What do people feel, when they're feeling spiritual?

Good question! In a word. Peaceful.

I'm about as interested in running around in definitional circles as I am in talking to carrots. I'm even less interested in trying to explain the nature of definition or the difference between subject and object in sentences, or why appeals to "opinion" are just another way to tell people to shut up. As far as I'm concerned we shouldn't have to clear up that kind of intellectual brush before we get to the nitty gritty of an issue. Its just that I get drawn into that kind of thing when I ask about pumpkins and people start talking about artichokes. Its one of my many flaws.

The thing is that people often refer to spirituality as a special mode of experience, or a special kind of being, or even a different realm of reality, or something above and beyond our human existence. So it not religious in the sense that there is an appeal to some deity or other, but because there is a kind of transcendence involved - a connection to a "higher" level of reality.

But can we really make any sense of those sorts of claims?

I don't think we can. I think they are all confusions of one kind or another, but I could be wrong.

Any takers?

This is what you asked: What do people mean by "spiritual"?

Some people replied.

Yes, they did. Queen in particular.

And I think she's right. I think there's little doubt that there is a certain kind of feeling that people might have when they contemplate the night sky, or a coral reef, or Turner's Speed and Steam, or The Old Man and the Sea", or a flower, or themselves, or the vastness of what we do not know.

But does that actually mean that there is something beyond all those things we consider to be mundane. Is it a different category of existence to other seemingly simpler feelings, like hunger, or irritation?

Usually people who feel they're spiritual are tactfully saying that they are not religious, meaning they don't identify with churches and preachers and the like. We have on our grounds two labyrinths which the general public are welcome to walk and meditate on. People find calm and peace in that activity, and often describe the experience as "spiritual". People use the word to describe what they feel when contemplating some beautiful feature of nature that amazes them. Generally I think spirituality is a calming sense of communion, not with the God but with the The Good, being at peace with not understanding exactly what that is, just enjoying feeling immersed in it. I feel that way sometimes.

That I do understand gramps. I feel that way sometimes as well. I think most people do, although some might deny it. I do have a little problem with ideas like "The Good" though. But its a quibble and I've done enough of that already.

However, its also clear that a lot of people mean a lot more than that when they talk of the "spiritual".

Well, I know a lot of people who say they're spiritual. Most are also on the Christian spectrum, but some have dispensed with 2/3 of the "HolyTrinity", i.e. they're not big on God and Jesus, but they really like the idea of the Holy Spirit, although they don't call it that. It's an invisible something that influences people and things and events, usually for good. These folks are just open to the idea that there is some thing...not supernatural, more like paranormal or para natural, connecting us and making life coherent (unlike this attempt at explaining it).

Like the Buddhist said to the hot dog vendor, "Make me one with everything!"

Edit to add that people derive serenity from this spirituality, and I'm happy for them.

Most are also on the Christian spectrum

I would question that statement.

How so?

That's kind of what I was talking about Gramps, but I would see that form of spirituality as religious, just not deist - although even that's not clear in this case.

And while I'm not against the idea of achieving serenity I am kind of suspicious of it.

And then there's this "Spiritual Retreat": http://www.hoffmanprocess.com.au/?gclid ... vAodwJIAPA

Only 6 days and $5040 and you too can have a "spiritual awakening".

I agree, it is quasi-religious, Cattleman. Oskar, I think the vast majority of Christians also think of themselves as spiritual. They just have a much more definite mental picture of the spirits involved in that. Cool thing about the others, who just call themselves spiritual: they don't proselytize.

I recommend a book- Zealot, The Life And Times Of Jesus Of Nazareth by Reza Aslan.

It looks interesting Gramps.

Wife is currently reading it. I'm next.

the mystery and wonder of the universe?

Mindful

So are there feelings that aren't "spiritual"? Are some spiritual feelings more spiritual than others?
And if so, what's the criteria for making that judgment?

Doesn't "spirituality" require some sense of transcendence??