There is a big difference between spiritual life and religion. Although they have many similarities and there is a relationship between the two, there are differences between religion and spirituality. • Religion comes from outside whereas spirituality comes from within. Being religious would mean wholeheartedly believing and placing faith on these beliefs as preached by one’s own religion and arduously following its practices and rituals. Unlike the scientific worldview, religions don’t require evidence to validate their claims. December 18, 2020 By Avraham Gileadi Leave a Comment. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. Both are essential aspects of a human being’s life that help them gain a deeper understanding as to what their lives and existence are about, thereby, helping them to cope with the regular ordeals of life. As nouns the difference between spiritual and physical is that spiritual is a christian religious song, especially one in an african-american style, or a similar non-religious song while physical is physical examination. It is an open community that usually allows freedom of thought to its members, its principles having been established and accepted by large groups of people for a long period. In short if you bow to or recognize a deity or a God, being in the form of a stone, a picture or a statue or whether you choose to bow to an invisible God, you are not spiritual, you are religious. They seem to be two sides of the same coin. Resource for mind-body health, meditation, personal growth, nutrition, and more. Filed Under: Religion Tagged With: religious, Religious and Spiritual, spiritual, Spiritual and Religious, spirituality, Spirituality Definition. Because of this, religion is easy to embrace, but also easy to reject. Everything you need to live a life in total balance from the authority in well-being. A Difference between Religious and Spiritual. Religion and spirituality are different, albeit, related things. Grow your practice. In most cases, one is often born into one’s religion while others choose or convert into a religion of their choice after experiencing, researching and extensive studying out of their own free will. Sadly, this religious “in-group” mentality can be used to justify the exclusion of minorities or those deemed unworthy of God’s favor. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. “Religion is belief in someone else’s experience.
It cannot abide it. Spirituality lets you discover it by yourself and understand it in your own unique way. • Religion shapes the character of the individual whereas spirituality aims at shaping the individual himself. Spirituality: By comparison, spirituality is often less focused on the rigidly traditional approach and often favors an evolutionary mentality. Spirituality: By contrast, spirituality is more often based upon the practical application of the founder’s teachings. God's love profoundly heals comforts and transforms all those who seek to be nourished by the divine eternal flame of goodness and purity. Religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence. The difference between religion and spirituality is not so much about what you believe—but about how you live, and what is your attitude. There is, however, no single widely-agreed upon definition for spirituality and thus, it can be any blissful experience of meaningful activity. Spiritual aspirants heed the advice of Japanese poet Matsuo Basho, “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, silence, and contemplation allow you to make conscious contact with more expanded states of consciousness, thus helping to experientially validate the teachings rather than accepting them on faith alone. Rabbi Rami Shapiro is an award-winning author, essayist, poet, and teacher. twitter; facebook; mailto; flipboard; In the past, religious wedding ceremonies were just a given if a couple was tying the knot. Religion, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is a personal set or institutionalized system … Religion also categorized as a system where […] What religion and spirituality have in common is that they both can be false methods of having a relationship with God. For example, you may know people who consider themselves spiritual, but not religious. While these differences have been noted, both religion and spirituality can still be a path towards developing a relationship with God. It is a given fact that religious and spiritual are two terms that are often discussed in similar contexts. • Religion is a tangible theory where importance is attached to worshiping idols, symbols and fixed ideals. Spirituality encourages "living in the present" and not to feel remorse for which has already passed - Lift your spirit and learn from errors. This also contributes towards lending a helping hand towards members of the community by way of providing alms, engaging in community service, etc. Obviously the concepts of religion and spirituality are fundamentally intertwined. Spiritual is primarily something relating to or affecting the human "spirit" or "soul" as opposed to material or physical things, although it can also be used to mean something relating to religion or religious belief. DifferenceBetween.net. Religion: At its core, religion is about faith. That is to say, belief in something based upon unconditional acceptance of the religion’s teachings. Conclusion. The