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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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?

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.

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.