To me, spiritual means having a personal understanding and knowledge of and relationship with the (perhaps ethereal) force of creation that adds meaning to one's life.
Spirituality/this connection to something "bigger" is perhaps not commonly understood, nevertheless, I think it goes beyond a belief system and touches on personal meaning. The 'meaning' I refer to is about a personal, intimate realization of the presence of a force bigger than ourselves--one that impacts and informs our lives in the everyday (our thoughts, intents, world-view, decisions, etc., ). Everything we do, are, and perceive we understand to be be connected to and part of something larger than ourselves. My own spirituality lives in actions that bear that out, and shows me that this common connection is sacred. Spiritual, to me, means that personal 'meaning' also comes in the form of guidance and direction, in comfort, and in other ways. Part of my spirtuality and this connection to one greater than ourselves also means realizing that all violence is personal, and all peace is universal. Yes, I am spiritual.
I agree with Robbier44 in that religion seems a system of or effort to organize/categorize spirituality--which I believe is impossible to do. I believe spirituality is as unique as the individual; that the realization of a force outside ourselves is as personal as our own existence and experiences. In my view, people who are spiritual may be also part of organized religion, but all religious people are not spiritual. Religion is a man-made concept with emphasis on shared beliefs; spirituality is a human condition with emphasis and meaning for individual existence and relationship with a force larger than ourselves.
Spirituality/this connection to something "bigger" is perhaps not commonly understood, nevertheless, I think it goes beyond a belief system and touches on personal meaning. The 'meaning' I refer to is about a personal, intimate realization of the presence of a force bigger than ourselves--one that impacts and informs our lives in the everyday (our thoughts, intents, world-view, decisions, etc., ). Everything we do, are, and perceive we understand to be be connected to and part of something larger than ourselves. My own spirituality lives in actions that bear that out, and shows me that this common connection is sacred. Spiritual, to me, means that personal 'meaning' also comes in the form of guidance and direction, in comfort, and in other ways. Part of my spirtuality and this connection to one greater than ourselves also means realizing that all violence is personal, and all peace is universal. Yes, I am spiritual.
I agree with Robbier44 in that religion seems a system of or effort to organize/categorize spirituality--which I believe is impossible to do. I believe spirituality is as unique as the individual; that the realization of a force outside ourselves is as personal as our own existence and experiences. In my view, people who are spiritual may be also part of organized religion, but all religious people are not spiritual. Religion is a man-made concept with emphasis on shared beliefs; spirituality is a human condition with emphasis and meaning for individual existence and relationship with a force larger than ourselves.