| Universal spirituality is the term I use to transcend | | | | created a sun god, moon goddess, and so forth; this |
| specific religious doctrines and organized creeds. In | | | | molding of the universe into personal figures |
| particular, this concept is applied to spiritual pursuits | | | | demonstrates humanity's need to control their |
| that go above and beyond the teachings of | | | | understanding of the world around them. |
| accepted churches and dogmas; the following | | | | But the fact is, intelligence need not only come in the |
| content will help anchor those who are new to | | | | form of humanoid bodies and verbal thought |
| modern spiritual discussions. | | | | patterns. Our digestive systems demonstrate |
| First of all, the reader should understand that few | | | | intelligence, but this does not mean your stomach is |
| things in the spiritual arena, besides personal | | | | named Bob and relays verbal commands your small |
| discovery, are actually new. The "New Age" is a term | | | | intestines, Linda. The need to fold and button the |
| often used to describe literature and philosophy that | | | | cosmic force that drives all things into a form that |
| reject traditional theism (one-god faiths like | | | | reflects our own faces is a limitation. |
| Christianity) and promote broad spiritual practices; but | | | | This brings us to the third main principle of universal |
| the ideology herein is quite old. | | | | spirituality, which is the guiding light of intuition. Our |
| This "New Age" technically originated in the late 19th | | | | intellect may not be sufficient to grasp the most |
| century, along with freethinking and other | | | | profound spiritual concepts, but through intuitive |
| movements of thought. It's very interesting to note | | | | understanding we can experience a knowingness that |
| this emergence is consistent with ancient prophecies | | | | transcends thought. |
| about a global spiritual awakening; see native lore | | | | By this same token, our ego-mind is not the ruling |
| from North and South Americas as well as other | | | | portion of our minds. Our ego, or identity, is only one |
| cultures for evidence of this. However the belief and | | | | part of what we are. In essence human beings are |
| practice encompassed in these "new" movements | | | | non-localized consciousness having the experience of |
| are actually thousands of years old. | | | | mind and body. |
| Universal spirituality leaves plenty of room for | | | | Place this notion into context by considering the |
| individual interpretation and experience. While | | | | following statement: When you experience what we |
| organized faith finds this outrageous, the fact is | | | | call death, your body leaves the spirit, and not the |
| every human being is well-equipped to experience the | | | | other way around. Give that a few moments to sink |
| subtle cosmic energies and need not obey arbitrary | | | | in. |
| religious laws to do so; in fact it's evident that many | | | | Here is a condensed review of these ideas: |
| religious rules and ceremonies are designed specifically | | | | All phenomenon that are part of what we refer to |
| to limit the practitioner's access to these empowering | | | | as life, or the universe, are connected at the |
| experiences. | | | | fundamental level. There is only one reality from |
| The core fundamental of modern spiritual thought is | | | | which the image of many events and circumstances |
| the idea of oneness rather than separation. Whether | | | | manifests. |
| or not an individual believes in one or more god | | | | A vast intelligence underlies this one reality. This |
| figures is irrelevant. All things in the cosmos are | | | | creative consciousness drives the motion of heavenly |
| bound, or connected, at the most fundamental level; | | | | bodies, the migratory instincts of birds, the life force |
| this ancient concept is supported by cutting-edge | | | | of ants, and the emotional complexities of human |
| physics, wherein we find that all phenomenon in the | | | | beings. |
| known universe emerge from one field of infinite | | | | We are more than our thought patterns and our |
| energy, and all things are connected through this field | | | | sense of identity. We are expressions of cosmic |
| of energy at the subatomic level. | | | | consciousness observing the transitory experience of |
| Simply put, the energy waves that form the atoms | | | | having a body, a name, etc. |
| from which we are all made are entangled with and | | | | These three basic concepts can be even more easily |
| connected to the energy of all other people, objects, | | | | summarized as follows: |
| energies, and life forms in the universe. Hence the | | | | All things are part of one great mind or spirit. The |
| spiritual claim that we are all one is indeed very | | | | spiritual journey is about feeling our connection to this |
| accurate. | | | | source and its many manifestations, and transcending |
| After oneness, the next primary tenant of universal | | | | the mundane experience by knowing our true nature. |
| spirituality is the idea of cosmic intelligence. The | | | | From this foundation many additional lessons and |
| Universe is conscious, and an intelligent force drives all | | | | experiences can be encountered. Individuality is an |
| functions from the formation of stars to the | | | | important part of true spirituality, as is the paradoxical |
| combustions and reactions within our cells and | | | | nature of reality. I hope this article has been useful |
| systems. While some people and organizations use | | | | for the curious seeker. Bear in mind that other |
| deities and gods to personify aspects of life, it is not | | | | writers may well interpret spirituality in a different |
| necessary to attach names and egos to the cosmic | | | | manner; however I believe the previous content |
| consciousness. The anthropomorphizing, or | | | | resonates well with the core themes of most |
| transforming into human likeness, of natural forces is | | | | informal spiritual teaching. |
| an old practice. For example many ancient religions | | | | |