What Is Spirituality?
Gretchen Heuring | 12.01.08
We each know that there is a part of us that is different from the body and also different from the mind. It is a force from within that is always there. It can be recognized or ignored but it is there just the same. With this force, the body can do remarkable things and the mind can discover truths it did not know before. This spiritual force connects us to other people with bonds that are neither physical nor mental. Many religions have been built upon ways to strengthen this spirit within us.
Spirituality is about recognizing this part of ourselves. It cannot be measured but it can be experienced. We know that it heals and comforts. Many believe that it is the source of our intuition and guides us to be the best we can be.
Spirituality and Ageing
There are many forms of spirituality and it is described in several different ways by different people. We know that it is nourishing and that people with strong spiritual beliefs often feel well and heal better than people who have none.
The Center for Spirituality and Ageing provides education and advocacy about spirituality and ethics as they are experienced in the ageing process. >>More
Spirituality and Religion
Religion provides a key to developing and strengthening our spiritual selves. Through devotions, prayer, music and art we practice the disciplines that strengthen the spirituality within us.
Major Organized Religions
Organized religion offers practices that are thousands of years old. For more information about major organized religious beliefs, click on the links below:
Spirituality and Prayer
Prayer is generally based on the belief that there is a greater being that will receive the prayer. The website WorldPrayers.org offers a gathering of great prayers written by spiritual visionaries from many religious backgrounds. >>More
Spirituality Without Organized Religion
Anyone can be a spiritual person or have spiritual experiences. However, fully developed spirituality takes practice and discipline just as fully developed bodies require regular exercise.
There are both ancient and modern methods for practicing spirituality without organized religion. For more about some of these practices, click on the links below:
Are Older People More Spiritual?
Older adults often become more spiritual. There are two major reasons for this.
First, the lives of elderly persons have become less crowded with activities and they have more time to practice spirituality. Second, as they approach the end of their lives, their bodies and minds may decline but their spirits continue to grow.
Often, seniors are eager to share the inner strengths and discoveries that they have found. >>More
