\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Some seeds fall on the path, some on rocky places, some on thorns, and some on good soil (Matthew 13:3-8), but only the seeds that fall on good soil grow into healthy plants. Soken has over 25 years of Buddhist training experience and advises entrepreneurs, business owners, designers, and professionals. Can I be spiritual but still believe in God? When you begin to go within, to ask yourself what you really want, you gradually learn to follow your heart whether or not you believe in a higher power. This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features. Through what you see, hear, taste, touch, smell. What is Sanctification and How Does It Work? You can be thankful for them. Listen, sitting down is a spiritual act, and I'll tell you why. When you become conscious of your thoughts, you start to discern whats yours from whats not yours; in other words, you understand which mental voices came from somebody else and are not the truth of who you are. Try to help people as often as you can, no matter how small a gesture. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6, NIV). Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. Sit the hell down. Hard times are opportunities to grow. Right now, in this moment, are you aware of your breath? This is one of the many reasons why we feel unexplainably dissatisfied: we have very little foundational knowledge for listening to our own inner guidance. "((^Healthline.com:Benefits of Reading Books: How It Can Positively Affect Your Life)). You are giving yourself this space by meditating. It's like the feeling you get at Christmas when you give your kids what they have wanted all year, just to see their faces on Christmas day is amazing. Peter, one of Jesus's closest followers during the time He was on earth, encourages us this way: "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18, New International Version). Take a yoga and meditation course to attune your body and mind. It's grounded and rooted in the concrete realities of life and expressed through ritual acts. Not only is the silence and tranquility of a forest, beach, or garden conducive to deep reflection; you may also find that a connection with the Earth, the trees, or the ocean can connect you to God, Source, the Universe, or whichever term you use for your higher power, if you so choose. "The spiritual man gives thanks always for all things to God-by righteous hearing and divine reading, by true investigation, by holy oblation, and by blessed prayer. Religious rituals and rites of passage can help people acknowledge that something momentous is taking place. Prayer is more than reciting words. Some spiritual people may be ambivalent about God; perhaps having learned about a punishing God via organized religion, they now come to question whether God exists. According to Manning, the data on growing up without religion are mixed. You may find that you become more aware of your thoughts, which allows you to attain a clearer state of mind as a result. Explore answers to life's biggest questions. View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers (Psalm 1:1-3, NIV). I'm talking about a period of time that is solely yours, one in which the the mental chatter shuts up. Put the smartphone away. Those who judge Christians are choosing to waste time judging a religious community. Any form of creation that makes you feel centered and peaceful can help, including traditional domestic activities such as baking. It is knowing that everything is perfect and that we are all one. He is also the creator of this blog which has been running since August 2006. Understand and experience living in the power of the Holy Spirit. They're simply offered in a spirit of gentleness. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. When you do this you are connecting with your higher consciousness and dropping out all the noise of life. Meditation may not have a formal place in your religion, but most religious people would agree that parts 2 and 3 of this article cover things essential for spiritual growth. Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring. Listen to classical and contemporary music that moves you. The journey of spiritual growth in the knowledge of God is a lifelong journey. How to Give Yourself a Spiritual Cleansing: Rituals, Meditation, & More, Why Do Christians Anoint with Oil? It's not necessarily going to be a religious artwork that brings you closer to God. I understand that TV can be a way to unwind from a hard day at work but watching soap operas etc puts you right back into a mindset of drama, crisis, death, backstabbing, and can sink you lower than you felt before. 'Recent studies in America has shown that there is a growing trend of non-believers who have given up on organized religion because their spiritual needs B&N Audiobooks Subscription = SAVINGS. This content can be found in the Spiritual Growth section of Cru.org. Amazon disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. May you find comfort in your life, your love, your journey and always your heart and soul. Yet, if you are someone seeking to find your own path that involves a little spiritual love, take a few minutes to consider these concepts and pick which ones might work. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. "A life that is more spiritually attuned is one of greater inner and outer peace. Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. Explain how their actions have benefited you. Thats why Im excited to teach you six spiritual growth habits that will equip you to grow deeper and faster as a . 1. So, sit. Here are five simple ways to live a more spiritual existence, regardless of your religious beliefs: 1. As you come to Him, the living Stone rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:1-5, NIV). They begin in early childhood and continue through the senior years. You see, I do not believe in God in any sense of the word however I am very spiritual. Do you really know who you are? Christian Community Can Provide Friends to Encourage You. You know how much stimulus from the outside world we take in each day? Can you be spiritual and not believe in God? Are you aware of the temperature of your skin, the quality of your breath, or your overall level of tension or relaxation? Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Here are some important verses of Scripture that can help you understand what it means to be spiritually mature. Connecting with your body might seem like a vague concept, but its one thats best understood when put into consistent practice. Obsessing over our personal wants and desires creates isolation, not happiness. Are you able to take deep breaths? The scientific answer is a resounding yes., Reading books benefits both your physical and mental health, and those benefits can last a lifetime. Within a religion, spiritual growth is generally defined as developing an understanding of God's intended purpose for you and making an ongoing commitment to handing yourself over to his plan. Some of the most impressive people have felt spiritually empty. Find a role model who embodies spirituality according to your own terms and study his or her ways of being in this world, but always remain yourself. There are three elements that are essential to growing to spiritual maturity: grace, truth, and time. Idolatry is the worship of a false God. By doing things you love to do you are freeing your mind of clutter, work, and worry and you become more excited about life therefore reaching your inner spirit. Spiritual growth can be spurred by regular devotional practices like prayer and attendance at religious services. Learn hymns or other songs to sing with your loved ones or alone. % of people told us that this article helped them. Maybe you dont understand visual art, this is fine. Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? Yeah, you are pretty much on the road to death. Regardless, I do what I can (as possible) to respect people for who they are. You don't necessarily need to have a pet to gain fulfillment from animals. Spirituality and science overlap in foundational ways to allow for the human experience to bond us in a collective experience. When viewed outside of a religious context, spirituality connects us with a dimension of life that is greater than ourselves. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Have you ever seen a Hand of Hamsa on a piece of home decor, jewelry, or even a yoga mat, Hand of Hamsa Meaning + How to Use it for Good Luck & Protection, Walking down the tea aisle at any Whole Foods, or any other health food store, youll see holy basil teas, If you enjoy Indian cuisine, youve likely eaten a bowl of soup with a few dried leaves floating inside these, 10 Spiritual Benefits of Bay Leaves (For Attracting Abundance & Positivity). wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Simply turn off your phone and observe what moves around you and for you. If you aren't breathing, then guess what? After an unfulfilling corporate career, Rousseau quit her job and began traveling the world. As always, take what works for you, and leave what doesnt! But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:12-14, NIV). In order to raise our consciousness, our thinking should not be stifled and diminished by dogmatic ways, mainly religion. At the end of the day, all of us need to find our own way through life, and spirituality can help us do that. Find an authentic spiritual practice that resonates with you. Again, all of this starts by sitting the hell down. Doing this will change your brainwaves and put you into a different state of mind and has lasting effects throughout the day. Read books, watch videos, go to conferences and workshops. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Community also plays an important role in character growth, brings Gods Word to life, gives prayer a life-changing impact and is vital for telling others about Christ. Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God. Both children raised with religion and those without can grow up to be moral people. For those who seek some sort of spirituality, there are millions of people who talk about the benefits of meditation. Meditation has physical benefits as well! God created the world to display His glory. Of course! Creation is Gods gift to Himself, and creation is a gift that leads to celebration. I'd simply suggest taking a look at the benefits of meditation and keeping it as a resource. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. A Personal Exploration )). By using our site, you agree to our. Spiritual folks define God by themselves and for themselves. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation. Desiring to obey God (John 14:15; James 1:19-25). I have read hundreds of books in my lifetime and the ones that got me really excited are the ones that have lifted my spirits and made me think about what life really is and how I can make it better for myself. Where do you believe youll go after you die? At the same time, spirituality can certainly include a belief in God and that God does not have to adhere to the standards of any organized religion. Thank people sincerely when they do something for you. Growing in maturity and discernment is the natural and right path. I would come up with my own concept of spirituality. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). How can we grow into Christ when people judge us as Christians? You might simply listen to some peaceful music and bliss out. The importance of these activities is that they take you to a place outside of your comprehension. Bndicte Rousseau is a Belgium-based writer with a masters in philosophy from the Universit catholique de Louvain. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Be-Spiritual-Without-Being-Religious-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-Spiritual-Without-Being-Religious-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Be-Spiritual-Without-Being-Religious-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid573648-v4-728px-Be-Spiritual-Without-Being-Religious-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"