What does Spirituality mean?
Spireo begins by observing that many people, especially young people, do not fully understand the term spirituality. He admits that he himself was unsure of its meaning in his younger years. Spirituality, according to Spireo, is closely connected to the concept of spirituality—it is the realization that the spiritual realm holds real power and influence.
In a society shaped by materialism, which believes only in the physical world and what can be confirmed by science, the idea of something spiritual often seems foreign. But at some point, Spireo notes, there comes a recognition that the spiritual truly plays a role. It not only affects internal perception but also has an impact on the physical world.
The bridge between spiritual and material
Spireo explains that in the concept of spirituality, the spiritual and the material are interconnected. A thought we have can shape and change our brain—this is scientifically proven. This makes the connection between thought and existence clear: What we mentally perceive gains existence. Spireo gives the example that something comes into existence when we consciously perceive or imagine it.
There are many examples of how spirituality and materiality are linked. Thoughts shape our brain, and through mental activity, we can influence our own existence and the existence of things around us. This shows that the spiritual is not merely an abstract concept but a real force shaping our lives.
Mindfulness and the practice of spirituality
A key aspect of spirituality is mindfulness. Spireo emphasizes that mindfulness does not simply mean paying attention to external things but rather to our own thoughts, emotions, and mental states. He describes one’s soul landscape as a collection of conscious and unconscious thoughts. Spiritual practice means observing these thoughts and understanding how they affect our mood and behavior.
Spireo reflects on his own experiences with mindfulness when he was young and practiced autogenic training through medical guidance. This technique helped him consciously direct his thoughts and even control physical reactions, such as warming cold feet just by thinking. This kind of self-observation and thought control is an entry point into spiritual practice.
The influence of the spiritual on understanding the universe
For Spireo, spirituality goes even further: it is a way to understand the universe. In a comparison with the novel “Solaris” by Stanislav Lem, Spireo explains how the exploration of the spiritual is ultimately also an exploration of the universe. The novel raises the question of whether humans truly seek new discoveries in space or only continue to encounter themselves. This question leads back to the fundamental idea of spirituality: Exploring one’s own inner world is the key to understanding the cosmos.
Finally, Spireo emphasizes that spirituality is a highly personal and subjective experience. Every person has a unique mental landscape, and thus, there can be no universal definition of spirituality. What remains clear, however, is that focusing on the spiritual and practicing mindfulness of one’s thoughts and feelings are essential to the spiritual path.
Article on Wikipedia: Solaris, a novel exploring the spiritual and the universe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solaris_(novel) Article on zenhabits: Mindfulness and the practice of self-observation: https://zenhabits.net/mindfulness
Link to the YouTube video with English subtitles