The business of “spirituality” has come into the mainstream market with television shows such as Medium, broadcast through national networks. Author Allison DuBois whose experiences are the basis of the show Medium is one example of a psychic who utilizes her intuitive gifts to solve crimes involving missing children.
Another practicing celebrity psychic, Lizzy Rose of Australia, is negotiating
with networks for a reality T.V. show. The Secret, based on the “law of
attraction” by Rhonda Byrne has been a bestseller on various international book
lists.
With all of this interest in “spirituality,” we ought to consider the meaning of
the words “spirit” and “spirituality”? Is “spirit” only that which allows for
paranormal and psychic abilities? Is spirituality an interest to fulfill our
personal desires, find easy answers, and alleviate fears? Or is “spirit”
something more – a dimension of the Universe that transcends us and can therby
guide us? Can spirituality consist of the fulfillment of our inner potentials
and human values, manifested in our everyday life – values such as justice,
courage, goodness, and generosity?
Timeless wisdom has seen civilizations rise and fall based on the perspective
and approach towards “spirituality”. Traditional wisdom places “Spirit” as the
highest aspiration to which each person and the community can ascend in an
individual and interconnected way.
Ascension comes through one’s own growth in instances of overcoming and learning from the “lows” and “highs” of life, thus acquiring and embodying those “spiritual” values of humanity. Elevation of the human consciousness: isn’t it the role of Culture, besides mere entertainment and satisfaction of immediate desires?
