What does it mean to be “spiritual”?? Does it mean being able to sit quietly for a
certain length of time each day in prayer? Does it require that I am actively involved
in a community of faith? Does it mean that I think about God all my waking
hours or offer confession at least once a week or take part in a Bible Study?
Any and all of these can be a part one’s spiritual growth,
nurture and journey. So, yes, these are among the opportunities to inspire and
grow one in their spirituality. On the other hand, no, this does not define one
as “spiritual”. We can go through the movements, yet not be fully aware of
ourselves as spiritual beings. I love Julian of Norwich’s statement that “All
that is good is God, and all that is God is good”. Spirituality is so much more
than anything we do or say or even understand.
Discover Your
Spiritual Type is the name of a book I am reading by Corinne Ware
(Alban Institute Publication, 1995). I find this an interesting idea-being a “spiritual
type”. We who are in a faith community may talk about being “spiritual”. And
many of us are realizing that taking care of our health includes our spiritual
health. So the whole idea of being a spiritual being has found more
groundedness and visibility in today’s society as we seek to a more wholistic
health. But, what does it mean to be a “spiritual type”?
In Ware’s book, she uses the definition that states
spirituality is “…all those attitudes and activities that characterize one’s
attempts to make connection with Deity” (10). So those activities named above
may be a part of one’s experience and expression of spirituality, yet
spirituality is so much more. It seems when I give trainings or workshops that
include something along the line of spiritual growth and spiritual experiences,
those that attend are ones who appreciate quiet time in prayer and/or enjoy deep
conversation of conceptual and intuitive, even mystical experiences. This isn’t
everyone’s experience of their spirituality, however. Sometimes the Spirit can
meet us in very tactile and structure forms and experiences.
So, if I were to ask you questions such as:
What connects you
with God?
When are times you
feel closest to God?
When and how do you
like to pray?
What is meaningful
worship for you?
I would guess I would get as many answers as I would get
responses to these questions. Not everyone finds meaning and Spirit in the same
experiences. Some folks like predictable liturgy. Some will like the free flow
of the spirit in worship. Some may prefer a quiet room in prayer. Some may pray
best while doing meaningful work.
Along with the use of the PeopleMap Personality Assessment,
these are the types of questions that will be explored in a course I will be
offering through Pinnacle Leadership Associates in the fall. I would love to
hear responses to these questions and more on your personal experiences of
awareness of what grows and nurtures you spiritually in your comments!
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