The word spirit is translated from the Hebrew word Ruah (“RuWaHa”). It means breath. Our spirit or our spirituality – like our breath – flows from the inside to the outside and back again. When we breathe, we inhale and exhale. Take a moment to concentrate on your breath – inhale and exhale a few times. Did you know that we take approximately 10-20 breaths per minute?

Breathing and spirituality is an essential part of our existence. While each of us breathes all the time and all at once, we all breathe a bit differently. Our spirituality is similar – it is a part of who we are – but it is different for all of us. There are as many different types of spirituality as there are people.

Our spirituality is part of who we are. It concerns our inner human nature, our values, and our experiences – our approach to life, to others, and to ourselves.

Spirituality is an aspect of the core of our being, with lived-out values that give purpose and meaning to life. Just as our breaths cannot be seen – neither can our spirit or our spirituality. But our spirituality shows forth in our behavior. Our spirituality can renew, lift up, comfort, heal and inspire us.

It has been said that an important aspect of spirituality is to be able to hold reality in one hand and hope in the other.

Spirituality comes in many different forms. Spirituality may be focused on a Higher Power, God, Spirit, Jesus, Buddha, nature or the universe.

It may be centered on any sense of “other” either deep within or above and beyond us. It is sometimes defined as “the impulse that empowers our living” dependent or independent of a specific religion or religious belief.

As we journey through Lent, let us take the time to explore and renew our inner spirit – each of us in our own way.