The English word spirituality is derived from the Latin word spiritualitas. The adjective spiritual is a Christian neologism and is used by Paul to describe that which pertains to the Holy Spirit.
Christian spirituality is an experience which stems from having a personal relationship with God, that leads to transforming not only our consciousness, but our lives.Christian faith, is a phenomenon that is not only found in other religions, but in all walks of life. The term “spirituality” in recent decades have a wide spectrum of cultural societies and belief systems that have altered the meaning of the term. “
However in this blog Spirituality” doesn’t refer exclusively to prayer and spiritual exercises. Nor does it refer to an elite state nor a superior practice of Christianity. The term has been broadened to include the whole of faith life as well as the life of the person as a whole, including its bodily, psychological, social and political dimensions.
A Spiritual experience can include Theistic experiences such as contact with a deity or ultimate reality, and nontheistic experiences, visions, near death experiences, past life and out of body experiences where there is no perception of deity or ultimate reality present. It is an inward discovery of the inner “self”, it is an opportunity to get in touch with the core of our existence, and an experience which transcends the physical reality. A personal relationship between the self, divinity, and ultimate reality or a supreme being.
A common characteristic of a spiritual experience is that it is related to the belief in another order of reality which is referred to as the sacred, the divine, ultimate reality, “inner self” or truth. It general refers to a personal, meaningful self-transcendence in a search for the sacred or the “inner self.” It is not necessarily rooted or motivated by a religious dogmatic establishments, but more to personal beliefs and values. It transcends the physical reality in order to attain contact with the superhuman, the sacred or ultimate reality with the aim of transformation.
A spiritual experience involves the whole of consciousness at any particular moment. It is something other than action or behavior. Experience is not merely thought or belief. It involves what we think and how we believe. Experience can also not be reduced to feelings or emotions, A spiritual experience, even if related to a particular religion, will have the element of “personal application” that must be evaluated within a specific belief system. The “personal application” aspect of the experience refers to a higher level of contact and communication that has been established as a result of the belief system.
Spiritual experiences assume interaction, self transcendence, connecting with the supernatural in whatever sense, be it spectacular or in the normal way of life.
The neurophysiological perspective argues that spiritual experiences can be triggered by the physical behavioural results of ritual, or they can be set in motion by the mind, starting with nothing than a thought. This can be illustrated by experiences such as “losing yourself” in a piece of beautiful music, or feeling “swept away” by a rousing patriotic speech. Like all experiences, moods, and perceptions, unitary states are made possible by neurological functions.
An important aspect of spiritual experiences is that they are manifestations of altered states of consciousness. Scientists have long noticed two distinct regions of consciousness, namely “ordinary everyday consciousness”, also called “the normal construction of consciousness”, and an “altered state of consciousness”.
Spiritual experiences arise in the altered state of consciousness. There is a close connection between religious experience and the human body.) The spiritual experience in Christian spirituality has as its origin the acceptance of Christ as savior. Secondly, a spiritual experience will have a relation to similar experiences
Spiritual experience in a Christian context will have as its foundation the precepts, belief system and traditions of the Christian religion, which also includes a “personal” aspect. However, the personal aspect of the spiritual experience lies in the unique manner in which God through the Holy Spirit quickens the truth, communicates, guides and makes the Holy presence known to believers. It is an internalized awareness that involves an emotional response to the truth. This internalized awareness can also be the result of an external impression of God. Spiritual experiences in the Christian tradition do not supersede the boundaries of Christianity, but viewed as a higher level of spiritual awareness made possible through the study of the Bible, devotion and the Holy Spirit. These experiences can at times take the form of a dream, vision or miracle. A clear criterion should always be that the impact or result of such an experience should edify and develop the Christian character and advance the personal relationship with Christ.
The lack of evaluation of spiritual experiences in the Christian religion is the reason for limited understanding and interpretation of Christ and Christianity “By their fruits ye shall know them, not by their roots.” It is, however, also necessary from time to time to look at the roots and evaluate the fruits.
Christian spiritual experiences have elements of supernatural intervention by the Holy Spirit. Spiritual experience are not extraordinary happenings, that happen to everyone. They occur in our everyday situation through a clear inner realization of “the truth.” They cannot be categorized or labeled to any particular forms, although spiritual experiences in Christianity refer to the personalization of the faith in Christ that transcends the normal.
Some Practices to raising consciousness
- Fasting clears us out and opens us up to intentionally seeking Gods will and grace in a way that goes beyond worship and prayer. Fasting helps us experience prophetic revelations, spiritual experiences or visions. Fasting practices contributes to changes in the central nervous system that facilitate the induction of altered states of consciousness. Fasting often goes hand in hand with other spiritual ritual activities that help us experience God.
2. Meditation to achieve restricted stimulation to achieve peace and solitude. Concentrate on your third eye. Your third eye point is where the prefrontal cortex of your brain lies and deals with complex thinking and happiness. By focusing here, your thoughts automatically become uplifted.
3. Breath control by means of either rhythmic breathing or holding of breath both influence the intake of oxygen and its proportions with carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, which can also contribute to one’s state of consciousness
4. Choose friends and environments consciously.Since the environment is stronger than willpower don’t risk your well being. Everyone has a magnetism, and when a stronger magnet comes into contact with a weaker one, the stronger one becomes dominant. This principal also applies with people.
5. Walking in Nature. Your ancestral roots are in nature. It is where human species evolved from nature. Spending time in nature has also been shown to lower cortisol, the key stress hormone. In addition to a peaceful environment, but the primordial sounds from nature are instinctively calming, and help the body, mind, and spirit slip into a healthier overall state.
6. Practice being grateful. The realization that everything you need has already been granted, allows more of what your grateful for to come into your life.
7. Consume wisely. Whether it’s food, music, news, or books when you take in or reflect on anything that reflects a lower consciousness potentially has the ability to lower your own energy. On the other hand listening to chants and other spiritual music instantly upgrades your consciousness
8. Giving and receiving. Conscious participation in the Law of Circulation of Universal Goods.
9. Visioning. The practice of seeing different spiritual dimensions and understanding symbolism.
10. Practicing forgiveness. The active practice of compassion and the process of releasing judgements with ourselves and others.
