spirituality

property or income owned by a church concern with things of the spirit

Spirituality portal Spirituality is, in a narrow sense, a concern with matters of the spirit, however that may be defined; but it is also a wide term with many available readings. It may include belief in supernatural powers, as in religion, but the emphasis is on personal experience. It may be an expression for life perceived as higher, more complex or more integrated with one's worldview, as contrasted with the merely sensual.

The spiritual and the religious - An important distinction needs to be made between spirituality ''in'' religion and spirituality ''as opposed to'' religion.In recent years, spirituality ''in'' religion often carries connotations of the believer's faith being more personal, less dogmatic, more open to new ideas and myriad influences, and more pluralistic than the faiths of established religions. It also can connote the nature of a believer's personal relationship with Deity, as opposed to the general relationship with Deity understood to be shared by all members of that faith.Those who speak of spirituality ''as opposed to'' religion generally believe that there are many "spiritual paths" and that there is no objective truth about which is the best path to follow. Rather, adherants of this definition of the term emphasize the importance of finding one's own path to Deity, rather than following what others say works. The best way to describe this view is a variation on Occam's Razor: The path which makes the most sense is the correct one (for oneself). Many adherents of orthodox religions who consider spirituality to be an aspect of their religious experience are more likely to contrast spirituality with secular "worldliness" than with the ritual expression of their religion. Others of a more New Age disposition hold that spirituality is not religion, ''per se'', but the active and vital connection to a force, spirit, or sense of the deep self.

Directed spirituality - One aspect of 'Being spiritual' is goal-directed, with aims such as: simultaneously improve one's wisdom and willpower, achieve a closer connection to Deity/the universe, and remove illusions or false ideas at the sensory, feeling and thinking aspects of a person. The 'Plato's cave' analogy in book VII of The Republic is one of the most well known descriptions of the spiritual development process, and thus, an excellent aid in understanding what "spiritual development" exactly entails.Others say that spirituality is a two-stroke process: the "upward stroke" is inner growth, changing oneself as one changes his/her relationship with God, and the "downward stroke" is manifesting improvements in the physical reality around oneself as a result of the inward change.

Spirituality and personal well-being - Due to its broad scope and individual nature, spirituality is perhaps better understood by highlighting a number of key concepts that arise for people when asked to describe what spirituality means to them. Research by Martsolf & Mickley (1998) highlighted the following areas as worthy of consideration:

Meaning of lifeMeaning – significance of life; making sense of situations; deriving purpose.

Values – beliefs, standards and ethics that are cherished.

Transcendence (philosophy)Transcendence – experience and appreciation of a dimension beyond self.

Connecting – increased awareness of a connection with self, others, God/Spirit/Divine, and nature.

Becoming – an unfolding of life that demands reflection and experience; includes a sense of who one is and how one knows.Spirituality, according to most adherants, is an essential part of an individual's holistic health and well-being, by developing an awareness of a "transcendent dimension" to life.

The Spiritual and Science - Analysis of spiritual qualities in science is bedeviled by the imprecision of spiritual concepts, the subjectivity of spiritual experience, and the amount of work required to translate and map obsrvable components of a spiritual system into empirical evidence. User:HackwrenchHackwrench 03:07, 6 November 2005 (UTC)

Spiritual traditions and communities -

Bahá'í Faith

Buddhism, Jainism

Christianity, Christian anarchism

Feminist spirituality

Gnosticism

Hinduism

Humanism

Islam, Sufism

Judaism

Neo-confucianism, Taoism

Paganism, Neopaganism, Modern_Gallae

New Age, New Thought, Spiritualism, Dances of Universal PeaceThe Dances of Universal Peace

Shamanism

Sikhism

Subud

Surat Shabd YogaSurat Shabda Yoga

Unitarian Universalism

See also -

List of spirituality-related topics

Meditation, Christian meditation

Christian vegetarianism

Meaning of life

Reason

Religion

Automatic drawing

References -

Azeemi,K.S.''Muraqaba: The Art and Science of Sufi Meditation''. Houston: Plato, 2005.(ISBN 0975887548)

Bolman, L. G., and Deal, T. E. ''Leading With Soul''. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1995.

Borysenko, J. ''A Woman's Journey to God''. New York: Riverhead Books, 1999.

Cannon, K. G. ''Katie's Canon: Womanism and the Soul of the Black Community''. New York: Continuum, 1996.

Deloria, V., Jr. ''God is Red''. 2d Ed. Golden, Co: North American Press, 1992.

