A major difference between religion and spirituality is that religion presents a set of beliefs, dogmas and ‘holy men’ as intermediaries between you and the spirit, while spirituality promotes your personal autonomy in defining and connecting to spirit as it fits your heart and mind.
Spirituality is the true essence and the true origin of any religious movement. So how is it that spirituality which is first gets the back seat and we then put the dogmas and empty rituals first.
As a child, I never had any interest in religion. Later on, I discovered that I had in me the inclination to become a deeply spiritual man. This inclination was discouraged by the religious dogmas and practices that I was exposed to, so I concluded it simply wasn’t for me. At this time I was unaware of the glaring distinction between spirituality and religion.
I grew up in a regular, averagely religious middle-class family. We identified ourselves as Christians but we didn’t really go to church. For me, Religion was something boring and lifeless, something that old people did.
Then on the other hand, I discovered spirituality. It aroused the fire in my life. By this time I got meaning, direction and purpose to life. I grew as a person. Then I knew that this fire of spirituality is inherent in all people. Happy are those who recognize and own this drive and allow it guide their life’s in a constructive way.
There can be spirituality without religion, religion without spirituality, and religion and spirituality together. It depends on what you want, and how you approach it.
Buddha was not Buddhist, Jesus was not christain. They were highly realized spiritual men; they were spiritual but not religious. They had a group of disciples who were all moved by a spiritual search.
The goal of this article is not to put anyone down, but to bring clarity as to their similarities and differences. Understanding their differences helps to define what you are practicing, and if it is serving you well .
The difference between religion and spirituality is not so much about belief, but about how you live, and what is your attitude. Both religion and spirituality teach that there is more to the universe than what meets the eyes, and more to our life than the physical body. Both agree that to be truly fulfilled in life we must consciously connect with the non-physical elements of the universe. Both religion and spirituality have their function in the world, but they are usually varying for different people.
Religion asks us to sacrifice our present attachments for a promised future. Spirituality asks us to let go of our present attachments for a better present.
Conclusively, upholding values is a basic principle and it cuts across spirituality and religion. I’ll rather stay sane and show love to everyone understanding that love never goes wrong. When love constitutes our present, then we can only expect a greater amount in the future. Leaving out discrepancies between spirituality and religion.
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