Spiritual, but not religious? You're not alone

Are you spiritual? Most Americans say "yes."

By the numbers: Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults call themselves spiritual, according to Pew's latest survey of more than 35,000 Americans.

• And about 1 in 3 adults consider themselves "very" spiritual — a number that's increased since Pew last polled on this topic.

Spirituality is no longer tied to religion.

• Half of all religiously unaffiliated adults — which account for nearly 1 in 3 adults — say they are at least somewhat spiritual, the Pew survey shows.

The fine print: 86% of U.S. adults believe people have a soul or spirit, per the Pew survey.

• 83% believe in God or a universal spirit.
• And 79% believe in something beyond the natural world.

Spirituality can be esoteric — you know it when you see it.

• So we asked Axios readers to explain what it means to them, and they delivered.
• Although responses came from people across different cities and towns, generations and religious upbringings, many of their ideas of spirituality fit into three major buckets.

1. Spirituality is found in nature's small details that remind us we're part of a larger ecosystem.

• "The way monarchs cocoon and hatch, flying thousands of miles with feather-like wings. The unconditional love of a trusted canine companion. I see acts of something bigger than ourselves," says Rich Collins, who's from Chocorua, New Hampshire, and has identified as Catholic and agnostic over the years.
• "We use phrases like 'communing with nature' for a reason," says Deb Grant from Houston. "I believe we are seeking some connection with any gracious presence."
• "I find myself just sitting on a park bench or in the grass in awe of the stars or the way the trees sway in the wind," says Brad Miller from Makawao, Hawaii, who was raised Mennonite. "Instead of attending a Mennonite church, I'd much rather just go for a hike and meditate."

2. Spirituality is found in kindness.

• "I believe in kindness and being present, listening more than talking, being there for others and remaining positive — especially when things go sideways," says Jim English of Milton, Massachusetts, who was raised Roman Catholic.

• "The essence of spirituality is love," says Cole Blankenship, who lives in Reno, Nevada, and has studied Buddhism and Christianity.
• "For me, spirituality is to learn to be a better human," says Hoshang Varshney from San Jose, California, who's "an atheist and Hindu by birth."

3. Spirituality is believing there's an outside force we don't understand.

• "I call it the Great Cosmic Awareness," says Cheryl McBride of Hamburg, New York, who hasn't practiced Catholicism in 50 years but still believes "there is something 'out there' that is way above my pay grade."
• "Spirituality allows space for mystery," says the Rev. Lottie MacAulay Friedman, an ordained minister in Bellevue, Washington.
• "It means believing there is something far beyond these tangible bodies and limited perceptions," says Barbara Morgan of Covington, Georgia.

The bottom line: Although people are less religious — Penny Edgell, sociology professor at the University of Minnesota, says — "the need for tradition, ritual and things that feel more sacred has increased" in our stressful and efficiency-focused, modern lives.