Spirituality I : What is Spirituality?

Summary

The video script delves into the concept of spirituality, which has evolved from a rarely mentioned topic in the 1950s to a prevalent aspect of modern life. It challenges the notion that spirituality is exotic or reserved for religious practices, instead suggesting it is an intrinsic part of life, defined by one's actions and choices. The script introduces two definitions: spirituality as prayer elevated to a lifestyle, implying a constant communion with the divine, and as theology in walking shoes, meaning understanding God through life experiences. It emphasizes that true spirituality is living a life of awe, gratitude, and respect for all creation, reflecting one's vision of God and the world.

Takeaways

• 📚 Spirituality was not a common topic in the mid-20th century but has become prevalent in various aspects of life today.
• 🌟 The term 'spirituality' is often misunderstood as something exotic or only for those deeply religious.
• 💭 Spirituality is derived from 'spirit,' which means breath or life, making it an inherent part of every person's existence.
• 🔄 It can be positive or negative, depending on how one lives their life and interacts with others and the world.
• 🙏 Doris Donnelly defines spirituality as prayer elevated to a lifestyle, suggesting a continuous communion with the divine.
• 🚶‍♀️ Mary Ellen Yonkers views spirituality as theology in walking shoes, implying active living of one's understanding of God.
• 🌱 Both definitions emphasize that spirituality is about life and how one lives it, not just theoretical knowledge or occasional practices.
• 👁️ Spirituality is about one's vision of life, self, others, creation, and God, and crucially, how one embodies this vision in daily living.
• 🎥 A person's spirituality can be truly understood by observing their entire day, including their thoughts, choices, and interactions when alone and in public.
• 🌈 A truly spiritual person lives with a sense of awe, gratitude, and wonder, respecting and valuing life and the dignity of all creation.
• 🔮 Saint Irenaeus expressed that the glory of God is seen in a human being fully alive, reflecting the vision of God through their life.

Q & A

What was the perception of spirituality in the 1950s and 1960s according to the script?

In the 1950s, spirituality was not a commonly discussed topic, and by the 1960s, it was considered exotic and not for everyday life. It was often associated with religious practices and not seen as a part of secular life.

How is spirituality defined in the context of the script?

Spirituality is defined as an aspect of life that is inherent in every individual, related to how one lives their life. It can be positive or negative, depending on whether one's actions help others grow, build relationships, and enhance life.

What does the term 'spirit' mean, as mentioned in the script?

The term 'spirit' is derived from the word for 'breath' or 'life.' Thus, spirituality is intrinsically linked to the life force within each person.

What are the two provocative definitions of spirituality mentioned in the script?

The two definitions are: 1) Spirituality as prayer elevated to a lifestyle, and 2) Spirituality as theology in walking shoes.

How does Doris Donnelly define spirituality in the script?

Doris Donnelly defines spirituality as prayer, which is communion with God, elevated to a lifestyle, meaning that one's life should reflect this communion with God.

What does Mary Ellen Yin's definition of spirituality as 'theology in walking shoes' imply?

Mary Ellen Yin suggests that spirituality is not just about understanding God through theology in a classroom or library setting, but about living that understanding and seeking to understand God through life's experiences and interactions.

What is the key aspect of spirituality according to the script?

The key aspect of spirituality is how one lives their life, reflecting their vision of themselves, others, creation, and God.

How does the script suggest understanding one's spirituality?

The script suggests understanding one's spirituality by monitoring one's thoughts, choices, interactions with people, and management of creation throughout the day, both in public and in private.

What does the script say about a truly spiritual person?

A truly spiritual person is one who lives with a sense of awe, gratitude, and wonder for every human being and the glory of creation, living life gloriously and joyfully.

What did Saint Irenaeus say about the glory of God and human life?

Saint Irenaeus said, 'Gloria ennum de, vivere ends home vita alton hominis visio,' which means the glory of God is the human person fully alive, and the life of the human person is the vision of God.

What question does the script leave the audience with?

The script leaves the audience with the question, 'Are you a spiritual person?'

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Evolution and Essence of Spirituality

This paragraph discusses the historical and contemporary perspectives on spirituality. It contrasts the lack of literature on spirituality in the 1950s with its prevalent use today across various domains like business and marketing. It challenges the misconceptions that spirituality is either exotic or exclusive to religious practices. Instead, it posits that spirituality is intrinsic to life, derived from the word 'spirit' which means 'breath' or 'life.' The paragraph emphasizes that spirituality is about how one lives their life, with the potential to be positive or negative based on one's actions and choices. It introduces two definitions of spirituality: one by Doris Donnelly, who sees it as prayer elevated to a lifestyle, and another by Mary Ellen, who views it as theology in walking shoes, suggesting that spirituality is not just theoretical but should be lived out in practice.

