What does spirituality mean to you?

[Grumpybutfun]

Since the death of a dear friend, I have been thinking about my own journey with spirituality, how most of it is based on feelings and faith. I'm not religious but definitely a spiritual man who has a very pagan view on the energy of life and our interconnectedness. I was talking to my son last night who is serving in the Middle East, and he said he has seen so much death and destruction that it makes him question if there is any order to life. I explained some opinions based on chaos theorists and we talked about the role of nature vs. technology and conquest of the Information Age, etc.

 

I tried to not lead him but to just make comments and give him my views in the least intrusive way I could. It is interesting what he believes, much more traditional and even almost religious but not bound to one sect. He said he needs to believe in heaven and hell, so that justice is served in the hereafter because he doesn't feel it is served here on earth. I have always taught my kids to believe and search with an open mind towards what they need in order to be good people. It made me start thinking about why I believe in God and why I need that belief. I was wondering how many others have found a slighty unorthodox spiritual journey and what does spirituality mean to you?

Reflectively,

Grumps

[M30USA]

Since the death of a dear friend, I have been thinking about my own journey with spirituality, how most of it is based on feelings and faith. I'm not religious but definitely a spiritual man who has a very pagan view on the energy of life and our interconnectedness. I was talking to my son last night who is serving in the Middle East, and he said he has seen so much death and destruction that it makes him question if there is any order to life. I explained some opinions based on chaos theorists and we talked about the role of nature vs. technology and conquest of the Information Age, etc.

 

I tried to not lead him but to just make comments and give him my views in the least intrusive way I could. It is interesting what he believes, much more traditional and even almost religious but not bound to one sect. He said he needs to believe in heaven and hell, so that justice is served in the hereafter because he doesn't feel it is served here on earth. I have always taught my kids to believe and search with an open mind towards what they need in order to be good people. It made me start thinking about why I believe in God and why I need that belief. I was wondering how many others have found a slighty unorthodox spiritual journey and what does spirituality mean to you?

Reflectively,

Grumps

 

As with most terms, you will find varying definitions depending on the person. The popular view of spirituality is more akin to mysticism and eastern religion.

 

The Bible talks about spirituality in contrast to the natural world (ie, the flesh). Any and all avenues which follow the natural flesh and it's desires or wisdom results in destruction and corruption. It is by the Holy Spirit that we possess life. And this requires faith. Everything you see as far as how the world operates (in its current fallen state) goes agsinst the Holy Spirit and what it teaches. The Bible says that, while those who possess the Holy Spirit WILL ultimately find eternal life, we can expect MORE opposition by the powers of this world than those who do not possess the Spirit.

 

The Holy Spirit is also a PERSON, not a vague mystical concept as in eastern religion. It directly teaches us truth and leads us in the will of God. Without the Holy Spirit, we CANNOT know God no matter how hard we try or how well-reasoned we are. This is because our minds have been blinded by original sin and we, like sick mental patients, cannot see our own blindness. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in. This is what "spirituality" means from a Biblical perspective.

[angel.eyes]

Death and social injustice are two things that really get you to pause and think about the bigger picture, don't they? Humans have struggled for millennia with these questions, with good and evil, and with the concept of unfairness. These are at the heart of most religions and philosophies.

 

Spirituality means so many different things to different people. For me, it's my faith as a Christian and the answers it provides to those questions and others.

 

Sorry about your friend's passing. I remember you posting about her terminal illness a while back. I'm glad she's finally free from her physical pain and suffering. She seemed like a wonderful person who had such a positive impact on those around her, including you and your wife. I hope you (and her family) find peace in all of this.

[pteromom]

For me, spirituality is simply a connection with all that is bigger than us.

 

I believe in God too, and label myself Christian because inside myself, I believe Jesus is the Son of God. No real reason to believe that other than I just feel it is true.

 

But beyond that, I don't really identify with Christians. I think the Bible is in no way literal, and I am on the fence as to whether I believe it was even inspired by God and not just written by men. I don't know.

 

My connection with God, though... that is very real. I can feel His energy coursing through my soul, and can feel His love for me. I can feel the peace He offers.

