"Spiritual" is one of those words that mean exactly what any given person says it means, no more and no less. The problem is that it connotes certain associations to many, such as that part of themselves that's supposedly immortal, and then you cede to them their investment in ideas such as that we atheists secretly really are believers but are just "confused" or "hurt" or "rebellious", etc etc.

But I've long since given up any crusade to abandon words like "spiritual" to woo-peddlers. It is what it is. I think many of us just want to embrace some vague conceptual "spirituality" and if that's what one has to do to get through the day, then so be it.

I've never thought of it as being spiritual but being in and around nature just makes me feel good. I'm especially fond of trees. I love them. The problem is, every time I see a beautiful grouping of trees, some asshole has stuck a For Sale sign in front of it. Happens every time. It's infuriating.

I often walk my dog along a nature trail just up the street and I recently lost a huge plot of trees along the path that was plowed under so they could build an apartment complex on the land.

Yes, I agree. I consider being spiritual a connection to emotions, nature, creativity, empathy, the human condition, etc., that give my life meaning and fullness, and I feel it very much viscerally (in my body) as well as my mind... I do wish all the time I was healthier and could do all the physical things I used to do... to be able to run, to be able to jump, to even be able to walk normally and climb up and down stairs without effort; amazing how much you take for granted when you've lost it... but having been sick and now dealing with these physical pains and limitations, I also feel and appreciate my existence that much more. I have shooting pain in my hands and feet that doesn't go away -- at best, it becomes manageable discomfort -- but even though it's so immediate, it reminds me all the more how important it is to take care of myself, and that there's more life to be connected to even in this physical plain.

I agree.

I’m not “spiritual” in any way. I’m aware that there is a synergy within us and with our environment. It can keep us healthy and just as easily make us sick.

I think the issue is that this site defines “spiritual” as “believes in a supernatural entity” (if you actually look at the definitions they give for all the options that include atheist, agnostic, etc.). It seems in actuality, many here have a different definition of what they would consider “spiritual”. And I do understand what they mean and I feel the same. However, I don't choose to add “spiritual” to my profile because of how the site defines it.

I have a similar struggle in a more nebulous area, but I think pretty objectively about all those things. They're pretty explicable by what we know about science already at this point. The high you get from exercise and nature is a combination of extra oxygen in your blood, seratonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins. Those last 4 things are technically the only things humans ever enjoy. We release more of them when we're in our natural habitat looking at all the green and blue hues. Theres even a vitamin you get by walking barefoot in the grass that helps ground you and flushes out jetlag I believe. Getting in touch with your natural habitat, putting your body to work on something fun and productive, and sex all make you feel like your best self because it's what we evolved to do. Same with sociability and community, they were evolutionarily rewarded so it seems to warm our whole essence of being. Saying it's good for the spirit or soul is just a shorthand for something that fullfills our essential behaviors as humans. Its as good as any term as long as youre staying reasonable and not buying into pseudoscientific methods.

What I find harder to reconcile is finding a word/explanation for "soul" in a musical sense as well as a maturity sense ie "old soul." Im often called an old soul and that I sing with a lot of soul. I listen to only things sung with soul but the only way I can explain it is a raw vulnerability, a deep longing, from a timeless set of feelings. Im sure this sense of the word can eventually be explained by science too but saying something has soul in a musical or heartfelt sense is the only time I can't find an alternative to a spiritual word. Art in general evokes the least tangible spiritual feelings to me, can't quite put my finger on em objectively because creating a world of subjectivity and the ethereal are kind of the whole point.

I see what you are saying but think that your use of the term and even the act of being "spiritual" is something that Christianity has pushed so hard for so long that we can't quite shake it.

Yes, but I have never really considered it as spiritual. I just feel connected more to everything when enjoying the beauty of the countryside and seeing and hearing birdsong and animals in the wild, especially when I’m alone. In fact being accompanied by other people can stop me from the feeling of being part of nature. I have never considered myself as having a spiritual entity, just a consciousness of the incredible beauty of our planet. I also get an emotional lift from music, and singing and listening to it. A special kind of euhopria, almost as good as good sex, is when I sing certain pieces of music in concert with others.

I know what you mean. I look at my fish or play with my dogs

No, I haven't thought of that as spiritual. I have found being in nature as peaceful as a way to get away from drama of society. Going to the gym to lift weights, ride recubent bike to reduce stress and other reasons you have mention in your post. Thank you pointing out another way to look at world without any religious bs getting in the way. I'm to proud to be an atheist for last 9 months plus.

Yes, you nailed it!