Reflection Questions
Welcome to the Wisdom of the World - Joan Chittister

Chapter 4 -  “What Does It Mean to Be a Spiritual Person?”
 

1. What does it mean to me to be “spiritual?”

2. Have I grown “spiritually” in the past several years?

             2A.  In what ways have I grown? (be as specific as possible)

             2B.  What has helped me grow? (again, be specific)

                Chittister differentiates between religion and spirituality.  Among her points are: 

• Religion can lead us to an awareness of God, giving us tools and disciplines to make ourselves ready for the experience of God.
• Spirituality has to do with the way we live as a result of that awareness; all of life becomes infused with a sense of Presence that transcends the immediate and gives it meaning.
• Religion is meant to be a bridge to God through understanding, to connect one to the depths of the human soul to the source of the spirit (spirituality) 

3.  In what ways do my religious beliefs and practices facilitate my experience of God?

4.  Are there ways that these beliefs and practices hamper my experience of God?

 Chittister suggests the following as qualities of a spiritual person: 

• Sees into and under, above and beyond the ideas of religion, to the sacredness of all of life
• Is one with the universe in all its forms, all its insights
• Experiences God is every breath, every thought, every underlying motive of everything one does
• Does not seek perfection, but instead seeks the God who is perfect life, perfect fullness, perfect peace

 5.  Do I recognize any of these qualities in myself?  How do I live these qualities in my concrete life today?

 6.  Do I feel drawn in any particular direction, to take any steps, to make any changes, etc. that will be helpful to my spiritual life?