What does it mean to be spiritual?

[roger1440]

You are speaking of your view. You have a right to your view. But that does not surely mean that dumb people use the term to appear intelligent, as you originally claimed.

If someone were to tell you they are a "very spiritual person" how would you understand that?

 

[atanu]

If someone were to tell you they are a "very spiritual person" how would you understand that?

I will not consider that person, his opinion, or myself as dumb. I have repeated a few times that for Hindus, adhyatma (the foundational Spirit/God/Brahman) is the goal and religious practices are designed for attaining that goal.

Similarly, I presume that for a Christian the word Spiritual cannot be a dumb word. It etymologically means ".....of or concerning the spirit".

 

[roger1440]

I will not consider that person, his opinion, or myself as dumb. I have repeated a few times that for Hindus, adhyatma (the foundational Spirit/God/Brahman) is the goal and religious practices are designed for attaining that goal.

Similarly, I presume that for a Christian the word Spiritual cannot be a dumb word. It etymologically means ".....of or concerning the spirit".

You didn't answer the question, but then again you did. You had proved my point. I had never asked what it means to a Hindu or Christian. All I had asked was what is a "very spiritual person".

 

[atanu]

It’s a term dumb people use to appear smart. .......

If smeone were to tell you they are a "very spiritual person" how would you understand that?

I will not consider that person, his opinion, or myself as dumb. I have repeated a few times that for Hindus, adhyatma (the foundational Spirit/God/Brahman) is the goal and religious practices are designed for attaining that goal.

Similarly, I presume that for a Christian the word Spiritual cannot be a dumb word. It etymologically means ".....of or concerning the spirit".

You didn't answer the question, but then again you did. You had proved my point. ......

I surely did not prove your point that 'spiritual' is a term dumb people use to appear smart.
..........

All words have multiple meanings. Why this attack on the word 'spiritual'? That actually is my question.

 

[Vinayaka]

Here's a BBC article on why some people prefer 'spiritual' over 'religious.

BBC News - A Point of View: Is it better to be religious than spiritual?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Spirtituality is when you allign your mind, thinking, behavior with God's

IOW, a person who describes themselves as "spiritual" thinks that God agrees with them on everything?

 

[atanu]

Here's a BBC article on why some people prefer 'spiritual' over 'religious.

BBC News - A Point of View: Is it better to be religious than spiritual?

I have not read the article. I can say that the teaching of Gita (and other Hindu scriptures) is aadhyaatmic, and it is translated as Spiritual.

 

[atanu]

In fact, the question should be why anyone should be religious? What it means? Where it leads to ? And if anyone is really practising accurately one's particular religion?

 

[Sha'irullah]

In fact, the question should be why anyone should be religious? What it means? Where it leads to ? And if anyone is really practising accurately one's particular religion?

When I was a Hindu I sure as hell knew I was a very poor one. I never denied this. I love Hinduism but I never came about to practicing it to it's fullest. I understood it and it felt partially gratifying but I knew I could so better. Hinduism is just one of those things that only works for particular people, this is good though since it allows so much wiggle room for the soul.
I often questioned the legitimacy of my Hinduness

 

[JField]

When I was a Hindu I sure as hell knew I was a very poor one. I never denied this. I love Hinduism but I never came about to practicing it to it's fullest. I understood it and it felt partially gratifying but I knew I could so better. Hinduism is just one of those things that only works for particular people, this is good though since it allows so much wiggle room for the soul.
I often questioned the legitimacy of my Hinduness

Do you still have some beliefs from Hinduism ? I too am found of Dharmic religions but have so far not commited fully to any.

 

[JField]

Do you still have some beliefs from Hinduism ? I too am found of Dharmic religions but have so far not commited fully to any.

*fond

 

[JField]

*fond

 

[atanu]

When I was a Hindu I sure as hell knew I was a very poor one. I never denied this. I love Hinduism but I never came about to practicing it to it's fullest. I understood it and it felt partially gratifying but I knew I could so better. Hinduism is just one of those things that only works for particular people, this is good though since it allows so much wiggle room for the soul.
I often questioned the legitimacy of my Hinduness

Thank you. It's surely your wisdom to recognise and acknowledge.

