Diverse Meanings of Spirituality
If we search through the Internet today we discover that there are more than 5 million entries when we search for spirituality definition and more than 11 million entries when we search for spirituality meaning.
When we put the quotation marks in order to search for the exact terms, we discover that there are more than 15 thousand entries for “definition of spirituality” and more than 1.9 million entries for “meaning of spirituality.”
This just shows us even on a cursory level the diversity of definitions and meanings of the word “spirituality.”
Here are some examples from the Internet of the definitions of spirituality.
According to Dictionary.com with a site in http://dictionary.reference.com/ “spirituality” is 1. the quality or fact of being spiritual; 2. incorporeal or immaterial nature; 3. predominantly spiritual character as shown in thought, life, etc.; spiritual tendency or tone; 4. Often, spiritualities. property or revenue of the church or of an ecclesiastic in his or her official capacity.
From http://www.livingwordsofwisdom.com/definition-of-spirituality.html “The definition of spirituality is that which relates to or affects the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.”
From http://www.theorderoftime.com/spiritual/spiritualessence.html#The%20definition%20of%20spirituality we have this entry. “The definition of spirituality Many wonder what spirituality is. What is the definition? The dictionary (the Merriam Webster) will tell you that it is something deeply religious, something relating to the spirit and sacred matters.”
And finally, for our purpose here, from http://www.kriyayoga.com/english/encyclopedia/spirituality.htm the entry is “Spiritual Encyclopedia: Definition of ‘spirituality’ and ‘spiritual’ Spirituality often abused as word - the true and strict definition is a directly God related spiritual being or development of spiritual being.”
That is only for its definition. When we go to its meaning we find more diversity. We discover that there are different meanings for different classes of persons. In the web we find that there is a Meaning of Spirituality Among Nonreligious Persons at http://www.joinnursingcenter.com/prodev/ce_article.asp?tid=832639
There is a meaning of spirituality for individuals with disabilities at http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a727455890
And at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12175360
There is the meaning of spirituality relevant to health and nursing today.
And the wiki.answers at http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_te_meaning_of_spirituality has this about the meaning of spirituality: “The meaning of spirituality is the meaning of life. To be faced with good and evil, and evolve for good into a positive energy source willing to do good in such a corrupt and manipulated world.”
What is most obvious in the meaning of “spirituality” is that it comes from its root word, which is “spirit”. The suffix “-uality” qualifies the use of “spirit” in this instance.
So a basic definition of spirituality is the quality of one’s sensitivity to the things of the spirit. And what are these things of the spirit? These are those that cannot be directly perceived by our senses but whose effects can be deduced or inferred by our observations, like love, justice, peace, etc.
Basic to this understanding of spirituality is the premise that we regard the human being and/or the rest of creation as composed not only of matter, but of something immaterial, something invisible, something beyond our present knowledge. There is always more to what we can perceive with our senses and know with our reason.
So the basic meaning of spirituality is that it is a term which encompasses everything that we cannot see directly with our eyes, directly perceive by the other senses and know by our mere reason. That is spirituality in its basic meaning.
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The definition of spirituality can be best understood in Hinduism! Spirituality simply means every living form primarily is spiritual... a spiritual being... a cosmic essence that manifests the cosmic system! As detailed in various sacred scriptures of world... our soul atman... the spirit within is absolute master and controller of body and not vice versa!
ReplyDeleteAs per Bhagavad Gita meaning of spirituality means diving deep into inner self and realizing our true identity... our soul atman... the spirit within! It is only through path of spirituality human beings gained enlightenment (kaivalya jnana) and finally salvation (moksha). The stage of enlightenment can never be reached via path of religion... path of rituals!
We need understanding difference between spirituality and religion. For reaching God we need traveling path of spirituality... path of absolute wisdom! God Almighty can never be reached via path of religion... path of bhakti yoga!
You are right, godrealized.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me of these Hindu terms. I once used them. I was once a practicing yogi.
Hindusim is one of the best ways to reach moksha.
Great detailed information for spirituality. Very good to read about this topic. I enjoyed well. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I clicked the word good above and it directed me to your website. It is full of good advice. Thanks.
