A smattering of thoughts about spirituality

So here's what's been on my mind lately. I've been thinking about spirituality. What does it mean? What is it? Can it help me in my life? The way I see it, my life is divided into three components: my physical body, my intellectual powers, and my spirituality. I work out my body constantly by lifting weights and swimming. I try to read as often as I can to improve my mind; and plus, I'm currently going to college. But spirituality is the one area where I commit no time to improving. And I think my life is starting to suffer because of it.

In a way, I think, spirituality is a means of organizing ones mind, concerting ones will in an effort to move from a lower stage in life to a higher stage in life.

Just to be clear, I'm not talking about a specific religion when I talk about spirituality. I think this effect or power or whatever is found the world over. Three examples immediately came to my mind: 1.) Christians visiting the birth site of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem; 2.) Hindus bathing in the Ganges River for purification; 3.) Buddhists meditating under the same type of tree Siddhārtha Gautama sat under when he reached Enlightenment. In my opinion, all of these offer a version of spirituality. Each one depicts an effort to improve oneself. The christian means to become closer to Christ by making pilgrimage to a holy site; the Hindu performs a ritual part of his/her religion that has been practiced for thousands of years; the Buddhist is focused on attaining a higher level of consciousness. So spirituality isn't just reserved for one religion; it is found in many religions.

But what is it? Personally, I've concluded it's a means of directing ones will or consciousness to the improvement of one's mind and life. It has been said by your parents that you are capable of doing anything. Well, this might be true, but only under certain conditions. I believe spirituality is the key to this. Spirituality requires control over ones self, while simultaneously giving up ones individuality to join a greater force--human or supernatural. For instance, Christians often pray to God for thanks, for help, or for comfort. They are focusing their lives, examing themselves, and then offering themselves to the power of God. Prayer, I have concluded, is not a religious act but a spiritual one. Obviously I'm generalizing a lot, but I think there's something to all of this. Meditation is another effort of spirituality. For Buddhists, meditation is one way of moving towards Enlightenment. But it is also good for clearing ones thoughts and I believe there are also additional health benefits.

I'm just thinking that spirituality is not necessarily linked to religion, and that as a non-believer of any religion myself, I'm beginning to think I need to become more spiritual. Spirituality, as I see it, is the effort of introspection and striving for critical insight into one's mind, life, and society. I believe I currently lack the self-control, self-discipline, and will power gained through practice of spirituality. I therefore believe I'd like to include prayer and meditation in my life more often.

Yes, I believe prayer can help you even if you don't believe in God. What am I praying to if I don't believe in God? Perhaps I'll use it as a time of reflection. I'll remind myself of everything I'm grateful for; I'll wish other people well. I'll do anything, really, that you would do if you were reflecting on your life. But my hands will be held together and I'll be kneeling very quietly.

Is this stupid? Do you really think so?