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.

[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.

[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

[dmitri-lytov.livejournal.com]

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

[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.

[dkfl.livejournal.com]

Russian "spirituality" is infantilism.

[little-bes.livejournal.com]

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

[don-oles.livejournal.com]

This is russian spirituality: dead people crawl.

[alter ego (from livejournal.com)]

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

[zirazira.livejournal.com]

отлично! you made my day ))))

[alter ego (from livejournal.com)]

This is ukrainian spirituality: dead people crawl.

[perycalypsis.livejournal.com]

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

[don-oles.livejournal.com]

Do it.

[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]

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). :)

[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]

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

[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....

[don-oles.livejournal.com]

Yep. Nobody offers free hugs.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Next time I'm in Russia, it will be a good social experiment to stand in Red Square with one of those "Free Hugs from the USA" sign and see how many people approach me. :) Like this dude in Paris http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/19/world/muslim-man-hugs-paris-feat/.

[perycalypsis.livejournal.com]

BTW. Osho Rajneesh was a great spiritual teacher, he was poisoned and was expelled from the United States.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I've never heard of him, and why was he expelled from the USA?

[agathpher.livejournal.com]

Isn't Google's artificial intelligence great. None of those countries but Russia annexed Crimea.

As for духовность - they do need something to justify/compensate for all the screwedness (not sure if this is a word :) of their lives, day after day, year after year, century after century. Just makes them feel better.

[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." :)))