What does a “Spiritual Person” look like? When you think of a Spiritual Person, does this image come to mind?
What if it was more like this:
I first discovered Chris Grosso through a mutual friend, Kayla, via Twitter. I started following him and vice versa, and we have since become friends on Facebook as well. There aren’t a lot of us that are tattooed, alternative folk in the wellness and spiritual circles, so I was excited to check him out.
When first I read Chis’s blog, Indie Spiritualist, I was immediately struck by his wise (beyond his years) and humble nature. I was so inspired and moved (literally to tears) by his story and how he came to spirituality. I am also a graduate of the school of hard knocks, and felt an immediate resonance with his story and his message.
When I heard Chris was writing a book, I just knew I had to get a copy and do a review & giveaway! Lucky for me, Kayla had already bought me signed copy as a gift. In an effort to pay it forward and get this epic book into more hands you will have a chance to get your hands on a signed copy as well (more on that below).
So who is Chris Grosso and what is an Indie Spiritualist?
“Chris Grosso is an independent culturist, recovering addict, and bestselling author of Indie Spiritualist: A No Bullshit Exploration of Spirituality. He writes for ORIGIN Magazine, Huffington Post and Mantra Yoga + Health Magazine. A self-taught musician, Chris has been writing, recording, and touring since the mid-’90s.”
Indie Spiritualist in Chris’s words taken from Indie Spiritualist: A No Bullshit Exploration of Spirituality.
“Spirituality is often of little interest to those who are independent thinkers and don’t necessarily feel like we fit into the mainstream cultural norms in terms of interests, passions, values, or attitudes. Whether we’re a teenager, a twenty- or thirty-something or older; into punk rock, hip hop, or alternative music; covered in tattoos and piercings; a skateboarder……”
He goes on to say: “Many of us looked to religion or spirituality for answers but soon found that neither the dogma of old religion nor the “love and light” fluffiness of New Age spirituality were approaches that resonated with us. Still, we were left with an internal yearning – one of virtually deafening silence-that compelled us to answer it’s call, but how? What can we do? What about the rest of us who don’t resonate with the exceedingly positive love-and-light movement or the dogmatic tenets of spiritual and religious traditions? What are we left to do when we are looking for something more, something we can embrace exactly as we are?”
Watch the video below for my full review and details on how you can win your very own signed copy.
Chris’s Website: The Indie Spiritualist
To enter to win a signed copy of Indie Spiritualist: A No Bullshit Exploration of Spirituality;
- If you are not already subscribed, subscribe to my blog below.
- In the comments, let me know what “spiritual” means to you.
Winner will be selected August 30, 2014, using random.org and notified by email.
Good Luck!
This Giveaway has closed. You can get Chris’s book on Amazon.ca here (Indie Spiritualist: A No Bullshit Exploration of Spirituality) or on Amazon.com here (Indie Spiritualist: A No Bullshit Exploration of Spirituality)
Jessica Dalgliesh
To me “spiritual” is the knowing that everything I seek or need is within me…always. It is being absolutely grateful for everything in my life, good or bad and knowing that no matter what happens there is a lesson being offered. It is the enjoyment of every breath I take and every encounter I have. It is letting go and letting be knowing I am exactly where I should be with no regrets. It is appreciating the love that is shown in big and small ways. It is actively cultivating peace within my own heart in whatever way works and sharing the best way I can….and most of all it is the enjoyment of every moment I have
franklin
something thats related to the human spirit in a mysterious way. It’s nonexistant.
nyk danu
Franklin Yes!
Jeff Loquist
I think the term “spiritual” has gotten a bad rap. Even I find myself scoffing at it from time to time. Television, the media, and “gurus” of all paths have tainted it in such a way that you can almost not help picturing some sleazy guy with a Jesus beard siphoning money, time, and energy out of his followers.
It took me a long time to come to terms with my own spirituality. To realize that “spiritual” does not necessarily mean “religious” or having to do with a group.
To be spiritual is to know yourself. Actually, to be spiritual is to be open to finding yourself. Spirituality is not the destination, it is the path to discovering who you are, what you need, and how you can put yourself out into the world to make things better for all beings.
Nyk Danu
Hey Jeff,
I totally agree that term spiritual is loaded with all kinds of baggage that actually has nothing to do with what the words means. I am so glad that more and more people are coming to realize that spirituality and religion need not go hand in hand. That’s why books like Indie Spiritualist are so important. We can each choose for our selves what “spiritual” means to use and still go on rockin with our bad ass selves 😉
Nitin
Spiritual to me doesn’t mean mystical or religious. Anything concerned with living a good life, making self and the world a better place, gaining a deeper psychosocial understanding, becoming connected to life, or exercising creativity and expression, can develop the spirit.
Sounds like a good book.
Nyk Danu
Hey Nitin,
Yes I agree, although for some people may practice Spirituality with a mystical or religious frame work it certainly isn’t The only way (thankfully) 😉