Editorial

An issue about spirituality has problems with semantics by definition. There are so many pathways to touch spirituality that makes it impossible to identify the meaning of the world, or at least I had problems to do so.

According to the popular internet encyclopaedia, spirituality is a process of personal transformation, either in accordance with traditional religious ideals, or, increasingly, oriented on subjective experience and psychological growth independently of any specific religious context. In a more general sense, it may refer to almost any kind of meaningful activity or blissful experience. There is no single, widely-agreed definition for the concept.

Still, spirituality means something different to everyone. For some, it’s about participating in organized religion, going to the church, synagogue, a mosque or temple. For others, it’s more personal. Some people get in touch with their spiritual side through private prayer, yoga, meditation, quiet reflection, or even long walks. I find the more personal as a more comfortable way for me at least.

In a more personal level I find spirituality at the times I can silently communicate with myself and my surroundings without the need of touching, seeing, smelling or hearing. I also found that the best mediator to help this form of personal communication has always been art. Looking at the painting of Xue Jiye, a contemporary Chinese painter lately, I felt that I was entering a different dimension. I have also often mention that doesn’t matter how many times I have visited the Tate Gallery the last 35 years, – and it is a lot of times – I have always

found myself bewitched by William Blake’s work and never been able to move to the next room in one of the most famous galleries in the world.

So is this a spiritual experience? You might say that looking at a Buddha status in Thailand might give you the same sensation and somebody else might add that reading the Quran or the Bible might lead to the same spiritual experiences. The same applies to Edgar Alan Poe’s books or Shakespeare. The complexity of the meanings and the symbolisms might lead you to a different understanding and a spiritual experience.

The same time I didn’t feel any spiritual awaking visiting Hagia Sophia in Istanbul or St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, without that meaning that I didn’t appreciated the art of the architecture or the interior work. I was actually in awe with both architectural and artistic miracles. But this was it. At least for me, these are creations of master architects and artist and nothing more.

But the same applies with the paintings of William Blake that fascinate me so much, isn’t it? They are also creations of a master, why do they establish a spiritual connection for me?

So is it personal? Is it how you observe and understand and how this something communicates with your inner understanding? Is it a personal and silent procedure which has little to do with the things you use to mediate?

I suppose the contributors of this issue will try to answer to some of these questions or at least share their experiences with spirituality and believes.

Thanos Kalamidas