I find the experience of the community of my church, the practice of the rituals of the service, and prayer supportive, helpful and meaningful in sustaining myself and others 'spiritually.' What do I mean by 'spiritual'? Again--I'm not sure--but it is part of what I use to make meaning and it definitely has to do with sustaining a sense that I am not the most important unit of creation, and that I am part of and responsible to the great web of creation and life--even those aspects of which I have no knowledge or awareness.

I call myself a christian with a small 'c' because I have been inculturated to be able to use those particular metaphors reasonably effectively to shape a paradigm of meaning.

Wolfgang,

In my experience as a psychotherapist, people who cannot create some existential meaning are more likely to experience depression that is extremely resistant to treatment. Often, but certainly not always, these are people with strong narcissistic tendencies whose paradigm of the universe has them at the center--not talking here about inflated ego and an overvaluing of self--but of the inability to experience others except from the point of view of the self. (example I can never have a successful relationship because if they really knew me, they would hate me as I hate myself--which, of course, often creates self-fulfilling prophecies.)

Being realistic without having a sense of meaning IS depressing. Whether one believes in God or believes there is no God--both are beliefs. Meaning can be made within either framework.

Janie