Aaccording to the dictionary the word spiritual means "relating to or consisting of, or having the nature of spirit." So what is spirit? Rather than thinking of it as an insubstantial thing that closely resembles our bodily form, I think of spirit more in terms of energy. Energy embodies in all things, and living organisms especially have and must renew their energy in order to thrive. When we say one has spirit, we often mean the person expresses a kind of vivaciousness, or excitement for life. Finding spiritual meaning in our lives helps us discern what feeds us emotionally, gives us direction, and reveals why we are here, what our purpose is.

Being spiritual is not the same thing as being religious. Religions tend to teach that power is outside of ourselves, that the divine is out there, up there somewhere. Spirituality, on the other hand, helps us recognize that we are all part of the divine, and the source of this power is within ourselves. Various spiritual paths lead to ways of tapping into that source, and encouraging one to act in ways that are not only beneficial to ourselves but also to others. Spirituality shows us our interdependence and connectedness to nature, animals, people, and the universe.

There are many spiritual paths one can take, and all eventually lead to the same place. As a friend of mine once said, "It's just different colors of truth." The paths below are a few I'm exploring, but there are many others that are equally valid and interesting. In addition, I blog about my spiritual pursuits and thoughts on my site Cosmic Pathways.

Astrology

Astrology is probably the most accurate and telling blueprint on your life that you could possibly have. It's never ceased to amaze me how detailed and spot on the natal chart is for people, and how it spells out your strengths and weaknesses in full colorful detail. If you don't think this is so, you've not had your chart done! Interested in learning more? See my Astrology Page.

Tarot Cards

Yes, regardless of the reputation tarot cards have as divination tool, they are also used for seeking one's spiritual path, to determine where one is on that path, and what areas need the most work. To learn more about using tarot cards as a spiritual path, see my Tarot for Personal Transformation page.

Buddhism

Buddhism is a philosophy that is a spiritual path, but it's also a way of life. The emphasis of Buddhism is compassion for others, and for all to be happy and free of suffering. To walk the Buddhist path is to explore our minds, our intentions, our viewpoints, our selfishness, and our delusions. To be a Buddhist is to work at being mindful, to be present while having respect and compassion for all other beings.

For more information on Buddhism, see my Buddhism page.

Wicca and Shamanism

Wicca and Shamanism are both nature-based spiritual paths, and like Buddhism focus on intention and the mind. All teach that to be happy, to enrich the world, you need look no farther than what's in your own heart and how it works with the environment around you.

You can read more the craft of Wiccans and the journeys of Shamans on the Wicca and Shamanism page.