What is a Spiritual Person?

A couple of weeks ago I received the following email…

I thought this question would make a good feature article so thanks to Jette for the suggestion!

In this day and age many people are referred to as being a "spiritual person". What does that actually mean? Are only certain people "spiritual"? Are there only a few special people that follow a particular path that gives them the title of "spiritual" or is everyone a "spiritual" person?

Here are a couple of definitions that people often use to describe a spiritual person:

• Anyone that believes in a positive Higher Being or Energy (God, Goddess, Great Spirit etc.). So this would cover people practicing religions or a way of life that believes in a Higher Power.
• Anyone that believes in a positive Higher Being and is self-sacrificing (putting others needs before their own) and suffers throughout life.
• Anyone who is consciously trying to further develop his or her soul by performing good deeds, practicing unconditional love and forgiveness.
• Anyone who is developing his or her abilities that will allow contact with Spirit - an expanded awareness of reality.

While these are readily accepted definitions to those who are becoming involved in the more esoteric and mind expanding aspects of life, they are very limiting. After all, does that mean that those who do not believe in God are not spiritual? Does that mean that those who are not suffering are not spiritual? Does that mean that those who hold a grudge and withhold love from others are not spiritual? Does that mean that anyone not developing his or her abilities is not spiritual?

To have such narrow definitions does not do justice to the term. Don't forget that we all come from Spirit. We all have a physical body and a spiritual body. Our physical body is a reflection of our spiritual body. We are all living the choices that we created when we existed in Spirit and that path could be considered a "spiritual path". All of our experiences, who we will meet during our life, what illnesses we might encounter, our challenges and obstacles, our rewards and lessons are all determined in Spirit before being allowed to manifest in physical.

From that perspective, every single person on this planet is a spiritual person - all coming from Spirit, all living a life of unique spiritual goals (which may or may not include a belief in God, suffering, self-sacrificing, forgiveness, unconditional love).

If you are living a life in physical, you are a spiritual person and you will have a unique path to follow that includes lessons and experiences meant only for you. You may have beliefs and attitudes that aren't the same as someone else and even if you don't agree with those beliefs/attitudes, it will make life less stressful if you respect the differences and understand that everyone needs to follow a path meant for only him or her. In order to complete some of the lessons that a soul needs to learn or resolve karma, he or she may need to have a certain attitude that is not seen as God-based or self-sacrificing. This does not mean the person isn't following the path that brings that soul advancement.

In the end, each of you will devise your own definition of what constitutes a spiritual person. Your definition will "feel right" to you and may even change over time.

Write in to service@oralin.com and tell us what your definition of a spiritual person (put "spiritual person" in the subject line) is and we will post it on this page...

About the Author:

Wendy Kay, has been studying and researching the spiritual realm for over 20 years. In 1997 she founded her web site www.oralin.com which specializes in providing information for those who are just starting to explore the Spirit World, those who want to develop their psychic abilities or for those who want to expand their awareness. Her goal is to provide a community for those of you who want Higher Level Awareness so that you can reach your full potential.

someone who has found peace

A spiritual person is graced to see light and love in its origin-everywhere and in everything. From the bend of energy into light and then a rainbow to the sparks from other planes. A spiritual person is in a state of unconscious consciousness that we are so much more and from all that there is.

My definition of a spiritual person: Of all of the words seeping from the "New Age" movement into today's lexicon, "spiritual" has to be the most misunderstood and often confused. Some metaphysicians reject the word's allusion to religion or even a belief system. Some traditional Christians may take offense by its connotation of other than a devotee. As someone who was raised in a somewhat traditional Christian household and has evolved in practicing my own special blend of spirituality, I cannot agree with either of these viewpoints. Instead, I prefer to see myself as the kind of spiritual person who embraces the full range of human-divinity experience. A spiritual person cares not for the beliefs of others, yet allows those others to express their own particular beliefs." - Rev Debi Brady

"I think a spiritual person is someone that believes in a higher power in a form of their own choice. That there is a greater power that made all we see and is in control to some degree. This is step one for the individual to become spiritual. How much they study can measure their devotion and belief to that God or higher power. To me spiritual is a belief that you don't know for sure until you die and meet your maker but you have chosen to live your time here on earth under this belief of choice. I'm a spiritual person." - Thanks, Kevin

