Time was, the theory of everything spiritual had a Shakespearean flair, such as Hamlets advice on how to lead a life of virtue: Get thee to a nunnery.

Thats not valid any more (and probably was not then), according to two speakers scheduled for the 30th annual conference of the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse May 1 and 2, with a theme of Living Your Life as Spiritual Practice.

One strain used to say leave everyday life to enter the seminary or convent. Thats simply not true, said the Rev. Thomas Ryan, a Paulist priest who will be keynote speaker at the conference.

At one time in the Catholic tradition, in fact, laypeople were discouraged from reading the Bible, with the hierarchy insisting that only priests were learned enough to understand Scripture.

Spirituality today has expanded to include all walks of life, from bus drivers to gardeners to waitresses people who shine in the Spirit, Ryan said in a phone interview from his Washington, D.C. office, where he heads his congregations North American Office for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.

Scripture is full of stories, such as Joseph, and the good Samaritan, a well-intentioned businessman traveling along the road. Then the ordinary tourist crosses over and helps, Ryan said.

Not long ago, the theory was that spirituality was just for the interior life, Ryan said. But spirituality involves absolutely everything in our lives in the grocery line, where our eyes go, where our minds go, how we drive a car, where we live, who our friends are.

When people do this, with a genuine wholistic spirituality, there is an ongoing spiritual brightness, he said.

God does not meet us in strong moralisms and dogmas, Ryan said. He meets us in our daily lives. Daily living is truly our daily bread.

Echoing that sentiment is the Rev. April Ulring Larson, bishop emeritus of the La Crosse Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and another conference speaker.

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Spirituality is attainable in all walks of life