I recently read a question in a forum that went something along the lines of “how do I become spiritual”? The woman who posted the question further explained how she’s always been a “it only exists if you can see it” type person and doesn’t know how to connect to that part of her that can believe in something more.
What a deep question! What made me smile was that the five girls who responded to her comment all agreed that they too had a difficult time with the concept but the closest they got to the experience was felt on the yoga mat. How flipping awesome is that?!?
Well to answer her question I think first you have to break down the exact definition of spirituality and how that differs from religion. According to our handy wikipedia, spirituality is defined as “an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being” whereas religion is “a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and word views that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values”.
Essentially I’d say you can have spirituality without religion but to be truly religious you also have to be spiritual. In order to be spiritual, you do not have to believe in God or Ganesh or Jesus, etc. But if you do believe in God, and dedicate your life to this belief, spirituality is a necessary component to the path.
Now that we covered that ground we can get back to the original question – how do you become spiritual?
I responded to her question on the forum with the following
I used to be very non religious/spiritual – doubting there was anything more to life than “getting through it”. Slowly, with the help of my handy yoga mat, I discovered that spirituality means opening up to the amazingness of life. The way your body knows what to do. The way a sunflower moves towards the sun. The way life just seems to unfold and support you. It’s with this faith that I was able to get through the dark stuff in my life. I dunno, sometimes I find spirituality to be just a willingness to believe that we are all deep down loving people, with some just having a bigger defense than others. We all deserve the best in life. And the only way to true happiness is finding peace in the moment, whether that be by yoga-ing, hiking, meditating, or some other hobby. Love and light to you on your journey!
Just the fact that she was asking that question means she’s on the right path towards finding something that works for her. That’s the best part of spirituality. It does not demand that you change yourself. It doesn’t require you to sit for hours meditating or reading books or anything else. All you need to start your spiritual journey is a willingness.
Long story short – learn to become spiritual by first accepting that you already halfway there just by asking the question. The rest will just come.
I’d love to hear from you! What are your thoughts about becoming spiritual?
Namaste.
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About Teeg
Yoga teacher and budding health coach living life happily & organically. Forever student of my meditation cushion, amateur photographer, and lover of words. Sharing my light and love to all, I have faith the universe will provide all I need at the right time. Except for chocolate... I can never get enough chocolate =)
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February 10th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Beautiful. I love when people yearn to be more spiritual. That just means they are yearning to be more *themselves*.
We were born spiritual. We were created spirit~FULL. We have it all within. We are extensions of the Divine. When we begin to peel back the layers of fear that we have accumulated over the years and focus on nurturing Love…. we come back hOMe. We return to our Truth. We return to God. That is the spiritual path. And I am so thankful to walk it with you, sister. XOXO
February 10th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
True – if you just ask the question about becoming spiritual you are already working on it – thinking and feeling and looking at things more closely, rather than just blazing through. Does it equate to sensitivity also?? Maybe but I think becoming spiritual means finding a connection between you, the world and everyone in it and the awe of it all – then just sitting with it, finding alittle peace, relaxing and breathing it all in.
February 10th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Ditto Susie! I believe "God" is the energy of love that flows from me to you, to the next person to the next – because it is in us and part of us, we can never fully disconnect from it (only dim it out a bit).
February 11th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
That's such a great conversation to be having. I agree with everyone just asking is a huge step in the right direction. I think part of the issue of my spirituality is taping into an authentic path. One that feels good. I don't have a name for it but I do think that yoga helps guide me there. Like MB..in some ways I think being more spiritual really is just about becoming more yourself.
February 11th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Visiting Tibet in 2006 was a huge factor in shaping my spiritual side. I have never been religious, but standing on the rooftop of the Jokhang Temple, some 13,000 feet in the air, surrounded by monks and prayer flags and prostrating pilgrims walking miles to see the Dalai Lama's former palace just DID something to me. I was overcome emotion and could not stop myself from crying. Ever since then, I have felt a very strong connection to Buddhism, not enough for me to convert but definitely enough for me to be more spiritual and understand that not everything we "feel" can be easily identified and categorized.