and I add a bit of colour ;-)!
So, how do we distinguish religion and spirituality?• One is for “religious” people. The other is for “spiritual” people.
• One is largely about external behavior. The other is mostly internal.
• One is a product of a certain time and place, created by human beings to address certain human
situations. The other is a product of individual human beings searching for meaning.
• One is aimed at gaining entry to heaven. The other is aimed at merging with divinity.
• One is generally about living a worldly life by the rules. The other is about living a spiritual, more
mystical life by similar rules.
• One turns us outward, toward the rule book, and helps us internalize those rules. The other turns
us inward, toward our truth within, and helps us live by that.
• One says, “Do good.” The other says, “Do good.”
• One focuses mainly on its own community, and emphasizes good citizenship. The other focuses
mainly on the individual, but emphasizes oneness with all.
• One says, “Love all.” The other says, “Love all.”
• One puts emphasis on tolerance toward all others as the solution to the cruelty in today’s world.
The other emphasizes awareness of the basic oneness of all as the solution to the cruelty.
• One has clear membership criteria, an organization, a hierarchy, and considerable edifice (a
church). The other has no membership criteria, no organization, little hierarchy, and practically no
edifice.
• One says, “Join us and we will provide friendship and guidance.” The other says, “You have to find your own way.”
• One says, “Live a good, worthwhile life.” The other says, “Live a good, worthwhile life.”
• One disciplines you (which sometimes works and at other times does not work). The other calls on
you to discipline yourself (which sometimes works and at other times does not work).
• One believes you are basically a sinner who can be saved. The other believes you are basically a
divine person who can veer either away from, or toward God.
• One wants your soul. The other wants you to seek your Atma, which is an aspect of divinity,
a personal version of the soul within.
• One loves its own rendering of God. The other loves the one God in all.
• One sees itself as spiritual. The other sees itself as spiritual.
• One sees itself as guardian of the Truth. The other sees itself as searching for the Truth.
• One bases its teachings on its own version of Love. The other is bases its teachings on its own
version of Love.
• One emphasizes what it thinks is important. The other emphasizes what it thinks is important.
• One is good. The other is good.
• One believes “God is love.” The other believes “Love is God.”
Enjoy life!
Eleder
BM31_ BILBAO: Mind Mapping-Open Space Technology-Creativity
Twitter: @Eleder_BM
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