There is much confusion out there about religion and spirituality, and it is my intent today to give some relief to this general lack of understanding that many of us have. The question arises, “What is the difference between religion and spirituality, aren’t they the same thing?” Well, my friends, I can only answer this question from my own perspective and understanding. As a general rule, they are technically not the same thing, as we will see. Does this add yet more confusion to the matter? I don’t think so. Perhaps we need to have a little definition here, and through this defining process we can hopefully alleviate some of these misunderstandings. Again, I would have you bear in mind these are things I have found to be true and helpful throughout my own study and subsequent experience. Always remember, each will find their own way!
Religious or Spiritual?
The majority of humanity at this time believes that a sense of a spiritual self, God, or the greater universe, can only be found within the various religious institutions of our world. It must be born in mind that religion is simply a way to define the unknown through structure, rules, and a specific set of principles that need to be upheld within the life in order to achieve a greater understanding. We must keep in mind, however, there are many ways to go about anything in life. Any spiritual practice or belief system, no matter what it is or where it is found, can achieve the same results if consistently applied within the life. If there are many ways, if there are many paths, then no way is absolutely the only way. There is no need for us to adhere to any organized religious practice if it doesn’t make sense, or if it doesn’t apply to us in terms of practical everyday living. If it doesn’t feel right, it isn’t going to work. It’s that simple. Spirituality is everything, my friends, for spirit is everywhere! If organized religious practice works for you, by all means, stay with it. If you have found something less traditional, go with that. If you are still searching, I guarantee you will find your way. In other words, again from my perspective and experience, a sense of spirituality doesn’t necessarily involve a religious way of life as we understand it today. The spirit, after all, cannot be contained.
Three Hindering Factors: Time, Symbolism, and Human Limitation
The problem with a strict adherence to structure, or a clearly defined set of beliefs, is that there is no room to explore and expand upon our current understanding. We have little freedom to experience new and better ways to increase this very understanding of the truth we seek. All the various religions have part of the truth within their makeup and traditions. What we must keep in mind, however, is that these scriptures and teachings were founded thousands of years ago. We need to deeply consider whether these teachings and practices are applicable in our current time period. The idea many have that “This is the word of God”, implies absolutes, where no change or modification can ever happen. The other problem is that we are to believe, without question, these individuals spoke directly with God. This way of thinking is seriously flawed, and we can know this through our own common sense. Now, the basic tenants of all religious scripture hold true even today. It may be time today to discard the rest, and find a new way, or at least rediscover the old way in a new form. Given this factor of time, and the relatively limited ability to perceive actual truth, it would be beneficial to view these ancient teachings symbolically in most cases. You see, my friends, it’s all about interpretation. How we interpret our reality, physically, spiritually, or otherwise, is directly related to our current level of understanding, and we know our current understanding to be based on our acquired experience. This is true in the past, in the present, and will continue to be in the future. Truth is entirely a matter of perception. And finally, the most important consideration we have when viewing religious doctrine, both in the past and still today, is that their presentations come from a place of human limitation. We know that the most unfortunate and damaging human limitation is the seeking of power and control. We cannot forget the desire for money as well. If any religious or spiritual belief system makes us feel controlled, judged, or afraid, we may need to consider the motivation of those involved. We must keep in mind that much of the religious doctrine presented today is based on literal interpretations of these ancient teachings. This has led to great misunderstanding, and hence, unnecessary violence, war, and oppression. We must know, as well, the fear-based ideologies of our religious institutions today are not a conspiracy, but an indication of basic human frailty and limited understanding. Now, it’s not all bad. We just need to learn what to pay attention to and what to let go of. Having said all this, much can be learned from all religious doctrine, but we need to place everything in its proper context if we are to truly benefit.
The Individual Experience
In order to find that necessary sense of spirituality in our lives, we must first understand it to be a highly personal and highly individual pursuit. Our relationship with ourselves and others, our relationship with the soul or spirit, is indeed a very intimate experience. Again, there is no right or wrong way. My point is that we cannot allow the outside to influence the development of this intimacy. We don’t have to explore our sense of spirituality through something that has been done before, we don’t need to worry about being different or trying something new. An open mind and an open heart is all that is required. The other, and perhaps more important, realization we must also have is to let others do the same. Our spirituality is an effort to find wholeness, and this wholeness belongs to everyone. My friends, we cannot be forced into anything. We cannot allow any belief system to be forced upon us as being the right and only way, for no such way has been found just yet. Do your own thing and be honest and sincere in your approach. If we allow this, someday, the One Way will be the way for all.
