The Difference Between Religion And Spirituality

  Most individuals consider religion and spirituality to be one and the same thing. They are under the impression that a highly religious person is also a highly spiritual person. Where this may be true in some cases, most often it is not. The reason for this is simple, and yet so often overlooked. Religion is a socially driven organization of laws or rules, rituals and teachings that have been generated by men for the purpose of maintaining a social structure and spirituality is a self driven, intrinsically personal process toward a greater realization of the meaning of life and ones position within the greater whole.

      I realize that religionists will argue that all of their rules, laws, rituals and structures were inspired by God within spiritual individuals. My point of contention here is that once they are written down and thus become a social mandate, they lose their spiritual quality by virtue of the fact that they no longer issue from a self driven, personal process. Clearly, there is a need for rules, laws and rituals, and for social organization and these may very well be the foundation upon which spirituality develops. Nevertheless, in order for spirituality to develop, it must be a totally personal, internal process based upon personal responsibility and choice. Surely, if social structure is the foundation of spirituality, then personal choice and personal responsibility are its cornerstones. In truth, if these are not allowed to develop and flourish then spirituality becomes a stillborn experience for most individuals. Of course, there will always be a few rugged individualists who will develop that inner reality in spite of any and all stultifying and constricting social mores.

    The Religious path requires education, indoctrination, confirmation and/or ordination. To become a member of a church, individuals are generally required to attend classes at the conclusion of which there is a ceremony or ritual, which confirms that he understands the rules and ideologies of the group and agrees with them. To become a leader, or to obtain ordination, one must attend a college where he acquires a degree in that churches curriculum. This requires that an individual be willing to accept, whole-heartedly, the concepts, tenets and rituals of that particular church. This does not mean that there are no free thinkers, who have become members or have been ordained into any specific church, but it does mean that any freethinking and actions based upon that free thought will be severely limited by the rules and tenets of that church.

      The spiritual path is one of inner self-discovery. It's total focus is based upon ones personal, inner process and the search for greater meaning. The only requirement for spirituality is a willingness to commit oneself to total self-honesty and personal responsibility. How one chooses to define the deity of their understanding, or God if you will, is up to them. There are no rules or rituals beyond those, which the individual defines for themselves.

       Spirituality is not about morals, it is about ethics. Morals are based upon the rules and rituals of the religious based society, whereas ethics are based in self-honesty and personal responsibility. Spirituality is not for those who are dependent upon others to define the rules for them but rather for those who are willing to honestly and diligently search and discover who they are and what they truly desire and then take the responsibility of building a code of ethics, which will assist them in attaining it. Spirituality is only for those who recognize that life delivers to them that which they create, through their thoughts and actions, and that they are totally responsible for their own life experience. The truly spiritual individual recognizes that the only real savior lives in the heart of he who is totally self-honest and takes personal responsibility for all of his thoughts and actions.

       It is important to add here that, to some people, religion is very important. I have no desire to discount the teachings of any religion, for in truth, such teachings are of great benefit to some individuals. In all religions, be it Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, or Judaism there are Avatars, the promise of Avatars or Saviors, if you will. It is not my desire to debate whether these figures are real or simply symbolic of the desire for perfection personified within man. The issue here is one of personal responsibility. If you have the ability to live your life, as these Avatars or Teachers taught, then you know what I mean.

      The most important thing in life, beyond rigorous self-honesty and personal responsibility is harmlessness in thought word and deed. I personally weigh everything I think, do and say according to three criteria, "Is it Loving? Is it Harmless? Does it promote Unity?" When something does not fit these criteria, I choose not to align with it. Although religion plays an important part within our society and I recognize the need for this, I am also aware of much abuse, and highly separatist ideologies perpetrated in the name of certain religious sects. I, personally, cannot align myself with such activities.


