More on spirituality

Well, after a little break from blogging, we are back to it! And we are continuing a discussion on spiritual vs. religious.

Sam kicked off this discussion in November. I was to post in December. Funny thing, though. I really had to ponder this broad “spiritual vs. religious” topic. Sam did an excellent job with his post, so it was challenging for me to think of anything to add. After much procrastinating and bike riding, I decided to dig into the word “spiritual” a bit more. So, here it is January, and the end of January to boot. And here are my thoughts, finally in one place:

What, really, do we mean when we say spiritual? I think that is an important place to begin. Clearly, Sam and I meet people on a variety of spiritual paths. That is our honor, and one reason we love our jobs. These spiritual paths share some common features. Typically there is some recognition of a life force beyond what is here and now, and on this plane of existence. That life force presents itself differently to different people. And no wonder, really. We are all different, aren’t we? Just as we see life through different lenses, we will all experience the divine through different lenses. No one human body can contain the whole of the divine, so what each of us sees is a piece of the divine – often different angles of the divine. I have learned much from my clients, colleagues, associates, and friends by realizing that their perspective on the divine can actually enhance my perspective, broaden my limited human scope, rather than threaten it.

Sam and I also see that most of our clients define spirituality as some sort of recognition of the divine within each of us. While human, most of us claiming the spirituality tag see that we are more than just human. Somehow there is a divine spark within us. I would even suggest that it is that divine spark within me that creates the longing for the larger flame, and thus calls me to recognize the greater divinity: God (no matter what name we attach to that concept).

One of the most meaningful manifestations of the concept of the divine within came to me from a couple that married in July, 2006. Many of us are familiar with the word “Namaste.” The Sanskrit word has many translations, and is used many ways from the formal to the informal. Linslee and Matt brought this ritual to me, wanting it to be part of their already mixed religious wedding ceremony. I fell in love with the concept, and use both this translation and this ritual -- where they spoke the word to each other and held the bow for a few silent moments -- to this day: “The spirit in me meets the same spirit in you, and I honor the place where you and I are one.”

In all marriages there are challenging times. In fact, in all relationships there are challenging times. This culture is built on the concept of the individual. However, if we acknowledge that there is a place where you and I are one, no matter what might be driving us apart, there is always that space, that divine place between us, that we can claim together. And if you have that concept to build upon, if you acknowledge that space to build upon, even the challenging times aren’t so bad.