I freely admit that I am only qualified to speak of my own experience. "Spiritualality" isn't always something that you feel. More often than not, it's a it's a practice and a lifestyle. That "feeling" will come as you consistantly live the lifestyle, but don't rely on the feeling because it's not always there.

I am a Christian and although many people in this country claim this faith, very few have actually read the Bible or consistantly live the life. As a result, I think that Christianity has a spotty reputation - it's so familiar, but when pressed, many cannot really explain their faith. If I read the Bible and pray, I feel much better and things become clearer to me. This would be in keeping with the fact that we believe the Holy Spirit (a part of God if you will) enters us when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, and the influence grows as we live by the faith- it's not something that you work for in your own flesh- it just comes naturally.

This is my own personal explanation. I'm sure others have different experiences and I'm sure there will be more folks replying to this post.

"Taming the Mind", by Thubten Chodron
This book describes how mind/heart, not the external world is the ultimate source of happiness.

This book helps to overcome such misconceptions, showing how to find peace and contentment through a practical application of the teachings of the compassionate Buddha. Ven. Thubten Chodron has chosen a wide variety of situations that we encounter in daily life and has explained how to deal with them from a Buddhist viewpoint, in words that are easy to understand. In doing so, she has made a valuable contribution to peace and human understanding by providing her readers with the opportunity not only to understand a variety of approaches to Buddhist practice, but also to benefit from such practices in their own lives.

Peace

Hi Rick spirituality to me is being a part of humanity, not just being but participating in a positive way. You don't have to be religious to be spiritual. My spirituality in AA began when I needed to find a higher power. Alcohol had me up against the ropes and I had to find something bigger than booze. I first took the group as my higher power because they were all behind me getting sober, it sure helped knowing I wasn't alone. I started doing service work for alcoholics and started being selfless and less selfcentered. Soon I noticed my problems were only as big as I made them. I could concentrate on making those around me happy and it came back to me. Spirituality is attitude towards life, people, problems and yourself. If you want good things to happen for your fiends and people you don't know you are spiritual. Hope this didn't confuse you, it's my own conception. Randy

So it's not spirituality keeping your hair like that? That's quite the doo!

I'm with ya on this one - I'm still trying to figure out what it's all about. Maybe I need to do more than the old "Do unto others..." but that's pretty much how I live my life.

You are already a spiritual person. There's nothing to look for, it's more about finding the way that bests suits you to return to that natural state of being. And from that state, life tends to flow but the trick, of course is getting there and staying there. :)

You could call spirituality the restoration of peace.

Restoring peace can be achieved by sitting still, meditation, art, walking in the countryside, prayer, family, creativity, volunteering... it's a lovely topic to explore.

I'll throw this suggestion into the pot, just cos its a bit off beat.

Barefoot Doctor - Urban Warrior. This guy follows the non religious philosophy of Taoism. His interpretation is anarchic and fun or plain daft, depending on your point of view. http://www.barefootdoctorglobal.com/home/1/

Enjoy the journey.

We are all spirits in reality. You just need to find your way home Rick! I love Marriane WIlliamson, A Return to Love.

DO you meditate? All the answers are inside, truly.

Im sorry but this is all double dutch to me - put simply i havent a (nearly swore there and that would be inappropriate!) clue what this concept is about. Im basically a good person and I have helped many others in my life - does that count?

yes it does Alan

It should.
Does spirituality implies organized religion?

I think spirituality is within us all and shows itself in all different ways, it is not something we look for or find it is juat part of living and being a human being.

Only if you organise it yourself, then you better join the ocd group too. LOL

To me spirituality is when you feel no signs of worldly problems.

Thank you all for your insightfull replies

I think spirituality and religious are terms used interchangeably by most Americans. They consider their Christian beliefs to mean they are spiritual. It's my understanding, however teeny, that it's within us and I read it was the Higher Self unrelated to any specific religion or icon.

I think it was definitely my Lower Self that was the drunk :)

WOW- many of came up with a better explanation than I did by keeping it basis. You're right: we're already spiritual beings because we are born that way - it's just up to us to go out and discover it!

I'd still say it's a bit like exercising your muscles. You won't get strong unless you use it- that's true with your spiritual side too.