From the first time I heard it, I've been drawn to the word "pragmatic." "Pragmatic." I like the way it sounds and I especially like all the meaning tied up in that one little word:
Pragmatic: "dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations; sensible; down-to-earth."
For as far back as I can remember, I've also been drawn to the spiritual considerations of life. This particular "bent" to my personality has been the motivating power for most of my major life decisions.
It's no surprise to me, then, that the idea of "pragmatic spirituality" has a special appeal to me. This idea has been with me for so long, and so much a part of my thinking, that I don't know if I read the phrase somewhere or if I made it up myself. Whichever, it's the only type of spirituality that is sensible to me. Any spirituality that is not practical, sensible, down-to-earth, that does not help me engage the world and do better in the world, is escapism.
Often, we resort to a spirituality when our world is turned upside down through an unexpected transition --- illness, death, separation, divorce, change in circumstance. An ethereal, other-worldly, theoretical spirituality is practically useless during these times. They are found lacking and that's why people are often disappointed.
When I'm face-down in the mud, give me a pragmatic, down-to-earth, dirty, spirituality. That's what I know I can count on.
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