Friends of Amida - Spiritual Networking -
What is Spirituality?
It seems to me that this word neatly glosses over an important distinction. For some people, spirit means soul - what one has 'within'. For some people spirit means Spirit - what one reveres, what inspires, that comes from outside and is an other.
Spirituality can mean either and very different perspectives on the religious life can result depending upon which view one takes. In the modern world the first view has gained ground considerably bringing with it the idea that 'everything comes from within' while the second view has somewhat lost ground, even though was the original meaning.
This development is associated with the increasing privatisation of spirituality which some regard as a liberation and some as atrophe.
Spirituality can mean either and very different perspectives on the religious life can result depending upon which view one takes. In the modern world the first view has gained ground considerably bringing with it the idea that 'everything comes from within' while the second view has somewhat lost ground, even though was the original meaning.
This development is associated with the increasing privatisation of spirituality which some regard as a liberation and some as atrophe.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Timothy Jaye (TJ) on
-
I use the term 'spiritual' instead of religious because religious seems to imply fundamentalism and spiritual seems to imply a more open minded approach. Amongst my friends, saying someone is religious, is an insult. You immediately picture someone on the street corner, holding a Bible telling everyone they are going to Hell if they don't repent and change their ways. Almost all of my friends (ages 21 to 39) are not of one religion. For example, I'm Buddhist and Pagan. Most of the time I just say that I'm spiritual or even a Spiritualist. Not one of my friends or myself attend any kind of congregation. Although we do get together occasionally to exchange ideas and preform rituals. Spirituality, for us means that we light candles for our friends who are sick, meditate, read philosophy books, and listen to music of a spiritual nature (New Age, Classical, Instrumental). Most of us consider songs like 'My Sweet Lord' by George Harrison, 'Shambala' by Three Dog Night, and 'Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine' by 5th Dimension as spiritual songs and if we had a congregation, these are the songs you'd hear at the Sunday morning services. Spirituality for us is doing anything that feels spiritual in nature and works to calm our minds and souls. Namaste`, TJ :]
About
Badge
© 2009 Created by Kaspalita on Ning. Create Your Own Social Network
