We can no more do without spirituality than we can do without

Opening Scene

The morning light filtered softly through the large windows of the small, quiet room. A faint mist hung in the air, wrapping the world outside in a soft, almost dreamlike haze. The sound of a distant church bell echoed through the valley, as if signaling the start of something deeper. Jack sat in a simple armchair, his legs crossed, eyes closed for a moment in quiet reflection. Jeeny, standing by the window, watched the sunrise, the warmth of its glow touching the edge of her face, making her look almost ethereal. The room felt alive with stillness, as if time itself had slowed down to listen.

Host: The atmosphere is peaceful, but beneath the calm surface, a question stirs. Jeeny turns, her voice quiet but steady as she breaks the silence.

Jeeny: “You ever think about what it would be like if we didn’t have spirituality, Jack? I mean, people talk about it like it’s an extra, something you can do without. But Ernest Holmes said, ‘We can no more do without spirituality than we can do without food, shelter, or clothing.’ It makes me wonder if it’s really as necessary as the basics.”

Jack: Smirks, his gaze drifting to the window where the first light of the day is starting to spread across the sky. “I don’t know, Jeeny. I think spirituality is more of a luxury. It’s for the dreamers and the thinkers, the ones who have time to reflect on something deeper. For most people, food, shelter, and clothing are enough to get by. They don’t need to worry about anything else.”

Host: A soft breeze stirs the curtains, the gentle sound of the world waking up outside filtering into the room. Jeeny’s eyes narrow, her fingers gently brushing the edge of her sleeve, her voice rising with a quiet conviction.

Jeeny: “But maybe that’s the point, Jack. Spirituality isn’t about the luxury of time. It’s about the foundation. It’s what makes us whole, what gives us purpose. Without it, aren’t we just surviving, instead of truly living?”

Jack: Leans back in the chair, his hands folded across his chest as he gives her a skeptical look. “You can’t be serious. You can live a full life without all that spiritual stuff. People have survived for centuries just fine without worrying about their souls. The basics — food, shelter, clothing — that’s what keeps you going.”

Host: The sunlight grows brighter, casting a warm glow across the room. The words seem to bounce between them, the air crackling with the contrast of their beliefs. Jeeny’s gaze shifts from Jack to the peaceful landscape outside, her voice softening.

Jeeny: “But Jack, we need spirituality just as much as we need food. It’s the nourishment for our souls, the thing that keeps us grounded. Without it, there’s no deeper meaning to our existence. What’s the point of having everything if you don’t know why you’re here, what you’re meant to do?”

Jack: Chuckles, though there’s a slight unease in his voice. “Okay, I get the poetic part, but in the real world, it’s not about deep meaning or grand purposes. It’s about getting through the day, making sure you have a roof over your head and enough food to eat. Spirituality is for when you have the luxury to think about bigger questions. But for the rest of us, it’s just a nice idea.”

Host: There’s a shift in the room, as if the air itself is waiting for a deeper answer. Jeeny takes a step closer to him, her eyes not angry, but filled with a quiet passion, as if the truth of her words needs to be heard.

Jeeny: “But isn’t that the problem, Jack? We’ve been so focused on survival that we’ve forgotten to live. You can go through your entire life ticking off the practical boxes — food, shelter, clothing — but what happens when it’s all done? What happens when you’ve got everything you need, but you feel empty inside? Spirituality is what gives us the strength to go beyond the physical. It connects us to something greater, something deeper. It’s not just a luxury; it’s a necessity.”

Jack: His brows furrow as he takes her in, pauses, and then leans forward, his voice quieter now. “But doesn’t that make it sound like you’re just trying to escape reality? Like you’re using spirituality to avoid dealing with the hard stuff? It’s easy to think you need something more, but it’s the basics that really matter, Jeeny. Survival is hard enough without worrying about spiritual truths.”

Host: The moment feels heavy with truth, yet the room holds a strange tension, as if Jack’s words and Jeeny’s words are balancing on the edge of something deeper. The light outside brightens even more, as if the universe itself is listening.

Jeeny: “Maybe it’s not about escaping, Jack. Maybe it’s about finding something that holds you when the world starts to feel too heavy. Spirituality isn’t a way to avoid the tough stuff — it’s the way we make sense of it all. It’s what gives us the courage to face life head-on. To keep going when everything else feels like it’s falling apart. It’s just as essential as food. It’s the fuel for the heart, the mind, and the spirit.”

Jack: Quietly for a moment, his gaze shifting to the window, watching the world go by. The words seem to echo in his mind, and his expression softens slightly. “You might be onto something, Jeeny. Maybe it’s not just about surviving. Maybe there’s something more.”

Host: The sun now fully risen, the room is bathed in a soft, golden light. The world outside seems to have slowed down for a moment, as if the conversation itself has momentarily stopped time. There’s a sense of understanding in the air, a shift between them, not yet complete, but still significant. Jack stands up, stretching as he looks at Jeeny with a quieter, more reflective expression.

Jack: “I guess if you’re right, then spirituality is something more than just an extra. It’s like the heart of everything we do, even if we don’t always recognize it.”

Jeeny: Nods, a small smile on her face, her eyes shining with the quiet conviction of someone who has found peace in the conversation. “It’s not always obvious, but it’s there. Just like we need food, shelter, and clothing to live, we need spirituality to truly thrive.”

Host: The morning has fully arrived now, the light spreading across the room like a promise. The soft sound of the world outside filters through the window, and for a moment, the only thing that remains is the peaceful realization that some things in life are simply necessary.

End.