What is Spirituality?

Posted on October 19, 2007
Filed Under Spirituality, Consciousness |

Spirituality has many different meanings all over the world. Often it is associated with religion, whilst in other cases spirituality is kept quite distinct from religion. Spirituality has also gained a certain widespread ‘reputation’ through the New Age movement. Further still, many eastern traditions are considered spiritual; Zen, Buddhism, The Sacred Tao to mention but three. There is even a spiritual side to ancient western practices such as Paganism, occult beliefs, Wiccanism etc. It seems the term spirituality can be applied to just about anything and perhaps that in-itself is very telling.

Spirituality is a deeply personal thing, in many ways this is why it fits into nearly every perspective, whether it is an established belief system or not. This broad-view on Spirituality can lead to a lot of ambiguity, so where could be a better place to begin on this than with a collection of quotes from people around the world, on the question; “What is Spirituality?”

“It is said that in America spirituality is a mile wide & an inch deep. Sometimes that is the case.
I think spirituality is a natural curiosity of, and a wish to seek out the higher self. The search for ones own soul.”
Borgia

“Religion is a statement of mankind’ imagination.
The beliefs and desires he holds closest to his heart.
Whatever virtues he attempts to live by.
And the potential he feels in himself, are project outward.

The gods, and goddess, then are a reflection.
Yet they hint, at inner realties not realized or expressed.

The devils and demons then, are projections of man’s fears.

My personal definition of spirituality, is the pursuit of excellence.
For me what is excellent is beautiful and satisfying to the soul.”
Pepe

“Spirituality is knowing God.”
SmallSmith

“That part of you, your higher self, God part, soul if you like that is disconnected from the physical body. Always seeking to learn and obtain knowledge of the other realms, astral planes and to bring that into existence. Knowledge that we are infinite immortal beings that exist. “
WarriorPrincess

“I once asked the Universe what Spirituality means. The answer was:

Allowing what IS to BE.

Spirit U ALL

Hi (((ALL))) we are ONE (big family)
Good to BE here,

Hugs from Holland, Marina”
Marina - Marina’s Masters

“Spirituality is a journey in search of the unconditional essence of love.”
Candle

“To me, what is “spirit” is essentially what is not ego and not physical, that subatomic “empty space” within us that connects us to the Tao, the Great Emptiness. This part of ourselves can only be reached by going beyond thought and physical reality; this pursuit or level of awareness I would term spirituality.”
Angela - Surfing the Tao

“As a belief, Spirituality is the conviction that something exists beyond the perception of our five natural senses. Sometimes those beliefs extend to things which *are* perceived by our natural senses, even when a complete explanation involving only those natural senses is available.

It is a method of explaining experiences which the person who had the experience cannot explain in natural terms.”
Mark - The Winding Path

“Spirituality is paying attention to that which one is creating.”
dameva

“Spirituality for me is about learning about what isn’t.

Said more clearly, it’s exploring and experiencing that which is not in the physical world. Away from thoughts and feelings and towards purpose and direction. Why we have passion and drive to live our lives to the fullest. Why there is unconditional love and the connection we share with one another. Why there are such concepts as beauty, music, creativity, imagination and peace, and also why humans are the only “animals” that experience these things.

Sprituality is about exploring all of these ideas, enriching our lives, and using what we learn to become better people for ourselves and each other.”
Parthon - Parthon Software

“Spirituality: the pursuit of understanding of those aspects of human experience which are not subject to materialist reduction. (i.e.- the experience of “blue”… material/rational/scientific knowledge and understanding of it is possible in exquisite detail, but will not communicate the experience of “blue” to a blind person)”
WhiteTiger

“At present, spirituality represents to me the superhuman effort towards becoming a recipient of the higher truth, knowing that truth can never be sought, nor determined, but revealed.”
Attila Borsca - Vertegram

“To me spirituality: is an individuals conscious awareness coupled with their M.O. - Laws and principles they work from - and the end direction they are growing (STS/STO) that will carry over into higher dimensions.

So while here on earth they are walking with one foot on earth and one foot in the higher realms, and the M.O being proven now will choose their next dimensional being/ character. On earth they are learning to filter out the noise and learn integrity and self-control by growing into the type of higher being they will be.

Hope that makes some sort of sense.”
T-Ren - Noble Realms

“Convergence towards being the creator. Being a conscious creator of your life and finding your own truth.”
Hildegarde

“Our goal should be to create a positve self replicating postive mental virus and cell that multiplies. This cell will be a combination of people with positive roles. Once a complete cell is made, it will multiply because everyone will want what the people in the cell have.

This cell will be like bacteria that will multiply at an accelerated rate.

The underground government agencies will mix with the public, and the people on the surface will mix into the underground.

Postive and negative will cross over, like a chromosome or DNA.

These patterns exist on macrocosmic scales as well.”
ahnsentrayshun

“Definition of the concept of “spirituality” depends on the context.

Besides, a definition isn’t useful in any way to really understand something.

By definition, a human and an unfeathered chicken would be the same because they both “have no feather and walk on two legs”. See the absurdity?

