A Desperate Matter - Spirituality Information
Spirituality is a word which has many meanings. It can be used as a synonym for religion and worship, or it can denote a transcendental connection to something greater than one's self. In this sense, spirituality is not exclusively linked with the supernatural or unverifiable as it may be used to mean the spiritual nature of human beings in general.
This article will explore these definitions and different types of spirituality, including new age spirituality, paganism, wicca and more! We'll also look at the connection between spirituality and mental health as well as how spirituality affects our relationships with others.
A Desperate Matter
Spirituality often raises the question of what is the meaning of life. Spirituality has been linked with a sense of purpose that helps each person find their path and guide them through their journey. That said, spirituality is not always associated with religion as it can be used in many different ways so let's explore spirituality and its role in life.
The dictionary definition of spirituality is: "the quality or state of being spiritual". In this sense, spirituality refers to something greater than or other than the physical world, such as the mind or spirit. The concept behind this definition is that people have an affinity with other people's thoughts and feelings rather than simply physical things.
The word comes from the Latin word "spiritus" meaning breath or life. The term also relates to the concept of being incorporeal. Incorporeal here means something that is not linked with the physical body and can exist independently of it. While this idea may seem supernatural, sometimes people lose consciousness in an accident. In this instance, their spirit can leave their body and this isn't considered supernatural as it happens regularly and is part of the natural process of life.<
Spiritual people follow a set of beliefs that give them direction in life and help them to understand how they fit into the natural order. These beliefs are often linked to the supernatural and imaginative, allowing people to believe in the possibility of magic and miracles.
In this sense, spirituality can refer to a person's personal relationship with God or a higher order of things. It can also refer to the reverence for life and nature that is held by many spiritual people who do not always adhere to any formal religious system.
What is Spirituality?
Spirituality has also been linked with a sense of individual morality that includes standards of behavior, self-imposed rules and/or ideals which govern one's life. In this sense, spirituality is often based on individual experience rather than unverifiable claims about theoretical concepts or imaginary beings.
Spirituality can be difficult to define because it can have many different meanings and uses. Some people use spirituality as an umbrella term to refer to religious beliefs or ideas that are personal. In this sense, spirituality is something that a person can undergo individually rather than as part of a structured system.
In other instances, spirituality refers to a set of personal beliefs that have been passed down through cultural traditions, allowing them to survive in different parts of the world.
A New Age Perspective on Spirituality
Spirituality seems to be linked with religion in many ways but this is not always the case. In fact, some people choose not to associate with any organized religion and still call themselves spiritual.
Spirituality has also been connected with a sense of magic and the idea that some people possess an abnormal or supernatural connection with the supernatural. Many new age beliefs support the concept of spirituality in this way, which is called New Age Spirituality.
New Age Spirituality is often described as a way to connect to your mind, body and soul. It gives people a sense of individuality and self-discovery which helps them to understand themselves better than they might otherwise. An important feature of New Age Spirituality is that it tends to be less structured and more spiritual than religions, although it does tend to focus on religion at times.
New Age Spirituality is sometimes described as a form of spirituality that focuses on using your mind to understand life, individual development and personal growth.
In this sense, New Age Spirituality doesn't tend to be linked with organized religion because it is often used in private and isn't always involved with formal belief systems or concepts of God or other supernatural beings. New Age Spirituality focuses more on personal development than the beliefs of organized religions, although some groups do have links with various religions.
Spirituality and Mental Health: Counterproductive?
Spirituality can also be linked with mental health as most people who are religious feel a sense of emotional stability compared to those who aren't religious. For example, studies have shown that people who are religious tend to have a more positive attitude towards themselves, even if they aren't religious in a formal sense. This has been linked to lower rates of depression and other mental illnesses.
These findings suggest that certain forms of spirituality may be able to improve psychological well-being while others can cause distress. On the one hand, connections with God and other supernatural beings seem to improve the mental health of many people, but on the other hand, dysfunctional beliefs about these things can cause distress. The key is to use religion in a healthy way and not for your own personal gain or pleasure at other's expense.
Spirituality in a Nutshell Spirituality is often described as a sense of indestructible humanity that is linked with our soul and spirit. It can also refer to the sense of connection with God or a higher order of things that we feel through religious beliefs. As you can see, spirituality offers many routes to connect with other people, nature and life itself. It's about feeling something bigger than yourself and understanding the world in which you live.
Some people describe spirituality as the opposite of materialism, which is another way to try to understand the world around us. In this sense, you are more likely to be spiritual if your lifestyle is centered on your own needs and not those of others.
The idea of materialism is based on the belief that people's actions and behaviors are influenced by the need to consume or accumulate things as a way to improve their own well-being. In contrast, spirituality describes a sense of connection with the world that goes beyond material needs, giving you a sense of peace in yourself.
Spirituality Versus Religion: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
Spirituality can also be confused with religion because some religions require people to have spiritual beliefs in order for them to practice the religion.
Conclusion
In this sense, spirituality and religion are two sides of the same coin as they both describe our connection with something greater than ourselves. Ideally, there should be no conflict between these two beliefs because you can have your own personal beliefs and still be spiritual as well.
References:
1. What is Spirituality? http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/articles/what-is-spirituality-2/
2. New Age Spirituality http://www.newagespiritualitymagazine.com/spiritual-questions/what-is-new-age-spirituality#sthash.DnuhXzEA.dpbs
3.