What it is to be Spiritual

Before anything else, this must be said – All intelligent beings are spiritual. Possibly all cognizant and sentient beings are spiritual but thatis another discussion. Spiritual is to mean that there is a non-physical construct of identity called the Mind, for this discussion the Mind and the brain are two different things.

The Mind is capable of processing certain non-physical stimuli that may or may not exist within or without the Mind. Note, the brain processes the chemical information for physical stimuli, but the recognition of this stimuli (pain, pleasure) is a matter of the Mind. These stimuli and our reactions to them are what necessarily make us Human. This is the most basic sense our spiritual nature, because it discusses the spirit; our compassions, our zeal, our fears, and our prejudices, and our delusions – and our Reason (Reason used in the sense of the Enlightenment of the Western world) of each of us. As for the Divine Spiritual (note the capital s), certain ontological assumptions have to be made. While these statements are meant to say that we are all Spiritual, it also means that we do not all see or recognize that Spirit. As proof of that, is the existence of Initiation, the act of opening ones Mind to the existence of the Spiritual.

It is important at this point to note that in the Mind is the fulfillment of our great potential, indeed the Great Work, the complete amalgamation of both Faith (belief without dogma) and Reason. Without the proper balance of, and skill of use at, both of these great tools one is never fully human and indeed the Spiritual remains unseen.

However, while saying all Mankind is Spiritual, this does not go so far to include the assumption that anything that makes me feel what I call “Spiritual� is Spiritual and therefore a valid Spiritual Path. Look to modern Mysteries traditions, mythology, current Eastern practices, and even modern day Catholic schools to find proof. That proof is this; most often Spiritual Paths make one realize that what one thinks is Spiritual is truly no more than phantasmagoria - the product of the spiritual. The Rite of Purification, which is a necessary part of the Process of Initiation, requires sacrifices upon our personal altars our prejudices, our lesser Reasonings, and our Superstitions (superstition is the antithesis of Faith and thus counter to the Spiritual) to forgo Phantasmagoria, e.g. the 40 days in the desert. The door that opens the Mystery of the Spiritual, the first step on the path of Purification, is the ceremony of Initiation. Note also, that Initiation and Purification are not the exclusive provence of Religion or Mystery Schools. The act of Purification and Initiation can be, and often is, the result of life experience.

Ergo, you are a Spiritual in so much as you have come to a point where Faith and Reason have begun to unite, if not united; through the Rite of Purification, acted upon the impulse of Initiation.

To the matter of the religious organization, this is a cultural issue, but one born of spiritual expectations. You can provide Spirituality to the Organization by offering Initiation. This is Initiation in the big sense of not only the ceremony itself, but also the necessary structure to provide the necessary instruction fulfill the Rite of Purification: in the immortal words of Master Yoda to cause one to “unlearn what you have learned�.

In addition to the matter of the religious organization, it must be understood that within the organization the Spiritual and the spiritual working simultaneously, but not necessary towards the same ends. This is exemplified in the difference between Congregant and Priest. Congregants, are part of the cultural and society of the Organization, but they are not part of the Spiritual Tradition. Hence, then are simply spiritual. This is a fine line to be sure. Congregants are welcome to attend and participate in Organizations functions, but they are as involved in the Spiritual nature of the organization as much as an Altar Boy is involved in the Spiritual nature of Communion – that is to say, they are not involved in the Spiritual nature, only the dressing of the Spiritual nature.

In the end, a discussion on the Candidates for Initiation. That is to address, whether or not the Candidate for Initiation is “duly and truly prepared, worthy and well qualified�. This is important to ask, as it must be clear that Initiation opens the door to a mystery tradition, and that all Spiritual things are mysterious things as well. This will certainly upset those who feel an entitlement to Spirituality, as on the face of it,this statement does appears to say that only the Elect can receive the Spiritual. This conclusion is false. The concept of a mystery tradition is that entitlement is innate, however apprehension and comprehension of the Spiritual is the result of work on the part of the individual - the natural result of the process of unifying Faith and Reason. Simply put, the mere determination that one is entitled to, or has the potential, for Spirituality will not result in Spirituality. Without work there is no reward.

In this matter, the qualification of the Candidate for Initiation, and the culture of non-Initiates within the Religious Organization, it is important to note that the autonomic execution of Liturgy is not Spiritual. It is empty at most, and spiritual at best, but only so if the those performing the ceremony go so far as to put some amount of effort into it. Even the simple act of memorizing the ceremony goes far to show some willingness to do the work, and gives power and meaning to the ceremony. At this point, I need to digress, ceremonies are meaningless without context. Context is the result of knowledge (information and understanding of information). The act of flipping the shell does not part the Veil. The Veil parts when our Spirit compels it to do so (of course the fun question is whether or not we are parting the veil (the inner veil) or the Veil (the great Veil) and if the two are not one in the same). Believing simply that the act itself is not a symbol is superstition nothing more. If the student is not capable of seeing past this, they are not yet “duly or truly prepared worthy and well qualified�.

After saying all that - the digest version. You cannot provide Spirituality to another person (that is right, the concept of Elect Priesthood is a Control). You can provide the Initiation, which must outline the steps needed to full the Rite of Purification, but only the Candidate can Purify themselves. Without that effort on their part there will be no Spirituality, no matter how entitled to it, or presupposed of its composition, they may feel it is.