       It is my belief that the New Millennium will herald in a "New World Concept". One in which mankind will begin to perceive itself as one contiguous whole, and no longer as factions, races, religions and nations. Due to the advances in communication for the common man and thus the shrinking of the world, in non-geographic ways, mankind will become more aware of his sameness, and less concerned by his differences. I also see, rising out of this new concept of humanity, the development of a new world order based upon service. To be sure, when the average individual gains the capacity to share with other individuals, world-wide, his deepest inner feelings and needs, he will also become aware of the need for international organizations and fellowships that will address these needs within all men, regardless of their race, color, creed or national origins. But this fellowship cannot develop until we come to the point where we can celebrate our commonalities and ignore our differences. Herein lies the secret to true spirituality.


Kerry Dennis

Alex Grey: The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors

Beyond Awakening: A Free Teleseries on the Future of Spiritual Practice

Beyond Awakening is an incredible series of talks with the most important spiritual leaders of today. This could be the most important component of the world meta-Sangha that is happening now. Terry Patten is the best host you could ever hope for. It is free and you can listen to the full library of past events. Highly recommended. 

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About Our Host:

Terry Patten co-developed Integral Life Practice with Ken Wilber and a core team at Integral Institute. He hosts the acclaimed online teleseminar series Beyond Awakening: The Future of Spiritual Practice. He speaks and consults internationally--inspiring, challenging, and connecting leaders and institutions worldwide. In his cutting-edge writings, talks and teaching, he not only inspires transcendental awakening, love and freedom, but calls us to accept and incarnate our full humanity. He was the senior writer and co-author, with Ken Wilber, of Integral Life Practice: A 21st-Century Blueprint for Physical Health, Emotional Balance, Mental Clarity, and Spiritual Awakening. His 8-session course, Integral Spiritual Practice guides students step-by-step in establishing a heart-centered do-able daily integral practice. His personal web site is  http://integralspiritualpractice.com

Beyond Awakening: A Free Teleseries on the Future of Spiritual Practice

5 Spiritual Myths that Sabotage Our Conscious Evolution, with Terry Patten

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Deepak Chopra and Jean Houston

Deepak Chopra and Jean Houston

 

God -- Transcendent and Immanent

Deepak talks with Jean Houston about how narrow viewpoints can restrict our understanding.

"The confirmed materilaist, captive in his own realm of "reality," is ignorante of his deluded state and therefore has no wish nor will to exchange it for the sole Reality, Spirit. He perceives the temporal world as reality, external substance--insofar as he is able to grasp the concept of eternity. He imagines the grossness of sensory experience to be the pure essence of feeling and perception. He fabricates his own standards of morality and behavior and calls them good, irrespective of their inharmory with eternal Divine Law. And he thinks that his ego, his mortal sense of being--with its inflated self-importance as the almighty doer--is the image of his soul as created by God."
 -Paramahansa Yogananda  

Scientism

Unlike the use of the scientific method as only one mode of reaching knowledge, scientism claims that science alone can render truth about the world and reality. Scientism's single-minded adherence to only the empirical, or testable, makes it a strictly scientific worldview, in much the same way that a Protestant fundamentalism that rejects science can be seen as a strictly religious worldview. Scientism sees it necessary to do away with most, if not all, metaphysical, philosophical, and religious claims, as the truths they proclaim cannot be apprehended by the scientific method. In essence, scientism sees science as the absolute and only justifiable access to the truth. This is the essence of the Orange Stage of Consciousness. 

Taking the Orange View

Developmental psychologists have identified numerous features of an individual’s consciousness, such as cognition (what one is aware of), values (what one considers most important), and self-identity (what one identifies with). These features of consciousness develop through recognizable stages, each stage revealing a markedly different understanding of the world.

Described below are eight stages of consciousness as understood through research about the unfolding development of values and self-identity. There are other developmental lines besides the values and self-identity lines selected here; however, these are two of the most important.

Each stage of consciousness is identified with a color, for easy reference. It is important to recognize that these “stages” are not strict levels, like rungs on a ladder. They are more like loosely delineated areas along a spectrum of development. Thus, a stage is more like a probability wave than a concrete level of consciousness.

