We regard spirituality as a vital part of religious experience and equate it with religion, but declining association of religions and the growth of secularism in the western world has given rise to a newer view of spirituality. The terms spirituality and religion both refer to the search for the Absolute. An increasing number of people see the two as separate entities and believe that religion is just one way by which one can experience spirituality. But religion is not identical with spirituality; rather religion is the form of spirituality that happens in civilization. Spirituality is personal realm of thought and experience while the word religious is connected with the public realm of religious institution with official dogmas.
Having said that could it be right to be a spiritualist only! No, it is necessary to be religious since it is the base to spirituality. If spirituality is the branches of the tree, being religious is like the root of that tree. For the growth of the tree the roots are very important. The tree will never survive with its roots damaged. Also the roots of the tree are not visible to the outside world and so also the religious practice of a person is personal and it need not be public. There are many people who practice different religion. And no religion is exempted from positive or negative views. Spirituality teaches tolerance to other religion and the attitude to look in for the best things that are preached in it.
However we are hell bound to find the flaws in other religion in order to uphold our own, is it the way to search for the truth????
Spirituality is the desire that drive a person behind what he believes. If a person has a belief in something greater whether it is a search for Truth, enlightenment or something unnamable, and acts upon that belief in some way like prayer, meditation, acts of kindness, living a life for others, pursuit of higher knowledge etc... Then that person could be seen as spiritual. Many people label themselves spiritual when they have the belief in something greater related to their own religion or dogma. This has made religion a direct opposition to spirituality. Spirituality is a term that includes religion but that also encompasses the human urge to reach out towards the Absolute of which we all are a part.
Having said that could it be right to be a spiritualist only! No, it is necessary to be religious since it is the base to spirituality. If spirituality is the branches of the tree, being religious is like the root of that tree. For the growth of the tree the roots are very important. The tree will never survive with its roots damaged. Also the roots of the tree are not visible to the outside world and so also the religious practice of a person is personal and it need not be public. There are many people who practice different religion. And no religion is exempted from positive or negative views. Spirituality teaches tolerance to other religion and the attitude to look in for the best things that are preached in it.
However we are hell bound to find the flaws in other religion in order to uphold our own, is it the way to search for the truth????
Spirituality is the desire that drive a person behind what he believes. If a person has a belief in something greater whether it is a search for Truth, enlightenment or something unnamable, and acts upon that belief in some way like prayer, meditation, acts of kindness, living a life for others, pursuit of higher knowledge etc... Then that person could be seen as spiritual. Many people label themselves spiritual when they have the belief in something greater related to their own religion or dogma. This has made religion a direct opposition to spirituality. Spirituality is a term that includes religion but that also encompasses the human urge to reach out towards the Absolute of which we all are a part.
No comments:
Post a Comment