O.K., I admit it — I went into a bookstore and bought the book “Spirituality For Dummies”. Years of telling myself that while I don’t feel that I am a religious person, I know I often feel something. Whether that “thing” is the “greater than myself thing,” I still don’t know – I’m only on page 20.
The thing is I want to know if this spirituality shares a kinship with what I can only describe as the mysterious piece of myself – that although it can’t find itself in traditional, formal religion,it flourishes all the same.
I feel a sense of joy within when the sun is out, when I see a flower opening its petals or watch a baby find delight in the discovery of his or her fingers – I experience this as a kind of “other” – the joy that comes not from things but of the simplicity in just being one with nature and life.
I have the kind of faith that often bewilders me because I have had life experiences that would render some to feel despair and hopelessness and yet I am neither despairing nor hopeless. As a therapist, I see this un-nameable strength or faith in others — all the time. It’s the kind of strength that seems almost supernatural.
I am a mere neophyte when it comes to what all this means (remember I am only on page 20). But I can’t help wondering if this faith, belief, hope, strength, etc. is borne of what some call our spiritual selves?
According to Spirituality for Dummies, “Spirituality says that even if you think you’re limited and small, it simply isn’t so. You’re greater and more powerful than you have ever imagined”. But what does that mean? Do you have to believe there is a divine light that exists and that each of us possess that same light? And what if you don’t, can’t or don’t want to experience your spirituality in that light? Are you then, NOT spiritual? Or does spirituality come in many colors with each of us possessing the freedom to choose the color we like best. Perhaps it is o.k. to say “there is more than this” and leave it at that.
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