Do People Sense you are 'Spiritual' Somehow?

[TLight]

Seems to me, the past few years, I've had acquantenses (sp) tell me I'm so spiritual, my ex told his mom he was with me because he needed more spirituality, my neigbors come to me and ask questions about spiritual topics, etc.

I admit, I've had a couple of intense spiritual experiences I'd rather not talk about, haven't even shared. I do meditate practically constantly, and it very much is my main interest..........if mostly just to save my life.

But I've never 'advertised' myself as 'spiritual', never want to..........I'm wondering what's happening and if anyone else has ever experienced it.

I make sure to have a very humble attitude about it. I've been with people who 'talk the talk', but in truth.......they don't even come close to 'walking the walk.' Very dangerous.

[linasmom]

I don't have a drop of spirituality in me, and it's very obvious to other people.

[2quilt]

Me neither. Not an ounce of any form of spirituality here.

[tude]

TLight,
I also see that so many more people "talk the talk" rather than live and practice what they believe. I wonder if this is what people mean when they refer to me as being spiritual. Considering my religious affiliation, it is quite a relief and an affirmation to hear that people view me as spiritual rather than religious. TLight, I am not shy about 'advertising' that I do try to live my life by spiritual principles more so than religious principles.

tude

[She Cat]

Not an ounce of spirituality here either.....I try but fail miserably....

[TLight]

Hum, even my T said, 'you have such a spirituality about you.' I didn't ask her why she said that, just figured she was trying to boost by self-esteem.

Funny, you guys aren't a bit spiritual. Seems hard to have such horrible experiences and to be dealing with the effects of PTSD without reaching out to something greater than all this junk here.

I guess that's why I've pursued the teachings so much. I can't stand this world. I want to know how to get to the next and not come back to this place, or at least 'be in this world and not of it.''

Thinking about the Creator is sometimes the only way I can make it through a day. Sometimes, I think he must hate me or something, but I try not to go there. I like to believe there's a reason for all my suffering.

Anyway, was just wondering.

[tude]

I do think spirituality is independent of religious beliefs. Someone once described spirituality to me as progression on a continuum towards an ideal. Basically, living and being guided by what is ideally good. That ideal is determined by you, not necessarily any religious beliefs.

Given my understanding of spirituality, everyone here working towards a positive change for themselves have a degree of spirituality. To move foward from the past and live better is spiritual in nature. Additionally, I think of Upstream's volunteerism as spiritual in nature as well.

This is just my limited understanding of spirituality. I hope that in sharing this, others also share their understanding of spirituality when they respond to this thread. I hope to learn more- to expand and refine my limited understanding.

Striving towards progress,
tude

[Nicolette]

I interpret the word spiritual as meaning "having a belief or a view of faith" outside of what is considered conventional and "normal" - based on realism. It is understood that spirituality often refers to religion but then what is religion??? - religion is a belief system.

If you were brought up in a communistic way, just having faith and belief outside their strict way of thinking could be deemed spiritual. If your upbringing was religious and that was your 'norm' then spirituality may have to have a greater meaning as you already live with faith and belief systems.

My point...I think everything boils down to interpretation mixed with what we are taught as we pass through life. What tude says has a lot of merit in that spirituality does not necessarily have to mean religious beliefs. I am not religious but when woken by a dream with my girlfriend (who lives across the other side of Australia) standing before me looking like something is wrong with her and then ringing her the next morning to find something has happened to her that night....well, what is that?

[dlross]

It saddens me to see others say they have 'not an ounce of spirituality.' To me spirituality is something that resides in each of us and that finds expression in a myriad of ways. Not all of which may appear 'spiritual'. In fact sometimes people who are the most overt in embracing spiritual practices can seem to miss the point by a mile or two.
I have any number of spiritual tools and practices at my disposal, but most of the time the only real evidence of spirituality in my life is the fact that I get out of bed in the morning; that I keep trying to heal and to return to the state of grace into which I was born. And once in a while, I remember to notice the astonishing blue of a winter sky...and then for an instant, I am there.

