Virtually every aspect of our lives is concerned with growth. We hear a lot about spiritual growth as well. Whether Mystic or Methodist, Buddhist or Baptist, chances are we find ourselves thinking about what it means to develop and expand our spirits. When all is said and done, this kind of growth may be the most difficult of them all. In many ways, its course may be much less predictable than that of a pre-schooler, a petunia or a portfolio.
Spiritual growth is risky.
Moreover, it is elusive. However, of the many definitions that our contemporary culture offers, one in particular keeps presenting itself to me, as it has for the many years since the time I first ran across it. Buechner argues that spirituality is rooted in and grows from listening - not to everybody else, but to yourself, to your own life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. Spirituality, I think, is listening to our Self, and spiritual growth is learning to not be frightened by what we hear.