In search of soul

 

In search of our spiritual self  

  

Many of us have learnt to see spirituality as being closely aligned with religion. To be spiritual, as we understand it, is to be religious. If we have no belief in some kind of supernatural being or reality, if we have not committed ourselves to a particular religious tradition, then we often think of ourselves as not being spiritual. ​​​At one time in my life, that is how I understood spirituality too. But as I have listened to many people's life stories over the years, I have come to realise that, whether we are religious or not, all of us are spiritual beings. All of us are spirit and soul as well as mind and body. Our spirituality is a fundamental part of the very fabric of our humanity. Whether we recognise and embrace our spiritual self or not, it is always there within us, always open to us, always waiting to be attended to.   

 

Putting it very simply, our spirituality is our own unique and constantly evolving way of experiencing and expressing ourselves as spiritual beings. It is a way of being that flows not only from our connection with our innermost self but also from the presence of the spirit within us. The human spirit is our life breath. It is a unique, mysterious and intangible personal life force that cannot be observed or measured and that has a quality all of its own. It animates, enlivens and sustains us. It is life giving and life enhancing. It is also the source of our desire to change and grow and calls us to entrust ourselves as fully as we can to the process of becoming the self we have the potential to be. This is spirit as creative energy. It is the creative energy within us whose ultimate source is the creative energy that sustains the universe.  

 

From time to time, we might find ourselves talking to each other about 'what really matters'. We might reflect on what it is that gives our life its meaning and purpose or on the core beliefs and values that we hold most dear. We might become aware of the depth of our longing to be a better person, to feel more alive or to become more fully who we really are. We might sense that there is 'something out there', something more than the physical or material reality that surrounds us, something that is greater than our individual selves and and we might wonder how to make sense of that experience. Whenever we do so, we are expressing our spirituality.  

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For our spirituality is many-faceted. It is not only our sensitivity to the spiritual dimension of our experience. It is not only the physical sensations which flood our bodies and the heady mix of feelings that flow through us when we sense 'the More' as the philosopher, William James called it. It is not only the thoughts, images, metaphors and symbols that surface in our minds as we seek to penetrate the mystery of