 

I believe that there is much more to our journeys than this small slice of life here on Earth. I believe that trying to make sense of the small piece of life we can see is a ridiculous pursuit, because we don't know enough to make logic out of it. Which is why death and destruction and pain and horror do not affect my belief in God... because we don't truly understand it. We only understand it from our own limited viewpoints. If death is only a stop on the journey, it becomes much less horrific for someone to die. We may be sitting around screaming "WHY GOD!??" when we lose someone, but I believe He is smiling down on us with love, whispering "You'll see, child. You'll see." No different than the way we smile at our own children when they are tantruming over something trivial like a friend grabbing a toy out of their hand.

 

I believe Heaven and Hell are in our own minds. A life lived with love and acceptance and kindness creates Heaven. A life lived with bitterness and anger and distrust creates Hell. We may or may not carry these feelings on with us beyond our existence here.

 

I don't try to guess what is beyond what I know. I focus on what I know... connecting with others, connecting with nature, connecting with myself... all these things connect me with God.

 

I focus on being grateful for all I am blessed with, and sharing my blessings with others. I focus on living in the moment and enjoying the life I have in the body I have... feeling myself breathe, laugh, run, scream; smelling flowers; petting dogs; tickling children; jumping in puddles. Making the most of every moment with every person who touches my life, whether it's a few minutes in a grocery store line together, or many years.

 

We will lose EVERYONE. We will all DIE. This is just fact, and there's nothing we can do to change it. Knowing this can make us fearful and small, or it can be liberating to let go of the need to control those things, and to know that in the bigger picture, nothing we do really matters.

 

Our children will remember us. Our grandchildren may remember us. Our great-grand-children may have a photo of us they keep on a back room wall. Our great-great-grandchildren may have our names in a "family history" book. Beyond that, we are likely gone forever, just like our ancestors. Whether they stayed in their marriages or left; whether they took that promotion or moved to another country to be with the one they loved; whether they learned to swim or dance or sew... NONE of that matters now. So the real question is how to make yourself happy in this short time you have here. How to live a life that you will look back on and have no regrets about. How to connect with God, or the universe or whatever you believe in, and be WHOLE and JOYOUS.

[TheFinalWord]

I was talking to my son last night who is serving in the Middle East

 

Will post more later, but wanted to say that I thank you son for his service. For laying his life down for our freedom. I also thank you as a father for allowing your son to serve our country. We owe a debt of gratitude...

 

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" - Jesus

 

Speaking of spirituality...out of the mouths of babes...(get out your kleenex)

 

[GorillaTheater]

Awesome post, Pteromom. I agree with you on almost all points, and I couldn't have possibly expressed it as well.

[A.Moscote]

I like, and share, your son's view, Grumpy. It's nice to know he thought a lot about justice.

 

Okay now for me, in a sentence, my religion/spirituality gives me a purpose in life and compels me to be conscientious in every actions and intentions I made.

 

Regarding human relationships (the reason I stumbled upon this forum), it leaves me with no choice other than to always be truthful and pro-confession. And yes, I struggle with it sometimes.

 

We believe in one event in the hereafter where every particular deed will be revealed and considered. One of the names given to this event, that particularly strikes me, is the 'Day of the Recompense' (not unlike the Christian's Day of Judgement).

 

So to my fellow muslims, don't ever dream of hiding our wrongdoings. We will be brought alive again with all that secrets unhidden.

[GorillaTheater]

 

Oh hell. Now I have to wait for the red to clear out of my eyes before I go home.

[Candy_Pants]

I was raised Christian, but the majority of my family are Mormon. Now I'd say I "associate" with Buddhism.

 

To me, spirituality is the relationship I have with energy, how I perceive god. I believe in being a good person, respecting nature, and loving my fellow man. I believe in the end our neurons fire off and we enter a dream state, we reflect upon our lives and WE become the judge of ourselves, and are accepting or damning of ourselves and our choices.

 

My body will decay, but my energy will live on.

[M30USA]

I was raised Christian, but the majority of my family are Mormon. Now I'd say I "associate" with Buddhism.

 

To me, spirituality is the relationship I have with energy, how I perceive god. I believe in being a good person, respecting nature, and loving my fellow man. I believe in the end our neurons fire off and we enter a dream state, we reflect upon our lives and WE become the judge of ourselves, and are accepting or damning of ourselves and our choices.

