Theres no black and white here. Take a dive with me to explore one of humanitys timeless conversations! It focuses on the art of understanding the way of life, change, and living in a sacred manner. A new studysuggests there may be fewer differences than expected between people in an organized religion and those who practice spirituality. He or she observes the rites and practices, such as regularly attending church services on a Sunday for Christians, observing the Sabbath for Jews, and fasting during Ramadan for Muslims. This is very harmful to both self and society. Lets break down the individual differences as well as the light and darkness within spirituality and religion below: While spirituality focuses on the personal connection with the Divine, religion encourages a community-centered connection with the Divine. They can also be experienced :) ). In this article, we will define both and talk about four major ways they they are different from one another. Every person is essentially a small goda unique and powerful manifestation of existence that serves a purpose in this world. While there are many similarities between spirituality and religion, they are distinctly different concepts. Individual vs. Group Beliefs. For thousands of years, humanity has passionately pursued the Truth with a capital Tthe ultimate answers to life and the universe. Nothing is set in stone, so what one may find to be right or wrong today may change down the line with new life experiences. The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; not will they say Here it is or There it is, because the kingdom of God is within you. In contrast, the word agnostic refers to a person who neither believes nor disbelieves in a god or religious doctrine. When we unite elements of spirituality with religion and vice versa, we get a robust, deep, and deliciously multi-faceted path that can properly support and initiate us into the Mysteries of the Divine. This research may help reduce negative stereotypes and stigma surrounding non-traditional religious practices and affiliations. Spirituality is all about experiencing, feeling, and embodying the Divine. There are many ways to increase your happiness (in fact, in this article we talk about 54 strategies), but one of the top methods that stands out is to go to church. Partisan differences are somewhat muted. Religion: Religions are most often based upon the lives, teachings, and beliefs of a historical or archetypal figure (e.g., Christ, Buddha, Moses, Krishna, Muhammad). Earn the highest Chopra Certification available and expand your toolbox of offerings. Thats why you follow the rules of the relevant religion. Spirituality is personal; religion is institutional. Religion has a basic moral code, a set of core values and a story outline. (Traditionally religious people scored highest.) Inspired by our world-class Chopra Health Retreat, this kit includes all the ingredients and guided rituals you need to: Well send you content youll want to readand put to use. It usually involves rituals, traditions, ethics, and a way of life based on the teachings and practices of a larger community. Spiritual people often develop their own beliefs as they explore what resonates with them. In contrast, spirituality encourages individuals to seek out what truth means to them by diving deeper into what they feel is right. Published by Erin Duffin , Sep 30, 2022. Spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, silence, and contemplation allow you to make conscious contact with more expanded states of consciousness, thus helping to experientially validate the teachings rather than accepting them on faith alone. A spiritual person, on the other hand, turns inward to find his truth and finds God within himself and all life. Spirituality teaches us that All is One (non-duality), that there is ultimately no separation between the spark of Divine within us and the Divine that pervades everything. As a pacifist by nature, it hasRead more . If you feel these definitions get blurry and cross into each others territory, youre not alone. Because of this, someone who practices spirituality may continually change their beliefs throughout their life. While often closely linked and used interchangeably, these two concepts are not the same and carry distinct characteristics for individuals, groups, and globally. Spirituality is broader and more abstract than religion. Your life path is your own and I encourage you to pursue that which calls to you. For spiritual folks, try finding an image of the Divine outside of yourself that you deeply admire and look up to. Here are some examples of the differences between the two. Religion commonly refers to an institution that has a set of organized practices and a structured belief system shared by and among those who are members of the institution. She is the author of hundreds of popular articles, as well as numerous books and journals on the topics of Self-Love, Spiritual Awakening, and more. They are twins that can form one Whole if we are open to that possibility. Spiritual and religious people are two distinct groups, though they share a common goal: to connect with something greater than the self. It's about a search for our life's significance and allows us to feel part of something. Instead, spirituality helps others focus not just on their own well-being, but for others, nature, or any sacred being. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. A third omission is that of the dishonesty and self-deception found within both of these groupthink systems. A spiritual person knows that we are all One, and consciously attempts to honor this Oneness. Provide social and emotional support. ), Spiritual Meditation: 11 Ways to Enlighten Your Mind. Meditate to cope with stress. Take a deep dive into Ayurveda - the centuries-old proven health and healing system. Whatever path you choose, I hope you find what youre looking for and know that its okay to experiment, and its also okay to commit deeply and fully. These are mere beliefs that are treated as truths and that can (and sometimes does) lead to unsavory outcomes. What Is Your True Color Personality Type? On the other hand, religious Spirituality And at religions most infantile form, it can be a force of destruction that creates more division and suffering. In fact, some may find that their spirituality is closely linked to a religion, while others may have their own personal relationship with a higher power. The word religion comes from the Latin word religionem, which means, respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods; conscientiousness, sense of right, moral obligation. (1) Religion is connecting to the Divine through someone elses experience. It has caused wars and major conflict between ecocentric groups and countries. For instance, both groups show elevated emotional well-being compared to nonreligious individuals. Spirituality focuses on spreading love and selfless acts. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. Enjoy a renewed sense of health with this 7-day Ayurvedic cleanse. Spirituality teaches sacredness or that the Divine can be experienced, felt, and embodied. How Creative Expression Promotes Self-Love, Art as Meditation: How Painting Landscapes Can Promote Healing, To an external practice, object, or figurehead. Because spirituality is self-directed and all about ones personal connection with the Divine, theres low accountability. However, when someone is spiritual, they are able to pick out the things they believe from any religion and combine these truths to formulate their own set of beliefs. Americans who are spiritual but not religious are somewhat more likely to be women than men (54% vs. 46%, respectively). These figures are the subject of worship and devotion and form the foundation of religious practices and rituals in a community. Religion includes a preacher or religious leader who defines what the truth is to their congregation. Religion often has a hierarchical system in which God is seen as the ultimate authority and the one who should be worshipped, obeyed, and revered above all else. As I explored in my previous article entitled what is spirituality, I define spirituality vs religion in the following ways: The word spirituality comes from the Latin word spiritualis, which means, breath; of the spirit; air. (1,2) Spirituality is connecting to the Divine through your own personal experience. For a religious person, the concept of God is predetermined, named, and comes with an established method of how to worship that God. Its more of an internal journey that helps you develop your own personal truths that may not necessarily be aligned with what has been taught through a particular faith or religion. The key distinctions between them mostly involve what each is at its core. Comment below! 3. Being too spiritual may also cause long-term separation from loved ones or more concern for their own issues, instead of trusting a higher being for tomorrows worry. Firstly, this article will explore the differences between spirituality vs religion for the sake of clarity, but it will also touch on a third path which I believe is necessary for us to evolve and find peace as human beings. The following characteristics differentiate a spiritual person from a religious person. Spirituality is a way to find meaning and purpose in what you do or experience. So, you can go to church every Sunday and say your prayers every day, without caring about loving yourself, others and the planet. This suggests that most people feel that spirituality is more beneficial than religion for personal growth and development. Spirituality is a solitary experience of the divine, while religion involves a group of people brought together by their common faith or beliefs about the divine. With spiritual practice, ideas and interpretations change as individuals, societies, and the world move forward. Religion and spirituality can: Offer comfort in times of grief. The main conclusion was that there were relatively few differences between people who identified with non-religious spirituality and people who identified as traditionally religious, say the researchers. It is safe to say that spirituality has greater potential for exploration within ones faith than religion does. Any text will do. It is a structured, frequently rule-based construct that to some degree governs the behavior of its members. What they both have in common is connecting to something larger than themselves. Unlike religious beliefs, which tend to have strict rules and organized doctrines, spirituality is highly individualized. Religion requires one to worship so they will be rewarded later on. We value a raw, real, and down-to-earth approach to spirituality. These are important questions to consider when you are trying to determine if you are religious or spiritual. In other words, different religions, in general, tend to focus on gathering people together and finding shared faith in one god or ideology. But spirituality doesnt aim to please a specific God; rather, it focuses on interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. Spirituality: By comparison, spirituality is often less focused on the rigidly traditional approach and often favors an evolutionary mentality. So, when asking the question, Can you be spiritual