Spiritual Curiosity

Some of us like to believe we are open to new ideas, new experiences. There are people eager to try any new restaurant. Some of us try to visit new places each year. I even know people who seem to be driven to try every new craft beer brewed.

We want to think of ourselves as curious. We want to be people who push back boundaries, who try new things. We want to question our assumptions and learn new truths.

Many of the people I know are more curious about the tastes of new foods than spiritually curious.

A lot of people do not question the spiritual information they were given as children. Whether we follow a specific religious teaching, or no religion, we do not ask many questions.

Some of us have never thought much about spiritual life. Some people are afraid to ask many real questions. Some are confused and intimidated. Quite a few people are distracted or do not see how spiritual life affects them.

I even know people who think lack of curiosity is a sign of their acceptance of others. A “live and let live” attitude means they never really need to explore for themselves.

Spiritual curiosity can be hard when anyone you could ask seems to have a vested interest in the answers. Some of the people who seem to have found answers are not particularly open to questions.

Whatever our reasons, quite a few of us never really take time to be curious.

There are plenty of things about spiritual life beyond my understanding. Being open, and curious, seems to be what spiritual life is all about.

There are always more questions.

How spiritually curious are you today?

What are the spiritual questions you would like to ask?

[Image by christopher frier brown]