Let's discuss Russian "spirituality"...

[peacetraveler22]

There are some words which have purely subjective meanings in my view, and "spirituality" is one of them. For me, this word has nothing to do with God or religion. As an agnostic, I'm not attached to any church or religious rituals, yet I still consider myself a spiritual person. This seems to be a key word in Russian media and culture, as discussions about "spirituality" are constantly thrown around on LJ and in comments, usually to insult the non-spiritual and decadent West. I saw it just this week when the pro-Kremlin blogger "politichanka" grew outraged at Varlamov's recent posts about bad Sevastopol, particularly his focus on all the trash in the city. The reason for all this shit on the ground? She claims that "Ukraine in 23 years failed to instill spiritual values in the youth. Therefore, young people behave like pigs and there is garbage everywhere." Of course, this is an absurd statement but I grew curious and decided to ask her what her definition of "spirituality" is. Her answer? "Actually I don't know."

I never use words I don't know or understand, especially when I'm insulting people. For me, spirituality is an aura, the energy and emotion that you evoke when encountering complete strangers, your charitable contributions to the overall good of humanity, a connection to something bigger than yourself, and an overall sense of openness and positivity toward the world and its inhabitants....and how about you? How does Russian culture define "spirituality," and why is the term so commonly used there? Help me understand. :)

Comments

[k-proh.livejournal.com]

read this http://lurkmore.to/%D0%94%D1%83%D1%85%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8C
it site is mix humor,fun and urban dictionary, but this article can describe what spirituality for many russian is.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Haha! It's great, thanks. :) Especially amusing is the "21 Rules of the Spiritual Man." #5 and #13!! :)) "Nurture wife in severity, let him remember that women - homemakers and behaves with dignity. Of course, this requirement does not apply to prostitutes, even if you go regularly to the same to change the bunny and give yourself whip lash." :)))

[don-oles.livejournal.com]

Spirituality: noun
a) a process by which a perfect amazing cute shiny joyful child is transformed in an adult uninteresting insecure being
b) a process by which an adult uninteresting insecure being is transformed into its original form: perfect amazing cute shiny joyful child.

On the photo you see the a) process.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

The photo displays a normal Russian facial expression, regardless of where the Russian is standing (in a church, sitting on the metro, or walking on the street). :)

[Кристиан Арчер (from livejournal.com)]

It actually doesn't in any meaningful way. The answers I got made me think that "it is sth good, it should/must be". My own family wasn't "spriitual" in that sense so even while living in Russia I totally miss the point

[direkt-mashin.livejournal.com]

Из послания президента РФ Федеральному Собранию
12 декабря 2013 г.:

"Сегодня во многих странах пересматриваются нормы морали и нравственности, стираются национальные традиции и различия наций и культур. От общества теперь требуют не только здравого признания права каждого на свободу совести, политических взглядов и частной жизни, но и обязательного признания равноценности, как это не покажется странным, добра и зла, противоположных по смыслу понятий. Подобное разрушение традиционных ценностей "сверху" не только ведёт за собой негативные последствия для обществ, но и в корне антидемократично, поскольку проводится в жизнь исходя из абстрактных, отвлечённых идей, вопреки воле народного большинства, которое не принимает происходящей перемены и предлагаемой ревизии.

И мы знаем, что в мире всё больше людей, поддерживающих нашу позицию по защите традиционных ценностей, которые тысячелетиями составляли духовную, нравственную основу цивилизации, каждого народа: ценностей традиционной семьи, подлинной человеческой жизни, в том числе и жизни религиозной, жизни не только материальной, но и духовной, ценностей гуманизма и разнообразия мира.

Конечно, это консервативная позиция. Но, говоря словами Николая Бердяева, смысл консерватизма не в том, что он препятствует движению вперёд и вверх, а в том, что он препятствует движению назад и вниз, к хаотической тьме, возврату к первобытному состоянию.

