Essence of Spirituality

DR. EDUARDO DG VALCOS

 01 Understand the nature of Spirituality

OBJECTIVES
02 Explore the context of spirituality and
theology

03 Appreciate the importance of developing a

Personal Spirituality
 Take a moment, to
write some words that
you associate with
Spirituality.
 Theology and Spirituality

WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY?
The theology
Finding the answers The major concern of
we practice
to life’s essential spirituality is
forms the root
question about personal experience and basis for the
purpose, meaning, of God-i.e., sacred, way we express
worth and wonder devotional faith, our spirituality.
in quest of an affective, subjective
ultimate or the holy
and mystical
 sPIRITUALITY
• A sense of connection to something
bigger than ourselves, and it typically
involves a search for meaning in life.

• It describe a spiritual experience

as sacred or transcendent or simply a
deep sense of aliveness and
interconnectedness.
Am I a good person?

Personal
What is the meaning of my suffering?

Spirituality is
What is my connection to the world around
me? connected to
large questions
Do things happen for a reason?
about life and
identity, such
How can I live my life in the best way possible?
as:
 PERSONAL SPIRITUALITY IS…
 the feeling of
 a large measure connection
direct how we with all life.
pray and how
we relate to God
 It honours
in our daily
individual needs
lives.
and circumstances
As such, it is a universal human experience—
something that touches us all. These can be any kind
of meaningful personal activity or peaceful experience.
... Some people believe spirituality is a part of religion.
Others who are not religious, still seek and have
spiritual experiences.
The Bible has much to say about a proper spirituality. ... the term “spirituality” as
applied to biblical faith is here understood to refer to that relationship between God
How does the Bible define spirituality?
and man that can be summed up under four headings :
• holiness,
• the gift of the Spirit,
• life in the Spirit and
• the discipline of the Spirit.
“But if you remain in me and my words remain
in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be
granted!” “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,
ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John15:7
 spirituality VS. religion

Religion: This is a specific set of

organized beliefs and practices, usually
shared by a community or group.
Spirituality: This is more of an individual
practice, and has to do with having a
sense of peace and purpose.
Religion vs Spirituality

Religion requires people to be obedient with their

belief. The belief system is usually predefined.

Spirituality teaches people to constantly listen to their

inner voice and use it as a guide to live a good life.
Why do we need spirituality?

1.Spirituality is a life force that promotes hope, encourages healing,

helps us to embrace others and enables us to experience
transcendence.

2.Spirituality is an integrated process. It is expressed in the attitudes,

beliefs, and practices that influence people's lives.

3.Healthy spirituality gives a sense of peace, wholeness and balance among the
 Prayer. What
Meditation. are some examples of spirituality?
Miracles.

Spirit
Visualizations. Dreams. Helpers/Guardian
Angels.

Animal Spirit
Ceremonies.
Helpers.
 Meditate.
Meditation
is when we
listen. ...
7 ways to practice spiritualty
Pray.
Pr
is wh ayer
en we
nder.
Surre ask fo
r
help.
...

pra titud
. ..

gra elop a
ctic e

Dev
he .

e. .
at
Bre

..
he u r na
ke ur .
Ta yo y. ..

Jo
ar l y
f
eo

t
d

o
bo

ut o ur
ar

. ..
c

.
 What is a spiritual person?

A spiritual person is
A spiritual person knows
synonymous with being a A spiritual person cares
that we are all One, and A spiritual person is a kind
person whose highest about people, animals and
consciously attempts to person.
priority is to be loving to the planet.
honor this Oneness.
yourself and others.
 To be
spiritually-
minded is:

having the filled with holy

spiritual
mind set on desires and
transcendence
spiritual things purposes
 Five characteristics of spirituality
1.meaning, 2.value, 3.transcendence,

4.connecting (with
6. becoming the
oneself, others, 5. the environment),
growth and progress
God/supreme power and
in life
and
 How does spirituality develop?

. Meditate or pray -- connect with your spirit. Spend time with others who have similar
spiritual beliefs.

Read inspiration material. Nurture a relationship with a higher power

.Find a sense of purpose or meaning in life by

engaging in spiritual exercise on a regular
basis.
How do you recognize a spiritual person?

There are nine characteristics in their personalities.

• Synergy between Words and Action. ...
• Self-Realization.
• Peace. ...
• Indifference to Physical Appearance. ...
• Unconditionally Loving. ...
• Equality
• Justice. ...
• Devoid of Passion.
• Humility.
When your life is filled with the desire
to see the holiness in everyday life,
something magical happens, ordinary
life becomes extraordinary, and the
very process of life begins to nourish
your soul!
-Rabbi Harold Kushner
References:

Brzosko, M. (2019). Why Personal Spirituality Is Healthier for You than Organized
Religion.
https://medium.com/publishous/why-personal-spirituality-is-healthier-for-you-than-organi
zed-religion-731a3bab011

Dobbins, J. H. (1995). Developing a Personal Spirituality.

http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/misc/spirtual.html

Krentzman, A. R. What Is Spirituality?

https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-spirituality

Roger G. (2003). Group Spirituality : A Workshop Approach. Routledge.

Thank you.
 Human relationship involves three
GROUP
s PIRITUALITY
dimensions of awareness
(I) mine, (THOU) yours, (WE) ours

• I and my experience of
everything (including myself)
• you and your experience of
everything (including yourself) I.THOU.W
• me-as-you (when I put myself
in your shoes, as it were) and
you-as-me (when you do the
E Who I am I?
Who do you I think I am?
same with regard to me)
 GROUP
s PIRITUALITY
Working in groups serves as a powerful reminder
both of our corporality—the things we share,
both as bodies and as a body—and also our
individuality, or what we think of as being unique
to ourselves.
Group spirituality is the unseen presence within
the group that makes it into a healing context for
relationship.
Group Spirituality serve useful purposes for
education, support, and spiritual growth.
Spirituality and
Theology
Is our spirituality
necessarily linked to our
theology?
 Theology and
Spirituality differ,
but support each
other.
 Theology and Spirituality

WHAT IS
THEOLOGY?
St. Thomas said Because of this As St. Anselm
that it is natural “divine longing” that defined theology
for man to seek we have “theology”, a as “faith seeking
God for we are “fusion of this belief understanding”
created with the in God and the Theology gives us
capacity to know intellectual activity to objective truths
Him. understand the about God.
divine”.
Let us Reflect on this! Spirituality and Theology

At some point in life, You will develop a

personal spirituality and relationship with God
that transcends all theology, a relationship which
is so intimate and private. Your soul resonates
with love for God. When you have this, then the
theology returns full circle for, the Eucharist you
receive will mean more to you than it ever could
have before; for all of this enhances your union
with God.
Thank You!