Spirituality: What is it, how is it measured and by whom?

This was another sticky question and one on which it would be possible to spend a long time in finding an answer. In my search for an answer, I have discussed this with Christian friends, with my father and with Pagan friends.

Amongst the synonyms generated by the thesaurus of Microsoft Word for 'spirituality' are mysticism and holiness. It is also linked with religious studies. It seemed to me that the core of this word was the effect that one's religious studies have on the way in which one lives one's life. Do those studies make your life 'better'? Is the result that you have a positive effect on the people around you?

If anything, this is how one might measure the degree of spirituality. It is in terms of the effect that one's studies have had on one's interaction with the world in which we live. As Witches, we work towards healing the world around us, towards finding balance with our world and within ourselves, and perhaps, by example, enabling others to find that balance. This is not proselytizing the way of Witchcraft. We can hope that others might be inspired to follow the example we have given, but generally, a witch will not seek to make 'converts' to the Craft. If anything, seeking 'converts' to one's way of thinking and practice could be seen as needing the affirmation of others with regard to that practice.

For me, developing spirituality might be seen in helping at a School Fete, as I found myself doing. It is not something that was undertaken so that other parents might say "Isn't she good, a working mother and she still takes time out to help." Rather, in this instance, I helped because it was appropriate to do so. A school fete is a means for the school to raise funds, for projects that will benefit my son and the other children. If there is no-one to run the stalls, then the stalls would not make as much money. Therefore, my son and other children would not have as many benefits from this fundraising effort. My small contribution might make a difference to the education of these children, who are the future of our world. That is why I helped at the School Fete.

Other ways in which one might see developing spirituality is in offering to help in other situations: voluntary work, for example, or offering to do grocery shopping for an infirm neighbour. Feeling more at peace with oneself is also key to developing a greater degree of spirituality. When discussing with my Reiki Master my reasons for seeking attunement with Reiki, I pointed out that part of it was my desire to heal, but that if I did not first work towards healing myself, then how could I offer healing to others. In order to feel at peace with oneself, one must address the reasons for that lack of peace.

That examination of my personal reasons for a lack of peace, my 'shadows', led me to realize that my developing spirituality was hindered by a desire to please other people, to meet the standards set for me by other people. The key realization was that other people do not live my life for me. This incarnation has lessons for me to learn. I wasted years in a previous incarnation worrying about the 'what ifs' of life. The key to my lack of peace was to realize that it was as simple as doing the best that I could in any given situation. As long as I could look back and say, with conviction, that I had done my best, then I stood a better chance of achieving that peace, and thus, continuing my spiritual development.

So who can measure an individual's spirituality? One of my Christian friends said that he would determine another's spirituality in terms of them demonstrating the qualities which are seen as desirable within their Church. My father would measure spirituality in terms of demonstrated 'good' qualities: love, peace, consideration for others etc.

I feel that there is but one person who can measure developing (or, conversely, not developing) spirituality. That person is you. Only you can know from where you have come, and only you can know truly the stage you have or have not reached. Others may feel that they have a 'right' to assess the spirituality of another individual, but I do not believe that anyone can claim that ability over an individual. Indeed, it could be argued that to claim the right or authority to measure another's spirituality is due more to not knowing one's own level of spirituality, and due to needing a measure for oneself, to be able to say, "I think that I am more spiritual than they are.". One also has to take into account that inherent differences between individuals, by reason of race or creed, may also affect how one might measure another's spirituality. Do such differences mean that, for example, one creed is more spiritual than another? To make that assumption is to run all the risks inherent in claiming superiority over another.

I can give examples of how I have measured my own developing spirituality, and examples of how my friends would view developing spirituality. It is for you to determine how to measure your own spirituality.

© Cendriya 2004. All rights reserved.