fundamental difference between the two is a religious person must follow an ideology and abide by specific rules, or else he’ll be punished now or in the afterlife. Religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence. In the print version of our magazine, he has an advice column, “Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler,” addressing reader questions pertaining to religion, spirituality, faith, family, God, social issues, and more. The spiritual aspect could be to gain a wisdom that would otherwise not be achievable through standard belief systems. Religion: Traditional religious beliefs, sometimes based upon rigid interpretations of key teachings, can create an exclusive worldview that isolates those who may not share their views or interpretations. Many people down the ages have led religious lives that couldn’t necessarily be called spiritual, though they may have mistaken one for the other. People tend to think of spirituality as something very strange and mysterious. You may have heard—or even used—the terms religion and spirituality interchangeably. But both do not lead necessarily to the Divine. Spirituality is a part of you, it’s something that cannot be separated from your thinking, action-taking, self. Spirituality: By contrast, spirituality typically discards the vestiges of fear and worry in favor of a more loving, compassionate approach to life—and death. But the difference between spirituality and religion is large. By focusing on the quality of divinity within their message, they see every religion… Religious is used for people who are in accordance with the principles of religion. Prayer then becomes communal and these rituals become something that is shared between others. Or as Christina Puchalski, MD (leader in trying to incorporate spirituality into healthcare), puts it, “Spirituality is the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred.". The American Heritage Dictionary defines secular as nonreligious, referring to what's worldly or mundane as opposed to spiritual. • Religion has a basic moral code, a set of core values and a story outline. It's possible to be religious without being spiritual and spiritual without being religious. Spirituality embraces a consciousness-based worldview that supports all human beings on their path to awakening in unconditional love and kindness. Let’s try to clear things up by taking a closer look at the most defining differences between religious and spiritual paths. We’ll send you content you’ll want to read—and put to use. These figures are the subject of worship and devotion and form the foundation of religious practices and rituals in a community. Get certified. The Balance Between Religious and Spiritual. Ready to start meditating? Master meditation and learn how to give others their own personalized mantra. Spirituality does not feature such rituals and the practices followed in spirituality are subjective. Religion is a belief within this material world which teaches there is a Super Human who is controlling us. Religion: On the whole, a formal religion is often an objective experience. Spirituality is a part of you, it’s something that cannot be separated from your thinking, action-taking, self. One difference between spirituality and religion is that “spirituality does not require an institutional framework”, (Hood, et al, 2009, p. 11). Having such rituals and practices brings people of the same religion together. There are more cultures than there are religions in the world; therefore, some cultures will share a religion. Religious institutions conservatively guard their practices and values, holding rigidly to the past and the original interpretations of the founder’s teachings. Both are essential aspects of a human being’s life that help them gain a deeper understanding as to what their lives and existence are about, thereby, helping them to cope with the regular ordeals of life. There’s no wrong answer here. Spirituality: Spirituality, on the other hand, connotes an experience of connection to something larger than you; living everyday life in a reverent and sacred manner. Religion: Despite the best of intentions, religions can sometimes contain a subtle (or not so subtle) undercurrent of fear woven into their teachings. Religion divides, Spirituality Unites! All others are false. This … Grow yourself. It is a given fact that religious and spiritual are two terms that are often discussed in similar contexts. Based on these definitions, the major difference between religion and spirituality is one of believing versus being. There is a common relationship between religiosity and spirituality as a means or relationship channels between the human and the Divine. For thousands of years, humanity has passionately pursued the Truth with a capital T—the ultimate answers to life and the universe. Religion and spirituality are both concerned with God. What religion and spirituality have in common is that they both can be false methods of having a relationship with God. They consider their religious beliefs to be spiritual ones or their spiritual beliefs to be religious ones. Spirituality has nothing to do with any single religion or belief. In previous, more uncertain times, the rules and dogma of organized religion helped to give society a sense of certainty and helped to guide and comfort those whose faith was lacking. Sign up for self-paced