Dillard, C. B.; Abdur-Rashid, D.; and Tyson, C. A. "''My Soul is a Witness''." ''International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education 13'', no. 5 (September 2000): 447-462.

Dirkx, J. M. "''Nurturing Soul in Adult Learning''." in ''Transformative Learning in Action''. ''New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education'' No. 74, edited by P. Cranton, pp. 79-88. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1997.

Eck, D. ''A New Religious America''. San Francisco: Harper, 2001.

Elkins D.N. et al (1998)Toward a humanistic-phenomenological spirituality: definition, description and measurement. ''Journal of Humanistic Psychology'' 28(4), 5-18

English, L., and Gillen, M., eds. ''Addressing the Spiritual Dimensions of Adult Learning''. ''New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education'', No. 85. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000.

Holtje, D. (1995). '' masterpath.org - From Light to Sound: The Spiritual Progression''. Temecula, CA: MasterPath, Inc. ISBN 1885949006

Martsolf D.S. & Mickley J.R. (1998) The concept of spirituality in nursing theories: differing world-views and extent of focus. Journal of Advanced Nursing 27, 294-303

External links -

lifetheory.com - LifeTheory.com: An online forum on life and spirituality

gnosticweb.com - Gnosticweb Providing Free Global Access to Spiritual Information.

spirituality.edgelife.net - A new definition of spirituality

avatarsearch.com - AvatarSearch.com: A search engine for spiritual-related topics

kheper.net - Kheper.net: An overview of everything spiritual

ias.org - International Association of Sufism

gatheringlight.com - Long Term (monthly) Private Spiritual Riverside Retreats

sufiblog.com - Multi-faith Spirituality

new-age-spirituality.com - New Age Spirituality

sos.org - Science of Spirituality

masterpath.org - Spiritual Awakening and Spiritual Growth

onespirit.com - Spiritual Book Club

spiritualcinemacircle.com - Spiritual Cinema Circle

spiritualforums.com - Spiritual Forums

quranichealing.com - Spiritual Purification and Wellness

!level-of-consciousness.org - Spirituality and consciousness forum

rudraksha-ratna.com - Spirituality and Rudraksha

srcm.org - Spirituality begins where religion ends - Shri Ram Chandra Mission

ericdigests.org - Spirituality in Adult and Higher Education

!amanecerespiritual.tripod.com< /a> - Spiritual Dawn - Morality and Philosophy Essay

arches.uga.edu - Sufism -- Sufis -- Sufi Orders by Dr. Alan Godlas, University of Georgia

sufiblog.com - SufiBlog Sufism online spiritual magazine of Sufi Meditation (Muraqaba) and Healing

thespiritual.org - The Spiritual: Journal of Natural Spirituality An on-line resource of rare texts and reflections on natural spirituality, thoughtless-ness, egoless-ness and mind-brain duality.

spiritualwisdom.org.uk - Spiritual Wisdom There is a universal spirituality which can be expressed in many ways, but this site uses the insights of Emanuel Swedenborg to help explain the meaning of our lives.Spirituality Philosophy (navigation) Category:Spirituality !br:Speredelezhde:Spiritualitä tes:Espiritualidadfr:Spiritual itéhe:רוחניותit:Spirit ualitànl:Spiritualiteitsimple :Spiritualitysv:Andlighet

Spiritual Science research foundation
Understanding the role of spiritual science in identifying and solving root causes of problems in our lives. Spiritual research on Ghosts, influence of destiny, various planes of existence like heaven, hell and spiritual healing.
http://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/

Powerful Intentions Law of Attraction Community
Powerful Intentions is a unique Online Community composed of people from all walks of life who have the following things in common: -Believe in the Power of Intentions, - Were somehow Attracted to be here - Want to connect with Positive like minded people - Enjoy a little Spiritual Incorrectness - Magnetized by Abraham-Hicks and The Secret
http://www.powerfulintentions.com

Karma Blog - Blogging to Perfect Karma
Blogging News Site dealing with spiritual, religious and current issues... Has a online forum for people to discuss common religious and spiritual interests
http://www.karmablog10.com

khutbahbank khutbahs online
Inspiring sermons [khutbahs] for friday prayers and for personal development. Here is a valuable resource for living practical Islam in the modern world.
http://www.khutbahbank.com/

