Dec 30 2008
What Does Spiritual Mean to a Sixty-year-old?
What Does Spiritual Mean to a Sixty-year-old?
There are many books, television programs, web sites, churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples, priests, rabbis, imams, ministers, evangelists, shamen and other “holy” men and women who will inform us about what “spiritual” means or should mean.
So I have to say that you can’t come here and find the meaning. It is so personal. And that is exactly my point: spiritual meaning is personal and unique for each of us. And it seems to change as we age. I like to think of myself as “evolving” and that most definitely means “spiritually” to me.
I have found more connection between the spiritual and the physical as I have aged. I have also found more connection between nature and spirit. I have found wonderful writers and other sources of information over the past few years as I sought to define myself in terms of the universe. That’s a big place. The Universe ought to be capitalized, I guess.
Whether we all “find religion” on our deathbeds or not is something I can’t really debate. I know of many elderly folks who did seem to become more religious as they neared the end of their journey. Mostly, they found conventional religion within the structure of an established church. A few found something a little different. Some found contentment and a sense of wonder. Others seemed to live in fear and riddled with guilt.
As I age, I naturally see more of my relatives and acquaintances aging too, and many are nearing their last years; some have already passed away, or “passed over.” In all of us I see the yearning to “know” and to be “confident” in what we face upon death.
Those who believe in nothing at all might be pitied or envied. They seem to have no fear, just resignation that it will be over and done with. I believe they are often afraid to express doubt that they may be wrong. It simply doesn’t matter because such doubt goes against what they claim to believe.
Those who believe in heaven and hell, in the traditional christian sense, seem to have the most fear (and guilt). They often express doubt that there is anything they can do anymore to change their fate. But they also often try–by doing good works–contributing to causes–contributing to their churches–attending services–sometime daily, and praying–lots of praying: for forgiveness, for salvation, for life everlasting.
Those who believe only in a benevolent afterlife have only the doubt that they may be wrong. They do not believe in hell. God is Love and all is good.
Those who believe in reincarnation are almost eager to get “on with it.” They have the most interesting outlook. I think they also have just a little “doubt” that they may be wrong.
We who watch others struggle with their beliefs may also struggle the most with our personal beliefs. Oftentimes, we desperately want to know “for sure.” But…’tis not to be for us to know. When we experience some spiritual moment…whether out in nature or in silent meditation…we wish even more to “know.” In “knowing” we believe there would be peace and contentment.
The Universe does not intend for us to “know” peace and contentment. We all have to wait. Just don’t “hurry up” to wait.
