What is spirituality? How does it differ from religion? Spirituality is a pretty broad term, and while it can interject with religion, it can also stand on its own.
So, what is spirituality? It’s a fairly broad topic, so there’s a lot to cover, like: How does it connect and differ from religion? What does spirituality mean in religion? What does it mean to be spiritual and not religious? Why is Spirituality important in our lives, does it have to be?
Everyone has varying degrees of how spiritual they consider themselves to be. Some people may not consider themselves spiritual at all. Spirituality is incredibly personal and unique to each individual and may mean something different to everyone. For some, it’s tied closely to their religion, and for others completely independent of any religious belief.
I began to consider myself spiritual around the age of nineteen after identifying as Christian my whole life prior. There are many reasons I made that switch and maybe I’ll talk about it in another blog post sometime, but for me, spirituality tied my belief in God, or a higher power, into something more grounded than my religious beliefs allowed for.
Spirituality doesn’t tell you what to believe in the way religion often does. It’s much more free-flowing and open to interpretation, making it much more accessible than many religious beliefs.
In this post, I’ll be covering the question what is spirituality?
What is Spirituality?
Spirituality is a belief in something larger than yourself. It’s deeply tied to finding a sense of meaning in your life. This is something that almost everyone has to some degree. It can be a life calling, something you feel you were meant to do, finding purpose in connection and the relationships with those around you, or a belief in God, or a higher power, that gets you through tough times. It can even be finding a connectedness with nature. Deeply spiritual people often believe in an interconnectedness of all things, including all people, nature, and even God.
Spirituality is something that often gets people through life’s toughest challenges, it’s an anchor point that keeps them focused on the good in life. It reminds them of why they’re here, and why even the hardest days are worth getting through.
If you believe we’re all just souls having a human experience, it makes every part of life feel that much more incredible, even the bad parts. We’re here to experience what it means to be human and that means feeling everything on a spectrum of duality. We can’t have the good without the bad; without one, how could we know the other?
What is Spirituality Within Religion?
Spirituality intrinsically exists within religion. Religion, like spiritualism, involves the belief in a higher power. Unlike Spirituality, religion often has a set of rules you must follow or doctrines you must adhere to. Religion is, as I think of it, a manmade construct, whereas spirituality is just a belief in what is. Spirituality doesn’t ask you to believe anything that doesn’t already make complete sense to you.
Spirituality can exist more personally in religion, such as by praying or meditating. These practices can be done under the guise of religion or not, and often reflect a more personal relationship to the divine than just attending church every Sunday. People can find spirituality in the pews of the church, amid worship, or while reading their bible or other religious text, but for some, it is simply an act they follow through because they’re supposed to. In this way, religion can take the spiritualism out of these actions. People simply perform them because they’re supposed to, not because they gain anything from them.
Related Post: What is Spirituality in Religion?
What Does It Mean to be Spiritual and Not Religious?
To be spiritual and not religious means you believe in a higher power but do not associate with any particular religious beliefs. It may mean believing in God or a higher power, believing in an afterlife or reincarnation. Spirituality is largely up to interpretation, so it’s up to you to decide what it is you believe.
People find spirituality in many different things, nature, their connections to others, or a desire to give back to their community. Spiritualism is largely founded on what kind of person you choose to be because of your beliefs. I strongly believe you can tell how spiritual someone is, not by how spiritual they claim to be, but by what kind of person they are. Because they see everyone as connected, spiritual people are often kind, compassionate, and loving individuals. They treat others exactly how they would want to be treated.
Spiritual people may also have practices such as praying, meditating, yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness, but they don’t have to. You can be just as spiritual without doing any of these things, but they also never hurt. People often feel more connected to their divinity when pursuing a practice they feel called to. It’s a way to not only practice your beliefs but experience them.
Why is Spirituality Important?
Spirituality is important for many reasons, it gives people a sense of hope and purpose; something we all need to live fulfilling lives. It can have a positive impact on one’s mental health and well-being. Spirituality can help people deal with stress. It gives them a sense of peace and purpose that everything is working out exactly as it should.
Spirituality can also include many practices that are good for your health such as:
Yoga
Yoga reduces blood pressure, inflammation, and stress, lowers depression and anxiety, and increases feelings of well-being.
Meditation
Meditation reduces stress and creates feelings of calmness and clear-mindedness. It can improve concentration, reduce sensitivity to pain, enhance your immune system, and help you regulate your emotions.
Prayer
Prayer can illicit feelings of calmness, hope, gratitude, and compassion. The belief in a higher power can offer comfort and support through trying times. Studies have also shown that adults who believed their prayers were heard responded better to the treatment of depression than those who did not.
Journaling
Journaling is a contemplative practice that helps make you more aware of your inner world and experiences. Studies show that journaling may help you find meaning amid challenges and help you become more resistant in overcoming obstacles.
Community
Having a spiritual community can also have positive benefits on one’s health. It can offer social support and feelings of belonging. Relationships are known to increase well-being and even life expectancy. One study found a strong correlation between church attendance and improved health, mood, and well-being.
Healthy Choices
Spiritual people are more likely to make healthy life choices. Research shows people with spiritual beliefs are less likely to drink, smoke, or commit crimes. They’re also more likely to partake in preventative habits to ensure their health and well-being.
You don’t have to believe in God or attend church to be spiritual, but having a sense of purpose or meaning is something we could all use in our lives. So, whatever that may be for you, be sure to prioritize it, your health and well-being will thank you.
Post by Morgan Peters
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