Agreed that some may not know what spirituality means or the understanding of the word is too diverse. But, on the other hand, there are some who believe that they are protectors of dharma, without actually following even a single particular method fully or without understanding. For example, who at present, is following the ritual and yajnic aspects of Hinduism? And who can defend the varna-asrama dharma, which is at the core of Hinduism? Most guys cannot. Varna asrama dharma is conflated with jaati dharma.

At least a person who claims to be spiritual, prays or submits to the Atma/Spirit/Self/ God is a very simple way.

 

[Windwalker]

Here's a BBC article on why some people prefer 'spiritual' over 'religious.

BBC News - A Point of View: Is it better to be religious than spiritual?

I read this article you linked to. Though there are a smattering of truths in it, it is also considerably shortsighted. Too many generalizations. Too few categories. He labels all SBNRs as New Age narcissism, which though they are there cannot define those who are 'independents' on a genuine spiritual path. In fact a genuine spirituality cannot be only self-serving. Any true self-realization opens you to see the other, and in fact without seeing the other you cannot see your self.

Yes, organized religion has its social action benefits as a group, but it is my argument that group participation without individual practice is a spiritual lopsidedness, an imbalance. But why I believe many choose independence over institutional affiliations is because the institutions, in the West I'm speaking of, are largely shells without a deep spiritual core. They substitute religious forms for spiritual substance.

Given that option, those who seek legitimate spiritual substance are often hindered in such settings, which are supposed to be there to support those on a spiritual path. Rather, those communities are more about common political and social values systems, or specialized religious identities that set themselves apart from others in which they find a sense of belonging in their immediate group. This is not spirituality, and those who see Union with God, are not supported in this setting. They are not seeking the same thing. So they leave, and seek God on their own. And if and when they meet another like-soul on their path, they support each other and become a sanga of two or three... a sanga of independents.

He never spoke of this in that article, nor much, much more.

 

[atanu]

Here's a BBC article on why some people prefer 'spiritual' over 'religious.

BBC News - A Point of View: Is it better to be religious than spiritual?

I have not read the article. I can say that the teaching of Gita (and other Hindu scriptures) is aadhyaatmic, and it is translated as Spiritual.

Now I have read it. And my view is similar to this comment on the same page:

BBC News - A Point of View: Is it better to be religious than spiritual?
I'm a Quaker, too, Tom, and I like your four options. But I think we have a different definition of spirituality. You seem to define spirituality as the beliefs one adopts as an individual. I think of it as the things one does—both faith and practice—to connect with the transcendent, to become more whole, a better person, more fulfilled inwardly, more attuned to the world around us, more compassionate and empathetic—more full of true joy. And I connect religion to spirituality this way: a religion is the spiritual practice of a community. A religion is the things the community does—both faith and practice—to connect with the transcendent. Usually, in an established religion, this means attempts to REconnect with the community's Source as a religious community. In this context, religion without spirituality is what most people practice and precisely what the SBNRs reject—a form without power. True religion—very hard to find, even among Friends—is community practice that actually DOES connect the members with their Source.

Steven Davison, Hopewell, NJ USA

I feel that Religion when practised divested from its spiritual goal and merely as a national or a political pride is divisive and evil.

 

[HeatherAnn]

Spirituality for me means foolish, uninformed and uneducated.

How is breath "foolish, uninformed and uneducated"?

I am just being sarcastic(expect it from me ) but you are only making a word extremely and unnecessarily vague by doing this. You are thwarting any possibility of giving this word a significant meaning

There are ideologies that some feel the need to subjectively pin point. Remember, all we interpret is done subjectively.

When it comes to such universal concepts as God or spirituality, the more general the definition, the more peace & less conflict. Something we all can agree on... God/Spirituality is objective truth which is illusive to us subjectively thinking human beings. Still, we desire. Paul Tillech defined god as one's ultimate concern - aka LOVE.

How do you definitively pinpoint what love is? Does it help or hinder the process & expression of love to limit it's definition to specific, nonvague terms? I think it hinders. Love, like God & spirituality is resonating, which is done in as many unique ways as there are people. Generally, I consider love as appreciating what is & striving for what is best through trial & error- active faith.