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Naturalistic Spirituality (NS) is chiefly concerned with finding ways to access traditional spiritual feelings without the inclusion of elements incompatible with science and a broad naturalism. Adherents believe that Nature, in all its diversity and wonder, is sufficient unto itself in terms of eliciting the intellectual and emotional responses associated with spiritual experience, and that there is no need for faith in the traditional anthropomorphic concept of ' god' and similar ideas.

Although the overall movement toward these attitudes remains relatively small and loosely organized, various forms of Naturalistic Spirituality have existed since time immemorial, with philosophical Taoism and similar Eastern nature-mysticisms being perhaps the most notable example. At present, there is a growing interest in actively embracing Naturalistic Spirituality as a rational alternative in a modern world which many feel is losing belief in more traditional spiritual avenues. The recent rapid growth of pantheism (particularly of an avowedly naturalistic variety) is one example of this trend.

Adherents of NS are generally atheistic and scientifically-oriented in most aspects, with their primary difference from other hardline naturalists being their belief that the abandonment of superstitionSuperstition is a set of behaviors that may be faith based, or related to magical thinking, whereby the practitioner believes that the future, or the outcome of certain events, can be influenced by certain of his or her behaviors. An example is the belief does not necessarily entail the abandonment of spirituality. To NS adherents, the intellectual and emotional experience of something greater than oneself is seen as a phenomenon of enduring value, a positive facet of the human condition to be preserved even while we purge ourselves of so much that has traditionally accompanied it. Despite the pervasive misunderstanding associated with the term ' mysticismMysticism is meditation, prayer, or theology focused on the direct experience of union with divinity, God, or Ultimate Reality, or the belief that such experience is a genuine and important source of knowledge. Perspectives of mysticism A wide range of pe,' a number of NS adherents would describe themselves as mystics in terms of the insight that ultimately, we are all part of an interconnected whole, that which we describe as Nature. Although it is not unique to the worldview described here, many would argue that it is this common " monisticMonism is the metaphysical position that all is of one essential essence, substance or energy. Monism is to be distinguished from dualism, which holds that ultimately there are two kinds of substance, and from pluralism, which holds that ultimately there insight," stripped of any extraneous elements, which underlies all forms of Naturalistic Spirituality.

Crucial challenges for the NS movement currently involve developing and promulgating a naturalistic understanding of the somewhat ambiguous terms 'spirituality' and 'mysticism' as well as several other terms traditionally laden with superstitious and/or supernatural connotations, as well as addressing the issue of whether or not it is desirable to organize a cohesive community of adherents through which to advance ideas critical in achieving mainstream acceptance of the worldview.

See also: humanismHumanism is a neologism that defines a socio-political doctrine (" -ism") whose bounds exceed those of locally developed cultures, to include all of humanity and all issues common to human beings. Because doctrines of cultural distinction and exclusivity, universismUniversism (prounounced "universe-ism") is a religious philosophy which aims to unite freethinkers, whether they use the term atheist, agnostic, deist, transcendentalist, pantheist, scientific materialist or other to describe their beliefs. Universism pos