What is Spirituality?

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Hello all,

I am undertaking a short course in Theology. As part of this I need to 'talk' to some Christians and non Christians about the above question. Also there is a 2000 word assignment using the 'interviews' as a basis.

I would be very grateful if a few of you would post a little bit about 'what is spirituality?' to help me with this assignment. Also I would appreciate a little bit of info about yourself. Age (or age range!), gender, faith group, country and anything else you don't mind being public with!

Thanks all!

-- Sharon (sharon.guy@ntu.ac.uk), October 12, 2004

Answers

bump

-- (bump@bump.bump), October 12, 2004.

Spirituality is a catch-all word for extraordinary faith. For us, that is faith in Jesus Christ, of course. The faith is actual spiritual life. The soul without faith, lacking Christ's grace is in fact not alive, but half-alive.

Grace comes into a soul directly from God through Jesus, pouring in spiritual life. Such life is often expressed in the world as greater virtue than commonly seen in persons around us. This despite our sinful nature, which often eludes God's grace at intervals during our lives.

Yet another soul may live raised up into a mystical existence in which God unites Himself to this soul at the center of his or her LIFE. The Church knows of countless such souls who excelled and persisted in Christian virtue. They are saints and martyrs, all of them deeply in love with Jesus Our Divine Lord. And there are doubtless many countless more who live anonymous lives, unacknowledged at large, but united in spirit to God.

His Holy Spirit makes us one in Himself, inspiring deeper love for God (COMMUNION) through Jesus Christ during this life. In truth, these holy souls are already set apart and living eternal life already. We know this by faith. Love for God deepens our spirituality even if not all rise to a mystical level.

You will not see in any number of essays all of the mystery of spirituality. We won't even scratch its surface because every soul in His grace is an ocean and unfathomable. That might be why it's holy in God's sight. He is the only one who knows the entire range and entirety of His own wealth. It came from Him, and He alone understands it perfectly.

Feel free to ask more questions. I'll give other good people here a chance to speak.

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), October 12, 2004.


In a nut shell, a "spirituality" as used in common speach is a style of relationship with God. Some relationships involve more interior reflection (trappist spirituality), others involve emphasis on a frugal, simple life in harmony with others (fransican). Some relationships with God involve an active apostolate coupled with prayer (Regnum Christi) or just prayer and professional effort (Opus Dei). Some relationships with God draw us towards working with the poor (Missionaries of Charity) etc.

But all relationships obviously also involve vocations (calls of God).

And that makes sense, since God is spirit and we are spiritual beings too - and thus we communicate with one another. He calls us, we respond to him and this particular "way" of responding to and with Him becomes our "calling", our "spirituality".

If you want to get technical, the inital call or the "what" that God has created us for, is the "vocation". But the "how" or manner by which we live this purpose out in time is our "spirituality".

If we participate in a given approved spirituality which does something unique for the Church or humanity, this is called a "charism" (Greek for "gift").

Thus Franciscan Spirituality is a charism of poverty and harmony for the world. They brought us the Stations of the Cross and the nativity scene, the idea of poverty lived elegantly...

The Dominican charism was to have priests study well and give great homilies. They also promoted the Rosary.

Jesuits were great missionaries abroad and great evangelists in Europe, they offered as a gift to the Church their educational institutions and the Spiritual Exercises as well as the idea that priests and brothers could to work out side of the parish context.

etc. all very fascinating stuff.

-- Joe (joestong@yahoo.com), October 13, 2004.


Hi Sharon,

I'd be happy to help you out.

In my opinion, spirituality is about becoming more aware of reality itself. There is a spiritual dimension to this world. When we try to ignore it, we suffer for it. Our souls need to be fed just as our physical bodies do. The only one who can feed our souls properly is God. Therefore, true spirituality to me is about unity with God, who is the only one that can fill our souls. Those who ignore spirituality or try spirituality apart form God will find that their souls are starved and will never find true happiness.

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.com"), October 14, 2004.


Thank you for your responses so far. Is there anyone else ready to step up to the plate?......

-- Sharon. (sharon.guy@ntu.ac.uk), October 15, 2004.


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