Is “Spirituality Without God” an oxymoron?

This is what I propose to explore.

I recognize myself as “Spiritually Challenged”. In light of this self-awareness, I decided to do research. I read Spirituality for Dummies by Sharon Janis and two books recommended by friends: Awakening to the Sacred by Lama Surya Das; and, The Sacred Depths of Nature by Ursula Goodenough.

I revisited books that I had read before: William James’ The Varieties of Religious Experience and a story that I used to read to my Children, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.

I also went on an accidental Pilgrimage of sorts, to a nearby sacred site that attracts Spiritual Seekers – I went to Ashville, North Carolina.

Even after completing my studies I have some reservations about my qualifications to undertake this talk on Spirituality.

I am biased. I am grounded in philosophical naturalism – a view that is skeptical of unseen forces. Yet I believe that insight and wisdom can be gained through exploring the thoughts and experiences of others – especially when they are radically different from my own. I found this to be true with Spirituality.

In Awakening to the Sacred Lama Surya Das wrote about Spiritual Seekers:

As seekers, we intuitively believe that the visible world we live in is part of a greater spiritual universe. We aspire to somehow experience a more palpable connection with that sacred universe. We sincerely believe that it is possible to become part of that universe by actualizing the divine light or spirit that is found within each of us.

As seekers, you and I search for illumination and guidance. We want understanding – not only of our immediate problems but also of the great mysteries of the universe… We know that the antidote to ignorance isn’t just more information. We know that our spiritual life depends on our being able to cultivate a higher consciousness – a mindful consciousness – as well as greater awareness. We know that our spiritual life depends on cultivating our own capacity to love.

Since I am not a Spiritual Seeker, much of what motivates Surya Das does not speak to me. I am not looking for a connection to the divine or a glimpse of the true reality that lies behind this veil of illusion. I am not drawn to prayer and ritual. Perhaps my naturalism prevents me from absorbing these ideas. However, I share the Lama’s desire to cultivate mindfulness, greater awareness and my capacity to love.

If I do not accept the dualism inherent in the concept of the soul and something more real than my day-to-day experience – what is left for me to form my spirituality?

Felix Adler, who founded the Ethical Culture Movement, said that:

Spirituality is consciousness of infinite interrelatedness.

Adler believed that we were all spiritually connected to each other.

For me, Spirituality is experience and Spirituality is mystery.

Have you ever experienced a profound feeling of transcendence when everything seems to fall perfectly into place? – a transforming moment of empathy and connection to someone or a blissful apprehension of nature, music, or art?

I know that, on rare occasions, I have experienced such transcendent moments.

Albert Einstein said:

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead, his eyes are closed.

William James talked about mystical states in his book The Varieties of Religious Experience. He wrote:

To the medical mind these ecstasies signify nothing but suggested and imitated hypnoid states, on an intellectual basis of superstition, and a corporeal one of degeneration and hysteria. Undoubtedly these pathological conditions have existed in many and perhaps all the cases, but that fact tells us nothing about the value for knowledge of the consciousness which they induce. To pass a spiritual judgment on these states, we must not content ourselves with superficial medical talk, but inquire into their fruits for life.

After a meeting of Ethical Culture Leaders two years ago that included a mini-workshop on spirituality, I came up with the following definition of Humanist Spirituality:

A feeling of inter-connectedness in which we transcend ourselves and experience a profound connection to Nature, the Human Community, or the Universe.

My thinking has changed some since I penned this definition.
I now see Humanist Spirituality, at its best, as centered in Human Relationships; in empathy sympathy, and compassion. Encountering this human connection can be a transforming – even a transcendent experience.

Another type of Humanist Spiritually is found in Ursula Goodenough’s book, The Sacred Depths of Nature.