Understanding Diversity and Wholeness
To me, the very best way to define what spirituality is, is to see it as “all that is”. Everything that exists is spiritual, for everything is indeed part of creation itself. Do you see how everyone, and everything is our spirituality, or it could not be? For those of you with a little study behind you, we know that every element of creation has seven aspects to it. These are seven aspects of one whole. There are seven races, seven paths, seven departments of human living, and seven types of souls. Religion is no exception, for there are seven major religions of our world as well. Seven can be found in all aspects of nature and the greater universe. Each one of the seven represents one aspect of the greater whole and makes the greater whole be what it is. In order for us to understand this whole and become a more perfect self or a complete self, we must view our lives, our reality, and the world we live in on these terms. Every person, every aspect, every religion is only a part of the whole, not the whole itself. However, the whole could not be whole without each part. There is no battle here, my friends, it’s all good!
The Purpose of Religion
There are many great things that can be found in all the religions of our world. Let it be said, religion gives us a vehicle to understand something we do not understand. We want to know who we are, where we come from, and what our role and purpose in this wonderful universe is. Yes, we do want to understand what God is. This is a good thing! It is, my friends, our faith that allows us to explore this understanding. The most important part of faith is that we fully accept there is something much greater than ourselves. Religion provides a way for us to be dedicated, to be loyal, to be reliable. We know how crucial it is to be committed, for this is how we reinforce our intent to find or create what we seek. This is an essential element to human and spiritual living. All of these qualities connect us with the emotional part of ourselves, and it is this that will lead us to the heart. Love is only half of the equation, however. To have a complete understanding of God and the universe, we must engage with the higher aspects of the mind, for this is where higher understanding, higher spiritual truth, and oneness can be found. Love within the heart is only the first gateway. To achieve true wisdom is the second gateway, but it can only be entered when a full expression of love is consistently found in our life. One of the biggest and most unfortunate limitations of our various religious doctrines and institutions, is that each of them attempt to place this incredible and wonderful vastness into a little box. God, the universe, cannot be explained in a few words, it cannot be found in only one way. Breaking away from these established parameters and blind adherence is what is being offered to us at this time. We have the opportunity to see the value that each of our existing religions can provide. There is only one central truth that underlies them all, and we will understand what this is in the near future. In order for us to begin, we must allow, accept and include. In this way, what connects us, what we all have in common, and share will be seen as our only goal. We do, fellow companions, all want the same things.
One Underlying Principle
No matter what our spiritual practice and set of beliefs might be, and whether we participate in organized religion or not, what lies underneath it all is the development of love and wisdom in our lives. These two elements or principles can be found at the core of every religion, that is, if one has the time, inclination, and willingness to see. We must view love and wisdom to be two sides of the same coin. Love leads to the wisdom and understanding we seek. All the knowledge in the universe has no purpose or value if it is not applied with loving intent in every aspect of life. It has been said, “If one is to be truly wise, one must be incredibly loving”. Each religious perspective has a different expression, perhaps a slightly different way of going about things. Every spiritual practice may provide a different pathway. But, when all is presented, when all is explored and discussed, when all is said and done, only one truth remains.
*To the spiritual student – we are in a position today to let go of the past. We want to be free to explore the new and better ways. We are aware, although somewhat subtly, we have a long history of being associated with a religious approach to living. This can and will be helpful in bringing forward a new level of teaching that can be applied to all. What our religious experience has given us is a required dedication. But we have the opportunity to detach ourselves from past doctrines of all kinds, as they are mostly based on an emotional response to the idea of God, or the greater universe of which we’re a part. The religious experience is one of a mystical approach, and this is indeed the critical first step, for we wish to “feel” what our relationship with God is like. If we want to “know”, however, we need to move beyond a mere emotional response or reaction, and a reliance upon faith, as the way to achieve the higher understanding we must now have. A well-developed heart, and the required love it brings forward, provides the path to the higher mind where these new and better ways will be found. This is absolutely essential, because we must find that which can be practically applied to not only our lives, but to help humanity move forward and acquire what is currently needed. In other words, our strong sense of dedication is not to a human-induced ideology, doctrine, or institution, but toward the Spiritual Hierarchy itself. We know our Hierarchy to be the embodiment of love, and this real love gives us access to the world of ideas. The building of this relationship is our goal today, for it is indeed much more permanent. It is important we realize that all things built within the context of human limitation will eventually fall away within the context of time. We wish to build things that will last and carry humanity through this great transition. Our personal or individual transition is also included in this movement, and I understand the pain and difficulty, for I am the same as you. We can be assured that we will free ourselves from the many human limitations that still envelop us today and be able to work freely and bring forward that which is needed. This is the promise of our soul, it is the promise of our Spiritual Hierarchy. Together, brothers and sisters, we will build something new. This better reality, we have long awaited!
If you wish to increase your current understanding, again, I encourage you to have a look at “A Treatise on the Seven Rays”. You can also look over my own humble and feeble attempt to interpret this material in “The Seven Rays Series”. It is always my goal and intent to bring forward the Ancient Wisdom Teachings and make them more accessible and somewhat easier to understand. There are many attempting the same. It is our take on things, if you will. My challenges are great, and I know yours to be as well. Let’s move the work forward in every way we can!
The One becomes the Seven
The Seven become the One
We are whole
All my love and support, be well