What does Spirituality Mean to You?How is this different than religion? Do I have to believe in anything? Spirituality has become a rather generic catch-all term in society today. The word is most commonly used as an option to describe yourself if you do not subscribe to a particular established religion but do feel you are connected to others or "something bigger". You see this terminology in polls, dating websites, and social networks. It is also used as a way for thousands of self help books and programs to address your concerns without getting into religion - which for some can be an area that is off limits due to doubts, authoritative enforcement, painful dogma, childhood programming or disenchantment. The term "Spiritual" became more popular when it was adopted into the New Age movement to express its enlightenment ideas. When you describe yourself as spiritual, you are telling the world that you have a sense of something bigger than just you; your separate, individual self. The core concept of spirituality is also characterized by the belief that the connection, oneness, communicating with God, energy, lies WITHIN you- not an external relationship as found in certain religious teachings. Because of this concept, even some agnostics can say they are spiritual since they believe in the "human spark" or "collective good" that lies within each person. Who or What is this Spark? 
You don't know? That works too - you can be satisfied with trusting that there are answers that you just don't know yet. And you can still focus on this spark within. . . In meditation you read about your inner voice or guide. That can also be interpreted as your "spark" (soul). A place aligned in compassion and love, held in your heart as the voice of universal highest good. Many names are used - Divine energy, spirit, soul, communicating with God, highest good, higher Self, oneness, guide, inner voice, etc. The common factor is that it comes from within you to connect to the within in others - in oneness and love. Do I have to question everything? No! Absolutely not! Your spiritual system allows you to have something to trust in during life's tragedies and challenges - it is the big picture container in which all that is life is held.
After you read the E-Course download, continue here with some additional articles that go into ideas, beliefs and spiritual concepts:
For more on Spirituality and Enlightenment-Leslie Temple Thurston:The Marriage of Spirit : Enlightened Living in Today's World
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