Spiritual but not Religious What does this mean Spirituality A Misunderstood Concept Everyone using the word and saying She is a spiritual person To many it means She goes to church a lot prays interested in other than worldly things ID: 543522
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Slide1
Spirituality for the Long HaulSlide2
Spiritual. . . .but not Religious
What does this mean?Slide3
Spirituality – A Misunderstood Concept
Everyone using the word and saying: “She is a spiritual person.”
To many, it means “She goes to church a lot, prays, interested in other than worldly things.”
To many, it means she is RELIGIOUS – playing by a set of rules made by institutions based on Scripture and/or Tradition
A very large group of people say “I am spiritual but not religious.”Slide4
Spirituality is about the Essence of LIFE
“We are NOT human beings struggling to be spiritual.
We are spiritual beings struggling to be human.”
Teilhard
de
Chardin
Within all of us is an unquenchable FIRE that makes us incapable of ever coming to full peace – WE ARE FOREVER DRIVEN by a restless desire
Everyone has a spirituality – either life-giving and life-destroying
Spirituality is about what we do with that fire or desire.
Fr. Ronald Rolheiser“Spirituality is the way we express a living faith in the real world.” Joan ChittisterSlide5
Many Different Types of Spirituality
All have FIRE within them – how they express it is very different!Slide6
Spirituality and Faith: Will it uplift or tear down?
“Spirituality is the way we express a living faith in the real world.”
Joan
Chittister
, Benedictine Sister and Writer
True, authentic spirituality based on FAITH in GOD:
uplifts the human condition
is for transformation of the world, not for individual gain.
is altruistic, that is, focuses on the common good of others first.
gives meaning to life and can guide us toward becoming the best version of ourselvesIs life-giving, positive, brings JOY into the worldSlide7
Styles of Christian Spirituality
Are abundant!
A “smorgasbord” of choices
Resonance with one or another depends on YOU, your personality
There is no one, right way to express your spirituality
Growth in your intimacy with God is tantamount
Historically, expressed in many ways, from martyrdom in the first century to monastic practices in the Middle Ages, to today
Vatican II – “Universal call to Holiness” – Developing a Christian Spirituality is for everyone!Slide8
Benedictine Spirituality: Reverence for the Ordinary
Founder: St. Benedict - 6
th
Century
From St. Benedict’s Rule: How to make “here and now right and holy.”
Tools used daily as sacred as altar vessels: spatula, shovel, computer
A balance of prayer, study, nurtures the spiritual self
O
pen space and inner place free and open
very important Grounded in 4 anchors: the Rule, the Gospel, Wisdom of the Community, particular circumstances of a person’s lifePrayer is a regular part of the rhythm of life – all hours!Preferred form of prayer is liturgy, psalms, hymns sung together“Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ.” St. BenedictSlide9
Carmelite Spirituality: Depths of Silence
Based on Spanish Mystics St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila - 16
th
century
Community and Solitude must co-exist; “Desert Spirituality”
Silence is not to be feared; it is the place where we unite with God, the Beloved
Contemplative prayer – an experience of God that plunges us into a profound love that directs our outer lives.
Transformation is about becoming a mystic: one who knows God by experience; not weird, or spooky – but ordinary and grounded
Life is meant to be enjoyed, embraced, celebrated both in solitude and in communal living; mystical experience leads to service of others
Work, Study, Prayer – need balance“Take a long, loving look at the Real.” Fr. William McNamaraSlide10
Franciscan Spirituality: Love of Creation
Founder: St. Francis of Assisi (12
th
and 13th century)
“To a Franciscan, the whole world is a tabernacle.”
Beauty is the door to the sacred; God is best encountered in creation
Simplicity of form, simplicity of the heart
“Lady Poverty” - non-attachment to material possessions;
Conforming to the image of Christ, crucified, brings JOY
Love of Creation, Love of Others, Love of LifePrayer forms: Working outside, admiring the light on the ocean; enjoying the party, singing, dancing, laughing at life
“Proclaim the gospel always. Use words only if necessary. “
St. FrancisSlide11
Thomistic Spirituality: Intellectual Vigor
Founder: St. Thomas Aquinas (13
th
Century) Dominican
God is found in the intellect – through study, philosophy, theology
Proofs for the existence of God persuade and uplift the faith
Moral behavior follows intellectual understanding and knowledge
The mind must be fed for the faith to flourish
Prayer grounded in “
Lectio Divina,” using the Scriptures and other inspiring reading for prayerSlide12
Ignatian Spirituality (aka Jesuit): Stand for Justice
Founder: St. Ignatius of Loyola (16
th
Century)
“Finding God in
A
ll Things”
Our deep desires are healthy, leading us towards God; we long for intimate union with God who wants what is best for us
Task of life is to align ourselves on a path toward God
Spiritual Exercises (the Examen) help us to see where God is active in our lives, what brings us consolations (so we can repeat them) and desolations (so we can avoid them). Emphasis on humility, simplicity, serviceHeart for the poor, marginalized, lost, separated; call of Christ is to lift up the lowly –the preferential option for the poor
Pope Francis is a Jesuit!Slide13
Many Other Ways. . .
Masculine/Feminine Spirituality
Spirituality of Solidarity
Native-American Spirituality
Liberation Spirituality
Marian Spirituality
Celtic SpiritualityDominican Spirituality
Desert Spirituality
Etc., etc., etc.
WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?Slide14
WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Some Things to Consider
Personality
Gifts and Charisms (next week)
Read more about Spirituality
Discern - Try various forms - Which one resonates?
Not everything will “fit” – Okay to blend
Design your own
Must be something that you can do “for the long haul,” not just for now
Write your own Rule for your own Life!Slide15
Why focus on the Spiritual Journey?
The Ultimate Spiritual Life Choice:
Sorrowful and Bitter
Old Person?
Or
Joyful and Wise Old
Person?
Which
will it be
?Spiritual Direction – CompanionshipOn the JourneySlide16
Which Spirituality Fits for You?
Inner Compass