Welcome! 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. Luna & Sol Pty Ltd 2012 - 2023 LonerWolf.com. Religion is the belief of another mans experience written down in sacred scripture, but spirituality is the belief of ones own experience. Person vs. Destiny (Fate/Luck/God) This is an ambiguous conflict type. Alternatively, a religious individual learns or develops their beliefs based on the experiences they are told about their religious founders or through parables. 2023 Oldtown Publishing LLC 479 State Route 17 N There are mystics who exist in all religions and spiritual paths. Being religious has a more connotative reaction from others. If you have found any comfort, support or guidance in our work, please consider donating: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'd like to receive your latest weekly newsletter! (Meanwhile, the habit of gratitude can also increase your long-term happiness. 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. It doesnt necessarily require any rituals or practices. You can create a hybrid of the two concepts, allowing what resonates with you individually to be your guide. It shapes one's beliefs, attitudes, and actions by giving importance to the adherence of rules. Religion is centered around the theoretical; its about learning, understanding, and devoting oneself to a certain belief system. Spirituality is a universal, personalized experience, and everyone's experience is unique. The world has no perimeters, races, or cultural partitions. To them, part of this spirituality means being compassionate, empathetic and Im that weird outlier whos hanging out on the outskirts holding up a sign that says BOTH are good and BOTH are bad folks.. Spirituality embraces everything good, bad, and neutral as it happens without worrying about a future reward. Religion is based upon traditional beliefs and teachings that may impose very strict interpretations and limitations, often excluding people of certain communities. However, each practice serves as a vehicle to lead you closer to the truth you seek. Yes, they have most certainly caused tremendous evil in this world (Im speaking mostly about religion here), which is undeniable. 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. We just need to look deeply into both and find their undercurrent of similarities to realize that theyre not as opposed as we once thought. Spirituality, on the other hand, doesnt necessarily involve worship at all. In contrast, spiritual people rely more on their own personal experience and what they feel is right. There is no definitive answer to whether it is better to be spiritual or religious, as the right path for one person may not be the same for another. This isnt necessarily a bad thing. It's about a search for our life's significance and allows us to feel part of something. For religious folks, try listening to the perspectives of people from other religions and spiritual paths. Are you a spiritual person or a religious person? Atheism is the doctrine or belief that there is no god. 1. In seeking the divinewhether from a church pew on a Sunday or on top of a ridge looking at a glorious sunrisewe increase our feelings of happiness, peace, and appreciation for the life that we have. And yet, regardless of where we stand as a species, we all have an innate drive to seek something higher and greater than ourselves whether that be God, Enlightened Consciousness, our next-and-best consumerist purchase, or a dogmatic belief that Science is the only true way of seeing the world. A beach will do. Their worldview can isolate people who don't see it that way. (Just please try to spread love and peace. Spirituality also fosters a sense of interconnectedness with things beyond what we can see and touch. Its more about what resonates and feels right for you personally. The difference between a spiritual and religious person boils down to how they see God. For example, they may believe in God while asking for positive energy through their journey of self-discovering. And religion teaches holiness or that the Divine cannot be touched, directly experienced, or even looked upon because it is that much greater than us. Spirituality: Spirituality doesnt dismiss faith; however, it often leans more heavily on direct experience of the soul or divinity. 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. Nothing is totally black and white. Thats where my experience, reflections, and discoveries can help. This is when spiritual awareness and growth come into play. What are your thoughts about spirituality vs religion? A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. 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. Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. I have directly experienced both spirituality and religion in their most toxic states, and Ive also experienced the benefits of both. Spirituality in Clinical Practice. We recognize their continued connection to the land and waters of this beautiful place and acknowledge that they never ceded sovereignty. As someone who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian faith (and kissed that goodbye years ago! On the other hand, spirituality is less about what you believe and more about what you value or what makes sense to you personally. Forty-two percent (42%) of spiritual people meditate when stressed rather than overeat or indulge in unhealthy coping Belief vs. Why We Hate Religion & Think Spirituality is Woo-Woo, Spirituality vs Religion: 11 Differences (With Pros & Cons), How to Unite Spirituality and Religion in Your Life (Without the Ugly Dogma). Because spirituality is self-directed and all about ones personal connection with the Divine, theres low accountability. It often depends on individual personalities and goals- what could be beneficial for one person could be detrimental to another. On the other hand, religious people typically rely on some form of organized religion or institution. They are following not a set of external rules, but their own inner call to spirit. For example, churches are slowly accepting LGBTQ acceptance into their congregation, which before was unheard of. Ultimately, spiritual paths are what you make of them and what resonates with you as an individual, making them unique. Get free weekly soul-centered guidance for your spiritual awakening journey! These are mere beliefs that are treated as truths and that can (and sometimes does) lead to unsavory outcomes. 