What is Spirituality?

[drfuzzy]

I have been attempting to study the distinction between religion and spirituality. There haven't been all that many threads posted here about it recently. Spirituality is an American term, rarely found outside the US of A.  It originated in the 1960's, part of the cultural revolt against established authority.

A generic definition might be a search for a sense of revelation, inspiration, and beauty apart from the constraints of god or church. - A search for enlightenment, or a search for "something sacred". I reject "sacred" and "Holy" as terms created by the church to mean "worthy of extreme respect and obedience".  It's just another way to keep the sheeple in line.

I guess my question for the AF folks is: what's your take on Spirituality?  Is it simply a normal human search for growth and wisdom, that some folks have clothed in quasi-religious terminology?  Or is it a rebellion against established religion that still is based in a search for god?

[abaris]

In a nutshell, spirituality can take on every shape or form. Religion needs a user manual.

[Rhondazvous]

I agree with Abaris. You won't find a one-size-fits-all definition for spirituality that everybody will agree with. To do so is to turn it into a religion.

I think many atheists shy away from the term because it seems counter to the idea that the physical world is all there is. Although lack of belief in god does not necessary mean materialism. And spirituality does not necessarily mean gods and angels or ghosts and fairies

I can't give you a text-book official definition, but I can tell you what it means to me—meaning what works for me. Spirituality for me is understanding that I am the first person to experience the energy that I send out into the universe. If I create negative energy, then I'm sending that negative energy into a universe where I have to live. Spirituality means being balanced. I am human, I'm not always going to do and say the perfectly right things. so I learn after analyzing the results of my behavior rather than creating more negative energy by indulging in self-recrimination. Spirituality means that I except that other people are grown just like me and they can do what they want to do, too. In a nutshell, spirituality is learning to be happy in a universe that I share with other people. It's empathy.

[Athene]

I don't know. Spirituality seems like one of those vague New Age concepts. It does of strikes me as a non-religion religion...no set doctrine and kind of mish-mash of various religions, philosophy and other stuff; a little astrology, some meditation, Cabala, mushrooms, candles, Feng shui, Yoga AND yogurt, etc.  You know...whatever floats your boat.

I do know one thing. Christians hate that shit!

[Pyrrho]

"Spirituality" is a sufficiently vague term that it can mean almost whatever someone wants it to mean. It often, though, is a way to express the idea that one is religious but not following a specific church. See:

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/defini.../spiritual

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirituality

[ignoramus]

It's just another term for non sponsored woo.
Each to his own.

[drfuzzy]

Great responses, folks, thank you! Yes, after a lot of internet searching, I tend to agree: there is no real definition, and if someone tries to quantify "spirituality", they essentially turn it into a religion. It then starts merging into a lot of New-Agey crystal energy, pyramid power, aura and chakra colors STUFF.  -- Which is what makes me think it can become a "god" alternative.  

I do like Rhondazvous' take on the subject.  -- We all have moments where we are aware of a moment of beauty, or of inspiration, and we can use these observations for our own betterment or gain.  I'm drawn to Buddhist philosophy, for example . . . but I will not call myself a Buddhist, or make reference to "Lord Buddha" as some of my friends do.  That's about as "spiritual" as I'm going to let myself get.  And don't we need another term anyway?  I don't believe in spirits!  How about a searcher of wisdom? 

Oh well, enough rambling!  Be well, folks!  Thanks for putting up with me!

[Minimalist]

"Spirituality" is the religion of people who don't want to tithe.

[brewer]

I'll have to ask my bar tender.

[Angrboda]

I've come to the conclusion that spirituality is exploring the side of being human that we don't understand through science and psychology. I guess that might be a fancy way of saying we seek to understand our own life process through experiencing it.