I define the spirit as the living essence of a person, which includes consciousness, and the bioelectrical life force within all living things. In this way, the spirit is my mind and my whole body. It is a tangible, material force, rather than a purely superstitious, immaterial entity.  

In every culture, at every time, there is a belief in a spiritual energy that exists within all living things. In Chinese philosophy, this spiritual force is called the Qi (chi). It means breath, or air, but essentially it is what we call the spirit and it flows through all phenomena. The same principle is found in Japanese philosophy, where it is called the ki. In India it is called prana, or shakti. The ancient Egyptians called it Ka, the ancient Greeks pneuma. In Africa it is known as ashe, in Hawaii, mana. For Christians it is the Holy Spirit, and for Native Americans it is the Great Spirit. In Islam it is a little more complex, but the rūh is described as having the ability to infuse life into inanimate matter and perform other tasks beyond human comprehension. Even in prehistoric cultures, it is likely that the cave paintings of animals found across the world, are spiritual in nature.

Typically, but not always, spiritual people practice a form of religion. Their spiritual experience has to do with their connection to God, to other people, and the world. Religious texts reaffirm this spirituality. They bring comfort, reassurance and faith. I’ve written in earlier blog posts, how inherent to the human condition religion is. In many ways, it doesn’t matter if it is ‘real’ or not, what is important is the strength it brings to the lived life: the joy, the serenity, the contentment. If you have found this peace in God, I’m actually jealous of you!

In my post the Electric Life Orchestra, I described the scientific position on the spiritual energy within all living things, and it is a very real phenomena. The only difference between what science has observed and what religious people believe, is the additional involvement of God. There is very definitely a bioelectric force within all things, even rocks. That some people assign this force to a higher power, is a matter of belief not science. There fact that is there, is not in doubt. 

To me, being predominantly non-religious, my spirit is my daily energy, my mood, and my internal homeostasis. I listen to my body, I use my intuition to assess how I’m feeling and this informs how I move. My sleep quality and my diet strongly influence my spiritual energy, as does my health. I have two long-term sleep conditions and several chronic illnesses that affect my day to day spiritual energy, and so I try to meditate often, or at least practise quiet time. This involves doing nothing other than sitting in complete silence. I use aromas to increase my spiritual energy, listen to relaxing classical music and I also play binaural beats. I read spiritual texts to help me reflect on my sense of self and how I might use this wisdom to help me find peace. I take walks in spiritual places such as the ocean or the forest. I connect with friends and find spiritual connection in my circle of loved ones. This is my spirit. This is my Qi. This is my Prana. I try to stay in touch with it. To listen to it and respect it. And maybe, just maybe, it is also my connection to God.