IRS3E Module 1 Lesson 3 What is Spirituality?

Summary

The video script explores the concept of spirituality, contrasting it with religion and defining it as a deepening friendship with God. It discusses spirituality as a lived experience, where faith is applied to daily life, leading to personal growth and joy. The talk emphasizes the importance of integrating physical and spiritual health to achieve a holistic lifestyle. It concludes by highlighting how living a spiritual life can make one a beacon of hope and a source of blessings to others.

Takeaways

• 🌬 Spirituality is often seen as a more 'cool' or contemporary concept compared to religion, but they are deeply interrelated and can be viewed as two aspects of the human person.
• 🔍 The root of 'spirituality' is 'spirit', which in Hebrew means 'the breath of God'. Being spiritual is equated with being fully alive and filled with the breath of God.
• 🤝 Brother Mike Valenzuela defines spirituality as a deepening friendship with God, characterized by intimacy and fidelity, suggesting a personal relationship that enhances religious practice.
• 🌳 Spirituality is considered a fruit of religion in Catholic spiritual theology, indicating a progression from a general religious relationship to a more profound, personal one with God.
• 🧘‍♂️ Spiritual activities are those that nurture the soul, as opposed to physical activities that promote the health and well-being of the body.
• 🌟 Carl Jung believed all humans are born with innate spiritual patterns, or archetypes, and integrating these patterns is crucial for mental health.
• 🕊 Christian spirituality is described as theology in action, where faith in God moves individuals to live according to God's guidelines.
• 🌱 Spirituality as a lived experience involves applying elements of Christian faith to guide personal spiritual growth and increase insight and joy.
• 💰 Successful and wealthy individuals who follow God's will often become a support system for communities, demonstrating that living spiritually can lead to generosity and positive societal impact.
• 😇 Living a life in the spirit of God leads to joy and happiness, even in difficult times, because it aligns with doing God's will, which is fulfilling and nurturing.
• 🌐 Many religious institutions, like orphanages and hospitals, were established by people motivated by their love of God, showing that spirituality can manifest in tangible ways that benefit society.

Q & A

What is the root meaning of the word 'spirituality'?

The root word of 'spirituality' is 'spirit', which in Hebrew (rava) means the breath of God. It is associated with the breath of God that gives life.

How is spirituality defined in the context of being fully alive?

Spirituality is defined as being fully alive, meaning to live a full life with God and in God.

What does Brother Mike Valenzuela define spirituality as?

Brother Mike Valenzuela defines spirituality as a deepening friendship with God, characterized by intimacy and fidelity.

How is spirituality related to religion according to the script?

Spirituality is considered a fine-tuning of religion, which is a deepening friendship with God.

What is the role of spirituality in Catholic spiritual theology?

In Catholic spiritual theology, spirituality is understood as a fruit of the relationship with the divine, leading to a deeper personal relationship with God.

How does spirituality transform our lifestyles?

Spirituality transforms our lifestyles into a life lived in the Holy Spirit of God, intertwining us more with God who walks with us.

What is the human constitution in terms of spirituality and physicality?

The human constitution is both physical and spiritual, with the body being physical and the soul being spiritual.

What is the goal of having an integrated spirituality?

The goal is to have an integrated spirituality or a lived spirituality, which seeks the wellness of both body and soul.

What did Carl Jung say about innate spiritual patterns in human beings?

Carl Jung said that all human beings are born with innate spiritual patterns in their psyche, which he called archetypes, and each person has their own way of relating with God.

How does spirituality enable us to get more in tune with the life of God?

Spirituality enables us to get more in tune with the life of God by integrating and relating to various spiritual patterns and the breath of God within us.

What is the relationship between spirituality and action in Christian spirituality?

Christian spirituality considers spirituality as theology in action, where faith in God moves us to act according to the guidelines and direction given by the spirit of God.

How does living spirituality make us like Jesus?

Living spirituality makes us like Jesus by being filled with the Holy Spirit, making our faith visible through our actions, and becoming a gospel of good news.

What is the reflection question for the class based on the script?

The reflection question is: 'How do you exercise your spirituality? How do you nurture your spiritual health? How do you integrate the needs of your soul and your body into one cohesive priority, a lifestyle, a discipline of both seeking the wellness of the body and the soul?'