В последние годы мы видели, как попытки навязать другим странам якобы более прогрессивную модель развития на деле оборачивались регрессом, варварством, большой кровью".


Метки : КОНСЕРВАТИВНЫЙ ГЛОБАЛИЗМ

[dmitri-lytov.livejournal.com]

politichanka is not pro-Kremlin. She is talented spoofer.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

What do you mean "spoofer?" In what way?

[logofilka.livejournal.com]

Любовь - это то, что русские придумали, чтобы денег не платить. (C)
The painful truth is that there is no "Russian spirituality" - there is an overused explanation for laziness, lack of work ethic, financial insufficiency, etc
We have a family anecdote about my brother. When he was about six years old, he was exposed to a bragging one of his friend who came from a very privileged family. That boy was listing all his expensive toys and his recent trips with the parent, and my brother was visibly upset trying not to cry. And then suddenly, my brother's face lit up as he thought of a response to all of his friend's statements. After taking a dramatic pause, he declared: "Зато я душой богат!" I have no idea where he got it from, but apparently it worked and made the bully to shut up. I am pretty sure most of the Russian population still share the attitude of a six y o.

[zirazira.livejournal.com]

отлично! you made my day ))))

[dkfl.livejournal.com]

Russian "spirituality" is infantilism.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

You are not alone in your thinking. Many people feel the same.

[little-bes.livejournal.com]

Now this word - empty. )) absolutely
There are lot of historical moment in this modern condition. ))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Why do you think this word is now empty?

[don-oles.livejournal.com]

This is russian spirituality: dead people crawl.

[alter ego (from livejournal.com)]

This is ukrainian spirituality: dead people crawl.

[alter ego (from livejournal.com)]

Let's discuss Google "spirituality :-) ...

[don-oles.livejournal.com]

Do it.

[perycalypsis.livejournal.com]

The American presents a strange picture: a European with Negro behaviour and an Indian soul. (The words of a famous specialist.)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Religion is declining in the USA...but spirituality is not. :) This is a good thing in my view. I don't like or support organized religion - it is usually a way to control people.

[alter ego (from livejournal.com)]

the quintessence:

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I cannot read the Russian on these signs, but the pictures speak for themselves. :)

[alexanderr.livejournal.com]

real easy.
spirituality comes from the word "spirit" or "спирт", alcohol.
to become a spiritual person you just need to drink heavily
like all russians

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I just read an article about how vodka consumption dramatically increases in Russia over the long New Year holiday. It was just an insane amount of alcohol consumed in a two week period.

[moskitow.livejournal.com]

Official religion in Russia was always - "bad guys". There is a story written by Pushkin "The tale of the Priest and his workman Balda" where he was making fun of the priest. There are paintings of famous artists showing the hypocrisy of the church. For example "Easter Procession in a village" by Vasily Perov. The priest is completely drunk there.

People in Russia are very superstitious and full of pagan believes and rituals (it's a custom to do fortune telling during the christmas night and find out who will be your husband)
So for a long time religion was there to keep simple people in fear and make them obedient. After the Revolution when the Church lost it's influence on the government level, the religion became more like an underground cool and dangerous thing to practice. So in a way, you could be a rebel if you were a believer. The communist party's ideology was a new religion. After Perestroyka and a big collapse of the communist party, the religion is back on track(supported by the government so they have at least something to control people). It was back and forth and all the way around with religion. Very confusing with what to believe for people.
I think that for Russians the meaning in "spiritual values" is something that doesn't correlate with religion, it's more like the real values of piece and kindness. Something like a homemade Moonshine - clear, strong and easy to use :) With all the constant changes it's hard to teach your children what is the right thing....

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Fortune telling on Christmas night? :)) I have never heard of this tradition! I wonder how often the fortune teller is right? This does not seem like a reliable way to find your prince charming. :)

[mnepox2.livejournal.com]

Two-faced ruler ...

