Spirituality–what is it?

Spirituality is one of those notorious words that is used a lot but no one is quite sure what it means.  As part of the introduction to the first volume of his spiritual theology, Eugene Peterson suggests four terms (spirituality, Jesus, soul, fear-of-the-Lord)  that provide “gospel foci for living accurately (countering cultural fuzziness).”  Here is what he says about spirituality.

We should resist defining spirituality since it is indefinable but recognizable, “transcendence vaguely intermingled with intimacy” (27).  “Living, living fully and well, is at the heart of all serious spirituality” (29)

Peterson suggests that we need to maintain vigilance and attentiveness in thinking about spirituality.

Vigilance “discerning the de-spiritualization of spirituality” by a “continual and careful reading of Holy Scripture” (30)

Attemtiveness: “noting the many and profligate ways in which God gives life, renews life, blesses life, nurtured in common worship and prayer” (30)

So, is Peterson saying that we know when spirituality is present or is absent but are best not to define it?  Of course, there are a variety of spiritualities, Christian spirituality being only one of them.