Spirituality is a Christian word which finds it roots in the vulgate where the Latin spiritus is used to translate Greek pneuma and Hebrew ruah. It talks both about the Spirit of God and our own spirit and is often used in a way that means where our and God’s Spirit meet. Spiritual things are not just any vague something that makes us feel better but a meeting of the human with the divine.
So what is good spirituality? And is there such a thing?
I think it is true that some things are better than others and maybe some things should be left well alone. Practice of the occult, for instance, is often just too dangerous in that it opens one to things that are not from God and some which are very harmful to a persons spirit.
The best practices have to be those that connect us with God in the best ways. I guess we will vary on what those ways might be – what is the best for me may not be the best for you. However, one of the things that psychological research has demonstrated is that there are actually some things that we all benefit from and which will touch everyones spirit.
Wide open green spaces have a beneficial effect on us all (save those with problems that make open spaces terrifying for them I guess). Music is all something that seems to have universal effect – although some music seems to be more harmful to the soul than others.
However, for me there has to be God in the midst of it. How can something be truly spiritual if it does not include God’s Spirit? Wide open green spaces are great but for me only because they are part of the wonder of God’s creation. Music for me is good but only when it is connected with God in some way – either through the words or because the music gives me a sense of true creativity (which stems from God in the first place of course).
Good spiritual practice has to be something that connects us to God. Have you ever tried prayer? Now that is good!
What things get you going in your spiritual practices?