Meaning of the Term, Spiritual

That which is spiritual is sacred and the concept of sacred is interchangeable with the concept of “holy”-a word derived from an Old English word meaning, “whole” and perfect in goodness. A religious person may be spiritual, but a spiritual person is not necessarily religious.

Spirituality refers to the evolutionary process as it drives us forward, eventually, to perfect wholeness. It relates to the expansion or evolution of consciousness. And, thus all activity-be it physical, emotional, intuitional and so forth-that leads towards greater perfection, goodness and wholeness is therefore spiritual. The scientist working, for example, on a cancer cure is involved in spiritual work, as is the diplomat attempting to bring harmony between warring parties or the artist seeking to create a beautiful masterpiece for enhancing the quality of life.

Spiritual values are qualified by ever-widening horizons, synthesis, growth and wholeness as well as greater vision, understanding and integration.

We know that without the physical sun, the world would be a dark, cold, dead place. Without the Soul-the heart of the inner spiritual wisdom-the inner sun, the world is full of psychological darkness in the form of ignorance, selfishness and separateness.

The renaissance or resurrection that is needed today is for the liberation of the spiritual essence within the heart of humanity. For, there is no way for us to resolve our many global problems and issues unless we are willing to recognize the inner spiritual essence and accept the true and lasting authority of the Soul-the divine spiritual essence at the heart of each human being.