The term "spirituality", despite its prevalence, raises many questions and misunderstandings. Someone sees in it a departure from social values, others, on the contrary, perceive it as the only way of socialization. How is spirituality formed? How does it affect a person's life? Is it possible to raise its level? What is common between religion and spirituality? Do I have to be a believer to achieve it? Is it necessary to neglect material values? What kind of teachers to believe? We will understand this issue.
What is spirituality?
Spirituality is a property of a person or a group of people to be guided in their actions by spiritual (sublime) principles or ideals. If we evaluate the life of society from the standpoint of the pyramid of values according to Abraham Maslow, then spirituality is at the very top of the needs, along with the self-actualization and morality of the person.
There are many theories explaining the phenomenon of spirituality. Conventionally, they can be divided into two groups: natural and supernatural. The first describes this phenomenon. from the standpoint of psychology, explaining spirituality as a function of the psyche. The second asserts the presence of higher matters or energies that control a person’s life. Esoteric convincedthat there is a whole spiritual world, living by its own laws and rules. It is difficult to say how centralized it is or how chaotic it is. There are many opinions and they are completely different.
In the spiritual teachings it is affirmed that there are higher powers that govern this world. Christianity and Islam assure that God is one. The followers of other religions, on the contrary, are convinced that there are many gods. In occultism, it is customary to talk about Egregor - an intangible entity generated by a collective mind and capable of interacting with people. Egregor acts as a bioenergy structure, which, like a canvas, is “woven” out of human thoughts and emotions.
In fact, the nature of spirituality is not so important. Much more important her place in human life. After all, if the highest goals give life meaning, then what's the difference, by whom they are generated, the psyche or the intangible world? In any case, all specialists agree on one thing - spirituality goes beyond the framework of one person, acquiring superpersonal forms. It gives the fullness of inner experiences, a unique experience of self-knowledge.
The creation, storage and transfer of spiritual values is called spiritual production. It is included in a more global concept of spiritual activity. Unlike material products, its creations are unlimited. They can be created in any quantity. In addition, spiritual food does not decrease as it is consumed, but on the contrary, its quantity increases. This is concluded main phenomenon of spiritualityelevating it above the physical world in which resources are depleted.
The physical embodiment of spirituality forms the phenomenon of spiritual culture. It is closely connected with other manifestations of culture, forming the ideology and philosophy of groups of people or even entire nations. The ideals of good, beauty, love, truth, mutual aid are considered to be generally accepted spiritual values. They are unchanged in all corners of the globe, and, perhaps, in the entire Universe. But can this quality be regarded as an attribute of religiosity?
The relationship of spirituality and religion
First of all, it is necessary to determine what is religion. This phenomenon denotes a belief system that is convinced that there is a higher power affecting the material world. Religion is based on the spirituality and faith of a person, his striving for universal harmony. But religion is rather a social institution, which sometimes deviates in its interpretations from universal human values.
Not all rituals or rituals can be called humane, not to mention the bloody wars that shook humanity more than once. Is this the spirituality? Of course not. Churches and religions are created by people who are not always able to resist temptation and temptation. True spirituality is free from human greed and other vices. Therefore, it can not be regarded as synonymous with religion.
Rather, on the contrary, religiosity is one of the ways to develop spirituality. In general, the influence of world religions on society is beneficial because it helps prevent the spread of aggression and harmful habits. Someone needs to be afraid of punishment from higher powers in order not to do evil. Religion provides this motivation for their integrity. As if, as the phrase of one of the heroes of the TV series "Next" - "Good will surely triumph over evil, put on its knees and brutally kill".
Truly spiritual people do not need such an "explanation". They bring good and love to this world even without regular reminders of the Day of Judgment or retribution. Spirituality is a meaningful phenomenon that is chosen voluntarily, devoting itself to perfection and self-development. Part of the teachings do not oppose the physical world and mental improvement. On the contrary, their earthly life is positioned by them as a component of the spiritual growth of a person, without which a transition to a higher energy level is impossible.
According to the Wheel of Life Balance, which is actively promoted by coaches and business coaches, a person needs to harmoniously combine his spiritual and biological nature for a full life. Develop in all possible directions, including intellectual, creative and physical improvement. Mental development presupposes a certain spiritual path that everyone must follow. The main thing is to choose your route and not to turn off from it.
What is the spiritual path?
Some consider the spiritual path the possibility of union with God. Others see in him the development of man, his disclosure as a person. In any case, the need for this path is beyond doubt. Signs that the direction is right:
- Meaningfulness of life;
- Enthusiasm, elation;
- Constancy of tastes, interests;
- The embodiment of hope, dreams;
- Lack of fear, depression;
- Normal sleep without nightmares;
- Positive emotions;
- Feeling of peace, love, harmony;
According to the philosophy of Taoism, there are three types of spiritual paths that people can follow:
- Lower - righteous life, the development of virtues in oneself;
- Average - the lowest way in combination with spiritual practices;
- Higher - access to the initial level of perception of the world, free from concrete forms.
If the spiritual path is chosen correctly, then the spiritual power becomes the reward of man, which overwhelms him, gives energy for accomplishments. Unlike physical or emotional, this type of force helps a person to find harmony, protects against negative.
How to develop spiritual power?
Like any other human skill, spiritual power can be increased. But the techniques for its development will differ markedly from the improvement of the body or the intellect. The main feature of spirituality, as mentioned earlier, is that it is not depleted, but only accumulated in the process of practice. So, the main methods of increasing internal strength:
- Reading spiritual literature;
- Meditation;
- Prayers;
- Spiritual practices;
- Life is in love.
The use of these simple, but at the same time most important techniques, allows a person to rise to a higher level of spiritual development, thereby moving away from evil and negative.
Spirituality can be viewed as a goal and, at the same time, a way to achieve it. She needs to strive for, and she should devote her time. A person who has chosen a spiritual path is not at all obliged to isolate himself from society. On the contrary, spiritual power allows you to become a worthy citizen who can bring real benefits to society.