Moonlit River: Goddess School, Shamanic Healing, Reiki
Moonlit River is a nondenominational eclectic site. You will find learning, healing and self-growth opportunities. All are welcome who come with an open heart and an open mind. Come in and make yourself at home.
http://www.moonlitriver.com/

Let Us Reason ministries
Answering the challenges to the Bible and the Christian faith. Explaining the truth from the counterfeits. How to witness to the cults and other relgions.
http://www.letusreason.org/

A New Consciousness Bible
Q & A interview transcripts, journals and photographs document events usually equated with the 'supernatural' or 'miraculous.' The author apprenticed as a 'carpenter in the Hollywood dream factory' before becoming an author with this book in 1997.
http://www.testament.org/

Pyramid energy
development of energy pyramids, spiritual arts, energytraining, research in the use of kundalini yoga, chakrahealing, feng shui
http://www.pyramidenenergie.org/

Audible Affirmations
A unique way to experience affirmations. This web site makes it easy to heal yourself.
http://cirino.com/newatt/now.htm

Despierta Argentina (NGO)
An Argentina NGO dedicated to strengthen the leadership of social leaders and their organizations teaching and applying Appreciative Inquiry. The mayor project is Imagine Argentina, which brings the community into dialogue and jointly constructs a positive future image and a vision for the country.
http://www.despiertaargentina.org/

New Age Web Works
New Age Web Works, the leading spiritual, pagan, metaphysical, environmental and alternative health site
http://www.newageinfo.com/

Franciscan Missionaries of Mary - India
Franciscan Missionaries of Mary is an international religious congregation of 7766 women in six continents. We belong to 79 nationalities and work in 846 convents throughout the world with our motherhouse in Rome.In India we are present in 18 states. We commit ourselves to prayer, service and living in communities consisting of sisters from different nationalities, varied cultures, languages, and regions. We live by the work of our hands. Our resources and income support our work for the less fortunate in society besides helping us maintain ourselves.
http://www.fmmindia.org/

National Organization For Empowering Caregivers
Empowering Caregivers, www.care-givers.com was created to provide a safe, nurturing place for all family caregivers as well as professionals on an emotional and spiritual level. Expert columns feature well-known individuals in the fields of caregiving, self-help and empowerment. There is a monthly newsletter; journal exercises the Empowering Caregivers Community, which offers scheduled chats and forums/message boards. There is a caregiver’s spotlight, which honors a caregiver and caregiving site each month, inspiration, a wealth of resources, gear for purchasing and more. The site is an opportunity for all caregivers to move into forgiveness, to heal and open to the most important healing power there is: LOVE. Empowering Caregivers is under the umbrella of the National Organization For Empowering Caregivers,(NOFEC) www.nofec.org..
http://www.nofec.org/

Sea of Joy - EMF Balancing Technique® - spiritual counseling & meditation
Sea of Joy is dedicated to my practice of the EMF Balancing Technique®. Sea of Joy showcases my writing of poetry, my novel, Break the Chain, and articles. Sea of Joy propagates the awareness that we are intrinsically connected with our environment
http://www.seaofjoy.com/

net age
Join the ongoing spiritual development of a global mind change unleashed by the Internet
http://www.netage.org/

Wholeness
A body-oriented interpretation of the lessons from A Course in Miracles
http://www.joosbouwmeester.com/

The LostStories Channel
Knowledge resource center harmonizing the truths discovered in the pursuit of philosophy, theology, history, science, the arts, and the humanities.
http://www.loststories.net/

TAT Foundation's Spiritual Search Site
An introduction to Richard Rose and his system for spiritual discovery, including links to best spiritual sites on the web, a directory of worldwide solitary spiritual retreat facilities, a listing of worldwide spiritual gatherings, and a monthly e-zine featuring prose and poetry of modern teachers and emerging spiritual voices.
http://www.tatfoundation.org/

Living Successfully Radio
An award winning talk show offering options for success life. Bob Keeton shares unique conversations with leading thinkers in the areas of work, money and relationships.
http://www.livingsuccessfully.com/

http://www.arianuova.org
human and spiritual evolution: the future of man and beyond man
http://www.arianuova.org/

Holistic, Psychic, and Clairvoyant Services [Payson Arizona]
Spirituality Beyond's Dyanne Yellowlight is an Internationally Certified Clairvoyant, an Ordained Holistic Minister, and Life Coaching Specialist. Let her unlock your future in love, finance, and life.
http://www.spiritualitybeyond.com

