Some people practice spiritual activities, like those listed on the previous slide, and actively pursue spiritual growth. They obviously believe that the practice of these activities will have some value to their lives. Others don't actively pursue spiritual awareness, however all people experience spiritual moments in their day, perhaps many times a day. Spiritual activity is as common as brushing your teeth, and therefore, whether or not you seek it, you will experience spiritual moments even if by coincidence or accident. Some people ask me, "How will I know when I've had a spiritual moment". My answer is simple: If you have made an important discovery that leads to positive decision-making with respect to the three capacities of the spirit (meaningful purpose, personal values or internal and external relationships), then you have had a spiritual moment.

I frequently use this example of a passive spiritual moment: You are reading a book. However, after awhile, you find yourself daydreaming. Your mind is wandering from thought to thought (this is not spiritual awareness, it is daydreaming). Finally your mind rests on a particular thought, say a relationship that has been going sour. Your mind is focused on this relationship and possible courses of action (this is actually meditation, not yet spiritual awareness). After some reflection on your life goals and your own desires, the light bulb finally turns on (we call this the "Aha" experience), you know what direction you will take. You have made a decision in the area of external relationships. This "light bulb" experience, or awareness of direction and purpose, and the decision that it produces, is spiritual experience.

While some people continue to experience spiritual awareness passively, it makes more sense to actively pursue spiritual growth.