A definition is (by definition!) an intellectual abstraction, which has nothing to do with the real true understanding of the reality its refers to.”
Druid

“The definition of spirituality to me is something, such as property or revenue, that belongs to the church or to a cleric.”
Sunshine

“This might be an important question to think about:

What is the difference between metaphysics and spirituality?”
morningsun76

“As I see it at this time, everything is spirituality. That is, if you’re able to perceive it that way. “
Hermit Brad

“I don’t know if I’ve truly settled on this, but for the moment it’s what I’ve come up with because it seems to encompass what I understand:

Spirituality: The quality or state of consciousness organized and focused through the awareness that all life is eternal and borne of the sacred.”
Sowelu

“TO SEE YOUR ENEMY FALL BEFORE YOU, RAZE THEIR VILLAGES, RAVISH THEIR WOMEN… OOPS, WRONG LIFE.
To serve the King and Country above any personal desires… oops, did it again.
To sacrifice and abandon all that is mean and wrong, base and petty and selfish; through opening up the inner nature so that the god within may shine forth; in other words, through self-directed evolution, striving to become human divinities.”
Antaeus

“To me spirituality is antithetical to the desire for monetary or status gain. It’s about being resourceful in every respect, instead of being rich. It is walking the path way less traveled, better yet, the one never traveled. About appreciation for things and the people we co-incarnated for ourselves, even if never meeting beyond this meeting of the minds. It’s about knowing things intimately, with much finer detail that would escape the scrutiny of “less” spiritual types. It’s about enjoying things the majority would scoff at, savoring nuances of heretofore un-thought-of thoughts.

Rediscovering self through saturation, then dissipation. Reflecting on our own nature using only _our own nature_ as a measure.
Recognizing the various traps that have been set, and intuitively avoiding even those less-common pitfalls. Connecting on a level far beyond ‘face’ value.

It’s gearing up for infinity. No matter your base or faith. And having some certainty that we are gonna “get it right” this time…”
ape-x

“The path of walking life with a warm hart, a discerning mind and a realization that one cannot avoid the synthesis of this.”
Magical_Mongoose

“Spirituality: an appreciation for the numinous quality in the binding non-material.”
_titmouse

“That which is without definition; indescribable expression of self/all, core of creation.

Open, infinite, consciousness of primal fire - awakening our eye of now and forever.

In tune, subtle gears of the universe, spinning into definition without words.”
ThothMosesIII - The Book of Thoth

“Whatever…”
CoolMusicGuy

“Spirituality is whatever is not carnal, and not psychic..there ya go”
Bunnydancer - Illusions

“A set of beliefs cannot define spirituality, is the word a hindrance
or a help that is deee question..
love and do as you do, that´s all”
RANDYPAN GOATBOY

“spir·i·tu·al·i·ty (spĭr’ĭ-chū-ăl’ĭ-tē) pronunciation
n., pl. -ties.

1. The state, quality, manner, or fact of being spiritual.
2. The clergy.
3. Something, such as property or revenue, that belongs to the church or to a cleric. Often used in the plural. “
Dove of Numbness

“The authenticity of being your genuine Self, beyond the confines of the Ego. The balance of our awareness uniting us with the consciousness of all levels of reality.”
Marcus - The Thoughts

“To me, spiritually is a step on the path to complete knowingness.
Spirituallity is expoitable.
Once you know this there is no need for it.”
slartybartfast

“Spirituality is when I am lost in the darkest room,
I can hear a heartwarming tune.
The notes come close and light up nothing,
I start running, but my position won’t change.
The lights are strange, showing me where I need to go,
And without words, pitch or tone silent notes tell me what I need to know.
A window forms, I see a green mountain and a river;
Stepping stones appear on the water.
Clouds greet me and call me their daughter,
And I say to them “I am not a woman, I am a man”
They reply with demands; “stand and hold out your hand.”
It turns into sand that falls onto the stones.
All that’s left is bones, but as the wind blows
I see that the grains were pain, it begins to rain,
Exotic white flowers sprout from my finger tips,
And the crème color of my skeleton was actually snow.
I’m on top of it then the clouds blow by,
I look down and notice two things:
My feet are the sky,
And my hands are miles high.
“…Why?”
“Are you a man?” they ask.
As I bask in the infinity of my existence,
And laugh at the stupidity of my resistance,
I am compelled to answer:
“No… I am your daughter.””
The Fool - Wisdom from a Fool

Comments

2 Responses to “What is Spirituality?”

slartybartfast on October 19th, 2007 1:28 pm

To me, spiritually is a step on the path to complete knowingness.
Spirituallity is expoitable.
Once you know this there is no need for it.
[ Quote ]
The Fool on October 20th, 2007 3:47 am

Spirituality is when I am lost in the darkest room,
I can hear a heartwarming tune.
The notes come close and light up nothing,
I start running, but my position won’t change.
The lights are strange, showing me where I need to go,
And without words, pitch or tone silent notes tell me what I need to know.
A window forms, I see a green mountain and a river;
Stepping stones appear on the water.
Clouds greet me and call me their daughter,
And I say to them “I am not a woman, I am a man”
They reply with demands; “stand and hold out your hand.”
It turns into sand that falls onto the stones.
All that’s left is bones, but as the wind blows
I see that the grains were pain, it begins to rain,
Exotic white flowers sprout from my finger tips,
And the crème color of my skeleton was actually snow.
I’m on top of it then the clouds blow by,
I look down and notice two things:
My feet are the sky,
And my hands are miles high.
“…Why?”
“Are you a man?” they ask.
As I bask in the infinity of my existence,
And laugh at the stupidity of my resistance,
I am compelled to answer:
“No… I am your daughter.”
[ Quote ]