RELIGION Vs SPIRITUALITY - View Point

Religion Vs Spirituality - Point of view...

The terms religion and spirituality are often confusing; disputed but still cannot be differentiated. Both go together; complement each other; cannot be separated. Historically, the words religious and spiritual have been synonymously used to describe the various aspects of the concept of religion.

Both religion and spirituality can involve belief in a deity, spiritual or mystical experiences, rituals, as well as value systems and beliefs, about morality and ethics and an understanding of how the world works. These things are not necessarily be religious or spiritual, they can be both.

Spirituality is essence and philosophy of the religion. Religion is rather an extension of spirituality; it is a part and parcel of spirituality. Religion is philosophy in action. Religion is a medium through which spirituality is propagated. One is theory (spirituality) and the other (religion) is practice. Religion is quantitative; spirituality is qualitative.

Religion and spirituality are two defining factors in determination of the higher values of life. Religion is a manifestation of spirituality. While religion is something materialistic; spirituality in a religion talks about its higher values, self realization, understanding the ultimate or supreme reality (God). It’s like a relationship between the world (religion) and the God (spirituality). In the seeking of such meaning, religion and spirituality come together.

Both religion and spirituality highlights the qualities such as, caring, kindness, compassion, tolerance, service and community in its truest sense. That which supports, that which holds together the peoples (of the universe), that is Dharma or religion. But, where religion is defined by its tradition and teachings, spirituality is defined by what is real in our own experience, arising from an inner search within ourselves, the finding of our own truth.

Spirituality is the relentless pursuit of the highest Truth and one’s real spiritual identity beyond the physical body and as a part of the Supreme Spirit. It is the process of attaining direct spiritual realization which far surpasses blind faith and is based on attaining one’s own experience of self-realization. It is beyond conventional forms of religion that often keep one bound to a dogma or set of beliefs, when direct perception and experience of spiritual Truth will take one to seeing the spiritual realities that are described in the Vedic texts.

 

Futile is human birth without awakening of the spiritual consciousness. While spirituality is meant for everybody, not everybody is attracted to the spiritual path. This destiny is not bestowed on all; one has to consciously earn it in his life time.

Spirituality can be lived in life and true spiritual understanding is an asset to a man engaged in the battle of life. This is the creed of Bhagawadgita. Mere spirituality without material exertion and secular achievements will not make life dynamic.

Without understanding the concept of spirituality religion cannot be practiced; without practicing religion, spirituality cannot be experienced. One has to practice spirituality and follow its doctrines to understand the nuance of religion.

Unfortunately religion for us today means nothing more than restrictions on food and drink, nothing more than adherence to a sense of superiority and inferiority. Practical religion consists in living the philosophy one has understood. The secret of religion lies not in theories but in practice.  One should talk less of religion and practice more.

Both religion and spirituality are two sides of the same coin viz. Sanatana Dharma. The inner strength of Hindus which enables them to be dignified and to hold their heads high despite their adversity is the result of our age old tradition of spiritual values.