Hearts Cracked Open: Tantra for Women Who Love Women
Experience the never before seen world of lesbian Tantra in this groundbreaking, award-winning documentary. Go behind the doors of women-only workshops with the most renowned Tantra teachers in the field as they reveal the secret of how to live in a daily orgasmic state of being. Included are ancient Tantric techniques for increasing intimacy in relationships, solo practice, extended orgasms, sexual healing and personal transformation. Featuring: Annie Sprinkle, Pamela Madison, Evalena Rose, Marcia Singer, Bruce Anderson & Sharon Neal Williams.
http://www.heartscrackedopen.com/

Manataka American Indian Council
American Indian history, events, stories, language, books, music, genealogy, ceremonies. Largest American Indian website on the internet.
http://www.manataka.org/

Mindful Abundance! Business and Life Coach Rob Wheeler
Discover how YOU can benefit from a personal coach who can improve your performance, bring balance into your business and create a life of Mindful Abundance.
http://www.mindfulabundance.com/

Stewart Berman....Life Coach
What would you do if you could do anything? Is there something in your way? I wonder if it is the way you are thinking about it. Is your life in balance? You are invited to call or email me to set up two 55 minute complimentary coaching sessions. Perhaps we can find out. We can explore what may be blocking you from doing or getting exactly what you want. If you like the results we can discuss the possibility of moving forward together to accomplish your goals. I invite all new coaches to tap my experience on starting and building a joyful practice.
http://www.stewartberman.com/

Website of Jack Haas
Multimedia artist, author, and photographer. Modern spirituality.
http://www.jackhaas.net

Christian Life Community (Malta) / Komunita Hajja Nisranija
The official site of CLC Malta (Komunita' Ħajja Nisranija - KHN) forming part of the World Christian Life Community (CLC or CVX), an international lay movement. CLC is made up of small communities, organised into larger communities regionally and nationally, together forming the World Community.
http://www.clcmalta.org/

Unity Women's Ministry
A spiritual ministry for women to experience Divine consciousness through creative inspiration, sacred ceremony and joyous celebration.
http://www.unitywomensministry.com/

Conscious Living-Conscious Dying
The Institute for Living and Dying offers extensive insights and information on the spiritual dimensions of living and dying. seminars, audio program, trainings and meditations.
http://www.living-dying.com

Astrology, Advice, Psychic, Paranormal Phenomena, Faith, Spirituality, Scanning Future Events, Readng the stars, Tomorrow seen today.
I am Dr. Ved Prakash, Ph.D.( Astrological Science)with 30 years experience. I made 25 presentations on International U.N.O. seminars and conferences in the last 6 years. During such community congregations, I answer audiences' individual questions with time-phased happenings of their cherished dreams, projects, plans and with ambitious momentous fulfilment time in life. Also I award on the single career selection in which one is destined to shine uniquely in life. This is my free service anywhere on no-profit-no-loss basis. I volunteer my free services of conducting these presentstions for answering audiences' pointed personal questions in the open house, the way I conducted during the said U.N.O. conferences: which were convened by U.N.O.'s empowered Vice President and Plenipotentiary Envoy for South Asia: Prof Dr.P.R. Trivedi. Dr. Ved Prakash: Ph. D. 91-11-28546404. 28547996. Moble: 9818144521.
http://www.vedastrology.com/

Katinka Hesselink Net
Personal website with many articles on karma, reincarnation, buddhism, sufism, fourth way and theosophy. With spiritual quotes by people like Jiddu Krishnamurti, Gurdjieff, Blavatsky and the Dalai Lama.
http://www.katinkahesselink.net/

Mary Marzo - Goddess Healing
Holistic Psychotherapy, Goddess Spirituality Workshops, Guided Meditations, Goddess Chants, CDs
http://www.goddesshealing.com/

Nudges from the Universe!
A humerous path to enlightenment and expanded understanding of how our quantum universe works. Explore and integrate the core universal energies, increase intuition, positive intention and aligned action to create your dreams. Join us for fun and fortune!
http://www.nudgez.com/

Spiritual Philosophy
Publishers of books on advaita/nonduality - in particular, the writings of English author, Roy Whenary
http://www.lotusharmony.com/

Exploring practical spirituality
Interactive community sharing healing solutions in wellness, personal growth, relationships, workplace, and current events.
http://www.spirituality.com

Spirituality and Health
Ideas and advice about practices, products, self-tests, news and essays, and a virtual community dedicated to leading a more spiritually fulfilling and meaningful life.
http://www.spiritualityhealth.com/