“We are not our stages; we are not the self who hangs in the balance at this moment in our evolution. We are the activity of this evolution. We compose our stages, and we experience this composing.”

-Robert Kegan, Harvard developmental psychologist

The stages below are divided into egocentric stages (Infrared, Magenta, and Red), ethnocentric (Amber), worldcentric (Orange and Green), and kosmocentric stages (Teal, Turquoise, and Indigo).

The Stages of Consciousness

The Orange Stage of Consciousness

Values: Success and autonomy. Basic theme: Act in your own self interest by playing the
game to win.
What’s important: Progress, prosperity, optimism, and self-reliance; strategy, risk-taking, and
competitiveness; goals, leverage, professional development, and mastery; rationality,
objectivism, demonstrated results, technology, and the power of science; use of the earth’s
resources to spread the abundant “good life”; advance by learning nature’s secrets and seeking
the best solutions

Where seen: The Enlightenment; Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged; Wall Street; emerging middle
classes around the world; colonialism, political gamesmanship; sales and marketing field;
fashion and cosmetics industries; Chambers of Commerce; the Cold War; materialism; Scientism; The
Riviera, Rodeo Drive

Self-Identity:
Main focus: Delivery of results, effectiveness, goals; success within the system
Qualities: Primary elements of adult “conscience” are present, including long-term goals, ability
for self-criticism, and a deeper sense of responsibility. Interested in causes, reasons,
consequences, and the effective use of time; future-oriented and proactive; initiator rather than
pawn of system; blind to subjectivity behind objectivity; feel guilt when not meeting own
standards or goals; behavioral feedback accepted.
How influences others: Provides logical argument, data, experience; makes task/goal-oriented
contractual agreements.

Marilyn Schlitz One Minute Shift | The Next Scientific Revolution

Visionary: Marilyn Mandala Schlitz, PhD

In this one-minute video, Dr. Schlitz explores the possibility that we are now going through the next scientific revolution, one every bit as profound as those created by Copernicus, Darwin, and Einstein.

Is Spiritual Group Practice Important?

Is a Spiritual Group Practice Important?

We have an undeniable need to gather together for spiritual purposes. The purpose is to let the spirit expand. On the level of conscious states this is a subtle experience where Souls can align.

Group Dynamics *

·        Spiritual power increases as people gather together.

·        When they gather for spiritual growth, they become co-creators.

·        Bonding occurs at the emotional level.

·        At the subtle level of consciousness, souls align.

  

The ideal group, call it Sangha or Satsang, simply requires a leader or moderator.  No teacher or Sage is required. There can be time for group meditation, group discussions, talking, sharing and comments on topics of interest. No need for dogma, prayer, ritual, priests, or official scripture. No sermons, no proselytizing.

Sanghas can be an important place for you to share your spiritual experiences. The only core belief needed is “space consciousness, cosmic consciousness, or God consciousness” is attainable. Find others who share your aim to reach the One Reality. Find souls you can align with and start sharing your spiritual growth today in Sangha.

Why is a spiritual group important in your spiritual development?

·        It is important to have an internal and external spiritual practice

·        To experience the subtle energy of the group

·        Groups make it easy to keep your spiritual momentum going.

·        To find truth through inquiry

·        Channels (flow) open up in groups that allow exploration and collective acknowledgement.

One of the three treasures of Buddhism is Sangha. Do you believe the next Buddha is forming now as a world meta-sangha? If so, join a group now and be a part of co-creation.

Keep your spiritual momentum going by participating more often the Green Way, without leaving your home! Join Less Than Nothing-a Sangha on Skype! Less Than Nothing, an international Skype Sangha, meets weekly on Tuesday, at 3pm PST, or 7pm PST.

Meetup Less Than Nothing-a Sangha 

* Deepak Chopra, “The third Jesus”