 

My body will decay, but my energy will live on.

 

Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead in the physical body?

[Grumpybutfun]

I am liking them all for bringing some really thoughtful responses to the table. It seems regardless of religion or spirituality, purpose and meaning are very important to us as human beings. I am always interested in how we all value our spiritual experiences...I don't really ascribe to spiritual being anything other than a feeding of the soul, a connection to all things and a belief in a higher power or something greater.

 

The Final Word, thank you for your kind words on my son being in the military. There is a great family pull for our sons to go to the military...my dad served, my grandfathers, my uncles and great greats all served. It is in our blood to fight for freedom and though our vision of what that entails isn't as clear now as in the great WWs, it is still something I am proud of him for pursuing. It takes great courage these days to be in the military. I served in the Silent Service, sometimes during detente, more as a deterrent and a watcher than as a fighter, but my son in in the heat of it so I do worry about him sometimes.

I first came to Love Shack due to this section as I find the oiler I get the more important I find the spiritual side of matters.

Thanks again,

Grumps

[Grumpybutfun]

Death and social injustice are two things that really get you to pause and think about the bigger picture, don't they? Humans have struggled for millennia with these questions, with good and evil, and with the concept of unfairness. These are at the heart of most religions and philosophies.

 

Spirituality means so many different things to different people. For me, it's my faith as a Christian and the answers it provides to those questions and others.

 

Sorry about your friend's passing. I remember you posting about her terminal illness a while back. I'm glad she's finally free from her physical pain and suffering. She seemed like a wonderful person who had such a positive impact on those around her, including you and your wife. I hope you (and her family) find peace in all of this.

 

 

I am surprised you remembered that post when we went to NYC to see her. That was a long time ago. Yes, she made this world a happier place. My wife is understandably crushed, and we are both reflecting on our place in the Universe.

I think of her freedoms from pain and suffering and it really is the best thing to concentrate on during all this grief.

Thanks,

Grumps

[Grumpybutfun]

For me, spirituality is simply a connection with all that is bigger than us.

 

I believe in God too, and label myself Christian because inside myself, I believe Jesus is the Son of God. No real reason to believe that other than I just feel it is true.

 

But beyond that, I don't really identify with Christians. I think the Bible is in no way literal, and I am on the fence as to whether I believe it was even inspired by God and not just written by men. I don't know.

 

My connection with God, though... that is very real. I can feel His energy coursing through my soul, and can feel His love for me. I can feel the peace He offers.

 

I believe that there is much more to our journeys than this small slice of life here on Earth. I believe that trying to make sense of the small piece of life we can see is a ridiculous pursuit, because we don't know enough to make logic out of it. Which is why death and destruction and pain and horror do not affect my belief in God... because we don't truly understand it. We only understand it from our own limited viewpoints. If death is only a stop on the journey, it becomes much less horrific for someone to die. We may be sitting around screaming "WHY GOD!??" when we lose someone, but I believe He is smiling down on us with love, whispering "You'll see, child. You'll see." No different than the way we smile at our own children when they are tantruming over something trivial like a friend grabbing a toy out of their hand.

 

I believe Heaven and Hell are in our own minds. A life lived with love and acceptance and kindness creates Heaven. A life lived with bitterness and anger and distrust creates Hell. We may or may not carry these feelings on with us beyond our existence here.

 

I don't try to guess what is beyond what I know. I focus on what I know... connecting with others, connecting with nature, connecting with myself... all these things connect me with God.

 

I focus on being grateful for all I am blessed with, and sharing my blessings with others. I focus on living in the moment and enjoying the life I have in the body I have... feeling myself breathe, laugh, run, scream; smelling flowers; petting dogs; tickling children; jumping in puddles. Making the most of every moment with every person who touches my life, whether it's a few minutes in a grocery store line together, or many years.

 

We will lose EVERYONE. We will all DIE. This is just fact, and there's nothing we can do to change it. Knowing this can make us fearful and small, or it can be liberating to let go of the need to control those things, and to know that in the bigger picture, nothing we do really matters.

