Theme of Zoom Meeting: Spirituality
©2021 by Richard E. Gordon Last updated: May 11, 2021
Duplication prohibited without author’s permission.
email: rgordon118@tampabay.rr.com

For several questions, I have provided underlined links that will take you to related online information. Try coming up with your own thoughts first – then investigate the links or ignore them – whatever you wish.

If the links don’t work with just clicking your mouse arrow, hold down your Ctrl key as you click. Any problems with a link please let me know: rgordon118@tampabay.rr.com

Questions:

What is your meaning of spirituality?
If your main goal in life is the acquisition of material goods, can you still be considered a spiritual person?
Does poverty breed spirituality while wealth impedes spirituality?
Are females more likely than males to identify themselves as spiritual?
Can you be spiritual without being religious? How about being religious rather than spiritual?
Which of these examples most strongly reflect spirituality? Volunteerism, social responsibility, optimism, contributing to society, connectedness with others, feeling of belonging/being part of a group, and love of others.
Would you rather be rich and materialistic than poor and spiritual?
Would you prefer that your next door neighbor be spiritual than materialistic?
What political leader personifies spirituality? Which leader inspires materialism?
Is a spiritual politician more likely to succeed than a materialistic politician?
Are spiritual persons less likely than materialists to commit suicide?
Can you be a spiritual person even if you are an atheist?
If you consider yourself a spiritual person, how do you express this spirituality? Does your expression reflect more concern with serving others than achieving financial success and the acquisition of material goods?
How – if at all – have your views of spirituality changed during your adult lifetime? What caused these changes?
Is spirituality a plus or negative in relationship to your mental health? Has it helped you deal with anxiety, depression -- or just a lack of purpose in life?
Give an example of a public person who seems to personify spirituality?
How has your spirituality changed over the years?
What have been your greatest sources of spiritual growth?
If you belong to a religious congregation, do you consider it a spiritual community?
Who in your view is an inspiring example of spirituality?
Should parents foster a sense of spirituality in their children? If “Yes,” how should they do this?
Would our world be a better place if more people pursued spiritual interests?
What is the most important point you perceived as a result of today’s discussion of spirituality? Did you viewpoint on spirituality change at all?

Quotations:

1. “Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.”
― Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

2. “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
― Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

3. “One of the most spiritual things you can do is embrace your humanity. Connect with those around you today. Say, "I love you", "I'm sorry", "I appreciate you", "I'm proud of you"...whatever you're feeling. Send random texts, write a cute note, embrace your truth and share it...cause a smile today for someone else...and give plenty of hugs.”
― Steve Maraboli

4. “You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher, but your own soul.” – Swami Vivekananda
“When a person responds to the joys and sorrows of others as if they were his own, he has attained the highest state of spiritual union.” – Lord Krishna

5. “The spiritual life does not remove us from the world but leads us deeper into it.” – Henri J.M. Nouwen

6. “I think a spiritual journey is not so much a journey of discovery. It’s a journey of recovery. It’s a journey of uncovering your own inner nature. It’s already there.” – Billy Corgan

7. “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, or worn. It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace & gratitude.” – Denis Waitley

8. “Religion is belief in someone else’s experience. Spirituality is having your own experience.” – Deepak Chopra

9. “The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and the acceptance of love.”- Marianne Williamson

10. “The real spiritual progress of the aspirant is measured by the extent to which he achieves inner tranquility.” – Sivananda

The End