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Spirituality Essay

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Spirituality can have many different definitions, depending on who is asked. It can be something as simple as looking for a higher meaning to life, or something so complex that one can base their beliefs, religion and overall life around it. There are several different ways to express one's spirituality; rituals, songs, dances, stories, and writings are all common methods of expression. Spirituality can be found in almost anything. Finding spirituality in something can make someone feel enlightened and bring strong emotion and deep feeling. In some cases, people would be willing to sacrifice nearly anything to help maintain the integrity of what they find to be spiritual. The earth is found in many cultures to be regarded as highly …show more content…

Their spirituality is heavily influenced by nature. David Suzuki may very well be the most popular scientist in all of Canada. In his book The Sacred Balance, Suzuki discusses his view that people and the earth are all made of the same things and therefore we both need the same elements to survive: earth, air, fire and water. For humans to lead rich lives, Suzuki also adds love and spirit to the list. In the introduction to The Sacred Balance, Suzuki interviews a Haida Gwaii artist named Guujaaw about the battle over clear cut logging in his native Queen Charlotte Islands. Although the logging industry in the islands generated several much needed jobs, many of the Haida were opposed to it. Guujaaw stated that after the trees were all gone, his people would be just like everybody else, and they would not be Haida anymore. The fact that somebody would feel so connected with the trees, to include them in their identity proves that spirituality can be found in nature. For Gujarat's people "the trees, the birds, the fish, the water, the wind are all parts of the Haida identity." Their land, and everything on it, means so much to the Haida people that they would be willing to sacrifice jobs and economy to keep the integrity of their culture, history, and the land that is all a part of their identity. Joy Williams is an author known for her writings that present an impression of a darker side of America. In her piece entitled "One Acre: On Devaluing Real

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