 

Our children will remember us. Our grandchildren may remember us. Our great-grand-children may have a photo of us they keep on a back room wall. Our great-great-grandchildren may have our names in a "family history" book. Beyond that, we are likely gone forever, just like our ancestors. Whether they stayed in their marriages or left; whether they took that promotion or moved to another country to be with the one they loved; whether they learned to swim or dance or sew... NONE of that matters now. So the real question is how to make yourself happy in this short time you have here. How to live a life that you will look back on and have no regrets about. How to connect with God, or the universe or whatever you believe in, and be WHOLE and JOYOUS.

 

Articulate and well said, pteromom. My principle for this week was joy so I am really thinking about what joy means to me and how joy influenced our friend to battle cancer so well and with grace and happiness. I am humbled with how well she accepted and didn't push against it but let it come while she embraced its ugliness and turned it into something beautiful just by being brave and raw and unflinching in its wake.

I am printing this little post of yours for future reference,

G

[Candy_Pants]

Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead in the physical body?

 

No. (10 characters)

[M30USA]

No. (10 characters)

 

Neither did all 12 of the disciples. Until they saw it.

 

I bring this up because if Christ did, in fact, resurrect in the physical body, then so will those who believe in him and obey him.

[Candy_Pants]

Neither did all 12 of the disciples. Until they saw it.

 

I bring this up because if Christ did, in fact, resurrect in the physical body, then so will those who believe in him and obey him.

 

That's nice. But I don't think the zombie look is good for me .

[Robert Z]

I was wondering how many others have found a slighty unorthodox spiritual journey and what does spirituality mean to you?

Reflectively,

Grumps

 

I have covered a wide range of spirituality. Raised Catholic, I was in and out of that for a number a years, explored a number of other Christian religions and philosophies and dabbled with Eastern philosophies. I had one overwhelming spiritual experience that changed my life as well as a few lesser but still profound experiences. It is fair to say that my career has been driven by a profound realization that seemed to come from the great beyond that this is what I am supposed to be doing with my life. It is what I was made to do. Never once over the last 30 years have I doubted that for a moment. The one constant in my life has been my work.

 

I have played a good bit with more radical concepts such as astral travel and hypnotic regression. Not to say that I believe that my consciousness left my body, but whatever it is that happens during what is called astral projection, I experienced it after training myself in deep meditation for at least a year... and more like two years I believe. It was such an intense experience that it scared me to death and I immediately stopped all such practices. Later I learned that this is normal the first time. But when it happened I felt like I was being sucked into a void that was the blackest black I have ever seen. I had the distinct feeling that I was losing control. And it was terrifying. A moment later I found myself standing next to my bed in a fight or flight state of mind. As near as I can tell I leapt out of bed without even knowing it or meaning to. A moment before that I was in a very deep state of meditation that took about an hour to achieve.

 

I have tried regressive hypnosis just for the sake of trying it and saw a number of alleged past lives. It was interesting but by no means was I convinced that they were real memories. I could almost sense my mind subconsciously grasping for a story... to fill in the blanks. But it was still a memorable experience [a real memory! ]. At one point I was almost spontaneously overcome with emotion as I seemed to recall traumatic events. And I did have intense and vivid imagery of what seemed like memories. There was one in particular that even after some 30 years, I can still see in my mind now, as clear as day. The sense of place, the intensely contrasting colors, and the sounds, still seem crisp and sharp, very much like a real memory. I came away unconvinced but a but a little rattled by what I experienced.

 

To put it in a simple statement, I tend to believe that we and all that exists are the mind of God. We are all a part of a whole that is much greater than anything we can grasp. We try to attach names and philosophies, and we create rules, and we fight wars, all while trying to understand and quantify something that is beyond our ability to comprehend. I think this is why almost all cultures tend towards religious beliefs. We are born with an intrinsic sense of a connection to something greater than ourselves. And I tend to believe that in some sense we exist beyond death. We are the universe becoming aware of itself - that much is undeniable.

Edited April 27, 2014 by Robert Z

[pie2]

I explained some opinions based on chaos theorists and we talked about the role of nature vs. technology and conquest of the Information Age, etc.

 

 

 

Could you explain a little bit about these theories, and how they relate to spirituality?

 

We are all a part of a whole that is much greater than anything we can grasp. We try to attach names and philosophies, and we create rules, and we fight wars, all while trying to understand and quantify something that is beyond our ability to comprehend. I think this is why almost all cultures tend towards religious beliefs. We are born with an intrinsic sense of a connection to something greater than ourselves. And I tend to believe that in some sense we exist beyond death.