DeleteSpiirituality has got to do with the minutest things we do as human beings - the food we eat, dress we put on, our friendships, homes etc. This is spirituality in the positive sense. There can be spirituality of evil. Our survey: "Keeping Human Relationship Together" studies in Spiritual Psychology has explained it well. Prof. Anthony O. Nwachukwu (www.gtfeducation.org)
ReplyDeleteI am really fascinated by the treatment of this topic here. Let nobody claim to be spiritual when he or she does not relate with others or do something for the good of society. Spirituality is not dependent on one's religion because an Atheist can be as spiritual as a anybody else - be him or her a Minister of a Religious Group. Spirituality is human and divine-oriented. One can be spiritually good or spiritually evil - Rev. Prof. Anthony O. Nwachukwu (www.gtfeducation.org)
ReplyDeleteYour comment confirmed in me the idea that an atheist can be spiritual. Thanks.
DeleteI am glad that you are enjoying this topic, Sandra. It's about the things that really matter.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, nwagodi, that an atheist can be as spiritual as anybody else. He or she can be an atheist because he or she no longer believes in the God who was forced on his or her mind when she was young. But if he or she still cares for humanity the Spirit of God is really in him or her.
One of my favorite atheists is Edith Stein, a Jewish professor of philosophy. And yet she was deeply spiritual.
spirituality is a journey according to the spirit of Christ. Encounter with Christ, life in the Spirit, journey to the Father. The Father is the origin and fulfilment of life. The Son came that we might have life and have it to the full (Jn 10:10). The Spirit is “Lord and giver of Life.”
ReplyDeletethrough Hinduism no can attend Moksha....Only through Jesus Christ....
ReplyDeleteYes, all those who came before Christ can be either his enemies or his friends. Hinduism can be an enemy of Jesus or his friend. It can be his enemy if it points to him as the all in all. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSpirituality is beyond religion. It is the final pathway of the SOUL endeavoring to merge back with THE SOURCE / GOD / THE LIGHT. During spiritual journey one has learned to CONTROL ( not conquer ): lust, anger, greed, worldly attachments & ego. Thus one sees GOD in all HIS creation!
ReplyDeleteReligion DIVIDES us, while spirituality UNITES us, for in spirituality ( soul ) there is no caste, color, creed, gender, nationality or religion. We are sons /daughters of the Almighty!
Very well said. Spirituality makes us one with God and it does not matter to what group we belong once we are in God. Thank you for making us realize this very important truth.
DeleteSir, you have made nice effort to get the Spirituality Definition.
ReplyDeleteI have similar idea at my blog http://www.rootspirituality.com/2012/07/04/spirituality-definition/
Thank You
Yes I agree with your meaning and have tried to eloborate it more about spirituality definition at "rootspirituality"
ReplyDeleteThis is closer to my beliefs, as opposed to religious school. However, I am looking at it in multidimensional and experiential way. Please see my series "http://www.healthscribes.com/HP/Spirituality/What-Is-Spirituality-III---Love-Your-Body/Resources/40". Your comments and views are welcome. Indeed, you can write up on Healthscribes.com itself. It will get you more readership
ReplyDeleteIn True spirituality, people one speak does not know anything, and not speak know everything.
ReplyDeletethat mean 'speaker doesn't know and wise doesn't speak'
ReplyDeletewhen we are young, we try to give answer for all problems later feel difficult to find acceptable solution and understand limitations of human being to understand the vastness of nature, hopefully then he try introvert for solution and path of spirituality.
ReplyDeleteAs coins make sound note doesn't. Like that as the values taught by experiment man become silent.
ReplyDeleteSpirituality is the source to gain inner peace.The tendency of the material things is to attract, whereas, spirituality detach us from the worldly affairs, it also affects the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.” Spirituality is a misunderstood word, we mostly relate it to direct link with the ultimate source, and however, the meaning of spirituality is the meaning of life, to be confronted with good and evil, and develop for good into a positive energy source willing to do well in such a corrupt and manipulated world.
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Another meaning of spiritual is things that are operating beyond this physical realm,something not natural,unseen power that is controlling or moving someone to act beyond its mental ability
ReplyDeleteNice post..Acharya Prashantis a well-known Author and Vedanta Teacher, original name- Prashant Tripathi. He is a spiritual teacher and a spirit of originality. An orthodox spiritual teacher who is also a veganism promoter. He has written more than 50 books, over 10000 life-changing videos, audios, and many more achievements. He is a person who is responsible for life-changing movements by his online courses both in Hindi and English.
ReplyDelete