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A person once approached her pastor,
"Pastor, what does it mean to be spiritual?"
The Pastor replied,
"When praying, pray. When eating, eat. When sleeping, sleep."
The befuddled member protested,
“But, Pastor, that does not sound spiritual at all!”
“That is why it is spiritual,” spoke the Pastor.
What does it mean to be spiritual? The words “spiritual” and “spirituality” are much used now. Almost never, however, do we hear a discussion about what those terms mean. For some persons, spirituality is fundamentalist, literalist religion. For other persons, spirituality is some vague inner feeling of connection to nature. Persons from a myriad theological and religious persuasions claim to be spiritual, often claiming those unlike are not spiritual. A person claiming to be spiritual may be seeking guidance from Allah, God, a saint, a deck of tarot cards, or the universe.
To me, spirituality pertains to every aspect of our lives. That is right, every aspect of our lives. Spirituality is not some arena of private life set apart to itself. Spirituality is not some esoteric experience that marks one as enlightened or saved, while others are unspiritual. Spirituality is not something we attain by climbing a spiritual ladder. No, to stay with the ladder image, very popular in the history of spirituality, the entire ladder is a spiritual experience.
Anytime you find yourself trying to act spiritual, then, that is not being spiritual. Being spiritual is a most natural state of being, and being spiritual is how we approach graciously and gratefully the whole of our lives together.
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Spiritual Exercise
1. Write your own definition of “spiritual”?
2. Do you know someone who is naturally spiritual?
3. What are the traits of Jesus’ actions and way of being that help us decide what is “spiritual” and “spirituality” in a Christian context?
4. Have you ever met someone outside your faith tradition that impressed you as being a spiritual person?
5. Have you ever met someone not aligned with any faith tradition that impressed you as being a spiritual person?
6. Do you agree with the following statement? Why? Why not?
A person might become less religious while becoming more spiritual.
7. Would you like to be more spiritual? What would that mean to you?
8. How might religion help or hinder in nurturing a natural spirituality?
Prayer
Spirit of Christ, sometimes I have tried too hard to be spiritual. I ask that I will be more naturally, wholly spiritual, through your Grace. May I learn more how to surrender into the naturalness of living daily with you. Amen.
*Brian K. Wilcox
OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spiritual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, write Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at briankwilcox@comcast.net.
Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union, can be ordered through major bookdealers.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
The People of the
United Methodist Church
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