What is Spirituality and How to Find It?

The opening of the heart is an essential aspect of true spirituality.

Spirituality

is the broad concept of belief in something beyond oneself. It may involve religious traditions centered on belief in a higher power, but it can also involve a holistic belief in an individual connection to others and to the world at large. Catholic spirituality is the spiritual practice of living a personal act of faith (fides qua creditur) after the acceptance of faith (fides quae creditur).Although all Catholics are expected to pray together at Mass, there are many different forms of spirituality and private prayer that have developed over the centuries.

Each of the major religious orders of the Catholic Church and other lay groups have their own unique spirituality, their own way of approaching God in prayer and in the life of the Gospel. Christian mysticism refers to the development of mystical practices and theories within Christianity. It has often been linked to mystical theology, especially in Eastern Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Everything that moves or expresses your inner spirit or energy is part of your spirituality. In some ways, his spirituality is expressed in every aspect of his personal and public life.

It's just a part of who you are, woven together and expressed through every thought, feeling and action. An example of spirituality is praying every day. This is because there is a connection between the two: emotional and spiritual well-being, they influence and overlap, as do all aspects of well-being. Meditation is especially emphasized in the spiritual traditions that originated in India (Buddhism, Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra, Jainism, etc.). Since suffering is a mental phenomenon and spiritual practices are a means of transforming the mind, it is a wise way to seek a better life. There is rigorous debate in Indian literature about the relative merits of these theoretical spiritual practices.

The Earl E Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing (the producer of this website) offers a wealth of workshops, classes, guided meditation sessions, and mindfulness retreats, many of which are completely online and free. Moreover, many of the main characteristics of spirituality are not unique to spirituality; for example, self-transcendence, asceticism, and recognition of connection with everyone were considered by atheist Arthur Schopenhauer as key to ethical life. Those who speak of spirituality outside religion often define themselves as spiritual but not religious and, in general, believe in the existence of different spiritual paths, emphasizing the importance of finding one's own individual path to spirituality. Listen to talks or read spiritual texts from a tradition and think deeply about the meaning and implications of those teachings. Like your sense of purpose, your personal definition of spirituality can change throughout your life, adapting to your own experiences and relationships. The attributes and means by which Christian mysticism is studied and practiced are varied, ranging from ecstatic visions of the mystical union of the soul with God to the simple prayer contemplation of Holy Scripture (i).

While people use many different religions and paths to find God or to express their spirituality, research has shown that those who are more religious or spiritual and use their spirituality to meet life's challenges experience many health and well-being benefits. Many philosophers work to find answers to spiritual questions, although some may deny the existence of a “god” or any supernatural influence. They can be seen as invitations to open up to the resources and depths of your spirit, to the support and love of others who also struggle to live meaningfully, and to the wider spiritual realm that is beyond you. It is important to remember that there are many other spiritual traditions that exist around the world, including traditional African and indigenous spiritual practices. Just don't outsource your spiritual journey; own it, explore with your own feet, experiment with the teachings, and trust your own discernment. Serving the community, whether it is other spiritual practitioners or society at large, can be an expression of one's spiritual commitment.