Spirituality. Many people confuse it with religion or conjure up images of tarot cards and healing crystals.
But what does it really mean?
Whilst many religious people are spiritual, spirituality itself can exist without religion.
In essence, spirituality is simply about finding your own personal meaning in life.
Read on and perhaps you’ll be surprised to find you are more spiritual than you thought.
If these 11 things describe you, you’re probably a spiritual person.
1. You have a sense of purpose or meaning.
(Or you are actively searching for one.)
This is the crux of spirituality because spirituality is, by definition, about finding meaning.
You might not necessarily believe you have a divine calling, but if you are a spiritual person, you believe that your actions have significance in this world and that you can, and do, make a difference.
You have a purpose and a direction in life, and you live in alignment with it.
Perhaps you find meaning through raising your children to be kind and caring adults, or in supporting your local community.
You may find purpose simply by trying to make a positive difference in your daily interactions with others.
Whether you believe this purpose comes from a higher power or not, you likely feel you are a part of something greater than yourself.
2. You feel connected.
You know that no one exists on their own.
If you are a spiritual person, you likely feel connected to something bigger than yourself. This could be a connection with humankind, nature, a higher power, or the universe itself.
You feel this connection as a sense of oneness, which helps you to appreciate the world around you and everyone who inhabits it.
There are always those who try to divide us, but you know that the family, country, or even continent you were born into was no more your choice than the person on the other side of the world who was born into a very different set of circumstances and opportunities.
So, you don’t shut yourself off from those with different life experiences to yours. Instead, you know that we are connected, and we all deserve the same chances and the same respect, and so does the planet that nurtures us.
3. You believe in positivity and the power of intention.
Spiritual people know that you achieve what you believe.
If you believe the world is an inherently positive and abundant place, you see and accept the gifts and treasures it has to offer.
Of course, ‘bad’ things still happen, but when you believe in the power of positive intention, you can face even the darkest times with confidence, courage, and self-belief.
As a spiritual person, you use these challenges as an opportunity to grow, and to cultivate purpose and meaning in your life.
4. You have a sense of inner peace.
(Even if your life is chaos!)
Being spiritual doesn’t mean wandering around in a state of unflappable calm and zen, with an organized life and tidy home.
You can have a stressful job, unruly kids, and a messy house and still find a sense of inner calm and contentment.
But amidst the mayhem of daily life, you know that everything is happening exactly as it should. As my favorite self-help guru Susan Jeffers would say, “It’s all happening perfectly.”
Yes, perhaps you got drawn into the office drama, or you feel embarrassed about the silly slip-up you made in front of your co-workers, but deep down you know that in the grand scheme of life (and the universe) none of these things really matter.
5. You embrace the wonder of life.
When you’re a spiritual person, you see the wonder all around you.
You never cease to be amazed by the beauty of life and nature.
You marvel at the complexities of the human body, the weird and wonderful creatures found in our oceans, the unfathomable magnitude of our solar system and beyond, and the acts of selflessness and heroism between strangers all over the world every single day.
These wonders help to give you a sense of perspective: you are but a tiny part of the universe. A universe that has existed for billions of years before you, and will continue to exist for billions of years after you’ve gone.
You know you’ll never come close to understanding it, so you embrace the mystery and live with a sense of wonder and awe instead.
6. You strive for personal growth.
When you are spiritual, you don’t stay stuck in old, unhelpful ways of thinking. You constantly seek ways to learn, self-reflect, and grow.
You learn from your mistakes and setbacks in life, rather than dwelling on and repeating them.
You may enjoy self-help or philosophy books and meditation, or perhaps you seek growth in your daily interactions, through meeting people with different life experiences and perspectives to your own.
You keep an open mind and know that every differing belief or opinion is an opportunity to learn something new about the world (and yourself).
7. You are mindful.
If you are spiritual, you likely cultivate your sense of inner peace and embrace the wonder of life by connecting with the present moment.
You connect with your surroundings and appreciate the sensations around you; whether it’s feeling the crunch of snow under your feet, the smell of coffee in the morning, or marveling at the fall colors on your walk home from work.
You pay attention to your thoughts and feelings and without judgment bring your awareness back to the here and now.
This doesn’t always come easily, but if you’re a spiritual person, you find ways to practice mindfulness in your everyday activities, such as whilst eating, walking, or playing with your kids.
8. You know you are blessed.
If you see the world as a place of abundance, rather than a place of scarcity it’s a good sign you’re a spiritual person.
Spiritual people see the beauty in life and so they tend to focus on the positive rather than the negative.
Rather than bemoaning the difficulties you face, you likely feel blessed to have a loving family, good health, a job that pays the bills, and a roof over your head.
Some people take these things for granted, believing they are owed. But not you, you know you are truly blessed.
9. You give to the world.
Because you know you are blessed, you want to share your blessings with others, and you are compelled to give back to the world.
Because of your sense of oneness, you feel compassion for everyone, and when you see someone suffering, you feel drawn to help.
This might mean donating food to your local food bank, picking litter in your neighborhood, or volunteering at a wildlife conservation. Or it could simply be giving your time and attention to someone in distress.
When you are a spiritual person, you see opportunities to give back to the world and its inhabitants in your every interaction, even if it’s a small act like holding the door open for someone or smiling at a passing stranger.
For you, every act of kindness is a way of giving back to the world that has given you so much.
10. You are non-judgemental and accepting.
When you feel connected to the world, and everyone in it, you know that in a different set of circumstances, you would have faced different experiences and made different choices.
So, you don’t judge others for the situations they find themselves in, or the decisions they make.
No one’s saying you’re a saint. Of course, you sometimes think (and voice) less than righteous thoughts. But when all is said and done, you keep your heart open and see the good in people, despite their actions.
This openness only serves to increase your connection with others and helps you to cultivate deep and meaningful relationships.
If you’re a spiritual person, you accept yourself and your reality too.
You don’t get carried away judging yourself and your actions as success or failure. You do what needs to be done to try to achieve your goals, but then you accept the rest is out of your hands, and you let go of your attachment to the outcome.
Remember, as Susan Jeffers says, “It’s all happening perfectly,” regardless of how things turn out.
11. You know you are not your possessions.
(But that doesn’t have to mean you don’t enjoy buying them!)
If you’re a spiritual person, you may (or may not) enjoy indulging in the latest trend or hot buy as much as the next person.
But the difference is that you aren’t attached to these possessions, and you know that they don’t define you.
You know that happiness and contentment come from within and that no amount of handbags or throw cushions can replicate that.
You know that you are not your possessions, and whilst you might enjoy them (a lot!), you prioritize cultivating meaningful relationships and experiences over material goods.
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If you find these 11 points resonate with you, you’re likely a spiritual person.
If you feel you are lacking meaning and purpose in your life, then working on the areas described in this article is a great place to start.
Regardless of whether you hold religious beliefs, or simply feel connected to something greater than yourself, nurturing the qualities described is likely to lead to greater meaning and fulfillment in your life.
Good luck on your journey!
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