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Firstly, there is often a misconception of the word
spiritual.
Some recoil in horror at its very mention; judging, suspecting
ideas of religion, ‘mumbo jumbo’, new age
thinking, alternative therapies etc. Being spiritual can
conjure up all sorts of connotations!
The word spiritual is often branded as some sort of hip
label or description of someone with different ideas or
actions. You don’t have to be either religious or
quirky to be spiritual, and vice versa.
Neither too, is true spirituality a cool image of our
ego, which we must fight so hard to defend. Confusing
waking up to our addictions with arriving at spirituality
is common in recover. It is only the start of the return
journey back to our true self.
Many people struggle with Alcoholics Anonymous for the
fact it is based upon belief in Higher Power. So too,
do others of faith to a particular religion, believing
the 12 steps are Christian based. Some sceptics will replace
the word G-d with a Universal Power, to use a non-committal
view: take whatever, even a sun-set, and use that.
While anything which helps us to recover cant be bad,
somehow, by using anything we fall prey to a very modern-society
phenomenon: an inability to connect our inner selves,
fearful of admitting there is something we can neither
see or possess. Lack of commitment and loss of accountability
are rife in many everyday areas of social anguish and
addiction: crime escalates, relationships falter, living
with respect for our own lives and others’ seems
immaterial in a dog-eat-dog world, and who places ethics
in the work place to even remain in a job to achieve anything
other than a wage packet! How often do we complain, complacently,
the very fabric of society seems to be deteriorating?
This fragmented, self serving, often dysfunctional way
of living is a by-product of disassociation with our spiritual
needs. We behave, think and plan as though we are mere
egos needing to be fixed – or worse, medicated and
dependant on outsiders for life.
Second Stage Recovery is self-empowering; going beyond
the prison of conceptual thought which we create, expanding
our lives through an unconditioned dimension of consciousness.
Healing and growth allows us to break through layers of
defences built around our core of being, unblocking our
true essence to bring us to our centre of authentic self.
We are in fact, Spiritual in essence. Whether we like
it or not. We are actually made that way. Apart from the
fact we consist of matter or energy, just as everything
else in the Universe, so having a connection to all, our
brains are wired up for higher consciousness. Spiritual
belief has a scientific, neurological, and genetic foundation.
Quite simply, Spiritual Intelligence is part of who we
are.
Before we explore the origin of Spirituality, let’s
try to define the subtle differences between the Belief
in G-d, concepts of a Higher Power within religion, and
spirituality. The three are not necessarily linked. To
distinguish between the three is hard, for we are discussing
personal interpretation, rooted in our psyche. Truth being
told, our minds, have not yet fathomed out all complexities,
we are unable to grasp fully certain concepts or beliefs;
when we try and express ourselves, words can often not
be enough. Certain words can be emotive in their own right.
Belief stems from a feeling. A principle, trust of confidence,
something accepted as true. Religious belief as an assurance,
conviction, dependence or reliance. Faith is a strong
or unshakeable belief without proof or evidence. The word
itself comes from the Latin; trust, confidence. Constant,
immoveable, steadfast, devoted, unswerving, allegiance,
loyalty - all words to convey a feeling of Belief and
Faith.
Our Concept is an attempt to articulate what Higher Power
is. A concept is an idea, consisting of characteristics
or essential features, a theory, a directly intuited object
of thought, the meaning of an affirmation or declaration.
The word itself comes from Latin; something received or
conceived, to take in, conceive. Concepts are influenced
by personal history, family, religion and attitudes.
Religious faith or belief is to conceive, to think or
hold an opinion. Religion is belief in, worship of, or
obedience to a power or powers considered to be divine
or to have control of human destiny. Any formal or institutionalised
expression of such belief; attitude and feeling of one
who believes in a transcendent controlling power. A ‘religious’
person will have conviction of the truth of certain doctrines
of their religion, some not based on reason, some more
a way of life. The Jewish faith has a specific system
of religious beliefs; Christianity has its focus on Jesus
and following his teachings, Hinduism the worship of many
gods. Many religions, many ways of worship. The Archaic
meaning of religion is the practice of sacred ritual observances,
rites and ceremonies. Religion comes form Latin, fear
of supernatural; and old French to tie up, bind.
If we look at these words we can see why some people adhere
to the concept of religion: obedience, institution, bind;
yet others turn away, maybe rejecting formal control.
Religion stirs up some of the most powerful emotions experienced
by man. A religious Zealot will literally fight to the
death, and how many wars, everyday conflicts, numerous
types of misery; have been caused by holding an opinion
of a Religion?
Spirituality bears no resemblance to the above.
Indeed, some people are led to question their very belief
in G-d because they are unable to find an understandable
concept of G-d within the confines of religion.
That is where Spirituality fills the gap. |
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