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

And today we have learned that Putin endorses Donald Trump for U.S. Presidency! Nightmare. :( I don't know if it's true, but it certainly makes for good and sensationalist headlines. :) http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/17/politics/russia-putin-trump/index.html

[exorcist2007.livejournal.com]

I never use this word outside religious contents. However, as it is widely used now outside such contents ,my "translation" of spitituality is high morale values.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

"Morality" is also a subjective term. :) What is immoral to some is completely moral to me. Abortion is one example of this.

[nar-row.livejournal.com]

"Spiritual values" is generally a synonym for "moral values" or "moral grounds". Which, in opinion of some people, we (Russians) have and they (decadent western nations) have not.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

And why do Russians think Americans have no moral values? On what basis is this opinion formed? Most of them have never been to the USA, or even spoken to an American.

[anna-sollanna.livejournal.com]

Nowadays the world "spirituality" is mostly used in Russian by pro-government organization and people when they wanted to mark obedient but poor and stupid people, whose only virtue is their obedience. If people follow precepts of their superiors (nevertheless how stupid these precepts are), especially if the precepts were given by the Orthodox Church - these people are called "spiritual". People who can think by themselves, who can analyze, who can make their own decisions and be responsible for them, who do not follow blindly the church or the government - these people are called by the church and pro-government people "nonspiritual".
As for me I can't even define what other meanings except the only obvious one can the word spirituality and its derivatives have. For me these terms in their right definition are connected with person's soul, inner world, thoughts, dreams and desires; all these the mental phenomena are parts of spirituality of a person and nothing more.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, we think the same. :)

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

I would put spirituality as seeing bigger goals and content in your life, that things are way above the everyday life chores. Meanwhile, a really spiritual person would consider cleaning after himself as a part of considering others around.
I believe it is universal, not anything so very Russian.
Some people are using religious placebo to feed their spiritual needs or just paving a way to eternal happy life, some looking for a sense and purpose in a real life. Nothing is wrong in both unless it does not lead to forcing others into your faith of faithlessness.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I never hear Americans talking about "spirituality," so I think the term itself is used much more widely by Russians and in Russian culture.

[scrawnypaws.livejournal.com]

Hi, how's it going.
The writer Pelevin (a funny guy, BTW) defined that proverbial "Russian spirituality" as (I paraphrase) "an ability to swagger and put on mighty airs with nothing to back it up with". Bull's eye.))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hi! :) This is a sad existence.

Моя великая русская духовность:

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

This is when you are standing in the church, put your hand in pocket and corrects the dick so that others do not see that you have the most powerful erections.
Actually, the main picture in this post is really about this.

Re: Моя великая русская духовность:

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

The candles are very phallic! I did not notice it, until you corrupted my mind! But you are a very bad boy because it's now time for our big holiday luncheon at work, and with the thought of Putin's dick I've suddenly lost my appetite. :( Bah humbug!

[e-d-w.livejournal.com]

"Spirituality" is a way of manipulating the Russians. Putin in this photo - it's just a show.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Maybe you are right, but he is frequently photographed with Orthodox leaders. I do not like this mixing of religion and State at any level.

[theodorexxx.livejournal.com]

there is nothing bad with it. it's good to be a good person, nothing more
spirituality is when people don't drop litter bc they feel it's a shame, not bc they'll be fined

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It is a good analogy, thanks.

[beloborodoff.livejournal.com]

Spirituality ? Do you mean "духовность" ? Origing of this word is "living by christian values". But now this word is like "be good and patriotic person". But only russian person ! Nobody else could have "духовность".

[direkt-mashin.livejournal.com]

You sound like a chauvinist. China is very spiritual. Our traditional values too

[megavoltd.livejournal.com]

It might be interesting. American citizen about the war in the Donbas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQzXhnjENa0

[vitsky.livejournal.com]

Spirituality means that spiritual, i.e. non-material values are more important for a person than material ones.

Самая суть

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

Exactly. That is why there is a special presidential decree ordering to consider oil as a spiritual value :)