Religion vs Spirituality
Religion vs spirituality, what is the difference? Where do these experiences intersect? Can each lead us to the other?
Yesterday, I spoke with a loving , devoted man immersed in the Christian tradition. He teaches and shares his love of God through a non-denominational fellowship. Once again, I was reminded of a way in which adhering too closely to religious tradition blinds us, imprisons us through a very subtle form of fear.
There seems to be an almost superstitious belief (fear) that the believer will be corrupted just by the mere exposure to doctrines of other traditions. This contradicts a basic principle of spiritual life that I believe Christ himself taught, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free". This knowing is an experiential knowing. It is when I live a truth and I see that it creates in me more of the love the Christ spoke of, I become free. Then the "word" has been proved in me. This truth is now a living part of who I understand "myself" to be. When I study other materials, whether sacred or not, this truth recognizes itself where ever it is found.
There are many ways to express truth. Truth is actually beyond the words, but words happen to be the main tool we humans use to express ourselves. I feel for those who are constrained by superstitious belief that does not allow them to explore other traditions. Other sacred traditions offer eye and mind-opening wisdom from different perspectives.
For example, the Buddhist tradition offers tremendous understanding (wisdom) regarding the emotions and our mental constructs, and how to deal with them in order to become a more loving person. I have been given tools from these traditions to help me overcome some of the largest obstacles to love, that I find within myself. Tools like how to work with self in order to not be triggered by negative emotions, and how to stop the negative downward spiral of emotions such as anger, depression, anxiety, hate, to mention a few. These specifics are dealt with especially in the teachings of the Buddhist nun, Pema Choldren. "Getting Unstuck" and "Not Biting the Hook" are two series of teachings that have been very helpful to me. I have had, and still am dealing with the remains of serious emotional problems, that have been my "side kick" since shortly after my birth.
I have also learned a great deal from the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. "Living Buddha, Living Christ" is one of my favorite of his teachings; it shows the places where Christianity and Buddhism intersect. Keep in mind just as Christ was not a Christian, Buddha was not a Buddhist . Both men did not want to be worshiped. They were directing people's hearts and minds to God. They were both showing us a way to become closer to "God", to transcend our "human" instincts, to live love (the divine kind), and to stop creating suffering for ourselves and others. Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us to stick to our own birth tradition, and bring to it what is learned from other traditions and in so doing, honor all traditions. That fits in with two of Christ's admonitions, "Judge not" and "Love God, love your neighbor as yourself".
I think superstition (fear) and intolerance are two of the main causes of the violence and suffering in our world. Where better to start healing this than in the religious traditions of the world.
Perfect love casts out fear. That's true, no matter what the context. God is love. Again, true! So, if a "word" makes the love I can be shrink, or the fear in me grow, I have to question the truth of that "word". I have studied the whole scope of the bible, but it is the words of Christ that I endeavor most to live by. I keep in mind Christ was not a Christian; he was a Jew. He knew the "Law" , the doctrine of the religion of his upbringing, but he spoke to a deeper meaning. Christ was the most enlightened being we know of in that time, in that region of the world. Those that came after him recorded his teachings, and the doctrine and the "doings" of the first century Christian church. I am certain they did their best to accurately record what they were inspired to record for that day and time. To be afraid to question and/or discuss these teachings, and compare them to the teachings of other traditions seems very short sighted and superstitious to me. Christ was not afraid to question practices that did not line up with his experience of truth and love.
I love Christ, being born into a Christian tradition myself, and coming to know and love God through Christ. I was born a Catholic. The church I was raised in emphasized the sacred heart of Jesus Christ and the suffering he endured for me (I gave my heart to Christ). I was raised Catholic until the age of 15, when I decided to leave the church because I was confused by the hypocrisy I thought I saw. That did not stop me from seeking to know God; I loved God more than anything else. My desire to know "God" is the only thing that has seen me through thus far. I have studied psychology, spirituality, religious traditions, cultures, self-help and success principle literature in an attempt to glean the "truth that sets us free". Seven years I studied with a biblical research, teaching and fellowship ministry, known to most Christian fundamentalist groups as a cult, the Way International. One thing for sure, the folks I studied with knew how to study the bible. So, the Catholic church and the Way, the two organizations that had the most profound effect on assisting me to deeply connect with God, are both considered cults. I'm glad I know enough "not to throw the baby (truth) out with the bath water (religious dogma)". My foundation is Christ, but that does not stop me from embracing the Buddhist teachings I am learning especially from Pema Choldren. She deals primarily with healing the emotions and healing ways of thinking that create suffering. Expanding my understanding of truth and love by studying other traditions does not hurt my love of, or my walk with Christ, my brother, friend and saving grace of my life. "God" remains my first love. The mind can not fully comprehend the things of "God"; it can only seek to know, and create an environment where the heart can open fully, more and more, to "God".
