In the grand scheme of things, spirituality may be more important than church or religion. What is spirituality, and what are some paths to spiritual growth? Does man need spirituality in his life, and how can a Deist church help fulfill this need?

If spirituality is defined as being connected to something greater than oneself, then by all means, the practice of Deism is a spiritual undertaking. Most Deists have a reverence for nature. The power and beauty of natural phenomena can inspire us with a sense of awe and reverence. Art and music can also provide an uplifting spiritual experience. Spirituality can be and has been associated with a search for the meaning of life. Contemplation of life beyond the immediate self is another form of spirituality. Even a study of who you are and what you believe can be a form of spiritual development. Exercising reason is probably not a spiritual experience for many of you. On the other hand, spirituality does not have to mean mysticism in the traditional sense, not that a Deist cannot become a mystic (by the M. Scott Peck definition). Nor does spirituality necessarily equate to religion, but spirituality and Deism are quite compatible.

Many people I know fulfill their spiritual needs through their experience and contemplation of nature. I personally find nothing more awesome or inspirational than nature. It is not all that I find spiritual in my life, but I seldom fail to be inspired by nature, and it does not take some earth-shattering event or finger-of-God weather phenomenon or an enormous height or depth or breadth to inspire. The blooming of a flower, the spinning of a web or the gathering activities of bees or ants can have a profound spiritual effect on me. Contemplating them can be awe inspiring. If you need a spiritual boost, just take a walk. The less sterile and manicured the path, the better. Open your eyes and ears and nose and lift your spirits.

Meditation and contemplation are time-honored practices that are spiritually fulfilling. Here are several sites that offer ideas on meditation. I could not improve on the advice they give except perhaps to recommend that you keep your meditation and contemplation simple at first, and be patient. Quieting the mind is not so easy a thing:

http://www.learningmeditation.com/
http://www.how-to-meditate.org/
http://www.meditationcenter.com/
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/meditation/
http://www.mro.org/zmm/teachings/meditation.php

See also the information about meditation and contemplation on the Deist Information site.

Whether you sit zazen, practice another Buddhist technique or find some other method, pick something that works for you.

The right music affects most of us profoundly. I enjoy a wide variety of music, and I find a lot of it deeply moving, but the most spiritual pieces for me are Classical, New Age, Celtic and Folk instrumentals. Some of the best lyrics are found in a couple of filk and folk tunes: The Word of God by Cat Faber is one you must listen to (MP3). Another is Holy Now by Peter Mayer. A video of him performing is at YouTube. A portable MP3 player or iPod is all you really need to have an uplifting experience. Accompanying video can add to the effect. I have some materials that I will put up on YouTube in the near future. One is based on a New Age piece I did several years ago. Another is an original that I wrote and recorded fairly recently.

There are several sites that offer free information and resources to help you find your own best way to spirituality. You might want to try http://www.iamawakening.org/ (Spirituality Information to Help You). The site's only agenda is to help you meet your spiritual needs. It is non-denominational and offers both Buddhist podcasts and Bible verses as well as other inspirational quotes. The site aims to help people find comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness. 

Spirituality is an important part of being human. There is a lot more to come in this section.