courses designed to deliver balance and health. All yoga groups today in the West, as long as they worship the Hindu Gods are religious and belong to Hinduism and certainly not spiritual. Given these points, it’s obvious that there’s a sharp difference between being a Christian and being a religious person. The idea of advancement is replaced with the journey for growth. "Religion cannot stand Spirituality. Thereby, being religious involves placing faith upon such tangible aspects. All yoga groups today in the West, as long as they worship the Hindu Gods are religious and belong to Hinduism and certainly not spiritual. Religion, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is a personal set or institutionalized system … To each religion, their story is the only way. Since religion is man defined, religion is a manifestation of the flesh. The Difference Between Religion and Spirituality. Do NOT Judge before you read this complete answer. The sense is when we perceive a truth it is something we are bound to. Religion speaks of sin and of fault. However, the term “spiritual, but not religious” being in trend these days , it is important to note that while a Differences between Religion & Spirituality-4-Religion is a dialectic, Spirituality is logic . Some may follow methods such as meditation while others may engage in chanting, et c. However, these methods are not customary to be followed. This perennial knowledge constitutes the answers to what are often called the soul questions: Historically, from the perspective of the soul, there have been two foundational routes to discover these truths: religion and spirituality. Spirituality tends to substitute connection with the spirit world for a genuine relationship with God. With spiritual practice, ideas and interpretations change as individuals, societies, and the world move forward. Spiritual and religious beliefs are individual and vary between people. Religious is used for people who are in accordance with the principles of religion. You need to follow a set of rules if you want to move forward in religion. But spirituality, as defined by God, is a manifestation of His nature. Acceptance and surrender to the divine are taught as the path that leads to ultimate salvation. Based on these definitions, the major difference between religion and spirituality is one of believing versus being. A spiritual person follows what he feels is right, as they don’t need an organized religion to live a life of faith. However, according to Waaijman, spirituality can be traditionally defined as the effort to recover the original shape of man in the image of God. The term can also refer to following a code of conduct during a formal ceremony, not necessarily of a religious nature. You see, when we put all of our focus into religious or spiritual practices, we are putting more focus into the right brain, and our intimate connection with All. In the recognition that pure spirit is a unifying force, no one is left out. Although the core set of religious beliefs will be the same, … As you can see, there are noticeable distinctions between spirituality vs. religion; however, these comparisons aren’t meant to be absolutes or an attempt to polarize one against the other. For example, let's say I know and see that there is a high cliff drop off fifty feet in front of me. Differentiating between spiritual and religious needs is complex, as patients may be non religious but still spiritual. While there may be small communities that hold common spiritual beliefs, it is a rather secluded practice which features communities much smaller than the communities found in religion. • Religion and its ideals are based upon the teachings of a religious leader who has thus set up such ideals with the aim of guiding the people towards nirvana, salvation, etc . It’s who you are, your morals, your values, what brings you joy. “So different are the worlds that we can think of them as representing the polar extremes around which much of boomer religious and spiritual life is organized today. The most clearly defined answer to the difference between religious and spiritual thinking is the nature of your relationship with the divine: Religion. Many people prefer a more individual approach. Consider these aspects of it. Spirituality embraces change and the evolution of consciousness. Spirituality is focused upon the inner cultivation of a person. However, each practice serves as a vehicle to lead you closer to the truth you seek. Help others thrive and find purpose with a mind-body-spirit approach. Spirituality on the other hand is about a person's relationship with the transcendent questions that confront one as a human being. They are flexible in their beliefs. 2.Religion employs literature and rituals in its worship whereas spirituality uses personalized prayer and meditation. • Religion brings societies together by common beliefs, rituals and customs and thus features entire communities of believers. Between the Spiritual and Religious styles is “the great spiritual divide” (p. 119). Religion tells you what to believe and what is right. The difference between religion and spirituality is always something personal and meaningful to you. Your choices and behavior are guided not by fear of punishment, but rather by a desire to end suffering and create a peaceful and loving world for all. Religion separates, Spirituality unites.
