How to define "spiritual?"?

Question

I don't understand what is meant by this word; specifically, what is the difference between a person who says "I am spiritual" and a person who says "I am not spiritual."???

If you insist on using "God" in your response, please define that term as well, thank you.

How could I not expect to receive such a wide variety of answers?

Honourable mentions to:
Pangel Goodwill Ambassador,
anya_mystica,
silly_fud,
olddogwatchin and
Aum.

I don't believe there is a best answer in this case, but for schtts&giggles, I'll put it to a vote.

Answer 1

Spirituality is the next evolution of religion

A religious person may be fanatic, arrogant or ignorant, but a spiritual person sees all unverse as his own self

Religion is like a canal where water flows in fixed routes..predecided if it will reach our tap, or fields or lake

But spirituality is free flowing mountain river....finding its own ways....dancing and singing...rushing towards the Great Ocean

(I am not talking of Christian's spirituality...i am talking of real spirituality)

Answer 2

Here's an anti-definition: it doesn't have to have (and very rarely does have, from my observation) anything to do with God.

Edit:
Fair enough that you want a definition of God, but I'm afraid my response to that is "how long have you got?" Ask 15 different people and you'll get 15 different answers.

However, for my usage of "God" above (no pun intended) please read "one's perception of God."

You are obviously vexed by this issue (as I have been myself, I asked a similar question not so long ago and received similarly frustrating answers.) The trouble is, we're not the only ones: - I just looked up "spiritual" again in another reference and got the following definitions:

4. of or pertaining to spirits or to spiritualists; supernatural or spiritualistic.
9. of or relating to the mind or intellect.

It's actually quite fascinating to look at the way different references define this word in particular. For example - and as a rampant generalisation - American sources seem to concentrate entirely on the religious aspect.

Tired yet? I know I am! :)

Answer 3

Someone spiritual usually follows no set religion but yet usually is more religious then people that do. Usually they are pacifists, have a belief system of live and let live. Strongly believe in sow and you shall reap and realize that the universe is vast, that there is more then what meets the eye in this world. More open minded and as far as I am concerned closer to God as they do not feel they hold the secret or chosen above the rest like alot of "christians" do. So I would say much CLOSER to GOD

Answer 4

Someone who says they are 'spiritual' believe there is more to this life than a lot of matter strangely evolving. The word spiritual does not imply belief in any god, as I understand it. It does imply trying to live to the best of our capacity. It also often seems to be used to mean that someone is clairvoyant or at least believes that's an option.

Answer 5

I suspect it's all a matter of degree. Some people think about it more some less (some are more spiritual, some less). All have the same amount of divine or supernatural content. It's like trying to start a conversation with somebody by talking about the local sports team and them replying that they don't follow sports.

Answer 6

Spiritual to me is being a person who is not afraid to speak of the Lord , someone who has strong faith, prays ,someone who is not afraid to show there love of GOD . someone who believes in the Lord and heaven, and eternity,who wears their Christianity like an Armour and don't care who sees it. you don't have to attend church to be spiritual i don't think.

Answer 7

..define "spiritual''... ok.. spirit is the 'force' life is animated with.

'Spiritual' presence is physical cognition of the life force that gives liveing things variations...

spirit is a borrowed force, on loan to all liveing things, who eventually must return it to its sorce. We are alive in the light between eternitys, audiance to our cosmic mother, members of our planets liveing familys, prodigys of The Great Spirits parental potency

Answer 8

spiritual is being aware that your a spirit having a human experience, not a human looking for a spiritual experience. Hope that helps. Cleared it up for me.

Answer 9

spiritual is feeling a connection ... a oneness with all
usually those who consider them self spiritual will be seekers
continuously looking for answers to their questions .. being open to all
feeling empathy and compassion to the earth and those on it as a reflection of them self

Answer 10

generally when someone says they're not spiritual, they mean they don't believe in spirits.

literally, "spiritual" means "of spirits". so someone who communicates with, has seen, or interacts with spirits or God in anyway considers themselves spiritual, or can be considered spiritual. it more pretains to those who are regular with it though.

hope that hepls!