Spirituality: benefits and how to become more spiritual
Written by: David Feb 3, 2023
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Introduction
Spirituality is the state of being spiritual or having a close connection with God or the spirit world. It’s not just about religion—it’s about feeling connected to something bigger than you are. But how can you know if you’re spiritual? And how exactly do you develop your spiritual side? In this article, we’ll explore what spirituality means and discuss tips for becoming more spiritually connected to yourself, others and the universe.
Table of Contents
Spirituality meaning
Spirituality is the state of having a connection to God or the spirit world. It is not a religion, but rather a personal experience and practice. Spirituality is not about religion, it’s about feeling open to life’s possibilities and feeling connected to something bigger than yourself — beyond, and yet inextricably linked to, your own identity. Spiritual people are open-minded and don’t limit their minds or thought processes.
Ancient Africans and Native Americans all over the world were said to be very spiritual and connected with nature and the spiritual realm before the colonization and indoctrination of Abrahamic religions by the Europeans. They had practices like herbalism, shamanism, and natural healers which were a huge and major part of their culture.
Difference between spirituality and religion
This can be hard for some people to understand, but let me explain: Spiritual practice is finding meaning in life through meditation, prayer, and rituals (or whatever else you find meaningful). Religion provides a framework for spiritual practice. But if you’ve seen any religious groups up close over the years, you’ll know that not everyone who practices within one follows all the rules of the faith (or even believes in it).
Spirituality isn’t about following those rules, it’s about feeling connected to something greater than yourself — usually God or nature or some other higher power — which gives us purpose and meaning beyond ourselves.
Spirituality is not religion. The two are often confused, but spirituality is an individual’s relationship with God or the spirit world, while religion is a set of beliefs and practices that give meaning to life and community for believers.
Spirituality is not a religion, but it is often confused with one. There are many religions, but there is only one spirituality. Spirituality is an individual’s relationship with God and the spirit world.
Religion, on the other hand, is a set of beliefs and practices that give meaning to life and community for believers. Religion can be defined as a system of faith and worship, it is man’s response to God.
Spirituality means being open to life’s possibilities
Spirituality means being open to life’s possibilities. It is the energy that drives us to seek out new experiences and figure out what it means to be human. Spirituality is about being open to the universe, the unknown and divine, as well as our own world within ourselves.
Spirituality is a personal journey, and it is one that can be taken by anyone. There are many different paths to spirituality, including religions and spiritual practices. The key is to find what works for you and make it your own.
As you embark on this spiritual journey, it’s important to know that there are many ways to be spiritually connected.
It’s not about religion or any particular religious doctrine. The essence of spirituality is being open to life’s possibilities and having your own personal relationship with a higher power.
You may find yourself drawn to one form of spirituality over another and that’s okay; just make sure you find something that feels right for you.
Who can experience spirituality?
Anyone can experience spirituality, regardless of religious beliefs or background. Spirituality is a personal journey and something that exists in each and every one of us. It’s the sense of being connected to something bigger than yourself—to all life, to nature, or even just to your own feelings of love and compassion for other people.
Spirituality is not about religion. It’s not necessarily associated with any particular faith or belief system, it’s an inherent part of being human that can connect us all together regardless of our religious affiliations or lack thereof—or even if we have no affiliation at all.
Spirituality is about certain practices and connections, and it’s through this connection with ourselves and others that we can experience the divine.
Benefits of being spiritual
The benefits of being spiritual are so numerous and also developing a spiritual side will make you calmer and more centered even when things get hectic.
It’s important to understand that spirituality isn’t about having all the answers, but rather it’s about developing a desire for them. When you can take time out to reconnect with your spiritual side, whether that means meditating, practicing mindfulness, or going for a walk in nature, you’ll find yourself being able to cope with stress better and be calmer overall.
The health benefits of spirituality include:
- Being more centered and in control of your life
- Feeling more grounded and connected with the world around you
- Having better self-esteem
- Better coping skills when dealing with difficult people or situations
- Understanding who you are
- Understanding your life’s purpose and soul’s mission
- Overcoming depression, addictions, and anxiety
Some studies say people who are more spiritual live longer, are happier and have a greater sense of well-being.
