| Presently, there is little documentation of the practical issues involved in integrating the spiritual and secular aspects of modern life, nor is there sufficient understanding of the ways that people's spirituality is expressed in particular contexts (e.g., marriage, parenting, work) and situations (e.g., major life events, daily activities). This study examines the structure and content of the life-stories of fifteen Western Buddhists in order to understand how actively spiritually people create a way of life inclusive of secular and spiritual commitments that are often felt to be in conflict with one another. The stories were collected in one-on-one interviews with friends and acquaintances who consider their Buddhist spirituality to be central to their lives.;An examination of the study participants' life accounts shows that their spirituality is not an isolated set of activities and beliefs, but is an orientation toward a basis of value---or sacredness---implicated in all aspects of their lives, including their choice of work, where they live, the daily activities in which they choose to partake, the ways that they relate to others, and how they evaluate and conceptualize the meaning of their lives. The participants' stories also show that it is challenging to balance the spiritual and secular aspects of modern life; for example, participating in demanding careers may reduce the time that people have for spiritual practices (e.g., meditation, studying texts, attending retreats) and immerse them in competitive, achievement-oriented activities that may conflict with a spiritual outlook. But the participants discussed an informal type of Buddhist practice---the practice of mindfulness---that can be done at any time within any setting. By becoming increasingly aware within the daily activities of their lives, people discover a profound basis of meaning that is an intrinsic characteristic of lived existence and that is active in all areas of life.;The study concludes with a discussion of important research questions that can be explored by viewing spirituality to be a richly rewarding practice entailing long-term commitment, deliberate effort and the accumulation of practical experience. |