"I believe a spiritual person is one who is seeking God/Creator/Great Spirit through life experiences, following their path to return to the Godhead. I ask God to work through me upon awakening in the morning, just for this one day. Blessings, Paula"

to me a spiritural person is full of love. they have come to belive that a power greater then them is behind everything that happens. that there are no accidents. they have studied and turned there life over to the teachings of jesus, god, buda,or who ever they have learned brings them inner peace.they medatate,and pray and know, the higher power they seek ,seeks them.they realise they,re are many path,s that lead to this loving presants.and they,re greatest desire is a closer walk .they want to learn all they can to help other,s and they,re selfs.learning is a life time prosuit.we are not alone .the spiritual realm is inside us .a spiritual person has learned all they can and uses that kwnolage to help others. and help enlighten others too.thank you

To me a truly spiritual person is a happy, if not blissful, content to be person, seeking fuller demonstration of God/Goddess, Universal Mind, Cosmic Oneness, etc. Someone, anyone who understands their connection to All that IS, and steadfastly, consistently stays the "course" until Enlightenment, Buddha or Christ consciences becomes their daily M.O. (method of operation)! All of us are some where between the beginning and the end of the course.

"A Spiritual Person is Everyone and Everything. It is that simple. Nothing in the Universe and Beyond exists without Spirit. Spirit is Energy and Everything emits Energy, or Spirit, if you will. This is God. This is Creation. Everything is a part of God, One Spirit, One Voice, One Body. Spiritual God Energy is Everything and Everyone, Everywhere, Eternally. There is Nothing Else. The human mind complicates things too often. We Are Eachother - We Are All that is or ever was or will ever be. Love is like a garden that is carefully nurtured, and with Love, Spirit gains Strength." - Dorothy

Merry Meet, I think a spiritual person is someone who honor and respects the Lord and Lady in their everyday life. What I mean by this is, by being a loving and caring person to everyone and everything. By respecting the Earth, planting gardens, growing trees, picking up garbage, etc. In honoring the Lord and Lady perform rituals and blessings in honor of them. Praying to them on a daily bases and thanking them daily for all that they have done for us. Giving the offerings, such as, again, planting gardens and trees, preventing pollution as much as possible. By having some kind of physical representation of the Lord and Lady in your household. Lighting candles in honor to them, and as sending blessing and healing energies to all who are in need. Also in meditating daily to become in contact with the Lord and Lady to receive there message. To me that is what I think a Spiritual Person is." - Blessed Be, Suziq326

"A spiritual person is an individual who resonates with the search for their own inner truth (Gnosticsm is one word used to describe this journey) as opposed to a follower of dogma (as orchestrated by organized religion). In addition, a spiritual person is one who displays open mindedness to the possibilities that exist." - Michele Doucette, Newfoundland

someone who is not judgemental,or hippicritical about things,someone who listens to people when they talk,not just look through them,someone who thanks god daily for the gifts he has already given that go unnoticed,someone that doesn't lie just to hear themselves talk,someone who appreciates that they are not perfect themselves,and accepts people as they are,someone who loves the world for all its beauty, rather than complain about life in general,someone who realizes that god doesn't wan't perfection,he loves us as we are,we are his children,thats my defination of a "spiritual person",amen

"Dear Wendy, This may sound overly simplistic, but my definition of a spiritual person would be “humans,’ as we are all divine (made from the same stuff). def. spiritual (at least the one I found): Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not tangible or material. I read that and think…all of us have that." - Namaste, paula

"my idea of a spiritual person is one who is kind and loveing and does what is right not only for themselves.but also for others with harm to none.as well as those who do the same and who do belive in a higher power." - rebecca

"I think a spiritual person is someone who see's God in every thing and everyone without exception, who treats everyone accordingly. One who continue's to keep there eyes on truth no matter what apears on the outside." - Terry Willick

"Hi - I believe a spiritual person is someone who is kind,loving,compassionate,humble and gentle..Someone who seeks the truth and tries to live by the truth as they know it in all situations by how they behave,act and respond to life in general.."

"Someone asked me what is the difference between a spiritual person and a psychic person and this is what I said: A spiritual person is someone who walks with God every day but a psychic person is not even aware that God is there." - Adrienne

My definition of a spiritual person is someone who looks to the divine for answers and incorporates them into the present. Example: My ex mother-in-law is Jehovau's witness and my background is Christian. We get along on everything except religion. So we leave religion out of the picture when discussing whatever and we agree on things. Also she is a special person in my life." - Wanda