What is "The Spiritual"?

Charley Phogg · 05-04-2009, 10:33 AM

Many people in life, and particularly a few people in this forum, are labeled to be "spiritual people", usually with varying degrees of "spirituality". The idea of spirituality being an idea separate from religion is an interesting one, but if being "spiritual" doesn't include belief in some higher being, then what does it mean?
Obviously the spiritual aspects of our lives can include many things, and spirituality shouldn't be limited to a single characteristic. However, some thoughts expressed by certain people are said to be of a more "spiritual" nature than others. I'm just really curious what this abstract idea of the "spiritual" really means, if anything?
My current opinion on the subject is that most people refer to others as "spiritual" if that person makes abstract claims about "the universe" and "existence" in a way that sounds religious, with out really any reference to a specific deity. Feel free to help me alter my opinion, if you have any thoughts.

verklingen · 05-04-2009, 11:01 AM

to me, being spiritual is an open-ended quest for meaning

**SageTree** · 05-04-2009, 03:17 PM

For me spirtuality and philosophy walk hand in hand. A path that only leads to 'god' doesn't do much for me. I prefer to think of the religion as a common sense handbook to healthy living and the spirituality the searching and connecting with meaning. That said I don't have A religion/spiritual path that I would claim as my one and only. I would say that the much of my philosphy on living is rooted in and through a Buddhist lense.

I would add Verk's answer to mine as well. Speaking of hand in hand.

The Rev · 05-04-2009, 04:07 PM

To be spiritual is to shut up and listen (with your whole mind).

The Rev

**SageTree** · 05-04-2009, 04:30 PM

Rev Rev Rev!!!!!!!

05-04-2009, 10:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Charley Phogg A Devious Degenerate Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Crab Nebula Posts: 455 Thanks: 25 Thanked 30 Times in 27 Posts	What is "The Spiritual"? Many people in life, and particularly a few people in this forum, are labeled to be "spiritual people", usually with varying degrees of "spirituality". The idea of spirituality being an idea separate from religion is an interesting one, but if being "spiritual" doesn't include belief in some higher being, then what does it mean? Obviously the spiritual aspects of our lives can include many things, and spirituality shouldn't be limited to a single characteristic. However, some thoughts expressed by certain people are said to be of a more "spiritual" nature than others. I'm just really curious what this abstract idea of the "spiritual" really means, if anything? My current opinion on the subject is that most people refer to others as "spiritual" if that person makes abstract claims about "the universe" and "existence" in a way that sounds religious, with out really any reference to a specific deity. Feel free to help me alter my opinion, if you have any thoughts. __________________ If you are the big tree... We are the small axe

05-04-2009, 11:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
verklingen Radical Dreamer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: texas Posts: 8,005 Thanks: 811 Thanked 1,491 Times in 946 Posts	to me, being spiritual is an open-ended quest for meaning __________________ “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” rip matt

05-04-2009, 03:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,767 Times in 4,664 Posts	For me spirtuality and philosophy walk hand in hand. A path that only leads to 'god' doesn't do much for me. I prefer to think of the religion as a common sense handbook to healthy living and the spirituality the searching and connecting with meaning. That said I don't have A religion/spiritual path that I would claim as my one and only. I would say that the much of my philosphy on living is rooted in and through a Buddhist lense. I would add Verk's answer to mine as well. Speaking of hand in hand. __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

05-04-2009, 04:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Rev Clear Light Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In my head, somewhere. Posts: 17,860 Thanks: 5,012 Thanked 5,416 Times in 2,862 Posts	To be spiritual is to shut up and listen (with your whole mind). The Rev __________________ Budforce - My Friend August 29, 1973- May 25, 2012

05-04-2009, 04:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,767 Times in 4,664 Posts	Rev Rev Rev!!!!!!! __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

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