05:03

🚶‍♂️ Living Spirituality: A Practical Understanding

The second paragraph delves deeper into the practical aspects of spirituality, emphasizing that it is not confined to academic study or religious rituals but is about living out one's understanding of God and creation. It explains the definition of spirituality as 'theology in walking shoes,' suggesting that true spirituality is experienced through life's journey, not just in a classroom or library. The paragraph highlights the importance of living one's vision of life, self, others, creation, and God. It stresses that spirituality is revealed through one's daily actions, choices, and interactions, whether in public or in private. The paragraph concludes with a challenge to the audience to reflect on their own spirituality, asking if they live in a way that respects and honors life, and ends with a quote from Saint Irenaeus, suggesting that the glory of God is seen in a person who is fully alive and living with awe, gratitude, and joy.

10:05

🤔 Invitation to Explore Christian Spirituality

The final paragraph is a brief invitation to the audience to join the speaker in the next reflection, where they will explore the concept of Christian spirituality. It serves as a transition, suggesting that while the previous paragraphs have covered general aspects of spirituality, there is more to be discussed specifically about Christian spirituality. This paragraph leaves the audience with a question to ponder: 'Are you a spiritual person?' It ends with a musical note, indicating a pause for reflection before the next part of the discussion.

Keywords

💡Spirituality

Spirituality refers to the aspect of human life that seeks to understand the nature of ultimate reality, often in relation to a higher power or the universe. In the video, spirituality is discussed as an intrinsic part of life, not just something for the religious or the esoterically inclined. It is portrayed as how one lives their life, with a positive or negative impact on others and the world.

💡Life

Life, in the context of the video, is the essence of spirituality. It suggests that spirituality is not a separate entity but is intertwined with the way one lives, breathes, and interacts with the world. The video emphasizes that spirituality is not an optional aspect but a natural outcome of being alive.

💡Positive/Negative Spirituality

These terms are used to describe the impact of one's life choices on spirituality. Positive spirituality is exemplified by actions that build relationships, encourage growth, and support others, while negative spirituality is characterized by destructive behaviors that harm or break down community and relationships.

💡Prayer

Prayer is mentioned as a form of communion with God, seeking unity and understanding. In the video, prayer is elevated to a lifestyle, suggesting that spirituality is not just about the act of praying but also about living in a way that reflects the communion experienced through prayer.

💡Theology

Theology is defined as the study of the nature of God and religious beliefs. The video uses the phrase 'theology in walking shoes' to illustrate that spirituality is not confined to academic study but is meant to be lived out in the world, integrating theological understanding with daily life.

💡Vision

Vision, in this context, refers to one's perspective or understanding of life, others, creation, and God. The video suggests that spirituality is deeply connected to one's vision and how it is manifested in daily actions and choices.

💡Respect

Respect is highlighted as a crucial aspect of living out one's spirituality. It involves valuing the dignity of others and creation, which is demonstrated through one's actions and interactions with the world.

💡Awe and Wonder

Awe and wonder are described as feelings that a spiritual person experiences in relation to life and creation. They represent an appreciation for the grandeur and mystery of existence, which is a sign of a deeply spiritual life.

💡Gratitude

Gratitude is portrayed as an essential component of spirituality, reflecting an acknowledgment and appreciation for the gift of life. It is a response to the awe and wonder one feels when considering the nature of existence.

💡Saint Irenaeus

Saint Irenaeus, a theologian and father of the church, is quoted to emphasize the idea that the glory of God is seen in a human being who is fully alive. This quote is used to illustrate that spirituality is not only about personal belief but also about how one's life reflects the divine.

💡Christian Spirituality

Although not deeply explored in the provided script, Christian spirituality is mentioned as a specific form of spirituality that will be discussed in a subsequent reflection. It implies a spirituality that is rooted in Christian beliefs and practices.

Highlights

Spirituality was not a common topic in the 1950s English libraries.

Today, spirituality is frequently mentioned in various aspects of life.

Some view spirituality as exotic or beyond the normal.

Others believe spirituality is esoteric and not for the common person.

Spiritual people are often seen as those who frequent religious places and practices.

Spirituality is derived from 'spirit', which means breath or life.

We all have spirituality as we have life and breathe.

Spirituality can be positive or negative, depending on how we live our lives.

Spirituality is about life and how we manifest it through our choices.

Doris Donnelly defines spirituality as prayer elevated to a lifestyle.

Mary Ellen Yin defines spirituality as theology in walking shoes.

Spirituality is about understanding and living out our vision of life, others, and creation.

A truly spiritual person lives with a sense of awe, gratitude, and wonder for life.

Saint Irenaeus said the glory of God is the human person fully alive.

