What do we mean by spirituality? (forget Webster). Spirituality means to me at least an acknowledgement that there is something beyond our direct recognition that has an influence in our lives and which in some way we can pay attention to and relate to. Can you come up with a better definition? Probably. I hope so.
What does that have to do with ADD or ADHD? Well, we find it hard to meditate. Prayer and or meditation are two good ways of calming ourselves (regardless of our beliefs), which we ADDer’s can certainly use. ADD or ADHD affects our relationships with others, which I consider a spiritual aspect of life (tho not included in my “definition” above).
On the more positive side, ADD/ADHD tends to make us more creative and to see a bigger picture and notice more (the upside of distractable?) so we might tend to have a more open mind and be more accessible to spiritual experience.
And if our spiritual life is a source of support to us, God knows we can use all the support we can get.
Your thoughts and comments please.
doug 
ADDadultstrategies 
Yes, Doug, those of us with ADD do have a hard time meditating. I remember years ago as a student of TM (Transcendental Meditation), I learned some very useful techniques for slowing down my busy mind, focusing on my breath, repeating a mantra (prayer) and I reaped clear benefits from practicing, little by little, beginning with 5 minutes, later 15, and so on. As a completely nondenominational set of techniques, TM is one of many tools…..when I remember to use them.
Many of us were abused by the religious institutions of our families of origin, those which pre-existed our capacity to choose for ourselves. People think that organizations hold keys to accessing one’s spirituality. It is my belief (based upon years of personal and professional experiences), that each human being possesses an innate sense of ‘spirituality,’ and that she or he constructs the universe accordingly. If we learn to be open-minded, there’s a cumulative effect on an ever-growing, ever-changing sense of spirituality. Lacking such constructs, we are left to the winds of life and must sort through a vast unknown. Even with a highly personal sense of spirituality, life challenges us continually to become more humble, to acknowledge that we do not have answers, and to learn to accept and embrace our individual destinies.
Oddly, being diagnosed with ADD has gifts. One of which is a seemingly higher pitch of energy we possess with which we pursue the mysteries and challenges of daily life.
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you got up to 15 minutes???!!!! wow!
yes religion can be used to cause a lot of damage, hopefully add does bless us with more open minds.
thanks for the comment!
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