---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes people get the mistaken notion…"
description: "\"“Sometimes people get the mistaken notion that spirituality is a separate department of life, the penthouse of existence. But rightly understood, it is..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dac/david-steindl-rast-9835_awareness_sometimes-people-get-the-mistaken-notion_731099.png"
---

#  Sometimes people get the mistaken notion that spirituality…

![“Sometimes people get the mistaken notion that spirituality is a separate department of life, the penthouse of existence. But rightly understood, it is a vital awareness that pervades all realms of our being... Wherever we may come alive, that is the area in which we are spiritual.” quote by David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dac/david-steindl-rast-9835_awareness_sometimes-people-get-the-mistaken-notion_731099.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dac/david-steindl-rast-9835_awareness_sometimes-people-get-the-mistaken-notion_731099.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dac/david-steindl-rast-9835_awareness_sometimes-people-get-the-mistaken-notion_731099.png)

> ““Sometimes people get the mistaken notion that spirituality is a separate department of life, the penthouse of existence. But rightly understood, it is a vital awareness that pervades all realms of our being... Wherever we may come alive, that is the area in which we are spiritual.””

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Spirituality is not a separate realm but an awareness that permeates every aspect of life, showing up wherever we feel most alive.

**In simple terms:** Spirituality pervades all life areas.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and nurture spiritual moments daily.

Themes

spirituality awareness holism

Mood

reflective inspired

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- personal growth
- creative work
- relationships
- health and wellness

Key Concepts

integrated consciousness presence mindfulness

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you identify spiritual moments in routine tasks?
- What practices help you stay aware of this pervasive presence?

A Different Perspective

Spirituality can be overlooked when daily demands dominate.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/)

## Related quotes

> [But to me the notion that spirituality is separate from the rest of life does not allow for a practical approach to living a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/but-to-me-the-notion-that-spirituality-is-separate-from-the-rest-of/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [Wherever we may come alive, that is the area in which we are spiritual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/wherever-we-may-come-alive-that-is-the-area-in-which-we-are-spiritual/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [“heavenly places. Ephesians 1:17-20 In this scripture we can see different parts of our spirit. Paul is praying for them to be awakened and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-mendez-ferrell/heavenly-places-ephesians-1-17-20-in-this-scripture-we-can-see/)

[Ana Mendez Ferrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-mendez-ferrell/)

> [They need to be aware that their spirituality is not a separate entity from themselves but that they have been forcing their spiritual self…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-need-to-be-aware-that-their-spirituality-is-not-a-separate/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Spirituality can not be separate from how we treat our bodies, construct our lifestyles, and keep our energy at higher levels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-redfield/spirituality-can-not-be-separate-from-how-we-treat-our-bodies/)

[James Redfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-redfield/)

> [“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/in-the-worldly-life-due-to-maadakta-intoxication-of-the-ego-of-i-am/)

[Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/)

> [“Everything we perceive to be solid and static is made up of almost entirely empty space.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/everything-we-perceive-to-be-solid-and-static-is-made-up-of-almost/)

[Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/)

> [ John \[Coltrane\] was like a visitor to this planet. He came in peace and he left in peace; but during his time here, he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ayler/john-coltrane-was-like-a-visitor-to-this-planet-he-came-in-peace-and/)

[Albert Ayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ayler/)

> [“It is not so much about fighting against the ego; it is more about harmonizing with it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-sara/it-is-not-so-much-about-fighting-against-the-ego-it-is-more-about/)

[Grace Sara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-sara/)

> [As I express my gratitude, I become more deeply aware of it. And the greater my awareness, the greater my need to express it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/as-i-express-my-gratitude-i-become-more-deeply-aware-of-it-and-the/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [Only a spiritual being has awareness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/only-a-spiritual-being-has-awareness/)

[Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/)

