Does being spiritual matter?

Hello there. Lovely to have you with me.

Today, I want to have a quiet chat about something I think many of us feel — but often struggle to put into words. And that’s spirituality.

Now, before you click away thinking this is all a bit “floaty” or new-agey, don’t worry — we’re not going to be wafting incense about or talking in riddles. This is just a down-to-earth look at what spirituality means these days — especially for those who might not go to church anymore, but still feel there’s something more to life than what we can see.

So… What Is Spirituality, Really?

Put simply, spirituality is about how we relate to the deeper things in life.
It’s those moments that stop us in our tracks — a beautiful sunset, holding a newborn grandchild, walking through ancient woods — and we feel a bit of awe. A sense of connection. Of peace.

You might call it presence, or soul, or just that quiet feeling that there’s something more going on than meets the eye.

It’s Not About Belief — It’s About Experience

At its heart, being spiritual isn’t about believing certain religious doctrines or conforming to church or mosque conventions. It’s to do with higher awareness. It’s about those moments that hit us from nowhere — like standing at the edge of the ocean or staring up at the stars and having a sense of awe and wonder. That’s spirituality. It’s to do with where we are directing our attention. For example towards a higher awareness beyond self rather than our natural desires. In other words it’s a way of experiencing life. So it’s about what we feel, notice, and explore for ourselves. Perhaps trying to figure out what matters and our aim in life, – yes spiritual

Maybe looking for inner peace? Wanting harmony and balance. Again spiritual.

For some, that’s found in prayer or faith. For others, it’s in mindfulness, meditation, or simply spending time in nature.
It could be listening to music that moves you, or reflecting quietly at the end of the day.

We are all a bit different in the way we are being spiritual. It’s more of a journey than a destination.

The Sense That Everything’s Connected

A big part of spirituality is a growing sense that everything is linked – nature, people, energy, consciousness. That we’re all connected.
Not just to other people, but to the natural world, the universe, and perhaps something greater.

Call it God, the Divine, the Universe, Love — or just a deep respect for life itself. It’s that awareness that we’re part of something vast, and meaningful. Some just feel it in their bones while hiking or meditating. Whatever our path, that sense of connection seems to help us be more humble, more compassionate, more human.

Comparison of spirituality and religion

How It’s Different from Religion (and How It’s the Same)

Okay, let’s think about how we use the words religion and being spiritual? Not quite the same, but they can overlap.

Religion tends to be more structured — organised services, sacred scriptures, community rules.
Spirituality is more personal — it can exist inside religion or outside of it altogether.

Many people find deep spiritual meaning in religious practice. Prayer, worship, the sense of the sacred — these can be incredibly powerful.

But for others, the rituals no longer feel relevant, even if the questions and longings remain. And here’s a question: is one better than the other. Are they just different paths up the same mountain? And what will find at the top?

Spirituality in the spiritual but not religious

Spirituality in a Modern World

Some people see themselves as more spiritual than religious.
They may have grown up going to church or mosque or temple, but over time moved away from organised religion. They are not into holy books, but they do believe there’s more to life than just what we can see. Not because they’ve lost their sense of the sacred — quite the opposite — but because they want something more personal, more open, less rigid. And honestly, for them that makes perfect sense to me. After all I think there is much in traditional religion which we should be cautious about. If you are like this you might explore what is deeply meaningful through philosophy, science, art, nature, or just deep conversations at 2am. You meditate, walk in the woods, ask big questions like:

Why are we here?
What is consciousness?
What happens when we die?

And the pluses? You’re okay with not having all the answers. You honour the mystery. You lean in to the unknown instead of trying to label it all.

So What Does do to Feel More Spiritual?

No — One doesn’t Have to Believe in Crystals or Chakras! Some people do, and that’s fine. Often people might do:

Meditation or creating stillness
Journalling – writing down thoughts and feelings
Spending time in nature
Practising exercises in gratitude
Listening to music or poetry
Or simply having more heartfelt conversations

It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Often it’s the quiet, everyday moments that hold the most meaning.

Spirituality in the deeply religious

Whether you’re religious, spiritual-but-not-religious, or just “spiritually curious,” the core is often the same:

Living with compassion
Being present
Feeling connected
Seeking truth and meaning
And finding a sense of inner peace

That’s what most wisdom traditions across the globe say too — even if they wrap it in different language or rituals.

Now, for those whose spirituality ties in with their religion. Their focus is on what they understand to be the transcendent creative power behind the universe. For my Christ-centred religion, this is the presence of the divine human face I call the Lord, a loving presence that’s not just out there in the cosmos, but also deeply personal. I was brought up and have stayed within a Christ-centred religious movement, called the New Church. This uses the Swedish philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg’s insights into the deeper messages found in the Bible. For many of us, spirituality is not just about belief, but about relationship — a sense of being known, loved, and guided.

Swedenborg had quite a bit to say on this. He saw the divine spirit — the heart of Christ — as the very source of pure love and wisdom. All that is good and true, he said, flows from that source.

And so, for people of faith, prayer becomes more than a routine. It’s a kind of quiet realignment — bringing one’s heart and mind into harmony with something higher. Many describe this as bringing a deep peace, a clearer sense of purpose, and that comforting feeling that they’re not alone in the world.

What are the benefits of spirituality

Positive self-attitude and enhanced well-being

Let’s talk a little about the benefits of spirituality, because for many people, whether or not they identify with a particular religion, a spiritual outlook brings a real sense of personal well-being.

At its heart, it can encourage a healthier relationship with ourselves. That means accepting our flaws without being flattened by them — being able to hear criticism without feeling under attack. It’s the opposite, really, of constantly trying to defend an image of perfection. There’s a quiet confidence that comes with self-acceptance — the sense that you can be honest about who you are without needing to prove anything.

Now, that’s not the same as giving yourself up entirely for others, or always putting yourself last. It’s more about acting in line with your needs, while staying open and truthful in your relationships. There’s something quite freeing in that.

Feeling connection to and drawing on the power of something greater

Spirituality also invites us to feel part of something bigger — to connect with what some would call a higher power, others the universe, or simply the beauty and rhythm of the natural world. For some, it’s a sense of shared humanity. For others, it’s something more mysterious. But whatever shape it takes, it can offer strength — especially in moments of doubt or difficulty.

Finding deep meaning and purpose to life

Another strand of this is the search for meaning. Questions like “Who am I?”, “What really matters?”, or “How can I live with integrity?” aren’t reserved for philosophers. They’re everyday questions, asked by ordinary people at turning points in life. And often, it’s a spiritual perspective that helps us sit with these questions, rather than rushing to answer them.

For many, this sense of purpose provides a kind of inner compass — something flexible and personal, yet steady — especially during times of uncertainty, grief, or transition.

Engagement with ethics and compassion

Ethics and compassion are also central themes. Contemporary spirituality tends to focus less on strict rules and more on values — things like kindness, gratitude, and a commitment to fairness. There’s often a deep concern for the wellbeing of others, and of the planet. Many find meaning through service, whether that’s through community work, activism, or simply trying to live in a way that does as little harm as possible.

Wakefulness to present moment

And finally, there’s this idea of wakefulness — a heightened awareness of the present moment. Noticing the world in finer detail. Feeling more connected, more alive, more grateful. It’s a state where many say they experience greater clarity, a deeper sense of empathy, and a strong feeling of belonging — not just to their immediate circle, but to humanity as a whole.