Many people tend to say, “I am spiritual, but not religious.” Or they say, “I am religious and spiritual.”
Is it possible to know if you are spiritual without knowing a definition of what spirituality is? The dictionary defines spirituality as, “the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things”.
Using language to understand the elements of spirituality is a difficult task. Pediatrician Dr. Mya Spencer has another definition of spirituality. She states that “Spirituality involves the recognition on a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than myself, something cosmic or divine in nature.”
Experiencing a spiritual event may help to define spirituality. Some people will become spiritual after they experience a Spiritually Transformative Encounter which is similar to having a near-death experience (NDE). This term, STE, was developed by Dr. Yvonne Kason, MD in 1994. There are different types of STEs according to Dr. Kason.
The different types of STEs are mystical, psychic/intuitive, near death, other death-related (death bed visions, death watch experience, after-death communication), and inspired creativity and genius experiences. All of these Spiritually Transformative Encounters can cause a spiritual awakening and will affect someone physically, psychologically, psychically, and spiritually.
Dr. Marni Hill Foderaro, the author of God Came To My Garage Sale, described several spiritually transformative encounters that transformed her from being an atheist to a spiritual believer. When she was a guest on Michelle’s Inspiration Hour Podcast, Marni explained after the STE she felt loved, and supported by a divine source that she calls God. From these experiences, she knows that each of us is love, and we are living on Earth to learn lessons as we go through our life journey.
For many people, it is difficult to describe spiritual beliefs, encounters, and experiences by using language alone. When describing Spiritually Transformative Encounters, people will become emotional since it is such a transcendent, mystical, and life alternating experience. Even though people perceive, experience, and define spirituality differently, many people feel that we are being guided by something that is larger than ourselves, and as humans, we may not be able to fully express what is seen and felt during a spiritual event. How do you describe Spirituality?
Resources:
Dr. Maya Spencer- What is Spirituality? A Personal Exploration
Dr. Yvonne Kason- Coined the term: Spiritually Transformative Encounter
Dr. Marni Hill Foderaro- Author of God Came To My Garage Sale
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