[Cecilia]

I am both religious and spiritual. The spiritual part is mystical. It is the little miracles that happen everyday that often go unnoticed. I am big into the spiritual experience of the scent and beauty of candles, incense, and icons that have meanings to me. It is all very calming.

My religion is not something that I would ever push on anybody, but it works for me. I love to meditate and read spiritual books.

[TLight]

Everyone,
I definately think we could all agree that religion is somewhat different from spirituality. Personally, I have read almost all the scriptures and writings I can get my hands on........to me, they all are saying the same thing as Jesus said, "Love one another." Buddha, 'compassion' etc.etc.

I watch some of the preachers on TV, must say, I get stuff out of it sometimes, like Joyce Meyer.........but I can't stand they fact that a lot of it is about "the blessings in your life will come if you believe." "you are a champion." etc. etc. All very inspiring, I guess..........but shouldn't we really be concentrating on what Christ taught, and others, compassion, nonjudgment, love thy enemy (I get hung up on this one), do unto others..........LOVE ONE ANOTHER."
I think these are the messages that the great ones knew would change the world, release us from suffering.
Instead, the TV preachers, and others, seem to be concentrating on Me, Me, Me and where's my blessings..............then of course, robbing widows of their money.........some of it really sickens me. So misguided. Christ said these people would suffer the greatest judgment. I always think, aren't they scared?

Just my opinion.

[Cecilia]

I agree TLight:

Many TV evangelists have a theme of: send me your money and you will be happy.

That is a crock of shit that really makes me angry!!

My T said something similar at my last visit and I am trying to decide if I should return. She is counseling me in a religious way, that I am not accustomed to and it freaks me out. I did not know she was a Christian counselor when I agreed to see her, but my insurance company is covering the first 6 sessions free of charge.

Basically she said: Because of bad past experiences you expect bad things to happen. You are sending negative vibes. If you change your perspective and start sending positive vibes, then you will attract good and you will have positive experiences.

I am all for positive thinking and I have tried to change some of my perspectives, but I do not believe that good thoughts make good things happen. I left feeling like I had just been blamed for my bad experiences. If only I had THOUGHT differently, none of it would have ever happened.

Ok, I have convinced myself, time for a new therapist.

[linasmom]

Cecilia -

I'm definitely biased in my opinion of "religious" therapy - (I'm an atheist) but I concur - find a new therapist - seriously.

I found her comments to you extremely misguided and minimizes your disorder.

Best,
Rachel

[linasmom]

I just want to say one more thing -

I generally try to stay away from religious talk, my opinions are very strong when it comes religion and spirituality. The problem with it all, for me personally, is that spirituality and religion base their principles on someone else's ideals. Whether or not a person believes in those ideals isn't really my problem, for me, the problem arises when said person believes without doing any self-actualizing.

I've found, after many many years of excruciating self-analysis, that I was able to come up with my own set of ideals by looking within myself daily. By asking myself questions about how I want to be treated and how that extends to all human-kind. Some of those ideals may fall in the line with Buddhist principles or Christian beliefs, but to subscribe to a particular belief set is restricting, for me. I don't want to be anymore of a walking contradiction than I already am. If I can't subscribe to something fully, then why subscribe at all? Why not just create your own belief set by putting in the time with yourself?

My opinion is that humanity has escaped us all because we choose to escape ourselves.

Of course, this is my humble opinion.

Best,
Rachel

[TLight]

Celcelia,

Get away from that therapist! My gosh.......I'd leave blaming myself too!!!! She is totally injuring you again. It's not your fault.

Rachael,
You are so right. Being aligned with the higher power, takes years of self examination. I've encountered a lot of religious people who don't even seem to have he capacity to look at their own thoughts and behaviors.........my opinion, they are sick!
It's so amazing to me, how people just refuse to look at themselves and own up to their own sh*t. Instead, they dump it all over others........injuring people, then call themselves followers of God or something. Makes me puke.