True spirituality is something that is found deep within oneself. A religion lays out a system of belief which defines the nature of your relationship with the spirit or the divine for you. Do NOT Judge before you read this complete answer. To understand the differences between religion and spirituality, we begin with recognizing what isn't religious nor spiritual. One dictates how you worship, the other how you live. If you feel these definitions get blurry and cross into each other’s territory, you’re not alone. Take a deep dive into Ayurveda - the centuries-old proven health and healing system. Unfortunately, more and more young people tod… As Krishna explains in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, verse 11: “As men approach me, so I receive them. By doing so, our analytical, left brain thinking goes away. Whereas, spirituality is a way of understanding life. By Jamie Birdwell-Branson on Jul 15, 2019 . Likewise, religion and spirituality can each have private, public, personal, communal, conscious, unconscious, tangible, intangible, subjective and objective components to them. Religion is a way of life to be followed by humans. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal. Being spiritual simply means relying on intuition or private imagination when dealing with spiritual matters. For Spirituality may bring you to a Different conclusion than a particular religion---and this no known religion can tolerate.
4 Meditation Practices for Joy and Gratitude with GT's KOMBUCHA, Guided Meditation: Managing Your Mindset Over the Holidays, The Benefits of Silence: A Guided Meditation for Beginners, To an external practice, object, or figurehead, To your soul, higher self, or divinity within. Sanatana dharma or Hinduism is not a religious practice. Through religion, you are taught to have faith in God or the scriptures as being the infallible and ultimate truth of reality. Because spirituality in a sense is an offshoot of religion, there is bound to be some similarity between them, just like the similarity between the egg and the chicken. Moral rules, laws, and doctrines, as well as specific codes and criteria, create the organized structure that contains the religion’s specific belief system. Religious beliefs and spiritual beliefs differ in the ways in which they are practiced. Spiritual, non-religious people say they have found inner peace apart from religious despotism, although they often see Jesus as loving and accepting. Religion Tells You The Truth – Spirituality Lets You Discover It. Most people who are spiritual with personal beliefs and a connection to something greater than them are also religious, practicing a certain religion. It is your way of loving, accepting and relating to the world and people around you. We'll then look into what makes a religion different from a spirituality. You are part of the universal hologram, all gods and goddesses in disguise. 3. The differences between spiritual life and religion are 1. Many people misunderstand the difference between religion and spirituality. Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms. This is not to say that worship is not a part of spirituality; it’s a matter of where the devotion and worship are directed: Religion: One of the hallmarks of religion is its organization. However, since the 19th century, spirituality has been separated from religion and has been more focused upon experience and psychological growth. First, both believe in a … A major difference between Religion and spirituality is that Religion is analogous to institutions formed by man for several reasons. They can also be experienced independently of each other. One of the most noticeable differences between religion and spirituality is that religion preaches and commands while the spirituality inspires. The Major difference between a spiritual person and a religious person is that; While the spiritual man is after doing what is good for humanity, The religious man is after doing what is good for his church and religion, even when it hurts humanity. The most clearly defined answer to the difference between religious and spiritual thinking is the nature of your relationship with the divine: Religion. Spirituality is having your own experience.” Deepak Chopra. Learn how to tell the difference between religion and spirituality. But to spirituality, all truth is the same- though it might have different interpretations. A major difference between religion and spirituality is believing versus being. Religion: Due to their centuries- to millennia-old histories, religions are by nature often deeply rooted in tradition, ritual, creed, and doctrine. Whereas spirituality develops and it is born in an individual which extends in all the perspectives of human’s life. Religion defines the spiritual beliefs of the same people and is a part of the local culture. All paths Arjuna, lead to me.”. Religion: By definition, religion is a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices; the service and worship of God or the supernatural. Advancement is replaced with the spirit world for a genuine relationship with God recognizing what is.... 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