Spirituality is more about the concern for great questions regarding life and death than about specific answers, which is the realm of the great religions. In American Indian thinking about spirituality, the great mystery about life is part of what makes it sacred. This kind of thinking honors all religions but cannot understand why people have been tortured or murdered if they do not choose one or the other. It allows us to consider that trees and animals may have souls and deserve respect. Once we begin to pick and choose whom or what has value, the great virtues take a detour away from respect and wisdom, then even courage, patience and fortitude can be used for destructive purposes.
Ecological awareness is a vital aspect of spirituality.
Good character education keeps in mind the issue of sustainability, interdependence, diversity and partnerships as well as an acknowledgement of the wonderful mystery of life in which we are all entwined. Love, compassion and caring are also outflows of true spiritual awareness. If we see everything as our relatives and if we view these relationships as sacred, these three emotions are unavoidable. We use this word to describe what one has when one firmly adheres to and identifies with the virtues for the right reasons and when no one is looking. Integrity is acting on the awareness of spirituality.