Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.

-The Buddha



By spirituality, the Buddha did not mean religion. In fact, until his death, his insights were not considered part of a new religion, but rather a teaching. It was his disciples that made it a religion, just as with Jesus and Christianity.

Buddha never spoke of a God or an afterlife. His purpose was to offer the world a more effective and peaceful way of living this life – in the here and now.

So I believe spirituality is something that shouldn’t be defined as one concept that works for everyone. As individuals, we need to first find, then experience our own spirituality. And I am convinced the place to find it is in our hearts.

This post has been edited by political scribe: Mar 16 2008, 12:55 AM

I agree that "spirituality" does not have to be equated with religion (perhaps just the opposite) and if by spirituality is meant determining how to live the "good" life, then it is a matter of individual choice. Perhaps the real question is not what "way" is chosen, but how the individual chooses it and for what reasons.
Z

Touche' my friend. You would have been amazed how many Evangelical Christians wanted to tear me a new one, especially during the 11 years I lived in the Bible-Belt South.

It is one thing to say "I may be wrong, but this is what I believe....." and to take responsibility for the choice about what one believes, and entirely another thing to avoid this by asserting that one's belief is absolutely true. It has always seemed to me that any kind of spiritual journey is just that, a journey and not without some hesitation, some questioning, some sincere repositioning along the way, even some wrong paths taken and eventually discarded. It may even turn out to be a journey without reaching a final destination.
Z

First, spirituality must be defined. From Wikipedia:

"Those who speak of spirituality as opposed to religion generally meta-religiously believe in the existence of many "spiritual paths" and deny any objective truth about the best path to follow. Rather, adherents of this definition of the term emphasize the importance of finding one's own path to whatever-god-there-is, rather than following what others say works. In summary: the path which makes the most coherent sense becomes the correct one (for oneself)."

Reading this, yes I agree "spirituality" is a necessity. Alternatively, I like to say it is necessary to have a purpose in life, no matter what it is. You can easily find a purpose without having anything to do with religion. Many religions try to tell you "God has a purpose for you". Pssh, you can find your own purpose.

Good work solaris. I like a man who is willing to do some research before taking a stand. Yes, spirituality is indeed an individual thing and should never be ridiculed. It is the mark, I believe, of a true individualist. Unfortunately, there are only a minority of those in this society.

Religion is a tool used by many people to obtain spitiruality. I, as others here know am a reformationist through Martin Luther and I find my spirituality through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I have to agree that to have spirituality is a necessity. One has to be in touch with who one is before one can hope to interact with the world as a whole.

O.k., if that's what you want to believe but on the other hand if someone believes that you are (metaphorically) stepping out in front of a loaded log truck doing 60 miles an hour, would you want them to say something or let you be killed???

Christianity is NOT going to church and warming a seat every Sunday but rather having a personal relationship with Christ. If others want to be "spiritual" in some other way, have at it.

I know this might be a little late, but I just had to answer this.

As some of you original TV users know, I am a Christian. And I will have to agree that spirituality does not have to have anything to do with a religion, but I also must say that religion, or lack of, plays a major part in your spirituality, and vice versa. Let me explain.

I think that religion, or lack of, does play a major role in your spirituality. Some of us, like me, were raised in a religious family, mine being Christian. When you're little, I think we can all agree, you are more suceptible to ideas presented by your parents and others then when older. This is because when young, you are beginning to form your own ideas and beliefes. So if your parents say that Jesus has risen from the dead, and you need him to go to heaven, that becomes your "religion." Until you are old enough to decide on your own, and me I've decided on Christianity, by looking at facts, and how they fit in logically in the natural world. As stated before, spirituality is finding a spiritual path that feels right, or works right for you. Well when raised in a religious family, certain things will feel right for you, but not right for others that were raised on a different religion, or without one. This goes the same way for those raised without one. These views that you make while growing and maturing help you choose your religion, which in turn helps you choose your spirituality. But this also works for spirituality inpacting how you choose your religion. Some who are not raised in a religious family, will make their own choices on how things feel, and work out for them. This can lead to them basing what religion they wish to follow on what spirituality that they've found and made for themselves. They will choose one that fits as close to their spirituality as they can find.

I hope that makes sence to you all. If not I'll be more than happy to try to explain clearer.

-Steve

I believe if Vicki's statement is read correctly it doesn't mention anything about going to church and "warming a seat every Sunday". I believe it sounds as though she has in fact found her personal relationship with Christ and coincidentally having been raised the same as she was I too have also found my personal relationship with Christ and it has nothing to do with whether I warm a seat every Sunday in church or not. I believe that God is where you are at all times if you will let him into your life and not held back by the confines of the walls of a church. Eventually we each chose our own desired form of "spirituality" and it is a personal decision for each and every one of us be we Christians or not.

This post has been edited by Iodine: Apr 1 2008, 12:49 AM

Spirituality while defined by many dictionary's of having to deal with religion, and in subsequent definition having to deal with an inner emtion apart from mans body.

I find the latter to hold true within myself.

My spirit has nothing to do with my religious beliefs.
It is that part of me that defies explanation.

A part of me which is both tied to my inner consciuosness and yet seperate.

A desire to do what is not just right for myself, but to act towards others in a way that satifies my inner peace, without tresspassing against others.

Religion is a story of past events that brought man to focus his spirituality towards a common ideal.

Therefore I have belief in all religions and use them to help focus my spirituality for the benefit of myself and those around me.

I further believe that is it spirituality is what binds all men to act in ways which are the most benefiting for all.

Our spiritis tell us that we feel much better when we can agree with others about any given problem, and together we come to resolutions, and thus our spirits become fullfilled.
Opposed to confrontation that leads to being empty spiritualy.

This is what God is to me.
A compalation of all spirits coming together to provide a feeling of belief that all men are basically good, and by the joining of all these individual spirits we create a "BEING" unexplainable and undescribable and to which we all aspire to attain within ourselves.

I mean face it: who wouldn't want to be remembered for being as good as Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, or any of the other leaders of religions who are so well spoken of?