uh oh...there's that word again...spiritual.what does it mean to you?one way to look at it is to disconnect it from any particular faith or cultural path. while for many of us, the faith in which we were raised or have adopted, fulfills our deeper needs. for others it may not.however we might relate to our past experiences, there is an inner longing, an inner drive to connect.
it seems as if we are hard-wired to join with others as well as with our inner world. we can nurture a profound, personal connection with ourselves, with others, with our past, present and future, as well as mother nature. we can also foster a connection with whatever it is that might be called "something greater than ourselves."it this way, 'spiritual' is an inclusive term. it acknowledges that we can gratefully recive teachings from a vast array of traditional spiritual paths and beliefs.
we can practice deep listening, both to our inner being and to that of others, as a way of connecting. in this way, we honour and respect the wisdom of others who are, or have been, on a path parallel to ours.
this sort of spiritual practice encourages a life of integrity as we harvest the widom we have gained and then share with others as a legacy. it is then easy to give back through service to those close to us, to our local communities and to the larger world. this sort of sevice is a natural outcome of our continued spiritual growth.this spiritual path of the elder creates a generosity of life-force that fosters joy in our relationships, allows us to honour life and brings a gentle smile to our lips each day.