Spirituality can help you feel more connected to your own inner self, and it can also help you feel more connected to other people, and to the world around you.
A study published in the Journal of Religion and Health found that people with a higher sense of spirituality have better mental health, including lower levels of depression. That same study also found that people who are more spiritual live longer than those who are less spiritual.
Spirituality isn’t just something that only religious people use as part of their religious practice, spirituality is available whether or not we’re religious. So if someone tells you they’re “spiritual but not religious,” then they may be using terms differently than what most people think about when talking about religion vs spirituality — but what matters is whether these things are useful for YOU in YOUR life.
How to become more spiritual
What can you do to become more spiritual? Here are some suggestions:
- Practice mindfulness
- Practice gratitude
- Prayer can help you feel closer to God and the people who matter most in your life (and it might even help them feel closer to God and each other).
- Meditating is great for your mind, and it’s good for your heart too. Meditation is also a form of prayer, in fact it is believed to be the most powerful form of prayer
- Read spiritual books. Reading a book about spirituality is a great way to learn about different perspectives on spirituality or even just find inspiration for your own personal journey toward a greater understanding of what it means to be spiritual or connected with others through prayer or meditation—or whatever else brings you peace.
- Do yoga/meditation classes. These activities are also great ways for people who may not otherwise walk into a church building on Sundays because they don’t know anyone. Yet to attend a yoga or meditation class you don’t have to be religious to go—You could even invite your friends and family members who are spiritual but not religious out with you so they can see what it’s like.
- Study astrology and numerology: Astrology is the study of the planetary bodies in relation to and how they affect our lives. Both astrology and numerology provide readings and valuable insights using our birth date, time, and names. These readings provide useful information such as our soul’s purpose and life mission, it sheds light on our who we are, our personality, and what we are called to do in this lifetime. So if you’re feeling lost or without a life calling then I strongly advise you to do a reading.
The more we are exposed to different things, the more we can learn from each other. And when it comes down to it, spirituality isn’t about what religion you follow—it’s about how you live your life with love and compassion for others.
So, if you’re looking for ways to get involved and meet other people who aren’t religious but are still spiritual, try some of these ideas you’ll never know where they might lead.
African spirituality
African spirituality is a term used to describe the spiritual beliefs and practices of Africans. It refers to the traditional religions of Africa (such as Egyptians, Yoruba, Akan, Ewe-Fon, Dogon, Ateso, etc.) that have persisted throughout centuries despite European colonization and missionary efforts. African spirituality is also referred to as indigenous traditional religion or an ethnic religion.
African spirituality encompasses many types of beliefs including ancestor veneration, community rituals, belief in a supreme being or beings, use of magic, creation myths, divination methods such as dream interpretation, spirit possession through mediums (shamans), and the veneration of ancestors. These beliefs are often tied to the spiritual world, which is believed to be inhabited by spirits.
In addition to the monotheistic belief in a supreme being or beings, African spirituality is also polytheistic and includes many gods and goddesses. Each tribe has its own pantheon of deities (also called spirits or ancestral forces) that they believe are responsible for various aspects of life. For example, the Dogon people and the Yoruba people of Nigeria believe that their gods Amma and Obatala created the first man and woman from clay.
Conclusion
If you’ve never been religious, or if religion doesn’t fit into your life, spirituality may be the answer. It can help you find meaning in life and connect with others – even those who don’t believe in God. I hope you found this article to be inspiring and life-changing, We highly encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter to receive important updates and valuable notifications. STAY BLESSED, ASE!!!
2 thoughts on “Spirituality: Definition, benefits and how to become more spiritual”
I had no idea that being spiritual and closer to god could help you avoid anxiety and other related problems. My friend is having trouble figuring out what he wants to do in life. I will recommend that we find a local church that offers services that he can try out someday.
Itís hard to come by well-informed people in this particular topic, but you sound like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks