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Everyone knows a few zen spiritual people who seem to have life all figured out. You know the types: small smile, kind words, a wisdom that belies their age. They seem like they were confronted with the reality of the universe and somehow gained a higher form of understanding.But what is spirituality? And how can you harness it to make your life better? In this article, we will attempt to explain spirituality and show you what it means to be spiritual.
Understanding Spirituality
First things first: let’s look at the spirituality definition. In looking it up, you will find that every source has its own. There is no universally agreed upon definition for what constitutes feeling spiritual. However, most sources agree that for a person to feel spiritual, they must believe in something that is bigger than themselves.
Here, we need to understand the difference between religious and spiritual thought. Broadly speaking, being spiritual involves thinking of the entire universe as an extension of the being. Spiritual thought allows a person to feel a kinship with the birds, the trees, the storm, the seas, the mountains, and even the IRS. Spiritual people know that everything comes from the same thing, and creating distinctions is artificial.
They believe that they are a part of the whole and see the world or the universe as being a part of them, as much as they are a part of it. It is this belief that gives them peace. Peace in knowing that there is balance in the universe, and life’s petty problems just wash away in the face of something so grand. It allows them to look at things from a different perspective.
Religion, while it does many of the same things, doubles down on the concept of divinity. It revolves around the belief in either one or many gods and the many ways such figures should be worshiped. There are many rules in religion, and the focus tends to be much narrower though the scope is just as grand. Religion espouses faith, a concept that might seem alien to those who are spiritual without being religious.
To feel spiritual things, one doesn’t need to pray. Neither does one need to visit a special place to feel seen. If you’re spiritual, you can feel awakened sitting on your park bench just as well as you would if you climbed Everest. That is not to say that a temple or a pagoda or a mosque or a church can’t have that effect. It’s just that religion narrows down the number of things and places that can make you feel a certain way. Some things are encouraged while others are discouraged.
Spirituality is not a fixed set of beliefs. It varies very much from person to person and can be difficult to explain to people who have spent most of their lives practicing one religion. It is why many spiritual people feel so liberated–they do not have limits imposed on them. However, the two don’t have an adversarial relationship.
Religion is one kind of spiritual expression, but it is not the only one. Oftentimes, this entails the use of jargon, ideas, and symbols associated with a specific religion. Individual religious practices and communal religious rites are what keep people religiously active. When circumstances are tough, religious individuals typically seek solace and strength from their congregation and their beliefs.
What Emotional Benefits Can Spirituality Give You?
The more you research spirituality, the more you’ll see that it is good for improving your mental and emotional health. This is due to the fact that, as with all areas of health, there is an interplay between the spiritual and emotional dimensions of one’s being. Let’s look at two ways in which this will happen:
- Spirituality is the pursuit of a deeper, more meaningful connection with a power greater than oneself, which can lead to feelings of calm, wonder, contentment, appreciation, and acceptance.
- Maintaining a good frame of mind is crucial to your mental health since it increases the likelihood that you will notice and embrace your place in a greater whole.
How To Cultivate Healthy Spirituality
In your quest to find purpose in life, you should prioritize developing connections characterized by love, trust, and forgiveness. Learning to accomplish these things helps you develop spiritually:
- Treasure your place in the chain of life; love and care for yourself; show compassion for others; take joy in the natural and manmade worlds;
- Trust your inner voice and your sense of right and wrong; work on building trustworthy connections; recognize that significance exists in every aspect of your life; believe that the universe (or higher entity) is on your side, no matter what.
- Accept that in the grand scheme of things, you are welcomed and cherished just as you are; forgive yourself for failures and wrongdoings; seek justice when you have been abused or wronged; let go of the urge for revenge.
So, what does being spiritual mean? It means having the courage to suffer through the bad and accept the good. This is an especially pertinent lesson for all those who are in hospice care because it is in our final moments that we seek the answers to the bigger questions in life. Spirituality might just give you the answer.
For information on hospice care services, give All American Hospice a call.
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