Spirituality is confused. For instance if you attend church one is considered spiritual, but all it really means is that you visit a glorious building, politely sit through(possibly) a load of drivel, say a few words, clearly or mumbled, sing a song, well or badly, and then go home. At home its up to you what you do, how you behave, treat others etc, but thats ok because when you visit the magnificent building again and all is forgiven.

I am fortunate enough that Crystals work with me. Comments by general people on this subject tickle me pink. Their belief is that I have to be spiritual to be able to use the crystals, the truth is that I have been able to understand the communications and images that they give me.

Alternative healers are considered spiritual. If one floats about with angels, apparently this is spiritual I call it ungrounded. The whole new age thing is a form of spirituality isnt it?

I don't believe any of this is related to anything. So the question remains"What is Spirituallity"?

Personally I wouldnt consider anyone spiritual unless I'd met them or seen them interviewd enough to form an opinion. I dont think its something that can just be tagged on because you are an alternative therapist or a devoute xtain or even a minister or a priest.

To me... the word spiritual means "in essence". In other words, its about what someone... and HOW someone believes as opposed to just simple belief. To me, someone is spirtual if they have a personal heartfelt connection to their god/gods/or even self.

A nice definition is:

Of, or relating to the spirit or soul; not material

So, spirituality can mean different things to different people. The people in the church, regardless of your opinions on them can be seen as spiritual, depending on how strongly they view their faith. A spiritual person lives their life with regard for their higher self, not just their material self.

There is a vast difference between being religious and spiritual.

Like already mentioned spiritual is a sense of self and your connection to the world here and of spirit. Religious is when you adhere to beliefs and practices from a specific doctrinate, be it Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Pagan and tend to have belief or a faith in those ways, but that doesn't make one spiritual.

Those who don't go to church may consider that simply attending services makes one spiritual but, IME, those who attend services often don't go along with that, and would make judgements for themselves who in the congregation is spiritual or not.

And yes, a few churchgoers confuse spirituality with the outward trappings of a religion.



Not sure whose POV you're expressing here. It isn't one of the spirituality of those churches I've attended (and I have attended many). On the contrary, most sermons and Christian books ream out that sort of thinking.



Heh. I have no idea. I guess it depends who you talk to. I'd say a lot of New Age 'spirituality' is commercialism dressed up as something higher.



I guess it's trying to be in tune with something one considers other than oneself, and which might provide an ethical framework. Just one opinion, though.

Hmmmm.......I suspect a Spiritual Person can have any Religion or None; I think a Spiritual Person is someone who aspires to 'Higher Things'.
Someone who only does what they feel is right or just, someone who places a higher value on their Soul than their Bank Balance, someone who doesnt just go along with the crowd, but will stand against it, if it is something they feel is unjust!
I guess the key word is 'feel'.
I tend to find most people have Spiritual moments, but it is very difficult to live your life, basically swimming against the flow of Society.
I have met lots of Space Cadets who are supposed to be being Spiritual, but they are not in my mind, they are just being 'Fluffy'.
A good image of someone being Spiritual in my mind is that 'Chinese Student standing in front of the Tank', a few years ago.
Though, maybe that is Idealist? or both?
Its about having and living by a strong Moral code, not just bending it whenever it gets in the way or dropping it for the next fashionable idea.
'Joan of Arc' was a good example! Not just living by what she beleived or felt, but also acting upon it, even when no one else was interested and not changing her mind to save her own life.
Or Jesus is another example.
Or is that Martyrdom? or maybe these things are all connected!
Im not sure this is coming out right!?

complicated. thanks for the answers so far all. they are interesting and informative, which is exactly why i joined. keep those replies coming.
wuppi this is fun c u

Perzactly! "Spirituality-Religiosity" is a spectrum/continuum! In the U.S. Bible Belt, I've never met one who is 100% "spiritual" - all too brainwashed as children.