Are You Omnified?

The other day, I read an interview with a progressive minister who was describing the fastest-growing segment of our society, which is the 20% of Americans who consider themselves spiritual but who choose not to affiliate with any specific religion. He referred to this group as the "Nones" because they have no religious affliliation.

As someone who identifies with this segment of the population, I am not particularly fond of the label. It focuses on what we are not rather than on what we are.  It would be like referring to Christians as "non-Buddhists" or "non-Hindus." Although I may not be affiliated with any one religion, I embrace the wisdom, prayers, mantras, and sacred music from all of them, which is why I was involved in the creation of Global Chant. From its inception, Global Chant has been, among other things, a community for those whose spirituality does not conform to the conventions of traditional churches, synagogues, temples, and other religious institutions.

When considering a way to describe this form of spirituality that exists "outside the box," I came across the word, omnify, which means "to render universal." For 17-plus years, I have met tens of thousands of beautiful, spiritual people through my involvement with Global Chant. From what I have seen, the vast majority of these individuals have been "rendered universal" by the unique spiritual paths they have chosen--or that have chosen them.  I am proud to say that I belong spiritual community that is most definitely omnified! Our spirituality extends beyond the scope of any one religion because we are universal in our orientation. In some ways, we may be "none," but in other ways, we are most definitely "all."  Maybe the best thing to call us--if you have to call us something--is the omnis. 

What do you think? Would you describe yourself as "omnified"? 

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