Spirituality and Religion

In my spiritual direction/companionship practice of radical hospitality and inclusion, I aim to cast a broad and deep net because I think this is of utmost importance in this complex, multi-cultural, multi-dimensional, pluralistic world in which we live.  There is all manner of spirit and spirituality, and I find that people need spaciousness to feel into their experience(s) and to name it for themselves.  I love the Sufi mystic Rumi, who says, “Let the beauty you love be what you do. There are a hundred ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”

To tell you a little about myself—I’m a transplant to the Pacific Northwest—which you probably already know if you’ve heard me speak.  I am originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and I came to Bellingham eight years ago. I appreciate being welcomed and feel deep honor and privilege to be part of this breathtakingly beautiful part of the country. I must tell you, though: The people here talk a little funny. :-) 

I have a personal and professional affinity for matters of the spirit. For making meaning of our lives. For connection to ourselves, to each other, and to that which we name as larger than all it. For being present to what is even as we work for what could be if given the appropriate amounts of time, space, and resources.

I have always believed that spirit matters, and I’ve always felt a connection to energy within me, and around me, connecting me with everything and everyone.  Because of where I grew up—in a small community in the Southeastern United States—I inherited a Southern Baptist faith tradition and a singular way of naming spirit as “God.” I inherited a container for the Spirit, and it was called Church.  While I always knew that expressions of spirit could be experienced there, I knew intrinsically that it was not the only place. Sometimes, there wasn’t room for expression, or at least there wasn’t room for any expression of spirit that didn’t fit the dominant paradigm. 

Spirituality and religion are loaded concepts for many of us.

So maybe that’s where we should start. What do you think of when you hear the word spirituality? 

I appreciate Dr. Christina Pulchalski’s definition of spirituality. Dr. Pulchalski is the Director of the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health. She contends that “spirituality is the aspect of humanity that refers to how individuals seek and express meaning and purpose, and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and the significant or sacred.”

Now, what do you think of when you hear the word religion?

I’d like to offer a working definition of religion: “Religion is a fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a group of people. These beliefs concern the universe’s cause, nature, and purpose and involve devotional and ritual observances. They also contain a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.”

In spiritual direction/companionship, we explore spirituality and religion, and many other things.  It’s an opportunity for you to come as you are, feel as you do, believe what you believe, and trust that there is room in my mind, heart, spirit, and schedule to receive you and to become a trusted companion with whom you can explore what’s important to you.  We can explore what gives you meaning and purpose and what you feel connected to.  You can be on the wide and often more general path of spirituality, or we can be quite specific with religious imagery, language, and practices that are sacred to you.

There are indeed hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.