Among some of us who deem ourselves spiritual, the use of the word "spiritual" causes blushing and anxiety. What a pale word it is in the face of what earned spirituality actually provides. No single word, however potent, can tap the pure light and color of a cosmic mindset. The green vistas and pinkish sun rays of such a mind lie beyond the reach of labels and terms.
Ironically, despite my hesitation in applying language to elevated states of consciousness, I reached such states through language itself. To explain: I discovered my "spirituality" through the pure act of writing. Since I'd grown up under the impression that divinity could only be tapped in churches or temples, my own arrival was quite surprising.
As I said, writing is a pure act. It's borderline immaterial. I say borderline due to the necessity of pens, paper, keyboards, monitors, staples, ink, bindings, and the like. Despite such material pinnings, writing remains an endeavor to ethereal spaces. Said spaces can swell with warmth or bend with terror, but they're always ...Other. The forceful charge of authentic inscrutability cannot be denied when composing language.
Prose calls up imagery, emotion, sound, and fire. When reading (or writing, which requires reading as it occurs) we recede into ourselves, we re-enter the womb. Our senses are at the mercy of an intricate arrangement of tiny symbols-- letters and punctuation marks-- that open corridors within us. We find ourselves amidst strange faces and rooms. As the journey deepens, so does the reader's inner texture. The prose has refined our very selves. And when said refinement advances, something resembling the "spiritual" might emerge.
Again, I have no strong terms with which to label this process. No formal religion summates my findings. The realm of the spirit is fleeting and slippery, and can at best be viewed through squinty eyes. But I know I see something. And I intend to keep looking.
About The Author
Eric Shapiro is the author of "Short of a Picnic," a collection of fictional stories about people living with mental disorders.
affordable house cleaning Wilmette ..Hello, My name is Mellody Davis and here is my... Read More
Is life challenging you to take a bigger leap? Are... Read More
Ever wonder what happened to the family dinner hour? Or... Read More
Am I dreaming? The sign outside the skyscraper reads: "Spiritual... Read More
Symbols and symbolism are popular in almost every civilisation, culture... Read More
A lot of times when I am reading people on... Read More
It has long been surmised that emotional trauma can lead... Read More
"They're crazy!" That's what they're saying about us. The majority... Read More
If we don't behave according to a specific church's doctrine,... Read More
How many of you out there have ever wondered if... Read More
No, I have never seen a fairy, an angel, nor... Read More
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on... Read More
Obviously, if you really want to learn about the meanings... Read More
I have been thinking about this all night. I am... Read More
When my dad was nearing the end of his life... Read More
His name sounds as Finn. He has beautiful blue eyes... Read More
Is it really possible that Don Juan could command the... Read More
THE PREMISEFeng Shui is an ancient Chinese art that has... Read More
The teacher of the future.... will be a master of... Read More
What purpose does keeping a journal serve?Do you write down... Read More
The psalms of the Bible are a literary treasure chest... Read More
Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell recently starred in the movie... Read More
At the start of your dream journey, one of the... Read More
Our church is infested with lobby lizards. They crawl around... Read More
Jacob had sent his family on across the river Jabbok.... Read More
quick home cleaning Northbrook .."Everything in the universe is a pitcher brimming with wisdom... Read More
Within every obstacle there is an equivalent or greater benefit.~Napoleon... Read More
He knew it was going to happen. He wasn't really... Read More
Believe it or not most astral Attacks are not caused... Read More
To many people in the Western world Metaphysical Healing is... Read More
I was originally brought up Catholic, at the insistence of... Read More
Have you heard the saying that; You have a friend... Read More
The word "psychology" is the combination of two terms -... Read More
Since the beginning of time mankind has pondered, who God... Read More
As I sat down today to write this article, I... Read More
Many of you come to this site because you are... Read More
This article is the 1st part of an open response... Read More
My lady Lydia was a Hawkins of the ancestry of... Read More
Limiting beliefs, just like positive, empowering thoughts, provide a foundation... Read More
Billy Graham once said, "Being a Christian is more than... Read More
Every month I usually sit down and write an article... Read More
There once was a man who wanted to teach himself... Read More
As more and more alternative and spiritual healings are being... Read More
You're probably sabotaging your successful Christian life right now if... Read More
The Bible tells us that we must be led by... Read More
How do we feel the fullness of life itself?We have... Read More
There is an prayer process in every religion and everyone... Read More
Symbols and symbolism are popular in almost every civilisation, culture... Read More
As the artist and designer for Ashbach Designs, I want... Read More
For the last 35 years, I have been working with... Read More
Spirituality |