[Feck]

One view:

There is no single, widely-agreed definition of spirituality.[1][2][note 1] Surveys of the definition of the term, as used in scholarly research, show a broad range of definitions, with very limited similitude.[3]

According to Waaijman, the traditional meaning of spirituality is a process of re-formation which "aims to recover the original shape of man, the image of God. To accomplish this, the re-formation is oriented at a mold, which represents the original shape: in Judaism the Torah, in Christianity Christ, in Buddhism Buddha, in the Islam Muhammad."[note 2]

In modern times the emphasis is on subjective experience.[5] It may denote almost any kind of meaningful activity[6][note 3] or blissful experience.[8] It still denotes a process of transformation, but in a context separate from organized religious institutions, termed "spiritual but not religious".[9] Houtman and Aupers suggest that modern spirituality is a blend of humanistic psychology, mystical and esoteric traditions and eastern religions.[10]

Waaijman points out that "spirituality" is only one term of a range of words which denote the praxis of spirituality.[11] Some other terms are "Hasidism, contemplation, kabbala, asceticism, mysticism, perfection, devotion and piety".[11] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirituality

Another view:

"SPIRITUALITY is a state of consciousness that reflects engagement the deep and often urgent NEED to understand, a "need to know." The state of consciousness can be characterized in biological as well as phenomenological terms. The need reflects a biologically relevant need: it is to understand cause and effect relationships, a need expressed in all organisms (and living cells?) that change their behavior as a result of experience (learn, accommodate to their environments). Much of this need is accommodated by automatisms and acquired habit, but at the furthest end of the spectrum of expressions of this need is the awareness of phenomena that cannot be accommodated by our senses or cognition, they exceed our competence to understand and thereby create a sense of inferiority. The need to know is progressively energized by affect that is recruited by real or perceived urgency. This involves it intimately with the neuroendocrine stress system, the source of emotions.

Cause and effect relationships are the building blocks of the narratives --stories-- that affect if not direct our behavior. As such an adaptive tool, to be most useful, the story should be built of valid (veridical) phenomena. And should be reliable (consistently manifest). These are qualities which can be tested or taken on faith. Our confidence in the narrative is important to its utility and can vary with the qualities of validity and reliability. Narratives in which we are VERY confident are regarded as TRUTH."

Conscious awareness of an inadequate cognitive competence invites the engagement of NON-CONSCIOUS COGNITION, the "FORCE," the transpersonal consciousness, the transcendental ... on the other hand, "the best things can't be told..." http://notes.utk.edu/bio/unistudy.ns...2573b00072525d

Goethe's View of the relationship of science to spirit.

"...it is interesting to note that Goethe, whose scientific contributions have been unjustly overshadowed because of his colossal achievements in literature and the arts, felt upset with what he believed to be the limitations of Newtonian physics. For Goethe, “science is as much an inner path of spiritual development as it is a discipline aimed at accumulating knowledge of the physical world. It involves not only a rigorous training of our faculties of observation and thinking, but also of other human faculties which can attune us to the spiritual dimension that underlies and interpenetrates the physical: faculties such as feeling, imagination and intuition. Science, as Goethe conceived and practiced it, has as its highest goal the arousal of the feeling of wonder through contemplative looking (Anschauung), in which the scientist would come to see God in nature and nature in God” (Naydler, 2000). http://notes.utk.edu/bio/unistudy.ns...2573b00072525d

Another view:

By spirituality I mean that which gives us strength to go on with life, and to go on creatively. Understanding and cultivating spirituality have to do with understanding and cultivating that in our lives which empowers us, which is creative, hopeful, encouraging. I have in mind the reality of our actual lives. http://peacetheology.net/spiritualit...-spirituality/

As you see, there are many definitions. Most important, I get to decide what spirituality means to me. For me, spirituality encompasses all that I value. It allows me to feel good about myself because I am doing my part to leave the world a better place.

What is your definition?

[EnglishDave]

Originally Posted by Feck

As you see, there are many definitions. Most important, I get to decide what spirituality means to me. For me, spirituality encompasses all that I value. It allows me to feel good about myself because I am doing my part to leave the world a better place.

What is your definition?

Hi Feck,
That was a long, heavy post, and many members have a lot of trouble (myself included) wading through acres of text.
Please take this as constructive criticism - I do not want quotes from dead Philosophers or links to pseudointellectual sites, I (we) want to know what YOU think and feel. I was just about to give up scanning (not reading) your post when I found YOUR views buried at the bottom, so I have quoted for other members.
As to your question, it's a big one that I have no real answer to, but that seems unsatisfactory so infer an answer as I do from my complex beliefs:
I believe in Jesus, the man and his Works.
I follow the Philosophies and teachings of Buddha as best my Western mind will allow.
I have problems with the concept of Heaven.
I like to believe in the existence of Re-incarnation, or at least, the Transmigration of Souls.
I believe in the scientific explanation for the Universe with the possibility of a Creator being involved.
…And to cap it all, I believe in evolution AND external manipulation of the human genome.

Sorry, that had to be a heavy post from me, and it shows my beliefs are as messed up as my body.

Dave.

[Feck]

Thank you for your criticism. You got it right. If you do not like my posts, do not read them.

[EnglishDave]

Feck,
In answering your post I was being polite. This Sanctuary is for Support and Compassion, NOT for Religious debate. This is clearly stated at the Entrance and at the top of THIS page. Perhaps if you read the Guidlines of the Forum, the Stickys and MOST IMPORTANTLY the other threads and posts here you will better understand why members use this Forum, and this Sanctuary in particular.

Dave

[Chemar]

sorry but we do not allow arguments at NeuroTalk and especially not on the Sanctuary forum.

Closing this thread now with a reminder of the "rules" for this forum

This "Sanctuary" is a place for people of all spiritual beliefs and faiths to offer support and compassion to each other in the form of prayers, meditation, and expressions of spirituality. This forum is for support, not religious debate.