In our fast-paced, stressful world of heavy traffic, long commutes, crowds of people, intense work demands, and constant bombardment with news of political upheaval and war, there is another way of looking at the world – a way that brings peace. This worldview is the haven that can be called spirituality. It unlocks a dimension of life beyond what we experience on the sensory and physical levels.
It is found inside us. It invites us to explore our inner depths and to find harmony – with ourselves, with others, and with the sublime forces that guide the universe. Spirituality can be a profound journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. It is a pathway to inner peace and fulfilment.
What Is Spirituality?
Spirituality begins with a feeling, a sense, or belief, that there is something greater than ourselves pervading the universe and us. We acknowledge that reality is more than what we perceive with our five puny senses. That greater energy, or force, is close to us, and if we reach out to it, it will contact us. Some of us find this easier than others do.
We are fortunate if we have a strong sense of the energy around us, but if we don’t, it is enough to believe that it is possible and reach out in faith. This reaching out to begin a relationship with the ultimate is the beginning of spirituality. In The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself, Michael A. Singer describes this process in an easily understood exposition.
What Spirituality Is Not
Spirituality is not synonymous with adherence to any specific religious worldview. Religions are organized systems of ideas and rituals whose purpose is to engage with the divine in a form understood by their adherents. They are usually practised in groups. These systems can be a uniting force in a community, and they encourage individuals to find the numinous in a form they can understand and accept.
person can be religious without being spiritual – a zealous adherent to a religious system who has no personal relationship with the ultimate. As Eckhart Tolle states in The Power of Now, “Being spiritual has nothing to do with what you believe and everything to do with your state of consciousness.” Neither does it require renunciation of the material world. Rather, it encourages a balanced perspective that integrates spiritual insights into daily life.
How to Be Spiritual
Becoming spiritual involves a journey inward; it’s a process of self-exploration and reflection. We take this journey accompanied by our higher self – that is, the calm and compassionate version of ourselves that is above the fray of everyday life. I like to think of mine as my awesome best friend.
Practices such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga, contemplation, prayer, or spending time in nature facilitate this inner journey by connecting us with our inner selves and the universal energy in the natural world. Examining ourselves and our belief systems and being honest with ourselves are also important. They lead to deeper understanding of ourselves and to inner transformation and positive growth. This path, then, is a way to become a mature human being.
Spirituality is all about living life in personal companionship with the universal force that flows through everything. This makes us strong, because nature is strong. Often nature seems it is being cruel to be kind. The herd of deer remains young, healthy and strong because the predators keep it that way. The forest is renewed when lightning strikes, setting it ablaze.
Spirituality helps us learn to accept the big picture and act as does nature when necessary. For instance, all creatures act in self-defence, and so may we. All creatures are first concerned with their own safety and well-being, and so should we be. We can’t support others unless we are strong ourselves.
Spirituality’s inner journey has been a source of comfort and inspiration to millions of people. In my experience, those who take this narrow path discover that it works. Spiritual people find that we are loved unconditionally by the universe that produced us, and we are called to develop the better side of our nature to create a world of peace for ourselves and those around us.
The Benefits of Spirituality
Embracing spirituality can yield profound benefits for individuals and communities alike. On a personal level, it fosters inner peace and resilience in the face of adversity. It gives a deeper sense of purpose as we train ourselves to live a life full of love on all levels. It promotes mental and emotional well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Spirituality also enhances interpersonal relationships by fostering empathy, compassion, and understanding. We accept the people around us with the unconditional love we experience from the universe. This spills over into our relationships with our community and the society around us.
Studies suggest that spiritual practices can positively impact physical health, immune function and overall longevity. Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health say, “Spirituality should be incorporated into care for both serious illness and overall health.” The Oxford Textbook of Spirituality in Healthcare makes it clear that spirituality is being taken very seriously by the medical profession.
In his book The Road Less Travelled, M. Scott Peck observes, “The whole course of human history may depend on a change of heart in one solitary and even humble individual—for it is in the solitary mind and soul of the individual that the battle between good and evil is waged and ultimately won or lost.” This is the choice we are here to make. The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and the Quest for an Inspired Life by Lisa J. Miller, a New York Times bestselling author, makes that same point, backing it up with scientific evidence.
Questions to Reflect on:
What is the relationship you have with the ultimate? Have you found a spiritual community? Are you a happy person?
