Editor's Note: I'm working on my next book and thought I'd share this with my artist community. It's a bit heady, but please let me know your thoughts.
Let's talk about the truth—spiritual truth. When we use the term "spiritual," we must hold all spiritual religions and dogma lightly. What do I mean by this? If you're truly spiritual, you focus on the space of no-thing. As a Spiritual Artist, I focus on the space before physical manifestation. Spirituality is on the causal level; it is the idea, feeling, thought, or consciousness before the effect.
All religions and dogmas are based on the material world, where we define names, rules, and regulations. Religions have been formed from human experience and contain many spiritual truths worthy of examination. However, I choose to say, "I'm Christian and more. I'm Buddhist and more," and onward.
As a spiritual artist, I ask you to step back from proper nouns, specific designations, and the duality of "us versus them." For example, when we define ourselves as Christians, we separate ourselves from all other humans. Likewise, when we define ourselves as Jewish, we separate ourselves from all other people. The same with Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. All religions fall into the trap of dualism.
Spirituality, by its definition of the space before manifestation, is a recognition of Oneness. It is the creative energy, the essence that flows through all things, both physical and non-physical. It cannot be defined by a name that limits omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence. When we recognize this omnipresent essence, we recognize our Oneness with everything that surrounds us.
I realize this may trigger many readers, but when we define ourselves by religious affiliation, we inevitably separate ourselves from others. This is why I am attracted to interfaith philosophy. Interfaith philosophy requires an open door to all ways and all relationships with spirit. It speaks the truth found in many religions and is open-minded to learning opportunities from many different voices.
Spirit is my source. I put no person, place, or thing before my relationship with spirit. I put no thing—wealth, ritual, definition, or identity—before my relationship with that presence.
When I open to the message from Spirit, I realize it comes from all sources, including religious traditions and scientific knowledge. When I ask for healing, I recognize that it can come from a doctor, a friend's recommendation, prayer, or my spiritual intuition.
We often hear the term, "God is my source." I agree with that, but even the term "God" is limiting. Any name we put on this power limits the power itself, as humans cannot help but assign it specific attributes. The human breadth of understanding is always limited in the physical realm. This greater power is not limited.
I choose to welcome all the different words used for this greater power. God has been described as Yahweh, Brahma, Adonai, Elohim, Abba, and many more terms.
I choose to say spirit is my source. I go to the spiritual side of me, the allness that is, and seek guidance for my challenges. But even the word "spiritual" is limiting. As humans, when we read the word "spiritual," we can't help but assign attributes to it based on our previous experience.
I ask you to think of the term "spiritual" as a descriptor rather than a noun. Spirit describes the non-manifested, the unformed. It is a description of creative intelligence, the power behind all things. It is an adjective, not a noun. When seeking guidance, we don't pray to spirit; we look toward our spiritual side. We look for the answer in the spiritual truth. Choose the noun of your choice, but hold it lightly.
In embracing this more inclusive understanding of spirituality, we open ourselves to infinite possibilities and wisdom that transcend any single tradition. Religions have been molded and solidified by thousands of people over many years and do contain some truth. But let us approach our spiritual journey with humility and openness, recognizing that every path offers valuable insights.
By holding our definitions and labels lightly, we allow the true essence of spirit to guide us, fostering unity, compassion, and a deeper connection to the universal creative energy that flows through all things. In this way, we honor the diverse expressions of spirituality while remaining true to the profound Oneness that underlies them all.
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