Spirituality

Spirituality is a way of existing or being in the world.

Often spirituality is referred to as a transcendent dimension or an ultimate reality in which one discovers the deepest values and meaning of life also known as the essence of life through an inner path to one's being.

General spiritual practices that involve prayer, meditation, and contemplation are done with the intent to develop or enrich an individual's inner life or spirit.

These practices may result in one being aware of a larger reality or connection, their relationship with themselves, to others, nature, and the divine realm.

The orientation of life or source of inspiration is often experienced thru spirituality.

Most religions have regarded spirituality as an important part of a religious experience. This view has changed recent years with membership declining in organized religions and the growth of secularism has led to a broader view of spirituality in the Western World.

In secular spirituality an individual more often has a spiritual outlook that is more personalized, less structure, open to new ideas, and more pluralized than organized religions with doctrines of faith.

Most atheists are skeptical of an existence of an actual spirit or any supernatural claims, yet some are spiritual in that they believe the universe is connected by emotions, nurturing thought, words, and actions that are defined as spiritual even though it may be thru the flow of cause and effect.

The New-Age group sees spirituality as power, energy, spirit, or force to which they have an active connection that gives a sense of deep self.

Generally a Christian would think of themselves in the spiritual context because of their belief in an intimate relationship with God, while being religious is centered on rituals, rules, and tradition.

Some modern religions such as pantheism and neo-Pantheism see spirituality in everything.

An individual that has a spiritual outlook to the natural world, its beauty, majesty, and mystery is said to practice Religious Naturalism.