I used to think that being religious and being spiritual were kind of hand in hand. You couldn't really have one without the other, but in recent weeks and months, I have come to the realization that I have been seriously mistaken. In fact, rather that the two working hand in hand, I would suspect that more often than not, they can't really exist together with any degree of harmony.
From what I understand, being religious has more to do with the adoption of a code of conduct and system of beliefs and then undying devotion to that code of conduct and belief system. The phrase "He does that religiously" popped into my head, and I got to thinking what that meant. My impression is that it would be used to describe an action or habit that is done repetitively without much thought and making sure it's the same every time.
Now to be spiritual is something entirely different. I think it refers to an inner desire to seek out spiritual connections between ourselves and the world around us. I'm not sure if it implies or requires a belief in a God, but rather it is the constant journey to seek inner peace and discover what it is that we are all a part of, that is not visible to the human eye.
It would appear that to be religious is to close one's mind, while seeking to be spiritual is to open it.
I'd think I much rather seek to be a spiritual person.
Couldn't have put it better myself. See comment in previous post.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree, at the same time, many "religious" practices and rituals (and even beliefs) began as attempts to codify a path to spiritual experience. So, for instance, saying prayers are mantras (or fasting, or reading religious texts) isn't important as an activity in itself, but can be a way to center our mind so as to be open to spiritual experience or insight.
ReplyDeleteSo, religion isn't all bad -- what's bad is when we forget that religion is just, as the Zen saying goes, "the finger pointing at the moon", rather than the moon itself.
I like that saying...
ReplyDeletePerhaps the problem is that while religion does indeed appear to be the finger, once people know where the moon is, they have no real need for the finger, other than to show others where the moon is as well.
I guess in many ways its like the guy who is so scared with losing his job that he sets himself up so that the job can't be done without him, and in so doing, while he may be invaluable in that job, he has sabotaged any chance he might have at being promoted, because he can't leave it.
A religion that relies on people keeping their focus on the finger, almost has a conflict of interest.
All that aside though, I wouldn't be where I am without what I've learned from religion, I think it's just become time for me to look beyond it, as it where.
I agree that being spiritual is probably more important and preferable to being religious, but I don't agree that the two are generally at odds with one another. Certainly there are numerous cases of spiritual but not religious people and numerous cases of religious but not spiritual people, but there are probably just as many cases of spiritual and religious people.
ReplyDeleteI would say the two are only loosely connected, but not that they are inharmonious.
I think what you're defining as religious I would define as "dogmatic". True religion is not performed repetitively without thought. Unfortunately, many religious people (perhaps nearly all at least from time to time) believe or do things dogmatically.
ReplyDeleteThat's unfortunate. I suspect God would agree.
I think LDS church members at least should learn from both revelation and reason, or as DC 88 says "by study and also by faith".
This is what I like about the blogosphere... The opportunity to learn more, and further define my thoughts. The motivation for this post came from years of assuming religion and spirituality were the same, and then realizing there was a marked difference.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think dogmatic would be a better term for what I was thinking when I referred to religion. People who miss the point of the religion and get caught up with the rituals instead of the reasons for the rituals.
I see a very long road ahead of me on the way to becomming more spiritually enlightened, but as I look back, much of that road that I have already trod came about because of religion.
Perhaps the key is being aware of what and why we do what we do, and making sure it always points us in the right direction.
I'm thinking I may need to post on this more in the future as I collect my thoughts and learn more about it all. Those who have and may still comment on this topic are a huge source of additional thought for me. Thank you sincerely!!
Koda, I don't think your new, more nuanced thoughts on religion and spirituality should, in any way, be at odds with your religious background. I don't sense that your new perspective should be a critique on your past, only that it is a new phase. Whether it be religion, or politics, or friends, or relationships, or careers, many of us got to where we are today by being or doing some things that are maybe at odds with who we are today.
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