 Spiritual: September 05, 2007 Issue [#1931] |
  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: animatqua
More Newsletters By This Editor 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
| Some ideas on what makes a spiritual write. |
| ASIN: B0CJKJMTPD |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
|
|
Spiritual (according to Merrian-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary):
1. Of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit (incorporeal)
2. a) Of or relating to sacred matters b) ecclesiastical rather than lay or temporal
3. Concerning religious matters
4. Related to or joined in spirit
5 a) Of or relating to supernatural beings or phenomena b) of, relating to, or involving spiritualism
Frankly, I never look at this definition when I sit down to write a spiritual piece. To me, like many other authors I’ve read on site, `spiritual’ means an expression of my own, personal Path in life.
When I am writing in this mode I let it all hang out. That is, I present my belief as I see it. I may also address how this belief has effected my life and/or my praise for these things. These generally are emotional pieces, and fall into the fourth part of the definition.
Sometimes I also use a teaching approach. When I write this way I am assuming my audience is involved with, or at least interested in, the subject. This requires a more structured presentation. Information takes precedence here, dealing more with education than emotion. Teaching generally incorporates the second and third parts of the definition.
These ideas work for me when I am writing for receptive, interested audiences. If I choose to write for people who are not on my personal Path, or are indifferent to my Path, or even opposed to my Path, I take another approach.
The things that work best for me when I am involved in writing for these kinds of readers is to keep my comments within universal precepts. For instance, most people are in agreement there is a higher power who has a benign to helpful interest in human kind. This higher power is approachable and wishes to be approached. Addressing the Spirit within this higher power is innocuous and generally inoffensive.
If I want to be more specific in my address, I would do some positive comparisons using, again, universal images. One example would be: a dodem, or spirit guide, is similar to an angel. Most belief systems include angels in their doctrine and would have a basis for understanding in the comparison.
To be honest, I am quite passionate about how I am related to and joined to spirit. This is a Beauty and a Balance in my life I want to acknowledge and praise. I don’t like being `innocuous’ here. On the other hand, I also do not particularly like being offensive.
For this reason I do my best to avoid the presentations that are the most offensive to a general audience: preaching, proselytizing, and bigotry (`I’m right because this is the right way and unless you agree with me, you are wrong’).
It isn’t always easy to recognize the above approaches in one’s own writing. This is especially so if one is passionate about the subject. I try to correct this flaw in myself by developing friendships with authors who are 1) not following my Path, 2) not afraid to tell me when I’ve gotten out of line, 3) listening to that friend without giving him a bunch of `yah, but’ defenses.
To me, then, the prime definition of `spiritual writing’ is a concentration on that which is related to or joined in spirit. The best way to write within the Spiritual genre is to make the presentation in a passionate, considerate way.
|
My picks reflect some passionate, considerate ways to express spiritual things.
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1312139 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1299411 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1182536 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1284875 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1182538 by Not Available. |
|
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: 197380364X |
|
Amazon's Price: $ 15.99
|
|
| ASIN: B07N36MHWD |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 7.99
|
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction
of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
