I thought this article may be helpful to others who are seeking/practicing a non religious spirituality in their lives. Since my first traumatic experience I had often felt a kind of sensitivity towards life that motivated me to search for understanding about what had happened to me and what way we were all connected. I wanted to know what I could do to make the circle I moved in, somehow, more meaningful. There was so much I had to work through that it wasn't until about 15 years ago that I first began to get the smallest of understandings. This article, for me, kind of put things in perspective about why I was driven to find a spiritual meaning, and, a little about what my own sense of spirituality has given.

Being a non – religious but spiritual person means we do not need to ‘buy into’ particular religious texts, systems of belief or traditions which have been passed on from generation to generation over many, many centuries. Indeed, free from such restrictive shackles, we are liberated to go about our spiritual practice in a way which is unique to us, if we so choose.

People who are spiritual often report that being so :

– helps them to find meaning and purpose in life

– helps them during periods of suffering

– helps them recover from traumatic experiences

– helps them develop their creativity

– helps them to become kinder, more patient and more compassionate

Also, those who are spiritual often find that they are more able to draw on their own suffering to effectively help others. Thus, suffering becomes less meaningless.



SPIRITUAL PRACTICES INCLUDE :

– meditation

– yoga

– Thi Chi

– appreciating nature, its beauty, exquisite complexity and ability to inspire feelings of awe

– contemplative reading (literature, poetry, philosophy)

– forming deeper relationships/friendships

– appreciation of the arts

– creative activities (eg painting, gardening, cooking)

– volunteering to help others

Non-Religious Spirituality and Mental Health | Child Abuse, Trauma and Recovery

My feelings, prior to beginning to develop my spirituality, had become quite negative, in general. It seemed, there were only takers, and those taken from in life. I felt angry, disturbed, joyless. Then, one day, feeling I had taken all I could take, and not wanting to take my own life, I crumbled, before the universe, before whatever God might be 'out there'. I admitted my failings, that, everything in life I had attempted to accomplish, for my own gain, had failed, that, after all that, I was still isolated, and miserable. I made an agreement with whatever loving force existed, that, from then on, I would not make my life about myself, or my personal satisfaction, that, instead, I would follow whatever direction this more powerful, loving energy, guided me. From there began the most amazing journey of my life.

I'd like to read about others non-religious, spiritual awakenings. How did you feel before, after, since, during? How has spirituality changed the way you feel about your life experience? I hope this can be a positive and non religious, spiritual discussion. Thanks for sharing

No religious talk whatsoever is allowed here in this specific forum, including but not limited to church, clergy, the Bible, etc. Thank you.