Yes that's probably true - children mostly haven't had the joy bashed out of them by LIFE. But I believe that our society could nurture old people and respect them muchmore and help them grow spiritually - and there are signs that this is happening eg more yoga and Tai Chi classes for the elderley . Any ideas on other ways to foster older people's spirituality? After all there are going to be more and more old people in England over the coming years - it's an aging population.

Originally posted by: Openminded

I think children are very spiritual, in a very care free way. But I think the way this is developed completely depends on up bringing and surroundings. For example, I was a very spiritual child indeed, very creative and I never fitted in with anyone! But I never knew how to express this.. my family were not spiritual at all, and when I expressed how I felt they never understood...so I use to write poetry and songs all the time instead and when they heard my voice and saw my lyrics they couldn't believe it was me! So it proves that spirituality does come out in some way or another, but it has to be channelled in the right way and encouraged. So many children are probably quite repressed... and people forget that being spiritual does not necessarily mean religious - it can just mean being in touch with who you are and what you want and allowing creativity to flow.

People are way too practical these days in my opinion and we need to let our minds go a bit and just do what feels natural. It's good that schools are becoming a little more open to new ideas these days but I still don't think it is enough and I know for a fact lots of schools turn a blind eye to allowing children and young people to create their own thoughts.. I also believe that there is way too much pressure on young people and children to be something that they are not. Even now in my late twenties, I get worried about other peoples’ judgements and how you are suppose to look, you can’t go on line these days without reading about plastic surgery or finding the best diet routines and teenagers are exposed to all of this. It worries me to think what sort of message this sends out and how some that are more vulnerable than others take to this.

It really is ok to just be yourself!

Originally posted by: Star81

Now I'm in my fifties...all my life the spiritual quest has been important and I think to many of my generation. After all we were the flower people and "all you need is love."
But perhaps some of us, myself included, were so "into" the spiritual quest that we did not pay quite enough attention to the material world. And that inattention caught up with us!
I think we don't get enough credit for helping to break down old barriers, old rigidities. We used to say that young people think they invented sexuality. Now, perhaps they think they invented spirituality....
And perhaps it depends what you consider spirituality to be. I used to spend hours in meditation and yes, I felt wonderfully spiritual some of the time. But I began to realize that it is not just about meditation but about paying attention to the tiny choices of life. Not nearly so fashionable, but very revealing!