open communications of feelings and thought, tolerance, respect of one another's differences, and investing time and energy to develop relationships.

Connections with nature require a sense of place in the community, in the planet and in the universe. To achieve this, it is important to include in one's awareness of varying levels of significance, and thus varying levels of meaning. We are incredibly minuscule when compared with the billions of galaxies, each filled with billions of stars, many of which have planets. We are so small just in comparison to our own globe. However, we also have a LARGE impact on our world & our local community, the small plants and animals that live among us, and the health of the various components of our environment. Awareness and care are spiritual exercises.

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Answer 2

Good Question
Religion is a man made name for something to fulfill a spiritual need.
So man will have other ways and alternatives to meet spiritual needs.

Some people believe God is imaginary

hope this helps

Good luck with the answers

Answer 3

Atheism or agnosticism are prime examples. What I seek, I find within myself without "help" from an invisible being. I do not need to be "instructed" not to rape, kill, steal, or harm others; it's simple common sense.

The benefit I gain without organized religion is that I take full responsibility for my actions and develop the courage to face obstacles and challenges without the need to believe in "magic" to help me.

I also accept that I must live with the wrong that I have done in life rather than have my "sins forgiven" by a fairy tale.

This all makes me a more well-rounded person, and I feel I accomplish so much more in life because I do not have the threat of eternal torture preventing me from learning and exploring all I can.

Answer 4

Its wonderful that you are thinking about your friend and wanting to help her. Its hard to give you proper advice when we don't know the details, like, what exactly is the problem she is facing can make the difference. But there is some general advice I can give on what you've said. First, I understand completely what you are saying and the turmoil this can cause internally. You want to be a true friend, and show real love to your friend, but you know how hard it can be to come out unscathed. You want to be there for your friend, but you've worked pretty hard to leave all that "baggage" behind and don't want to risk being set back to square one...There are however a few things you can do... I don't know if you have found a new church or if you have any friends who are Christians. Asking them to pray for you can go a long way to keeping you mentally and spiritually safe from the traps they will try and lay for you. If you are still spiritual, reflect, pray, read scriptures of encouragement. Really and truly put on the "armor of the Lord". If you are not religious at all now, there are still things that can help. How are you planning on reaching out to her? In person, by email, phone, all of the above? Email and phone will keep you away from the rest of the Witnesses but may not be as personal as you'd like. The main thing is, whichever way you go, is to stay in control. If you go to visit her adn there are Witnesses there, or they show up during your visit, politely excuse yourself. something like "Well I see you have more company, so I will leave you to your visitors" and discuss another time to call on her. If you think you can stomach being there with the other Witnesses, don't get drawn in to the discussion. If they start trying to push you into a discussion, or trying to lead into one, change the subject. Be polite but firm, "I understand your view, but I'm here to support Jane. Maybe this is a discussion we should have at a more appropriate time?" Let them appear pushy while you calmly deflect them. Keep the discussions to non-religious topics. If you find yourself being "bombarded" excuse yourself and regroup. Go to the bathroom or get a glass of water. Remind yourself of the reasons you left, and why you don't want to be drawn back in... then return to the group. Keep the visit on YOUR terms. Don't commit to a certain amount of time, so you can leave yourself an "out" if it becomes too much. And if it does get to be too much, leave. They have no hold or authority over you. You can do what you want. If you can bypass other Witnesses completely and just speak with your friend, all the better. Or is it from her that you expect to be harassed? I'll probably think of more later, but for now this is all that I can bring off the top of my head. I'll be thinking of you, and wish you the best. Please send me a private message if there is ANYTHING I can help you with.

Answer 5

Go backpacking, climb a mountain, identify a flower from a field manual, visit the pyramids of Egypt, gaze at the stars, read a classic book, study some subject you're interested in, live life to the fullest. Search, search, inside yourself and outside in nature and among people, that is real reverence for life, to uncover real reasons, not to sit back and believe what other people have told you growing up. Mysticism isn't reverence, it's delusion.

Answer 6

Well, if I had to accept a label, I'd accept "deist," except that I absolutely abhor labels.

One can deal with one's spiritual needs without the aid of a minister, priest, shamman, etc.

It's a matter of introspection.

The major religions of the world have more in common than that which separates them.

What does that tell you?

Answer 7

I am Muslim. I believe in the teachings of Islam (which have been knocked around) still I believe in the spiritual aspect.
Yet, Islam is only a title to name a religion, so I just take it to God.
What I mean is that religion cannot help me.

Answer 8

Every human being has physical and emotional needs, but spiritual "needs" are a personal preference. Some people would be lost without religion and spirituality, and others could care less it they had anything to do with the scene.

Answer 9

Actually I meet my spiritual needs thru Y!A.




Just kidding! I really have no spiritual needs.

Answer 10

Communing with nature is my favorite way to 'get closer to God'. Standing on the edge of a cliff and taking in the magnificent scenery never fails to inspire me to contemplate and revel in the wonders of the universe.

edit... number two favorite way to 'get spiritual' is music/dancing.