That's why I'm VERY cautious around 'religous' people or people who claim to be 'spiritual'. I've found most of them to just be avoiding their own crap.

Christ said, "pray in your closet." Humility is one indication of a true person in touch with spirituality. That's why I pretty much keep my lips sealed about my studies and meditation and the 'experiences' I've had. Being humble and out of my ego, is, I believe, very important..........I'm very wary of those who aren't.
I've been around a couple of 'healers' who did more damage then good when I finally could discern who they really were. Scary.

[Cecilia]

TLight:

People who try to "save my soul" freak me out and I will not give them the time of day. I find them to be very twisted and manipulative.

Healthy people seek counseling, the truly unhealthy ones are those who refuse or do not recognize the need.

Of course that is just my opinion.

[shadowmedic]

i guess everyone has a different perspective of spirituality. as a healthcare worker, i see someone being spiritual when they have come to terms with themselves and their god.

[Seeking_Nirvana]

I agree with shadowmedic.

Spirituality can be different than religion but have some of it's characteristics because when we grow spiritually based on doing good for ourselves and others, we find our middle ground (balance) and make ourselves whole. Once we are one with ourselves (lose our egos) we find more peace within.

It's hard to grow spiritually when we are without any peace.

Religion is based on cultural conditioning to be good and do good. However, you can do these things without being religious, thus spirituality.

I see people and if they have a good aura and I feel they are spiritual people I gravitate toward them (not on purpose). I work for a woman who is this way. In her presence I feel good, and it disseminates off of her and I feel it gravitates toward me.

Peace
Tammy

[2quilt]

I just had 2 appointments with a psychiatrist for med management and not only did he refuse to do med management, he tried to get me to become a christian. I told him that I am atheist and he then spent the whole hour trying to convince me how sorry i will be when i die, because i will have no heaven. On and on even though I got angry and told him that I was never going to believe in superstition. I am writing a formal complaint against him for unethical behavior and failing to do med mangmt. I did not pay him to convert me or give me religious intervention to save my soul.

Not only would I advise you to stop seeing that therapist, I would write a complaint against her or him to your insurance, the state board of medical examiners, and any psych professional groups in your state that the therapist may belong to.

[linasmom]

2Quilt, you go!!!! That is totally inappropriate behavior by your doctor. You're much nicer than I am because I would have gotten up and left far before my hour was up. How dare they??!!!!!!! To me, that just shows a huge amount of disrespect on so many levels. Maybe he should warn his patients beforehand by posting a sign that states "the church of dr.whomever".

OOOO that just riles me up!!! :mad:

[Cecilia]

YEARS ago a therapist spent the whole counseling session reprimanding me because my skirt was too short. It was by no means a mini-skirt and so what if it was? The worst part was it happened in group therapy and I was very embarrassed and started to cry. She still did not stop. I left the group.

There are a lot of whacko therapists out there and I seem to find them all. So far the only person I have really been able to confide in is a spiritual director. I never "talk" to him about any incident but when I get really stressed out I will email him. He has a Masters in counseling and he is never judgmental, always kind. Sometimes he reponds with good advice, but most often he just sends me his blessings. I tell him bits and pieces and he never reprimands me or pressures me to tell more. When I see him in person he never brings it up and he treats me like a close friend. I have grown to love him.

But when I go to a therapist I do not expect spiritual and God-talk anymore than I expect my spiritual director to write me a prescription.

By the way, he has also said my therapist's counsel was inappropriate and that I should seek out a different therapist.

[2quilt]

TLight said: 'Christ said, "pray in your closet."'

Warning! I am being a smartass here: I didn't know that they had closets back in his time...

...don't mind me, I am in a silly mood and I don't mean to be offensive.

[Cecilia]

Seriously.....I am scared to sit in a closet!!