Naturalistic spirituality

Naturalistic Spirituality is a term for a variety of religious and/or philosophical beliefs which pertain to the human experience of the numinous. Chief among modern forms of naturalistic spirituality is Pantheism, but the term may also apply to the beliefs of some pagans, many Taoists, some Buddhists, a number of Hindus, and a variety of non-affiliated independent thinkers who base their spiritual experience directly on Nature itself rather than traditional deities and the supernatural.

Naturalistic Spirituality (NS) is chiefly concerned with finding ways to access traditional spiritual feelings without the inclusion of elements incompatible with science and a broad naturalism. Adherents believe that Nature, in all its diversity and wonder, is sufficient unto itself in terms of eliciting the intellectual and emotional responses associated with spiritual experience, and that there is no need for faith in the traditional anthropomorphic concept of 'god' and similar ideas.

Although the overall movement toward these attitudes remains relatively small and loosely organized, various forms of Naturalistic Spirituality have existed since time immemorial, with philosophical Taoism and similar Eastern nature-mysticisms being perhaps the most notable example. At present, there is a growing interest in actively embracing Naturalistic Spirituality as a rational alternative in a modern world which many feel is losing belief in more traditional spiritual avenues. The rapid growth of Pantheism on the internet is one example of this trend.

Adherents of NS are generally atheistic and scientifically-oriented in most aspects, with their primary difference from other hardline naturalists being their belief that the abandonment of superstition does not necessarily entail the abandonment of spirituality. To NS adherents, the intellectual and emotional experience of something greater than oneself is seen as a phenomenon of enduring value, a positive facet of the human condition to be preserved even while we purge ourselves of so much that has traditionally accompanied it. Despite the pervasive misunderstanding associated with the term 'mysticism,' a number of NS adherents would describe themselves as mystics in terms of the insight that ultimately, we are all part of an interconnected whole, that which we describe as Nature. Although it is not unique to the worldview described here, many would argue that it is this common monistic insight, stripped of any extraneous elements, which underlies all forms of Naturalistic Spirituality.

Crucial challenges for the NS movement currently involve developing and promulgating a naturalistic understanding of the somewhat ambiguous terms 'spirituality' and 'mysticism' as well as several other terms traditionally laden with superstitious and/or supernatural connotations, as well as addressing the issue of whether or not it is desirable to organize a cohesive movement through which to advance ideas critical in achieving mainstream acceptance of the worldview.