As a Biologist, Professor Goodenough finds profound awe and wonder in the complexities of biological science. In her reflection on the brain and awareness she writes:

Throughout religious history, mystical experiences have often been interpreted as the apprehensions of the Divine within or the numinous Other, and they are actively sought in prayer and ritual. In western traditions we say that we are aware of a Spirit, that we are comprehended by something much larger, deeper, more valuable and more enduring than ourselves and the finite universe. The encounter is inward, intensely personal, and described, if at all, with halting tongue. In Asian traditions the religious person seeks in meditation an emptying out, a receptivity, in order to experience an at-one-ness, a spiritual communion with the universe, Enlightenment.

So we raise our eyes to the heavens and we ask, Is this Other? Is this God? Is this the Perfection of Understanding? Or are these overwhelmingly powerful mental experiences with Immanence a particularly intense form of self-awareness, and Enlightenment a detachment from self-awareness so that all else can penetrate? How can we tell? And then: Does it matter?

As a non-theist, I find I can only think about these experiences as wondrous mental phenomena. But in the end it doesn’t matter: All of us are transformed by their power.

I do not deny the existence or power of mystical, spiritual experience. However, in my mind it is less important than a spirituality based on caring and interaction with others.

This sentiment was borne out in my pilgrimage to Asheville.

I find that when I am working on a topic for a talk, everything that I experience is seen through this lens.

While wandering around Asheville, a magnet for all manner of seekers, I stopped into a small shop and found a back room with Hindu and Buddhist altars, incense and flowers.

While having lunch at the Food Co-op, I eavesdropped on a conversation at a neighboring table. Rip van Winkle was talking with Pipi Longstocking about which part of the Maya world creation cycle we were in, astrology, and the points made at a recent talk by a guru that they attended. This contrasted with an article that I picked up at a coffeehouse earlier in the day.

It was a guest column in the Asheville Citizen Times written by Richard Puia, the coffeehouse owner. He wrote:

… it's easy to hold the banner of religion or spirituality over your head while saying or doing things that are in no way spiritual.
If your spirituality does not manifest itself into a life that is guided by the "Golden Rule" and dedicated to bringing love, encouragement, optimism, joy and acceptance to those around you, then, you may be "talking the talk" but, you are surely not "walking the walk."

Those who have reached a higher Spiritual level do not have to proclaim their spirituality. You know them by their actions. They do not have to walk in your shoes to feel your pain or to know what to do or say to bring joy into your life. They praise your accomplishments no matter how small and lift your spirits when they fall. They are nice people who enter your life without any preconceived attitudes or judgments.

Those who have reached a higher level of wisdom and spirituality have overcome the fear that holds others hack from the truth that comes only from within. They do not have to look to external sources for spiritual guidance, for they are the guides. They are there to help others overcome the fear and negativity that keeps them searching, but never finding, the meaning of their existence.

True spirituality is easy to achieve once you dig deep enough to find that place of love that you had as a child. A place that over the years has been covered over by doubt, pessimism, negativity, prejudice and fear.

People who come from a place of spirituality and love find beauty in all of nature's creation and would never intentionally hit, hurt or destroy another living creature unless they were protecting themselves or another loved one.

Spirituality is standing up for the rights of others to speak their views, even those you do not agree with. It's knowing that you are no better or worse than anyone else because of your color, religious belief, position in life or life style.

Spirituality is unconditional love and acceptance in its truest form.

I, too, am trying to get there.

This article reminded me of the story of another Spiritual Seeker that I encountered in my research, The Velveteen Rabbit.

The Velveteen Rabbit longed to become real, truly real – not merely functional, like the mechanical toys. In the end of this story, the Velveteen Rabbit does become real, with the help of the Nursery Magic Fairy. This transformation was made possible by the love of a child who came to see the Velveteen Rabbit as real – by the transforming power of a child’s love.

I see the transforming power of our caring relationships as the highest expression of Humanist Spirituality – and I too am trying to get there.

Randy Best is a Leader Intern in the Society for Ethical Culture, a religious humanist denomination. His other writings, and those of other Ethical Culture Leaders, can be found at the Ethical Manifold website.