and religious? the answer is yesif your true beliefs fall in line with a certain religion. However, many who are spiritual believe that everyone's ultimate truth is the same, despite any differences among them. The foundation of spirituality is a pure spirit of unifying force. A spiritual person is selfless, perhaps ascetic, one who strives to imbue his life with a higher meaning, to think of and serve others, not himself, to see the purpose and goodness in This includes religions with billions of followings Either one can lead to the other, but might not necessarily lead to a creator/god. By Sofia Stewart Updated on Feb 11, 2023. Reviewed by Jessica Schrader. Religion has a set of rules that followers must obey in order to stay "pure" and "holy." Religious beliefs and spiritual beliefs differ in the ways in which they are practiced. This may be a spiritual teacher you trust, a leader from a religious path you trust and feel safe with, or even a counselor/therapist. For example, since accepting fate can be seen as an inner personal struggle, some define it as Person vs. Self instead. Feeling lost, confused, or alone? [Read More]. Heres how you can unite spirituality and religion (instead of spirituality vs religion) into your life: 1. However, each practice serves as a vehicle to lead you closer to the truth you seek. (Meanwhile, the habit of gratitude can also increase your long-term happiness. If you notice, others abuse religion to inflict fear into anothers mind. Spirituality vs. It creates practical implications for everyday behaviors in adherence to the beliefs, rituals, and practices of the group. WebHistorically, the words religious and spiritual have been used synonymously to describe all the various aspects of the concept of religion, [1] but in contemporary usage spirituality Being religious is a personal system in which one follows spiritual guidelines, beliefs, practices, and worship of God or Gods. Spirituality vs Religion #1 Personal / Community-oriented While spirituality focuses on the personal connection with the Divine, religion encourages a community Final Thoughts on the Differences Between Religion and Spirituality. Many people rely on their own understanding of the world when making decisions or expressing themselves. Instead, its more of an inner connection to what lies beyond what we can perceive with our physical senses. Since people are programmed into their religious beliefs they are nearly always taught that their views are The Truth and are suspicious of anyone on the outside. Spirituality encourages people to create their own path, which allows people to take their own journey of enlightenment. Spirituality offers an endless amount of potential benefits, while with religion it offers punishments or rewards. Most people dont really find religion; rather, its programmed into them from either a very early age or from a vulnerable place. Religion: On the whole, a formal religion is often an objective experience. Spirituality is an inward journey that involves a shift in awareness rather than some form of external activity. All paths Arjuna, lead to me.. Religion is the form, and spirituality is the formlessness. On the other hand, the focus of spirituality is on the process of becoming attuned to one's inner self. The fear of punishment for one's actions is often a principle factor in religion. In spirituality, one may ponder, Where do I find meaning in life, and what are my true values? Meanwhile, in religion, common questions might be What is the truth? and What is right and wrong?. Ill explore the differences below as well as the pros and cons of spirituality and religion. Everything you need to live a life in total balance from the authority in well-being. For example, spiritual people are more likely to: Volunteer or donate to the poor. As you can see, there are noticeable distinctions between spirituality vs. religion; however, these comparisons arent meant to be absolutes or an attempt to polarize one against the other. Its often seen as more rigid and less open to exploration. Provide moral guidelines by which to live. It inspires people to trust their hearts and follow their own instincts. Please also feel free to share this article with someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it. Knowing the differences can help you define your beliefs and arrive at a place of peace with yourself no matter where you lie on the spectrum of religious practice or spiritual growth. Are you a spiritual person or a religious person? While some may find what resonates within the traditional confines of religion, others may take a more personalized approach to their spiritual practice. Spiritual Experience; The foundation of religion is faith. In this way, religion requires people to be obedient with their beliefs, keeping them fixed to scriptures or what is taught to them by religious leaders. Or as Christina Puchalski, MD (leader in trying to incorporate spirituality into healthcare), puts it, Spirituality is the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred.". Increasingly, North American millennials identify as spiritual as opposed to religious. This empowers people to discover their own truths without setting any limits as to the depth of one's understanding. Unlike the scientific worldview, religions dont require evidence to validate their claims. Spirituality: Spirituality makes no such distinctions. We guide spiritual seekers undergoing an awakening to walk the path less travelled, practice inner soul work, and rediscover their interconnected True Nature in the present moment. Instead, it favors an inclusive approach. Neither of these scenarios is fair. Without a