Speech On The 's Own Spirituality

About a year ago, I began to find genuine interest in spiritual knowledge and learning, and its value and many applications outside of formal education and studies. I began researching philosophers and reading their works regarding spiritualism, new ways of thinking and perceiving things, as well as how our lives as human work in conjunction with the universe around us. I find this kind of thinking, and discovering some of the infinite wealth of knowledge around me, to be both personal and liberating.

There are many different meanings to the word spirituality. Spirituality can be defined in several different ways, as it pertains to different worldviews. Throughout this paper we will look at and discuss worldview as it related to pluralism, scientism, and postmodernism. Worldviews have been known to be a matter of the heart. Every person has a world view, “A worldview is a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true or entirely false)

Another, aspect, spirituality is not as much a prearranged system, it is a quest and a prolongation of one’s development.

According to Mussell (2005) spirituality is a “state that reflects inner peace, personal harmony and balance” (p.122). I believe that I have found inner peace, harmony, and balance. I found it through constant questioning of my purpose on earth and have concluded that I was placed here to help others. Thus, I believe that bettering myself in all these needs is essential before I can help others. Mussell (2005) suggests that intuitiveness should be used to guide us in our everyday lives (p.122). Through trial and error, I have learned that my intuition is usually right and is something that should not be second guessed. Mussell (2005) also suggests that spirituality is valuing “the Great Spirit” (p.122), which is the First Nations God. I do believe that there is a supreme being who choses our destiny, but I am not certain of who it is or what his or her full capabilities are. I was brought up in a Lutheran family, but as I have grown up I more believe in Evolution Theories rather than Creation Theories. Furthermore, I do believe in reincarnation. I feel as though there has to be something more than just this one life. I struggle to understand my spiritual needs and beliefs, but I know through time it will become more

I attended the speech at Embrace church on April 15. The speaker’s name that gave the main sermon was James Barnett. James isn’t the main pastor at Embrace Church, but he does speak a lot at the church. The main focus of this speech was to inform us about the gospel and the word of God. He wanted to make sure that we learned about what God wants us to do, and how we can help our neighbors. I thought he did a great job delivering this goal, because I was thinking about the different ways I could go out and help people right after hearing his speech.

Spirituality is defined in several ways as it pertains to different worldviews. Today we will look at the worldview as it relates to Pluralism, Scientism and Postmodernism.

Spirituality is a broad concept with no widely agreed upon definition. Nevertheless, what can certainly be agreed upon is that spirituality is a universal human experience that touches us all. We are born with a fire inside of us, a restless, unquenchable fire pulling us towards something greater than ourselves. Therefore, we all innately have a spirituality - whether we want one or not - beckoning us to do something with it. Wakefield refers to spirituality as “…those attitudes, beliefs, practises which animate peoples lives and help them to reach out towards super sensible realities.” Conversely, Michael Mason defines spiritualty as “…the conscious way of life based on a transcendent referent.” This suggests a heightened awareness and way of life without rejecting the notion of religion (an important aspect of spirituality). Whereas Wakefield refers to spirituality more as a journey towards a transcendent figure. These ideas put together can come to a fuller definition on spirituality. Therefore, spirituality can be best defined as the conscious way of life based on a divine figure, leading to self-transcendence and transformation. This conscious way of life involves the recognition that there are deeper currents operating in life. (The Broken Bay Institute, 2014) It also encompasses an awakening and an increased awareness to ordinary life. This offers greater depth, connection, centeredness and wholeness to the spiritual individual. (The

As defined in work by Zyga (2015), the term spirituality refers to “a sense of purpose, a sense of ‘connectedness’ – to self, others, nature or ‘God’…the sense that there is more to life than the material or practical, and those activities that give meaning and value to people’s lives.”

“Spirituality is derived from the Latin word spiritus, spirit, the essential part of the person which controls the mind and the mind controls the body. Thus the spirit is the vital life force which motivate people and influence ones life, health behavior and relationships” (Baldacchino & Draper, 2001). She also stated that spirituality is the mainstream of life which unifies all aspects of the human being. Spirituality applies to both believers and non believers, including the presence of diverse cultural beliefs (Baldacchino & Draper, 2001). Culliford stated that : “In times of emotional stress, physical illness, loss, bereavement and death human beings tend to find comfort, peace, inspiration, reverence and meaning by focusing on their spirituality whether they believe in God or not” (Culliford, 2002). In a study conducted by Tuck and Thingajana the meaning of spirituality was voiced by person living with HIV disease and healthy adults. The definitions voiced by the HIV patients were that “Spirituality is relating and believing in God, who is always present. It is perceived as being guided or helped or being inspired or giving unto. Spirituality includes the process of journeying, discovering and centering and is outwardly expressed” (Tuck & Thinganjana, 2007). The definitions of Spirituality expressed by the healthy individuals were that:

A. Attention Gainer: What do you all plan to achieve by the age of twenty-nine? By the age twenty-nine, Buddha started a completely different religion that sparked a new lifestyle. Who thinks that they can beat that?

A third Christian worldview belief is that you, "Do not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). As stated in Proverbs 29:3, "The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but whoever associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth". Therefore, when TJ is watching pornography, he is not building a relationship with God and is instead wasting the potential of wisdom.

Throughout the book, the author carefully details the need for balance between theology and spirituality, and psychology and Christianity. Though the author discusses methods and approaches that are spiritual but based on a strong theological foundation. “Nothing is more crucial to an effective Christian life that a clear awareness of its foundation” (p. 25). Essentially Crabb (1977) maintains that spirituality is a product of the correct thinking associated with strong theological foundation.

What is spirituality? Everyone has it however not all understand what it is exactly. Individuals can experience and express spiritually differently. It can be confused with religion or ghosts (Lepherd, 2015). For many years, there have been many definitions and descriptions of spirituality; it is described as the search of the meaning of life, alleviation of suffering, or creating inner peace in an individual. Which explains how spirituality is made useful for meditation and practicing yoga. Each person’s spirituality is different from others because according to his article, ‘Spirituality: Everyone has it, but what is it,’ Laurence Lepherd (2015) explains, “People have [different levels] of depth or intensity of spirituality, from [person to person].”

The Christian worldview is enforced by the Bible, which does not mention pornography because videography had yet to exist. However, the Bible does mention various forms of sin, prohibited sex and acts of the mind that would cause a person’s sexual immortality. Galatians 5 (NIV) states, “19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery… 21orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Based off scripture, humanity should not partake activities such as fornication, incest, adultery, orgies, and rape; all popular pornographic storylines. Watching pornographic videos could cause lust and sinful thoughts in. Lust is secular and will separate a person from God (1 John 2:26, NIV). Knowing this may influence a Christian to not indulge on pornography and actively seek counsel.

     Spirituality and psychology are two complex subjects to discuss and they become even more complicated when you try to relate one to the other. Psychology deals with the processes of sense perception, thinking, learning, cognition, emotions and motivations, and personality, focusing on the behavior of individuals. Spirituality, on the other hand, is all inclusive. “Spirituality is living one's life from the realization that the body/mind/ego personality we have been taught to identify with is just the tip of our iceberg, our little head sticking through the window of the senses into this world, whereas our true body is the universe. It is recognizing that our perceived world is mostly an illusion, a shared