> [When the human organism is discharging its negative experience efficiently, the mind is empty of past or future concerns; there is no worry, anticipation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/when-the-human-organism-is-discharging-its-negative-experience/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [The great gift of a spiritual path is coming to trust that you can find a way to true refuge. You realize that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/the-great-gift-of-a-spiritual-path-is-coming-to-trust-that-you-can/)

[Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/)

> [Spiritual awareness is not only one of the keys to the healing process. Spiritual awareness is the only way that healing can occur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/spiritual-awareness-is-not-only-one-of-the-keys-to-the-healing/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [“According to Zen Buddhists, all things have their existence in The Void. The Void is that which is no-thing, but contains all things within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/according-to-zen-buddhists-all-things-have-their-existence-in-the/)

[Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/)

## More by David Steindl-Rast

> [Home and journey together constitute the creative polarity of the heart, the two dimensions we must cultivate if we want to 'develop the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/home-and-journey-together-constitute-the-creative-polarity-of-the/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [Only gratefulness, in the form of limitless openness for surprise, lays hold of the fullness of life in hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/only-gratefulness-in-the-form-of-limitless-openness-for-surprise-lays/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [As I express my gratitude, I become more deeply aware of it. And the greater my awareness, the greater my need to express it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/as-i-express-my-gratitude-i-become-more-deeply-aware-of-it-and-the/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [Gratefulness makes us aware of the gift and makes us happy. As long as we take things for granted they don't make us happy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/gratefulness-makes-us-aware-of-the-gift-and-makes-us-happy-as-long-as/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [Any change in attitude changes the way one sees the world, and this in turn changes the way one acts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/any-change-in-attitude-changes-the-way-one-sees-the-world-and-this-in/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [If you learn to respond as if it’s the first day in your life and the very last day, then you will have spent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/if-you-learn-to-respond-as-if-it-s-the-first-day-in-your-life-and-the/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [We have thousands of opportunities every day to be grateful: for having good weather, to have slept well last night, to be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/we-have-thousands-of-opportunities-every-day-to-be-grateful-for/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [The universe is gratis. It cannot be earned, nor need it be earned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/the-universe-is-gratis-it-cannot-be-earned-nor-need-it-be-earned/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [...our happiness hinges not on good luck; it hinges on peace of heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/our-happiness-hinges-not-on-good-luck-it-hinges-on-peace-of-heart/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [From experience we know that whenever we are truly awake and alive, we are also truly grateful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/from-experience-we-know-that-whenever-we-are-truly-awake-and-alive-we/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [Blessing is the lifeblood throbbing through the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/blessing-is-the-lifeblood-throbbing-through-the-universe/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [Beauty seen makes the one who sees it more beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/beauty-seen-makes-the-one-who-sees-it-more-beautiful/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [Each one of us is called to become that great song that comes out of the silence, and the more we let ourselves down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/each-one-of-us-is-called-to-become-that-great-song-that-comes-out-of/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [In moments of surprise we catch at least a glimpse of the joy to which gratefulness opens the door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/in-moments-of-surprise-we-catch-at-least-a-glimpse-of-the-joy-to/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

> [...One can learn to focus on 'opportunity' as the gift within every given moment. This attitude towards life always improves the situation. Even in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/one-can-learn-to-focus-on-opportunity-as-the-gift-within-every-given/)

[David Steindl-Rast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

[Explore all 70 David Steindl-Rast quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/)

## More Awareness quotes

> [An enlightened awareness is within each one of us, right at this moment. This enlightened awareness is truly unborn and marvellously illuminating; and everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bankei-yotaku/an-enlightened-awareness-is-within-each-one-of-us-right-at-this/)

[Bankei Yotaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bankei-yotaku/)

> [We have a fear of facing ourselves. That is the obstacle. Experiencing the innermost core of our existence is very embarrassing to a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-have-a-fear-of-facing-ourselves-that-is-the-obstacle-experiencing/)

[Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/)