Yesterday, I spoke with a loving , devoted man immersed in the Christian tradition. He teaches and shares his love of God through a non-denominational fellowship. Once again, I was reminded of a way in which adhering too closely to religious tradition blinds us, imprisons us through a very subtle form of fear.
There seems to be an almost superstitious belief (fear) that the believer will be corrupted just by the mere exposure to doctrines of other traditions. This contradicts a basic principle of spiritual life that I believe Christ himself taught, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free". This knowing is an experiential knowing. It is when I live a truth and I see that it creates in me more of the love the Christ spoke of, I become free. Then the "word" has been proved in me. This truth is now a living part of who I understand "myself" to be. When I study other materials, whether sacred or not, this truth recognizes itself where ever it is found.
There are many ways to express truth. Truth is actually beyond the words, but words happen to be the main tool we humans use to express ourselves. I feel for those who are constrained by superstitious belief that does not allow them to explore other traditions. Other sacred traditions offer eye and mind-opening wisdom from different perspectives.
For example, the Buddhist tradition offers tremendous understanding (wisdom) regarding the emotions and our mental constructs, and how to deal with them in order to become a more loving person. I have been given tools from these traditions to help me overcome some of the largest obstacles to love, that I find within myself. Tools like how to work with self in order to not be triggered by negative emotions, and how to stop the negative downward spiral of emotions such as anger, depression, anxiety, hate, to mention a few. These specifics are dealt with especially in the teachings of the Buddhist nun, Pema Choldren. "Getting Unstuck" and "Not Biting the Hook" are two series of teachings that have been very helpful to me. I have had, and still am dealing with the remains of serious emotional problems, that have been my "side kick" since shortly after my birth.
I have also learned a great deal from the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. "Living Buddha, Living Christ" is one of my favorite of his teachings; it shows the places where Christianity and Buddhism intersect. Keep in mind just as Christ was not a Christian, Buddha was not a Buddhist . Both men did not want to be worshiped. They were directing people's hearts and minds to God. They were both showing us a way to become closer to "God", to transcend our "human" instincts, to live love (the divine kind), and to stop creating suffering for ourselves and others. Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us to stick to our own birth tradition, and bring to it what is learned from other traditions and in so doing, honor all traditions. That fits in with two of Christ's admonitions, "Judge not" and "Love God, love your neighbor as yourself".
I think superstition (fear) and intolerance are two of the main causes of the violence and suffering in our world. Where better to start healing this than in the religious traditions of the world.
Perfect love casts out fear. That's true, no matter what the context. God is love. Again, true! So, if a "word" makes the love I can be shrink, or the fear in me grow, I have to question the truth of that "word". I have studied the whole scope of the bible, but it is the words of Christ that I endeavor most to live by. I keep in mind Christ was not a Christian; he was a Jew. He knew the "Law" , the doctrine of the religion of his upbringing, but he spoke to a deeper meaning. Christ was the most enlightened being we know of in that time, in that region of the world. Those that came after him recorded his teachings, and the doctrine and the "doings" of the first century Christian church. I am certain they did their best to accurately record what they were inspired to record for that day and time. To be afraid to question and/or discuss these teachings, and compare them to the teachings of other traditions seems very short sighted and superstitious to me. Christ was not afraid to question practices that did not line up with his experience of truth and love.
I love Christ, being born into a Christian tradition myself, and coming to know and love God through Christ. I was born a Catholic. The church I was raised in emphasized the sacred heart of Jesus Christ and the suffering he endured for me (I gave my heart to Christ). I was raised Catholic until the age of 15, when I decided to leave the church because I was confused by the hypocrisy I thought I saw. That did not stop me from seeking to know God; I loved God more than anything else. My desire to know "God" is the only thing that has seen me through thus far. I have studied psychology, spirituality, religious traditions, cultures, self-help and success principle literature in an attempt to glean the "truth that sets us free". Seven years I studied with a biblical research, teaching and fellowship ministry, known to most Christian fundamentalist groups as a cult, the Way International. One thing for sure, the folks I studied with knew how to study the bible. So, the Catholic church and the Way, the two organizations that had the most profound effect on assisting me to deeply connect with God, are both considered cults. I'm glad I know enough "not to throw the baby (truth) out with the bath water (religious dogma)". My foundation is Christ, but that does not stop me from embracing the Buddhist teachings I am learning especially from Pema Choldren. She deals primarily with healing the emotions and healing ways of thinking that create suffering. Expanding my understanding of truth and love by studying other traditions does not hurt my love of, or my walk with Christ, my brother, friend and saving grace of my life. "God" remains my first love. The mind can not fully comprehend the things of "God"; it can only seek to know, and create an environment where the heart can open fully, more and more, to "God".
I loved this. It put into words what I am not able to express very well. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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