What Does It Mean To Be Spiritual?

Being spiritual refers to things relating to the spirit or soul, rather than the body, and can also describe beliefs and practices centered on sacred matters, religious ideas, or the search for meaning beyond the physical world. It encompasses deep beliefs, a connection to a divine or cosmic order, the development of one’s inner self, and a sense of purpose and wisdom in life.  Religion and spirituality differ because religion is an organized system with communal traditions, shared beliefs, and institutions, while spirituality is a personal and individual journey focused on inner experiences, personal meaning, and connection to something greater. Individuals may identify with both, only one, or neither; a “spiritual but not religious” stance is common, indicating a personal connection to the divine without adhering to an established religious framework.  Religion is not independent of spirituality, however, spirituality can be independent of religion.

The Systems Most Similar To My Personal Belief System

I have come to my own personal belief system by way of studying, and at times practicing, other belief systems as well as lived experience. The following are systems that are most similar to or are incorporated into the belief system I currently hold and therefore my personal spiritual practices. I identify with some more than others, but no one system fully encompasses my personal beliefs. Nor do I agree with all aspects of any of these systems, hence why I am not a follower of any. However, this will give you the necessary information to those religions/traditions that most closely relate my own beliefs.

Daoism/Taoism

Janism

Hinduism

African Ancestral Veneration

Cognitive Science

My Personal Spiritual Beliefs

I hold the belief that the soul of all living things comes from a central energy source. A parent energy from which all of our souls spawn to inhabit these terrestrial or extraterrestrial biological forms. I believe that who we innately are, our nature, comes from the soul which is our life force. I believe we absolutely collect both good and bad Karma during our “Lifetimes” inhabiting these biological forms. I believe there is nothing wrong with maintaining good Karma as it will follow us throughout many lives or reincarnations. I believe you definitely want to rid yourself of bad Karma because it too will follow you throughout many reincarnations. I believe when we die, our souls depart our bodies. Our soles may linger around the people and places of our most recent biological experience for a time before moving on. I believe our souls, our energies return to the parent energy source to which we are all connected with some connections being stronger than others. Eventually, we depart again from the parent energy source to once again inhabit the terrestrial world. I believe it is a never ending cycle which, in and of itself, is neither a good thing or a bad thing. Its just what happens.

My Personal Spiritual Practices