cup, water spills everywhere. Mysticism is the common thread running through both spirituality and religion. Some religions have a reward that comes after death, like getting into heaven. There are mystics who exist in all religions and spiritual paths. See what you like and resonate with and take note there are more similarities between you and other paths than you may think.4. Its more about what resonates and feels right for you personally. In addition to those who say they are spiritual but not religious, 48% say they are both religious and spiritual, while 6% say they are religious but not spiritual. Another 18% answer both questions negatively, saying they are neither religious nor spiritual. Start here . Our names are Aletheia Luna & Mateo Sol and were spiritual educators and guides currently living in Perth, Western Australia. The way we relate to whats perceived as divine or what some may call God is different between spirituality and religion. h3>What are the differences between spirituality vs. religion? Alternatively, in religion, the belief system is usually predefined. Since religion began its increasing decline in the early 20th century which was promoted by the Age of Enlightenment in the previous period and reinforced by the horrors of the world wars, the idea of God is now largely seen as not just infantile, but ludicrous. This is when spiritual awareness and growth come into play. Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. Alternatively, a religious individual learns or develops their beliefs based on the experiences they are told about their religious founders or through parables. WebHere are six characteristics of a spiritually gifted person. Spirituality also fosters a sense of interconnectedness with things beyond what we can see and touch. Religion is the container and spirituality is the contents. Therapytips.org, November 9, 2021. A spiritual person focuses on the here and now. Im that weird outlier whos hanging out on the outskirts holding up a sign that says BOTH are good and BOTH are bad folks.. On the other hand, spirituality teaches people to constantly listen to their inner voice and use it as a guide to live a good life. WebMuslims vs other people |The world beautiful religion|Muslims attitude status #shorts subscribe my channel The two dance together, hand in hand or at least, they can do. Spirituality and religion are two distinct concepts with important differences. In other words, from a spiritual perspective, no one has a monopoly on the truth. WebSome non-religious people can be thought of as spiritual but not religious (SBNR). Also, try our spiritual awakening test to see if you are experiencing an awakening! What are your thoughts about spirituality vs religion? As you can see, there are good and bad things about spirituality and religion. Iconic singer David Bowie famously described spirituality vs religion in the following brilliantly irreverent way: Religion is for people whore afraid of going to hell. Thats where my experience, reflections, and discoveries can help. However, while one's spiritual beliefs are typically unique, spirituality often enforces the idea that all people are the same. The difference between a spiritual and religious person comes down to how they see God. For a religious person, the concept of God is predetermined, named, and comes with a set method on how to worship that God. A spiritual person on the other hand, turns inwards to find their truth and finds God within themselves and all of life. 1. Advance online publication. Religion is an ideology that holds ancient traditions that have kept communities together. WebSpiritual abuse is not limited to one religion, denomination, or group of people. On the other hand, religion provides its followers with a single set of rules and beliefs to follow, typically with less room for personal growth within those parameters. Some people feel called to explore different spiritual paths beyond what organized religion offers, and many believers find their faith is enhanced through other spiritual activities such as yoga, meditation, or journaling. These findings provide evidence that, at least psychologically speaking, non-religious spirituality and traditionally religious participants may be more similar than different.. When it comes to using the mind, spirituality focuses on cultivating wisdom. On the other hand, spirituality is less about what you do and more about what you achieve inwardly through practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and introspection. Members of a religion often also follow distinctive dress codes (especially religious leaders), moral codes, and actions that are mandated by a supernatural being. Spiritual people listen to their hearts and their own conscious mind in order to do what is right for their unique self. Notice how it helps to create a more rich and well-rounded experience. Spirituality seeks its own truth and translates it based on one's experience. Their beliefs, which are often transcendental, are passed on from members to converts, and are based on either a formally documented creed or established cultural practices. Applying the Bare-Minimum Monday Philosophy to Relationships, Mass Shooters and the Myth That Evil Is Obvious, Transforming Empathy Into Compassion: Why It Matters, Spirituality, not organized religion, may be the key to finding meaning in life, 5 Spiritual Practices That Increase Well-Being. Spirituality: Spirituality though, breaks free from the restrictions and rigid structure sometimes associated with traditional religion. Yes, you can be both religious and spiritual. 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