More and more people are seeking new information, answers and solutions to the ever-increasing level of stress, problems and challenges we are all facing. This has led to a surge in the usage and commonality of terms such as spirituality, spiritual growth, meditation, energy and healing to name a few.

New forms of yoga, types of meditation, groups exploring and tapping into the universal healing energy, etc. are springing up everwhere.

So what effect does this familiarity have on the realm of spirituality and personal spiritual growth?

I recalled a time when I was talking with a young friend about my work in Intuitive Touch Healing and attempting to convey the meaning of what I do. Suddenly, she looked at me and said: “Oh, you mean Energy Medicine, I get it, I know what that means.” To which, at the time, I replied, “Yes, I guess so”.

However, what I do is not Energy Medicine in my mind at all. It is a space I create and a healing vibration I set that allows each individual to be recognized and validated both spiritually and physically with no agenda other than to “see” them and assist them along their path.

And yet, I found myself beginning to change the vibration of Intuitive Touch Healing to match how people I came in contact with were perceiving it. I found myself trying to solve people’s problems, rather than granting them space to solve the issues themselves. I was attempting to create something more familiar, easy to understand and comfortable.

The well-known phrase “familiarity breeds contempt” comes to mind. Something that becomes familiar and commonplace, has a tendency to lose its significance, its meaning, its depth and value.

Has your spiritual practice, your meditation ritual or your investment in self-healing suddenly become so commonplace that it has found its place onto your list of “things to do”, alongside “work out, pick up the kids, clean the house”, etc?

Just because everyone is into spirituality, meditation and personal growth these days, does that have to take away from it’s unique meaning and significance for you?

Now more than ever, we are being challenged to hold true to our own faith and beliefs whatever they may be.

I subscribe to the magazine “Spirituality & Health” largely because I so enjoy the writings of one regular contributor, Rabbi Rami Shapiro who writes a column entitled “Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler” in which he answers questions concerning religion, belief, faith, etc. that readers send in. In the last issue (May/June 2010), a reader wrote in questioning the difference between faith and belief.

He answered quite simply that ” Belief is about knowing; faith is about not-knowing. Belief is about content: I believe this, and I don’t believe that. Faith is an attitude toward reality, a trusting in what is unfolding without knowing just what that is.”

It made me wonder if the effect of the mainstream on spirituality isn’t quite simply where faith is being translated into a belief system. Something that you have to know, that other people know and that everyone is doing which, as a result, makes it more real and credible.

And yet, it is this very transformation from faith to belief which diminishes the nature of that faith, makes it commonplace and relegates it to your list of “things to do”.

Take a moment to examine your faith. Recognize it’s unique value and worth to you and you alone. Notice if you aren’t at times tempted to alter, adjust or diminish that faith in order to make it more comfortable or understandable for someone else.

Recognize that you can be unique and yet at the same time be a valuable, contibuting member of our society.

Next time you find “meditate” or “get a healing” on your “to do” list, be amused!

Photos courtesy of stock.xchng and photoXpress.