Spirituality - what is it?

Let's breakdown what spirituality means. If you look up the word spirituality in merriam webster online the word is linked to religion and affecting the 'spirit' or super natural. This is wholly simplistic and really gives no indication of what spirituality is at all.

Religion is a set of concepts created through the interpretation of events, creating beliefs about the self and it's relation to such events. In other words events have been given meaning that has been taken as absolute and the belief that this is the only way to what is known as God is the norm. Religions have a set of accepted concepts and rules. Allowing each individual to fall into the category defined by them. Often for those who have had mystical experiences that are unfathomable belief is used to explain their meaning. Often there is an external locus of control - things happen to us and we have no control over what happens to us.

What arises is the idea that spirituality is similar to religion. But if we explore this further there are some fundamental differences.

1). Spirituality does not mean one is to give oneself up to an established belief system. It requires the locus of control to switch from an outward aspect to an inner aspect. It requires an inward view to be adopted through reflection and connecting with the heart mind whilst dropping expectations, beliefs and mentality (dropping out of the thinking mind).

2). Inner locus of control means we are the drivers of the way we react to the world around us. We take responsibility for our words, thoughts, actions and are accountable (within ourselves). This squarely changes our reality from blame to accountability. It influences our belief system exponentially.

3). Spirituality is exploration. Exploration of the self in physical form. Exploration of the inner realms of reality. It is a far cry from the interpretations and beliefs placed upon one - that are often taken as fact. Rather the exploration is an internal alchemy that allows for self-experience in time-space.

4). Spirituality goes through multiple stages - it is the inner growth of a self planted seed. There maybe self confessed guru's who appear to know about spirituality but anyone who explicitly tells you there is only one way is deceiving on one level or another. How many ways are their of being? Many. Therefore one way is not the only way. Often these individuals are good for a beginning period but the seeker is to ask themselves how the words, actions and beliefs handed down to them sits in their heart. The heart does not lie. The mind on the other hand likes to hold on to meaning, labels and explanations - creating stories!

5). Spirituality is a mix of being and doing. The doing being a very small part thereof. In order to place oneself into a state of meditation, for example, one must do (prepare, sit, find ones comfort). Being is a state. It is an internal awareness of self present in time and space. The state of being is out of the beta state of mind (beta brain wave state). It is a shift into alpha state of mind (alpha brain wave state) and lower (depending on the experience and practice of the individual).

6). Spirituality is being in the now, letting go of pre-conceived ideas. For it is only when the glass is empty that one can fill it anew. When the glass is already full - full of the ideas, notions and beliefs handed down from others - how will any self-learning, self-understanding and reflection occur? It has already been decided that this can be explained by others. Do you keep a full glass of old water to drink at your bedside to nourish and quench your thirst or do you fill it with fresh life giving liquid of which you decide the origin?

Spirituality can be a muddy business. It is when we begin to weed out that which is not in sync with our hearts that we begin to see our true essence. Distortions handed down from others and through our own traumas muddy the waters. Distortion is not released by negating it but by being in the present moment, being honest with self through awareness, reflection and coming to a point of release and un attachment to the resonating frequency of the emotional charge. This is itself a self-transformative process.

Now one can fill the glass and choose what elixir to drink. When one goes to nature there are no labels, there are no beliefs - everything just is. It exists as the gift of life, the cycle to death and the intertwining of ecosystems therein.

Spirituality is the state of neutrality that allows one to explore the internal realms. It is here where internal alchemical transformation can occur.

If one is stuck in their spirituality what blocks, traumas and beliefs are in the way - muddying the waters?

If you are stuck in an external locus of control - blaming others and the world what blocks, traumas and beliefs are in your way?

Spirituality is the balance of ontology (being) and epistemology (knowing) one may inform the other but one does not dominate the other. Each are a form of investigation. A lifelong internal alchemical investigation of the depths of self.

Spirituality cannot be defined or boxed - it is a transformational internal process chosen by the individual.

That which is termed the creative cosmic energetic force (God) is inside each and every living being.