 

 

I agree; we're all connected in a way that's beyond our understanding. And yet, our culture becomes more and more isolated. I have no doubt that it's impacting our health and wellbeing. I think, despite all the advances in medical science, there are still serious mental and physical side effects to the isolation I see all around.

 

 

Connectedness and mortality are two concepts I think we try to answer when we search for spiritual meaning. And since there are 'no atheists in foxholes', it's no surprise the OP's son is faced with such monumental questions right now. I think everyone, even the most diehard atheist, will consider the possibility of life after death when approaching their final moments.

 

 

I think it's good to explore different spiritual beliefs. Sadly, today, I think many people dabble in different ideas, but never actually commit to a higher power, and ultimately really only end up committing to their own desires and whims. Morgan Freeman gave an interview the other day, and, imo, clearly expressed what many people without a strong spiritual foundation believe:

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEVA22w-B2Y&feature=player_detailpage#t=224

[Robert Z]

Sadly, today, I think many people dabble in different ideas, but never actually commit to a higher power, and ultimately really only end up committing to their own desires and whims.

 

People have always believed whatever they want to believe. There is nothing new under the sun.

 

How many people who have "come to God" can't agree on much of anything ? Answer - all of them.

Edited April 27, 2014 by Robert Z

[Joangel]

I was raised in strict Roman Catholic home but in my teens my begain studying metaphysics. My sister converted to Muslum for her husband. Needless to say, I have a lot of opposiving views on religion. Mostly, I believe religion is an umbrella for the the same belief and that is God. I now longer go to church as I don't believe it will make me a better Christian. Instead, I try to be my best everyday. I remind myself throughout the day, that the only one I will have to answer to is God in the end. Will God be impressed that make a lot if $ or wear a size 0? Probably not. I try to see the good in people and pray for those who are very lost. As for death, I read a lot about our Dharma path. I found this to be very conforting. Everything really does happen for a reason, and by knowing that I struggle less with death and pain. I was struggling after my divorce feeling God had punished me for some time. After reading about my Dharma path I realized that my husband had served his purpose for what I need to grow as a person thus far. Once the maximum growth is reached, God makes it so that you have to move on in order to keep growing as a person. Looking back I know it was for the best. Everything bad and good, serves it's purpose somehow in the universe.

[regine_phalange]

What is spirituality? What is a spirit? Is it a part of me that has nothing to do with me and has merged with my physical body, mind, my accident? Where does my body end and where does my spirit start?

 

Are there other dimensions that I can't see because they are interwoven and I have specific kind of senses? Are my favorite dead people around me right now?

 

I don't know.

 

Am I religious? No.

Do I believe in god? I don't think I even know what that is, or how can I define it, even in my imagination.

 

If he/she exists, why are we deserted here? Is it some kind of gift, or is it some kind of joke? Is it the "army service" of the spiritual world? Is this world some kind of resource that helps our spirit grow? I hope so, because I don't like the idea of having no real purpose.

 

Do I feel that there is something after death?

Yes, suprisingly, somehow I do.

 

I do, after a couple of incidents with remote acquiantances, who dreamt of beloved deceased people in my family, who told them things that only 1 or 2 people in my family knew.

 

The first occurence was when someone saw a dream with my grand-grandmother, who asked him to remind my granfather to repair something. Later, it was revealed that my grand-grandmother had indeed asked my granfather to repair this thing before she died but he forgot/neglected it. The second occurence was when someone told my mum that he dreamt of my dad. My dad told him he was "in between" and he was also worried about a girl. Well, my dad died suddenly, and in the period this person saw the dream I was very sick with severe sinusitis. So, as you see, I cannot not have a tendency to believe in afterlife, somehow.

 

Maybe these were coincidences, but no one can be sure. I'm not 100% sure what they are exactly either.

 

There may be things I can't see, and this experience on earth is not everything there is. But at the same time, I can't prove it, and I also feel that as strongly. I still have a feeling that it's urgent to enjoy, have empathy, and treasure every small thing right here, and that this is somehow more important, because it's more tangible. Even my spiritual beliefs, somehow are an interpretation of things that have happened in this tangible world.

