What Does Being Spiritual Mean: A Current Data Analysis

[Frostytraveler]

This is a very recent and interesting article discussing the topic of what it means to be Spiritual, Religious, Agnostic or an Atheist. Far more people fall into the Spiritual category than I thought, at least to some degree. The data analysis is very helpful to see where society is at presently.

https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/trust/archive/spring-2024/what-does-being-spiritual-mean

[Tak]

Fascinating, Frosty! Sometimes I wonder how many people in the world contemplate something beyond the physical, just out of curiosity. I've also often wondered how many people experience OBEs regularly and that kind of thing. In one of William Buhlman's books, he conducted a very interesting survey, and I think I recall that he concluded that at least 20% of the world's population would have these experiences. That was 20 years ago, who knows if the number has increased.
I've met at least ten people in my life who have had spontaneous OBEs.

On the other hand, I have friends who are complete atheists. Don't even mention the words "ET, Soul or God" in front of them, or they'll laugh hard. For them, that's just related to science fiction movies and old beliefs. Some of them unfortunately take psychiatric medication because when they had some unusual experience, they got scared and think it's just a product of their mind.
And that's perfectly fine, it's a world of free will, and if they don't want to embrace the spiritual reality, it's what they need at this moment. However, you would be surprised to know how wonderful people they are, they have very high human values and are very sweet people. They seek well-being and that of others, and they have big dreams and projects. They never hesitate to help you and are compassionate. I always say that they practice spirituality without knowing it. They even practice Yoga, but only as a form of sport. Still, subconsciously they bring with them all the tools they need to work on their spirit here on Earth, they just decided to forget their spiritual part in this incarnation. I learn a lot from them. Unfortunately, I feel limited and never share what I experience with them, but I still nourish myself with their company.
What they teach me is to accept everyone's path, to never judge, and to realize that what's truly important is action and love.

There are many people who claim to be very spiritual, and then we see the opposite in their actions. So, in conclusion, spirituality to me is action, it's something that's lived and felt, and not a specific cosmology, study, or belief.
'By their fruits, you will know them.'

Moreover, it's impossible not to be spiritual, we are spirit. Therefore, for me, there are no spiritual and non-spiritual people, only those who have chosen to forget it and those who embrace it 

[LightBeam]

What they teach me is to accept everyone's path, to never judge

You, my dear are an example how diversity teaches us. What seems as different than us really serves us to grow by leaps and bounds. If no one or nothing ever challenged us how would we discover more of ourselves? So, in a way they have agreed to cloak themselves with tons of filters to forget most everything except the core connection which is always present whether someone realizes it or not. To forget everything so they can experience something very particular, but also to help others discover more of themselves by interaction with their polarity. There is no such a thing as evolved soul or new soul. All consciousness exists simultaneously with no beginning and no end. Everything is ageless, infinite and eternal.

[Tak]

There is no such a thing as evolved soul or new soul. All consciousness exists simultaneously with no beginning and no end. Everything is ageless, infinite and eternal.

Beautiful, Lightbeam! I'm keeping this last phrase to remember it always.

Over the past year, I've been reading many books about what different authors of OBE and Truth seekers say about who we are, where we come from, and where we're going. A basic question that every seeker wants to know. And what I see is that no one takes into account the time factor, seeing everything only from a linear view. So, we come across these kinds of concepts that we need to be careful with, because they can lead to misunderstandings or a sense of superiority, which leads to the famous Spiritual Ego. So, if everything is simultaneous, we would be experiencing all our facets at the same time in a higher level of consciousness, from being a tiny mineral to the most magnificent being of light at the same time. When the time factor and individual ego are erased from the formula, we see that our True Self expresses itself beyond time, space, and individuality, rendering the concept of soul evolution from "inferior to superior" ineffective. Rather, the correct word would be expansion and knowledge, wisdom. I think the concept of evolution, going from point A to point B, does still exist, but seeing it from a linear perspective, from here. Look beyond that and you'll see the full spectrum.

Yes, I think that's what Earth is about, diversity and having a broader vision of things. Everything teaches us. Respect for everyone despite their particular beliefs is fundamental and to focus only on what really matters, Love.

[LightBeam]

I think the concept of evolution, going from point A to point B, does still exist

Oh yes, absolutely! Nothing is invalidated and our perception really depends on the point of view. But being aware of the bigger picture, you no longer keep your focus so narrow and your whole perception and experience changes.