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-   -   WHY IS IT SO HARD TO DEFINE SPIRITUALITY? (https://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=131284)

BigJohn 20-09-2019 02:42 AM

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO DEFINE SPIRITUALITY?
 
Why is it difficult to define Spirituality?
You would think there would be much commonality between belief systems
but it appears there is is a lot of polarization. How can this be?


Good point.

~Lioness~ 20-09-2019 03:47 AM

Everyone's path in spiritually in different. Different paths same goals. I think. Same endings I suppose

Proteus 20-09-2019 03:54 AM

Because spirituality is not to be "defined."
It's to be EXPERIENCED.

ocean breeze 20-09-2019 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proteus
Because spirituality is not to be "defined."
It's to be EXPERIENCED.


How do you know you're experiencing spirituality if you can't even define it? There must be some idea of what something is to say you are or have experienced it.

Starman 20-09-2019 07:44 AM

Spirituality is the experience of pure divine spirit and that can not be defined. Once we have defined something
we have codified and boxed it, spirituality does not fit in a box, it is not a mental concept, and is beyond mental
construction. Spirituality is and experience of being filled by, and moved by, pure divine primordial spirit.

Once we define spirit we have transformed it into a religion. Religion is and attempt to codify spirit. Spiritual people
do not have to follow a religion but religion without spirituality is just dogma. True spirituality does not come from
the mind rather it comes from the heart, the core of our being. It is a very humble moment by moment thing in my opinion.

Proteus 20-09-2019 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocean breeze
How do you know you're experiencing spirituality if you can't even define it? There must be some idea of what something is to say you are or have experienced it.


Ah understand your point - but to 'define' spirituality implies some sort of finite nature, and the whole basis of spirituality is its infinite nature. How God is infinite etc etc - although, not to mention the various types of variations of types of spirituality and the different paths of spirituality that people takes.

Also, as you said - yes, there does indeed need to be "some idea of what something is to say you are or have experienced it."

With that said to have "some idea of what something is", is fine and is being open to that "some idea" of what something is. It doesn't mean that something or that "some idea" has to have a certain definition. To have "some idea" is to be open to the experience of spirituality, and not necessarily having "one idea" on what the "definition" is.

And again, because of that "openness" of what that "some idea" could be, is indeed what makes it difficult to define spirituality.

Starman 20-09-2019 08:06 AM

Spirituality is not objective, it is not something that you look at and say "I am having a spiritual experience."
Spirit is something that you go into, you give yourself to it, and it takes over. We become a silent observer
of our being, being used as and instrument of something greater than our ego.

We know because our heart knows, and in a spiritual experience we are in touch with, and are moving closer
to, our heart. We know intuitively. We do not control the spiritual experience rather we give ourselves to it
and it takes over. Our deeper being knows this experience intimately.

Greenslade 20-09-2019 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJohn
Why is it difficult to define Spirituality?
You would think there would be much commonality between belief systems
but it appears there is is a lot of polarization. How can this be?

“The temple of the most high begins with the body which houses our life, the essence of our existence. Africans are in bondage today because they approach spirituality through religion provided by foreign invaders and conquerors. We must stop confusing religion and spirituality. Religion is a set of rules, regulations and rituals created by humans, which was suppose to help people grow spiritually. Due to human imperfection religion has become corrupt, political, divisive and a tool for power struggle. Spirituality is not theology or ideology. It is simply a way of life, pure and original as was given by the Most High of Creation. Spirituality is a network linking us to the Most High, the universe, and each other…”
― Haile Selassie I

It was originally thought that Spirituality came first, that man began discovering the metaphysical aspects of his existence until along came religion, which was supposed to have been a pathway to Spirituality. From following the rules, regulations and rituals was supposed to come a Spiritual experience, like finding God by going to church on Sunday. Unfortunately, God made man and man made religion. Going to work on Sunday meant people were closer to God and therefore greater than those lesser mortals, in particular the atheists.

Spirituality has essentially become religion because people practice their Spirituality religiously. It has divided us both from ourselves and each other because it has become not our experiential existence but a way to escape it. We are no longer people who are Spiritual but we are Spiritual people.

Perhaps the question is not "Why is it difficult to define Spirituality?" but "What have people done with it, and what are the reasons?" The understandings lie within the reasons.

John32241 20-09-2019 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJohn
Why is it difficult to define Spirituality?
You would think there would be much commonality between belief systems
but it appears there is is a lot of polarization. How can this be?


Hi,

We all have a biased reality perception. If we better understood how the intellect conditiones itself it would help I suspect.

In many ways we are a product of our enviorment. Few are able to elevate them self away from that and think/reason objectively, as I see these things.

John

Proteus 20-09-2019 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starman
Spirituality is not objective, it is not something that you look at and say "I am having a spiritual experience."
Spirit is something that you go into, you give yourself to it, and it takes over. We become a silent observer
of our being, being used as and instrument of something greater than our ego.

We know because our heart knows, and in a spiritual experience we are in touch with, and are moving closer
to, our heart. We know intuitively. We do not control the spiritual experience rather we give ourselves to it
and it takes over. Our deeper being knows this experience intimately.


Right. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.


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