What is spirituality?

Spirituality can be many things to many people and in this blog I will break down what I consider spirituality to be from my perspective, what it could be from other viewpoints, and what it’s not.

My aim is to make spirituality practical, accessible, and free from stereotypes, so hopefully you will find something within this that resonates with you.

Spirituality is a deeply personal journey of self-discovery. It touches on many aspects of our experience, transcending dogma or fixed definitions.

For me, spirituality started with me wanting to find meaning in my life. I was young and wanted to fulfill an ongoing curiosity of why I was here. Life was just work, party, sleep and start again. Although I remember those times fondly, I assumed there was something more to life.

It started with understanding that we are actually made of energy and our physical body is just subatomic particles rubbing together very quickly to create mass. This took me down a road of inquiry that if we are made of energy, then surely so are our emotions and thoughts. I surmised that we would have the ability to change energy easier than matter. This energy could be cultivated, directed, and moulded as needed, and by consciously managing my own energy, I could create change easier. That was the beginning of my understanding of manifestation.

… okay, sorry I may be losing some of you now. Not intended! At the essence of this, I discovered that the world really isn't exactly what we think it is, and that tiny shift in perspective made me question everything around me.

For some of you, a spiritual practice may be more pragmatic, like to help you change what you tell yourself day to day. Finding ways to transform the inner dialogue going on in your head, and helping you change the narrative of your life.

For others it may be about transforming the ego. Whilst the ego has served us over the years, its primary purpose is to maintain a sense of self and identity by keeping you safe and conforming to social expectations. Transforming it brings about a sense of peace that is unexplainable. A big part of my practice has been to transform the ego. When you really stop worrying about meeting people's expectations of you, it brings such freedom.

Some people practice spirituality because they want to release repetitive patterns. The same things keep happening in different situations. Same issues with relationships, or jobs, self talk etc. Lessons that are meant for us will keep coming up unless we learn, grow and move past them. Spirituality helps cultivate that self awareness, and moves us from victim to victor!

For some, spirituality is just about developing understanding, compassion and kindness to our fellow humans. Unfortunately prejudice is so ingrained in our society and if we really stop and think, we all have a little prejudice in us. Releasing judgement based on someone's background, culture, religion or socio economic situation is the first step to changing the world we live in.

Unlike religion, which often follows structured beliefs and traditions, spirituality is fluid, personal, and unique to each individual. It is less about following rules and more about being aware and aligned with some simple truths, like:

We are all made from the same stuff
We are constantly changing
We all experience suffering and joy
We all perceive reality through our own lens
We all have the power to choose

What spirituality is not

As spirituality becomes more mainstream, it's crucial to highlight the misconceptions that can block people from exploring it.

1. Religion in disguise

Spirituality does not require following any organized belief system, however it can enhance a religious practice is the party is open enough!
It’s not about dogma, rules, or institutions
It honors personal experience over external authority

2. Only for the 'Woo-Woo'

It's not about crystal collections, tarot cards, or astrology (though those can be tools they are not requirements)
Spirituality is available to everyone - whether you're a mystic or a skeptic
It’s not about escaping reality - but learning to engage with life more deeply

3. Always blissful or positive

It's not constant love & light - real spiritual work involves peeling away the layers, bringing things to the surface and sitting with discomfort to transform issues.
It’s not about bypassing pain with positive affirmations, but honoring the full human experience

4. A quick fix

True spirituality isn't a shortcut to happiness or instant manifestation -
Just like going to the gym once won't make you healthy - spirituality is a lifelong journey of self-inquiry, humility, and practice. But once you start life certainly gets easier.

5. Feeling superior

It’s not about feeling more enlightened than others
Spirituality invites humility, not hierarchy
Everyone is at different stages of awakening, and no path is better than another

Ultimately...

Spirituality is the art of being present and opening up to finding out more about yourself, again and again. It's both transcendent and deeply grounded.

Check out my video on what spiritual means to me.

Let us know what you think in the comments!