What does it mean to be spiritual?

[Santa]

What does it mean to be spiritual?

A simple question.

I think most people think of themselves as spiritual, even if not religious.

What does it mean for you as an individual, to be spiritual?

Why be spiritual? What's the point?

[SLV^GLD]

Religion is for the man afraid of going to hell.
Spirituality is for the man who has been there.

[sirgonzo420]

I once heard a guru say that religion is the banana skin, and spirituality is the banana.

He said that today we have thrown away the banana, and are left holding the banana skin.

[k-os]

To me, spirituality is being connected to everything. If you believe you are connected to everything, you would try your hardest to do no harm to anyone or anything. Imagine that we are all one (yes, all of us), and by hurting someone it's as if you are hurting your big toe, or your eyeball . . . or your soul. Depending on the type of person you are, you may also really enjoy helping other people. Did you ever wonder why it feels good to help someone? Maybe it's because we are all truly connected. I don't know.

My ego wants to believe that I am singular and alone, so this feeling of unity waivers at times . . . like when I watch a chimpout video and think "I am not connected to that!" What helps me get over that is to try to be compassionate. They must feel very disconnected and alone to cause harm that way.

[mightymanx]

I equate spirituality to believing in the game, but not following any particular rulebook.

[solid]

I think it's spirituality that ties morals, ethics, and ideals all together. Religion sets boundaries, but spirituality really sets you free in the sense that your beliefs are beyond yourself. Therefore, you can be free to do the right thing...ie, your spirituality has your back. Should you fall.

[Sparky]

I think being spiritual means placing value on something that transcends the physical world that we live in. As such, it requires a faith of some kind, since that which is not of the physical world is difficult to grasp with reason or logic or constrain with physical principles.

Why be spiritual? From spirituality is borne integrity, ethics, and morality, which are also not constrained by the physical world. Why do we try to "do the right thing", even when their is no penalty or consequence for failing to do so?

[zap]

I have thought about this all day, and I don't write as well as all of you. I am pretty cut and dryed, its just black and white to me.

Spirituality to me means being in tune with nature, not with people, just seeing, feeling, smelling and touching the beauty thats all around us.

I have posted pics of where I live and if you just glance its not pretty, not like a rainforset or a mountain stream, it is dry and course, hard and hot, but if you look and feel, you will see the beauty that it holds, that is spirituality to me.

I went outside tonight and I felt the cool air on my face, I heard the crickets singing.... (so loudly), I saw the moon shining down on me.... and I thought to myself this is beautiful.... and how lucky I am to feel like this, is that what it means to be spiritual?

How blessed am I to feel and see the real beauty ?

Edit; I don't think being spiritual has anything to do with religion.