Celivia

Your description reminds me of the Buddhist meditation for mindfulness, a way to focus on the present, let go of the past and let the future simply be. I agree that 'spiritual' does bring with it certain supernatural connotations, especially when one thinks of those Victorian ladies indulging in séances – spiritualist groups. A shame really, I wonder what other term could be used instead. How to convey the awe without implying the supernatural?

Pelican

Getting into the garden and preparing it for new life; yummy vegetables to anticipate... I started thinking about the cycle of life and renewal, may be that was what you found spiritual. Autumn is also my favourite time of year here in Melbourne – not too hot (usually) the changes in the foliage of deciduous trees, the chill in the early morning air…

Whitty

Just be yourself, you may wish to consider the following quote from Lao Tzu:

“There are many paths to enlightenment.
Be sure to take the one with a heart.”

Mjpb

Thank you for contributing, I don’t necessarily find the wonder that you do in your faith, but if it brings you contentment, then that is good.

Fractelle,

"Your description reminds me of the Buddhist meditation for mindfulness, a way to focus on the present, let go of the past and let the future simply be. I agree that 'spiritual' does bring with it certain supernatural connotations, especially when one thinks of those Victorian ladies indulging in séances – spiritualist groups. A shame really, I wonder what other term could be used instead. How to convey the awe without implying the supernatural?"

Interesting and challenging question. After looking up the definition I was thinking Cevilia had a point but didn't get around to saying it.

"Thank you for contributing, I don’t necessarily find the wonder that you do in your faith, but if it brings you contentment, then that is good."

Thank you.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - God was conceived by us humans. It's our expression of "irrational rationalisation" God doesn't speak to anyone, it's all in the imagination and he doesn't answer prayers. There is no need to believe in some made-up deity to appreciate the universe and the wonderful part that nature plays in our microcosm here on earth

Fractelle I liked your renewal analogy. Whitty you are a card - pun intended. :)

A few years ago I suffered a severe medical condition that impacted on my ability to work. I spent a short time in the understandable but unhelpful "why me" self-pitying mode. The odd thing was that after some soul searching and re-evaluation I actually made some changes in my life that involved downshifting, eating well to get the old immune system kicked along and slowing the pace.

This experience also gave me a better understanding toward others who suffer from disabilities and permanent illness and made me more aware of how easy it is to fall through the safety net ie. just how little support there is out there.

I now reflect positively on this time because while I would not wish this illness on anyone, I did grow from it and found some [spiritual] comfort in that knowledge. Our connectedness to others and to the environment around us is what really matters to make our lives full. We are part of one big ecosystem and we are foolish if we don't think that tweaking one part of it does not affect in some way another part - bit like the human body really if we don't respect and care for it.

Sometimes it is the negative experiences that might provide these 'spiritual' awakenings as well as the positive ones.

What a simply marvellous thread...

Thank-You Fractelle!

So many interesting comments ...

All positive.

Life can be very satisfying!

Whitty - right bakatcha. And yeah, like Foxy said, just be yourself. Besides, I live currently in a country where giggling is the normal reaction to people expressing their feelings or to embarrassment. I once had a girl break down completely into hysterics in a Drama class and the entire class giggled uncontrollably.

I grew into adulthood crammed full of the stiff upper lip and don't let the side down attitudes of both my British side and convent boarding schools. Then, as a poster above relates, I had an experience which changed my outlook. Mind you, being a slow learner, its taken 17 bloody years to learn the lesson!

Group hugs? I too could never get over the cringe factor involved once, and I am still not a touchy-feely person. But hugging? now THAT can be a truly spiritual experience. And yeah, if I was ever privileged enough to meet those people in person I probably would want to hug them...and hope that some of their spirit rubbed off onto me.

Hugs rule!