SPIRITUALITY V RELIGION
SPIRITUALITY V RELIGION
This is a post over time that I have felt the need to write. The more I discuss spirituality with others in my life and have deep discussions about the grander scheme of things I began to sense that there is a deep confusion about the difference between the two.
They are two completely separate entities. They may correlate in some ways but they are not at all the same. I'll put it to you this way; you need spirituality to fuel the faith of your religion (or your beliefs) but you do not need religion to be in sync with your spirituality. Spirituality is not bound by any rules, while religion is the framework and structure of how to live life. Spirituality begins where religion ends.
Religion is the structure that is built up by our elders. When following many religions and their intentions we realize many of these religions (especially Catholicism) have been built as a business with only one motivation in mind... money. While religion, when used properly, has vital potential to connect us with our spirit, it is not necessary.
Spirituality is your personal connection with the higher force. Religion being the ship set to sail, while spirituality is the wind that drives and guides that ship. God the waters in which we move.
Religion is the structure that is built up by our elders. When following many religions and their intentions we realize many of these religions (especially Catholicism) have been built as a business with only one motivation in mind... money. While religion, when used properly, has vital potential to connect us with our spirit, it is not necessary.
Spirituality is your personal connection with the higher force. Religion being the ship set to sail, while spirituality is the wind that drives and guides that ship. God the waters in which we move.
You may often hear people say "I'm more spiritual, not religious" That does not mean a person does not believe in God or a higher force. I believe that is because there feels to be a deep disconnect and discord within the religious hierarchy of the world. Many religions especially Catholicism (in which I was raised) are fear based teachings. Almost like Santa Claus, there is a man that is always watching you/ judging you writing down ever naughty (sin) thing you have done.
In my last post, I discussed how the religious stance of the world is declining while spirituality is up. According to a study by the Huffington Post; there is a deep shift and movement that is currently taking place, no longer are families pouring into church on Sundays as they once were. The traditional religions of our past generations and ancestors are beginning to fade as we become more Americanized, and our lives become more chaotic.
For some, it may mean a complete lack and lapse of any form of religion or spirituality. Falling away from grace due to our busy schedules, leading to a deep yearning, leaving our spiritual state in turmoil. Whether we like it or not without spirituality or religion there is a longing, a hole that needs to be filled, our faith and hope must be fueled by something, we as spirits need this. I believe it to be programmed in us "the quest" is engraved and branded within our spirit leaving within an endless pursuit of understanding the omnipotent world of which we play a part. We need this in our lives to feel a sense of purpose and belonging.
For others the movement is real, like many of the young generationals, we are questioning things for ourselves, educating ourselves (now on the internet any piece of knowledge is just a google away.) We are more exposed, liberated, and informed than any prior generation. Through our own research we are all now coming to our own beliefs; no longer are we bounded by the limitations of our family's religions but we are now free to question and explore the endless possibilities of the universe without bounds.
Spirituality is a thread working in the background of our society low key on the rise; weaving its web through the movements of Yoga, Meditation, Holistic Medicine, Vegan, Mindfulness, Civil Rights just to name a few. A more mindful way of living is on the horizon, a day where we are all unified and equal, a day where our food and water is clean and untouched, our medicine is natural, a day where our Mind Body and Spirit is to be balanced just as the tires need to be aligned on your vehicle.
While there are many incredible moralistic teachings within Christianity to learn from, I feel that many Christian religions do not fully dive into the power of self, and how to live and deal with our spirit. It mainly seems to be how to live up to our Christ potential; fully becoming the greatest and holiest versions of ourselves. But it does not seem to cover HOW to utilize our spiritual compass to awaken our greatest potential. Although as I grew up I felt distant from the fearful religion of my upbringing and began to explore other religions, in doing so I have come to realize that Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism (just to name a few) cover the spirit in a very abstract yet simple manner. Through yoga, and meditation it has sparked a spiritual revolution in which we are currently undergoing. A concept that our mind, body, and soul are all connected forces, also the idea that we are all energetically connected to one another.
For the previous generations, this will feel like a painful transition, a godless society. That is not, in fact, the case. The idea of God is becoming much greater than its original form. No longer do we believe in the man in the sky but we believe that God IS THE SKY. No longer do we feel that we must connect with God, we now believe that we are LITERALLY a part of God. We are evolving as a species, coming into our spirit. A new wave liberated to boldly question, learn and explore information in which we were once deprived...
Until Next Time...
Namaste
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