The relationship between philosophy and spirituality

They both provide a foundational method for seeking “truth”

Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing of the “Vitruvian Man” illustrates what he believed to be a divine connection between the human form and the Divine

Spirituality and Philosophy often go hand in hand as far as making people understand the meaning of life, death, and the struggles they go through. While certain people call themselves spiritual, there are others more inclined towards philosophy than spirituality. Most people fail to comprehend the fundamental relationship between philosophy and spirituality. There isn’t any doubt that these two concepts are closely related, but there does exist a thin line that separates both of them.

The question then becomes what do they have in common and what do they have in conflict.

They are similar because they both provide a foundational method for seeking truth. Philosophy is based on a cognitive and rational approach to seeking truth about human existence and experience. Spirituality is based on an affective and emotional approach to seeking truth about human existence and experience.

The difference between spirituality and philosophy is spirituality is related to the soul whereas philosophy is related to the brain. Philosophy is a thought process. The brain thinks and puts forward logic and reasoning. Spirituality is directly connected to the soul, passing the body and its sensory organs.

In the original sense, Philosophy is a combination of two Greek words, philein sophia, meaning lover of wisdom. Wisdom (sophia) and love (eros) are combined in a moral and intellectual order to reach the likeness of the Divine. This likeness was to be attained by gnosis, knowledge. The Greek word nous (intellect or mind) covers all that is meant both by spirit and intellect. Platonic philosophy was a spiritual and contemplative way of life leading to enlightenment, a way that was ultimately based on intellect, which transcends the realm of perception and reasoning. Grasping intelligent principles led to a union with the Divine because knowledge of the Divine is virtue, wisdom, and perfect happiness, and makes us all like the Divine

Spirituality means knowing that our lives are significant beyond a mundane everyday existence at the level of our needs that drive selfishness and aggression. It means knowing that we are all working parts of a whole in the universe because we are all One.

This involves the recognition of a feeling, sense, or belief that there is something greater than self, something more to being human, and that the greater whole of which we are part is Divine.

A good example of philosophy and spirituality combined is “Treat others the way you would want to be treated”. Philosophy tells us that true intellect is acting justly which is rational. Spirituality tells us “You reap what you sow”, meaning the energy we put out is the energy we will attract.

Final thoughts

Everyone should do all in their power to collect and “sow” the truth, in hope that it may “cultivate” a place in history and “grow” into prosperity.

“Trust that providence will turn everything, even apparent disaster, into some useful purpose.”