Christian spirituality will be discussed in the next reflection.

The question to consider is whether one is a spiritual person.

Transcripts

[Music]

you

spirituality just what is it if one were

to go to an English library in the 1950s

you would almost not be able to find a

book on spirituality spirituality was

definitely not talked about in the

secular 60s of the last century today

however the word is used again and again

for almost every walk of life we hear of

business spirituality marketing

spirituality green spirituality Reagan

spirituality spirituality our very

religion traditions in every religion

the word is so commonly used today there

are many who feel that spirituality is

something exotic out of this world

almost beyond the normal and their form

before a few others feel that

spirituality is esoteric it's not for

the common person there are others feel

that spirituality is not for everyday

life a spiritual person is a person who

frequents the temple the church or is

involved in all the pious practices of

prayer and penance and mortification a

person who doesn't love and enjoy life

but it's this really what spirituality

is all about

Louisa's for dreamers well actually it

become to think of it spirituality comes

in the word spirit and spirit means

breath life therefore to have a

spirituality is to have life as matter

of fact there is no choice you we are

born and as we are born we breathe and

as we breathe we have life and so we

have a spirituality our spirituality can

be positive or negative it's how we live

our life if I live my life that helps

people to grow that helps to build

relationships that encourages and

supports and nourishes and enhances

that's a positive spirituality if I on

the other hand and naked critic in harsh

denouncing I destroy break down then

that's a negative it all depends on how

I live my life so spirituality is about

life and how I live my life there is

actually no choice here we all live and

manifest a spirituality through the

choices we make in life I'd like to

share with you two very provocative

definitions of spirituality the first

from Doris

Donald and the second from Mary Ellen

Yin tourists only defines spirituality

as prayer elevated to a lifestyle and

mary evelyn gig defines spirituality as

theology in walking shoes

let's take a look at both these

divisions elevated to a lysed what is

prayer every religious tradition will

speak of prayer as communion with God as

oneness with God as seeking to unite

oneself to God to listen to God to speak

to God that's friend now Doris Donnelly

says spirituality is prayer that's

communion with God elevated raised to a

lifestyle in other words it's not just

good enough to break that Union

Communion interaction that God must be

seen in one's life that is spirit living

what one is spraying of us the second

from Miriam yet spirituality is theology

in walking shoes so what is theology

theology is our reasoning our

understanding our trying to make sense

of the mystery of God and we generally

study theology in a classroom library

now the definition says that

spirituality is theology in walking

shoes in other words are seeking to

understand God in the library is not

enough we have to now live that

understanding we have to get out of the

library or the classroom and start to

walk and as we walk in journey through

life we understand the meaning of God

clearly both these two definitions teach

us something they provoke us to

understand that spirituality is about

life how I live

spirituality is about my vision of life

it's about my vision of how I see myself

my vision of how I see the other whom I

live with and work with and interact

my vision of creation my vision of God

and how I live that vision my vision of

myself my vision of the other my vision

of creation and how I live that vision

the key is that last phrase how I live

that vision and so perhaps I could have

a great vision of myself I could have a

great vision of the other I can have a

great vision of creation a great vision

of God a vision that respects life that

honors the dignity of the other I can

talk about this preach about this I can

write about this but if I do not live a

respectful life if I do not respect the

other and creation I don't value the

dignity of the other and creation then

what is my spirit rock my spirituality

is how I live that vision and so Mary

suggests how to understand this phrase

spirituality is about life spirituality

is about how I live my I suggest that if

you were to put a camera unknown to me

and have this camera monitor me from the

moment I wake up right through my day to

the moment I go to see my thought

processes my choice is how I interact

with people how I manage creation or I

manage my day when I'm seen by people

when I'm not seen by me when I'm in

public when I'm alone and when you

review that whole day you will know my

spirituality spirituality is about how I

live my life a truly spiritual person

then a truly spiritual person is one who

is able to live with a sense of awe of

gratitude of the wonder of one zombie

was able to live the sense of awe and

gratitude of wonder for every human

being was able to live with the sense of

awe and gratitude of wonder of the glory

of creation all around us who's able to

truly live gloriously and joyfully life

itself and so the great Saint theologian

and father of the church Saint Irenaeus

so beautifully said Gloria ennum de

vivre ends home vita alton hominis visio

dame in other words the glory of God is

the human person fully alive

and the life of the human person is the

vision of God in other words you want to

find God

you will find God in a human being who

lives with awe and Wonder and joy and

gratitude the gift of life that is a

spiritual person

next question you're going to ask me is

what is Christian spirituality and for

that I invite you to come and listen to

the next reflection where I will reflect

on what is Christian spiritual but I

leave you with this question

are you a spiritual person

[Music]

you