> [Listening is a very active awareness of the coming together of at least two lives. Listening, as far as I'm concerned, is certainly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-rogers/listening-is-a-very-active-awareness-of-the-coming-together-of-at/)

[Fred Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-rogers/)

> [“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/in-the-worldly-life-due-to-maadakta-intoxication-of-the-ego-of-i-am/)

[Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/)

> [A tree is a self: it is 'unseen shaping' more than it is leaves or bark, roots or cellulose or fruit ... What this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-swimme/a-tree-is-a-self-it-is-unseen-shaping-more-than-it-is-leaves-or-bark/)

[Brian Swimme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-swimme/)

> [I know the importance of highly trained awareness of the “moment” and the immediate and intuitive response of the photographer. It should be obvious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ansel-adams/i-know-the-importance-of-highly-trained-awareness-of-the-moment-and/)

[Ansel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ansel-adams/)

> [The thing about living alone is that it gives you a lot of time to think. You don't necessarily reach any conclusions, because wisdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-tropper/the-thing-about-living-alone-is-that-it-gives-you-a-lot-of-time-to/)

[Jonathan Tropper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-tropper/)

> [“It is not so much about fighting against the ego; it is more about harmonizing with it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-sara/it-is-not-so-much-about-fighting-against-the-ego-it-is-more-about/)

[Grace Sara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-sara/)

> [I'm part of a team that raises millions of dollars and raises awareness of HIV and AIDS all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-evangelista/i-m-part-of-a-team-that-raises-millions-of-dollars-and-raises/)

[Linda Evangelista](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-evangelista/)

> [“Don’t turn your face away. Once you’ve seen, you can no longer act like you don’t know. Open your eyes to the truth. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vashti-quiroz-vega/don-t-turn-your-face-away-once-you-ve-seen-you-can-no-longer-act-like/)

Vashti Quiroz-Vega

> [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/)

[Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/)

> [Sometimes I am a collector of data, and only a collector, and am likely to be gross and miserly, piling up notes, pleased with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-fort/sometimes-i-am-a-collector-of-data-and-only-a-collector-and-am-likely/)

[Charles Fort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-fort/)

> [The bird with the thorn in its breast, it follows an immutable law; it is driven by it knows not what to impale itself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-mccullough/the-bird-with-the-thorn-in-its-breast-it-follows-an-immutable-law-it/)

[Colleen McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-mccullough/)

> [Seeking means: to have a goal; but finding means: to be free, to be receptive, to have no goal. You, O worthy one, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/seeking-means-to-have-a-goal-but-finding-means-to-be-free-to-be/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Human freedom involves our capacity to pause between the stimulus and response and, in that pause, to choose the one response toward which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/human-freedom-involves-our-capacity-to-pause-between-the-stimulus-and/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

[Browse all 4,768 Awareness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Sometimes people get the mistaken notion that spirituality is a separate department of life, the penthouse of existence. But rightly understood, it is a vital awareness that pervades all realms of our being... Wherever we may come alive, that is the area in which we are spiritual.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "David Steindl-Rast"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/sometimes-people-get-the-mistaken-notion-that-spirituality-is-a/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Awareness"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/sometimes-people-get-the-mistaken-notion-that-spirituality-is-a/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dac/david-steindl-rast-9835_awareness_sometimes-people-get-the-mistaken-notion_731099.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dac/david-steindl-rast-9835_awareness_sometimes-people-get-the-mistaken-notion_731099.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dac/david-steindl-rast-9835_awareness_sometimes-people-get-the-mistaken-notion_731099.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Sometimes people get the mistaken notion that spirituality is a separate department of life, the penthouse…” — David Steindl-Rast",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "David Steindl-Rast",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steindl-rast/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Sometimes people get the mistaken notion...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/sometimes-people-get-the-mistaken-notion-that-spirituality-is-a/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steindl-rast/sometimes-people-get-the-mistaken-notion-that-spirituality-is-a/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
