Are you a spiritual person? Do you feel the need to tell people that you are spiritual or that you are religious?

Growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, I wore that label of ‘religious’ like a badge of honor. I lived, ate and breathed it 24/7. There wasn’t a moment in time when I wasn’t identified by my religion.

Today, not much has changed…on the other hand, everything has changed. Rather than living, eating and breathing my religion, I now live, eat and breathe my spiritual beliefs. Rather than linking my identity with a religion, I allow people to decide for themselves who I am.

In ‘God is No Laughing Matter’, by Julia Cameron, she talks about ‘Very Spiritual People’. They are the ones that talk in low, sweet, soft, gentle monotone voices until as she says, ‘you want to pinch them or tickle them or hit them with a baseball bat.’ They just get to be too much with their self-righteous piety.

As I have said to my clients, ‘If I have to tell people I am spiritual, there’s a problem. A white person does not need to say they are white; a black person does not need to say they are black; a man does not need to tell anyone he’s a man. Why do we think we need to tell anyone that we are ’spiritual’?’

Shouldn’t it be obvious? And in the end, who really cares? First of all, my
spirituality is between me and God. It’s not between you and me. Second of all, my spirituality is what works for me, not what works for you. Your spirituality should be the same. I don’t need to feel contented, at peace and connected with YOUR relationship with a Higher Power. You do.

A woman recently phoned me, still grieving a very difficult family tragedy that had happened almost a year ago. She had talked to many priests and ministers and was not feeling comforted. We spoke for about 30 minutes and she later wrote me to say that she felt a greater level of peace for the first time. She actually felt like she had some answers. I celebrate being able to support her in her trials.

So as a minister, my role is to help you IF you need help with that relationship or if you have questions or concerns about your spirituality. It is NOT my role to determine whether or not you are spiritual, good enough in that level of spirituality or to tell you that your definition of spirituality is wrong or evil.

Some people are spiritual snobs. They need to tell people that they meditate for four hours a day, they tithe to their church or they roll their eyes at you in absolute horror if you dare suggest any discontent with God.

I want to run from those kinds of people! Rules around spirituality are in my
opinion, ways of controlling people, keeping them in fear and making them feel guilty. None of which I wish to condone, support or participate in.

So ask yourself: Do I consider myself a Very Spiritual Person or am I at peace with who I am with God? If you are, it will be obvious to everyone you meet.

Blessings,

This information is copyrighted. Please feel free to pass along, use as part of your spiritual newsletters but please keep all information including contact information intact. Thank you for your respect and integrity in this matter.

Jan Janzen is a non-denominational minister, author and entrepreneur. Her book Devil with a Briefcase: 101 Success Secrets for the Spiritual Entrepreneur along with her CD series for the Spiritual Entrepreneur and other resources for the entrepreneur with ethics are available at
www.spiritualentrepreneurinfo.com. For more information on Jan’s ministry and her support of microfinance projects around the world, please visit www.janjanzenministries.com

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