What is spirituality?

 Spirituality is not religion. You can belong to a religion and not be spiritual or you can be spiritual without belonging to a religion. A religion is an organized group with common beliefs and membership requirements. Spirituality, in contrast, has to do with a connection that you feel to something immaterial outside yourself.

 The connection sometimes feels like it is ‘upward’ into the cosmos or ‘downward’ into the earth, or both. The connection is not physical but it has physical, mental, and emotional effects. The connection helps you find meaning, purpose, and joy in your life. Let’s call the something that we feel connected to a ‘higher power’.

The connection to a higher power teaches you how to treat others and the earth. If you are spiritual, you perceive your connection to a higher power as an interior energy or agency for good. At its most basic, the connection is the source of the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is where spirituality diverges from religion. Religions teach the Golden Rule in theory but in practice, not everyone follows it because people get caught up in selfishness and hyperindividualism. In spirituality, true spirituality, hyperindividualism and selfishness give way to a sense of selfless interdependence with others and with the planet. 

Why would you want to be spiritual? Spirituality adds meaning and dimension to your life experience. It helps you weather the storms of emotion and stress that buffet you daily. It is a grounding and an inspiration for the things you want to do. Spirituality adds love, resilience, and support. You improve your relationships and connections with others. You feel grateful for what you have and want to share with others. Spirituality also has many health benefits. Most of all, I think, a connection to your interior energy for good improves your understanding of yourself, helps you deal with baggage from the past and gives you hope for the future. What’s not to like?


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