Why be Spiritual?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I saw this excerpt from a website and though it was interesting

Before we delve into why one should be spiritual, we should understand what is meant by being spiritual.

Spirituality means different things to different people. For someone it means becoming more religious (religion implying worship of “God” and the teachings of their accepted faith).

It is to be understood that performing ceremonies and customs is the ritualistic aspect of the religion and not the spiritualistic part.

In its simplest form, spirituality means to go within. Even the act of worshipping or connecting with God is actually a form of going within - connecting with one’s own interpretation of God and faith.

#2

This is true. Spirituality means going within.

What is Spirit? Spirit is the vital life force that is enlivening you. It is the cosmic intelligence that is keeping everything in order. It is existence itself. Whatever brings you closer to this spirit is spiritual.

You are spiritual when you consciously act in the direction of growing in spirit. Allowing more of that vital life force, cosmic intelligence and existence to manifest itself in you.

#3

I don’t know that “we” will all come to a single point of view on what spirit is or what spiritual means. Some days the best one can hope for is to simply know what it means to them.

As a teacher my goal is to impart things to student that are digestible. It serves no purpose pouring decades of knowledge out of my mouth as this only overwhelms and wilts the student. As we mature as teacher hopeful we gain an understanding that the teaching is not at all about us and thus we let go of concern that others will see us, see us in a certain way, like us, or think highly of us (or that we’re “right”).

For these reasons, and others, I simply teach what I’ve learned. Spirituality is cultivating a connection or dialogue with the spirit, soul, or light which dwells with in. That which moves me toward that connection or light (to me) is spiritual. That which moves me away is most likely ego. Could I write a long-winded dissertation on this? Sure. But that’s merely a crafty distraction from the work.

#4

yeah read that and more at w ww .stopmomma.com

#5

does spirituality mean going within for everyone? maybe some people go within so much that they close up, so for them spirituality may be going without, out into the world.

#6

Then that is not spirituality. That is just ordinary sensory and material living, which the vast majority of humanity is doing anyway.

#7

why even meditate? all we have to do is pose our life issues to you SD for you are the all knowing one

#8

[QUOTE=Brother Neil;36895]why even meditate? all we have to do is pose our life issues to you SD for you are the all knowing one[/QUOTE]

I always doubt those who claim to know. Modesty and humility are the most predominant attributes in a wise mind. Assertions and the whole “I’m right” attitude are warning signs that your speaking with an ignorant fool.

#9

[QUOTE=YogiAdam;36896]I always doubt those who claim to know. Modesty and humility are the most predominant attributes in a wise mind. Assertions and the whole “I’m right” attitude are warning signs that your speaking with an ignorant fool.[/QUOTE]
and especially one who he himself says he is not enlightened. for me I would much more prefer to be a loving human being rather than the “spiritual” person I used to think I was

#10

I am the biggest rightest you will find on this planet. I insist you use proper definitions otherwise I have no idea what you are saying. If spirituality means anything you want it to mean then it is a redundant term.

If spirituality is also non-spirituality then the term is meaningless. If, however, we understand by spirituality that which brings us closer to the spirit within us, then this term has a meaning. There is still flexibility within the term in that it means anything that draws us closer to the spirit is a spiritual. In Yoga, there are several methods that draw us to the spirit: Raja, Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, Nada and many more. They create “Chit vritti nirodha”

Anything that brings you closer to the spirit within is spiritual. Now, some will say that playing football, painting, dancing, watching movies, cooking, reading, martial arts is spiritual for them. In that case football players, painters, dancers, avid movie goers, chefs, academics, martial artists are all spiritual people. Wrong. These are not spiritual activities. They are mentala activities. They do not create “chit vriiti nirodha” but rather stimulate vritti activity.

You are either spiritual or you are not.

#11

Spirituality in a very mundane sense presupposes a quest for truth. Disenchatment with the routine outside world when it fails to provide durable, complete and peaceful answers, makes me turn within. A search for truth continues but now the targets are images and the domain is blurred. Answers still germinate more questions, but at least there is peace.

Initially I struggle with the conventional meaning of “within”. I can’t visualize my own flesh and organs and images are all residue of the outside world. More I engage with my own thoughts, I start understanding why closing of eyes doesn’t close me in. Then I find the inner traces of breath, its changing pace, caressing touch and warmth. Also realize that attention to breath makes thoughts somewhat wither away.

One day it suddenly happens. The light blasts without a whisper. The inert body organs float visibly. The inside becomes as real as the outside that once was. It ends as quickly but leaves a charming, utterly peaceful memory.

Then I realize that truth has layers. When they unfold, I get drawn to the unknown, some call it spiritual. But the unfolding itself is a journey that some call spiritual. The accidental encounter with the spirit that propels me to make it happen again, is certainly spiritual for some. Yes, no names are needed, no long-winding dissertations, no religeous scaffoldings, no intellectual acrobatics; when it happens you know it is spiritual. There is nothing to prove to nobody.