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Before I say anything about Spirituality and spiritualism one must first realize that
there is a marked difference between religion and spirituality. The immediate
difference between religion and spirituality is that while religion is exclusive- in that
one has to subscribe to that one religion at the exclusion of all other religions,
faiths, and beliefs, spirituality is inclusive in that any one adherent of any religion
can embrace spirituality and retain his or her religious status or place in that
religion. Spirituality cuts across religious, cultural, traditional, social-political and
academic barriers. In other words, one does not need to abandon one’s religion in
order to be a devotee, student or practitioner of spirituality. In this way, religions are
limiting but spirituality is not. For this reason one can rightly say that compared to
religion, spirituality can be said to be the higher state or consciousness of religion. If
it were a coin, the religious side bears limitations of beliefs, faith and dogma and
the spirituality side is the mark of infinite consciousness and freedom.
“Religion is the manifestation of the divinity which is already present in the human
being” said swami Vivekananda. Each soul is potentially divine. To manifest that
very divinity within, Man should control his nature externally and internally. Do this
either by work, or worship, or psychic control, or philosophy by one or more or all of
these and be free. This is the whole of religion. Doctrines or Dogmas or rituals or
books, or temples, or forms, all are but secondary details. The more our bliss is
within, the more spiritual we are and let us not depend upon the world of today for
pleasure. This is spirituality. Spirituality is one’s character or quality that makes one
transcend the barriers of worldliness, caste, creed and sensuality; and realize one's
connection with the Truth. Spiritualism means to merge with consciousness.
Different religions are like different route or means to reach there. It is like you want
to go to Delhi you can go by train, flight, or by bus again you can to Delhi via
Ahmedabad, or Via Kolkata, or via Nagpur. You will ultimately reach Delhi.
Spirituality is a concept and most of the times it is wrongly understood by us
mortals. Some think that spirituality is something to be achieved, which means it is
external and is not within. Some think that it is to with prayers and offerings to god.
The concept of Spirituality and spiritualism should therefore be that every person is
a wondrous, sacred, creation. Every plant, rock, tree, everything seen and unseen,
is unique and beautiful. The purpose of life as seen should therefore be to live in
harmony with nature, to develop our personal and spiritual potential, and to be
aware of and to manifest the inherent divinity within us all. This holds true for every
one and for every religion. Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Bahai, Christianity, every
other religion the concept of spirituality is no different.
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