 

So, in the end, spirituality for me is believing in things that are intangible and could collapse anytime, but at the same time being aware of it and treasuring what I have, what I can touch. Learning and enjoying this world that is here right now, and since Im a part of it, trying to make it better in small, tiny ways. The happiness one can take from all the above can't be accidental.

[Frank2thepoint]

I was baptised as a Roman Catholic, and up until my early 20s, I was religious and spiritual as a devout Catholic. After that I no longer adhered to religious dogma. Religion was not feeding my soul, even though I had studied Catechism my young life, and the worst of all, it did not explain why people are so cruel to each other. In addition the three major religions (Catholicism, Islam, and Judaism) are basically the same thing in principle, with their teachings, and how to treat your fellow man. But there is still the defining segregation of religions. Even among Christians there is segregation. I think the moment I lost faith in religion, was over a decade ago, when a coworker told me about a documentary he was watching, about various Christian denominations holding an outdoor prayer event somewhere in the US. An altercation occurred among them, with each spewing "My God is better than your God" rhetoric. It seems these various Christians didn't know that they all worshipped the same God. Which such a schism, I began thinking what is the purpose of religion? My explanation, to sow discord, to control, to segregate. Counterproductive to teachings of unity and being God's people.

 

Do I believe in God? That is a tough question to answer because I have an open mind, but I find myself torn to come to a solid conclusion with my "faith". Theists believe there is a God, without the need of physical proof God exists. Atheist do not believe there is a God, with the physical proof God does not exist. The closest I can proselytize myself to is being an agnostic, but not completely. To me God exists, but doesn't exist at the same time. In addition, I also think there can be multiple deities if even one does exist. Also, what makes God or the gods divine? For their ambivalence toward mankind, they are truly arcane, incomprehensible to the human mind.

 

I am young and have gone through some phases of my life concerning religion and faith. I'm sure I will experience something in my future that will also change my perception from what I have now. That being said, I am spiritual because I exist. I can affect my surroundings, and I have emotions to represent my inner, intangible self. I am self-aware and often wonder if I was reincarnated from something/someone else or was I in a spiritual queue waiting for my turn to manifest physically. But ultimately I believe spirituality is tied to the physical self, because just like the wind, which cannot be seen directly, but can be felt and has an affect on the physical.

 

 

Do I feel that there is something after death?

Yes, suprisingly, somehow I do.

 

I do, after a couple of incidents with remote acquiantances, who dreamt of beloved deceased people in my family, who told them things that only 1 or 2 people in my family knew.

 

The first occurence was when someone saw a dream with my grand-grandmother, who asked him to remind my granfather to repair something. Later, it was revealed that my grand-grandmother had indeed asked my granfather to repair this thing before she died but he forgot/neglected it. The second occurence was when someone told my mum that he dreamt of my dad. My dad told him he was "in between" and he was also worried about a girl. Well, my dad died suddenly, and in the period this person saw the dream I was very sick with severe sinusitis. So, as you see, I cannot not have a tendency to believe in afterlife, somehow.

 

Very interesting my dear Scorpio. My mother was never religious or spiritual when she was younger. She had a near-death experience when I was very young. She told me that all her pain was gone, and she felt peace and no pain. She said she has seen some of her deceased relatives, such as grandparents, uncles, and aunts at this spiritual juncture. Ever since then she's been very religious and spiritual. Often talks about the afterlife, how she is convinced there is more after this life. I'm happy for my mother that she has her faith and spirituality. Maybe she is onto something.

[pteromom]

We are all a part of a whole that is much greater than anything we can grasp. We try to attach names and philosophies, and we create rules, and we fight wars, all while trying to understand and quantify something that is beyond our ability to comprehend. I think this is why almost all cultures tend towards religious beliefs. We are born with an intrinsic sense of a connection to something greater than ourselves. And I tend to believe that in some sense we exist beyond death. We are the universe becoming aware of itself - that much is undeniable.

 

I like this, and agree completely.

[M30USA]

I agree to the extent that everything and everyone has a PURPOSE. This includes Satan. But saying that everyone has a purpose doesn't remove accountability from us all or imply that all roads lead to Rome.

[M30USA]

(Duplicate post.)