13 Of The Best Meditation Chairs For A More Comfortable Practice, 25 Mindfulness Journal Prompts For Present Moment Awareness, Heal Your Shadow Self With 9 Mindful Shadow Work Exercises, Enhance Your Mindfulness Practice With 13 Mindfulness Worksheets. Rather, they're offered as tools for spiritual seekers to use to help their spiritual growth. Those practicing religion fear the consequences of the way they live their lives after they die. Use this space for describing your block. Theres no black and white here. The following characteristics differentiate a spiritual person from a religious person. Regular community service can serve as a buffer against the effects of stress, thus leading to longer lives. Spirituality focuses more on the quality of the message that is being offered than the differences in the details of the original story. Religion emphasizes the content of followers' beliefs and how those beliefs play out in their everyday lives. Americans who are spiritual but not religious are somewhat more likely to be women than men (54% vs. 46%, respectively). Learn how to tell the difference between religion and spirituality. This unites people who share a religion, as they share character traits and outlooks on life. For example, spiritual people are more likely to: Volunteer or donate to the poor. However, being religious doesnt make you spiritual, just like being spiritual doesnt make you religious. It creates practical implications for everyday behaviors in adherence to the beliefs, rituals, and practices of the group. Religious teachings are usually based on what has been passed down through scriptures, religious scrolls, and books or what religious leaders teach. Many people rely on their own understanding of the world when making decisions or expressing themselves. While religion has various rules that others may or may not agree with, spirituality focuses on an individuals aspect of a belief. In fact, he says, while religious people are more likely to volunteer or give to charitable causes related to their beliefs, atheists appear to be more generous to a wider range of causes and dissimilar groups. As a spiritual person grows in life, so will their perception and beliefs. With religion, there is a high level of accountability often built into the structure of religious institutions. A spiritual person often arrives at their own truths while they are developing their spirituality, rather than following an ideology or set of rules. I hope the findings from this study can help reduce stereotypes toward religious minority members and help create a more accepting environment.. A third omission is that of the dishonesty and self-deception found within both of these groupthink systems. Knowing what you value will help you build the most meaningful life possible. Instead, they believe in a higher consciousness that cannot be represented as a physical being. However, spirituality encourages people to focus their energy on positive things and to act based solely on love. Youve probably heard people say theyre spiritual but not religious when describing their faith, and wondered what it truly means. They do not hold on to their memories which may bring you down. In either case, there are professionals within each religion who act in positions of leadership and who represent formal aspects of the institution. Spiritual people are more flexible in their beliefs and often draw from multiple teachings and practices to create what works best for them. In this case, wisdom means a deep and integrated knowing that is expressed through how we live our lives. This post may contain affiliate links. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000279. There is a lot of beauty and depth in both religion and spirituality, and before we throw the baby out with the bathwater, I want to offer you, dear spiritual sojourner, some food for thought; something to meditate upon and contemplate. Whereas within religion, self-sacrifice, devotion, and service to others support us in feeling like we have a mission or greater purpose. (Traditionally religious people scored highest.) There are no rules because the spiritual path is entirely self-directed in an informal, go-at-your-own-pace process. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. In religion, there is often a promise of punishment or reward for maintaining beliefs or following rituals. Some religions have a reward that comes after death, like getting into heaven. Spirituality: Definition, Types, Benefits, and How to Practice Ill explore the differences below as well as the pros and cons of spirituality and religion. Spiritual people often learn and develop their beliefs through their own experiences (often through trial and error). The foundation of spirituality is a pure spirit of unifying force. These rules are public so others draw near, all in order for a church to increase their congregation. within the religious organization. A spiritual atheist is someone who, unlike a religious person, does not believe in any God. How is one initiated? Both traditionally The Chopra Renew & Restore Detox Kit is a gentle and effective 7-Day cleanse rooted in the wisdom of Ayurveda and backed by science. Religion is the container and spirituality is the contents. But for spirituality, the reward is just one's own inner peace. It suggests that those with strongly held convictions in their Christian faith, or who held no-religious belief, strengthened belief in their positions following the pandemic's onset. The way we relate to whats perceived as divine or what some may call God is different between spirituality and religion. But there is a sublime opportunity present within the heart of both spirituality and religion. WebIn short, the tension between religion and spirituality may be overstated. 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. When it comes to using the mind, spirituality focuses on cultivating wisdom. That is to say, belief in something based upon unconditional acceptance of the religions teachings. For example, Christians are encouraged in the Bible to build a community of believers, gather together to pray and worship, and observe certain holidays or holy days. 1. First up in the types of spiritual personalities is the mystic. Sometimes aspects of it get split up and parsed out among the other categories. What they both have in common is connecting to something larger than themselves. Because of this, someone who practices spirituality may continually change their beliefs throughout their life. In fact, certain beliefs related to spiritualism may even be seen as taboo or forbidden to discuss within some religions. In contrast, the majority (56%) of Americans who are neither spiritual nor religious are men, while about four in ten (44%) are women. Want More Abundance In Your Life? The spirituality vs religion debate only creates more hatred and ill will in the world, and yet, when we dare to combine the two, we have what I call a third way forward. Help people find meaning and purpose in life. Unlike the scientific worldview, religions dont require evidence to validate their claims. Science has become the new God, or what is known as Scientism a word popularized by Austrian economist F. A. Hayek in the early 20th century. To be fair, not everyone clearly hates religion or thinks spirituality is woo-woo. Spirituality (or mysticism), on the other hand, is something people discover and can choose to embrace or not. It can happen in any religious group, as an element of child abuse, elder abuse, or domestic violence. 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. Religion has a basic moral code, a set of core values and a story outline. Sadly, this religious in-group mentality can be used to justify the exclusion of minorities or those deemed unworthy of Gods favor. 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. Belief vs. There's no scientific evidence to corroborate its existence. Because every human's essence is the same, it means that any differences are superficial. Resource for mind-body health, meditation, personal growth, nutrition, and more. This exploration is not necessarily constrained by any organized faith or doctrine- rather, it gives someone space to grow into who they are on a personal level. A spiritual person focuses on the here and now. The results were sorted by age. Kenneth I. Pargament, PhD, is a leading expert in the psychology of religion and spirituality. 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 WebTraditional religion involves accountability and responsibility; spirituality has fewer requirements. 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