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04Apr, 2017

Maintaining Spirituality Without Religion

Posted by : Universal Life Church Ministry Comments Off on Maintaining Spirituality Without Religion
For those who are spiritual, sitting by one’s self and connecting to higher levels of thinking can be a religious experience
For those who are spiritual, sitting by one’s self and connecting to higher levels of thinking can be a religious experience

Religion seems to be very important to a large number of people across the world. Whether Christian, Muslim, Mormon, Pagan, Hindu, or one of the many other faiths to be found, it seems that religion is a cornerstone of daily life. For many, however, religion is something else entirely. You have probably heard others refer to themselves as “spiritual” before, and you may even say this about yourself. Spirituality can be connected to a specific religion, but it does not have to be. Essentially, this is a way of practicing that is more personal and less specific.

There are a number of reasons why someone might not want to ascribe to a particular religion. The sensation that there is a larger force at work without being sure what to call it is one. Some may also feel disenfranchised from a religion due to bad experiences within a community. No matter the reason, it can be very healthy to maintain a spiritual life without ever having to belong to a religious group.

Connect With Yourself

In the days of Ancient Greece, a popular saying found in the Temple of Apollo at Delphi was “Know Thyself.” To connect to one’s inner world, really sit in quiet reflection of the emotions and thoughts that circulate; this can bring forth a transcendent experience. Life is full of wild distractions and frustrating problems, and this makes it hard for many to find the time to contemplate the bigger picture. Religion is able to help many in this regard, creating a ritual each week that allows specifically for engagement with the community and the practices of the religion.

For those who are spiritual, sitting by one’s self and connecting to higher levels of thinking can be a religious experience. To connect to something more, whether it is the whole of the cosmos itself, or the connection to the planet, or connection to the people who inhabit the world, can be moving. When you learn about yourself and what matters, hearing exactly what your inner voice has to say about it all, you may discover answers on how to best move through your own life. This, in a certain sense, is what many religions aim to do as well.

Be a Positive Force

All religions have rules. Commandments and decrees exist to help the faithful of each religion live their lives the way their deities believe they should. When you are spiritual, it is not as easy to follow a set path. You must learn to dictate your moral compass by your own standards, and that requires trial and error. While you may already be aware of the big things that you shouldn’t do, such as kill or steal, you may find that interacting with more people on a daily basis can help you to treat people the best way.

Being a positive force can do wonders for your spiritual life. Instead of approaching a stranger from a position of distrust, you can take the encounter as an opportunity to learn something new about a person who may have a different point of view on life. Listen and learn, and use this information to reflect on the grand scheme of things as well as your own daily life. The rich tapestry created by human connection can pepper your life with small miracles and experiences of emotional and intellectual depth.

Read

Finally, it never hurts to read a book or two about how others accomplish spiritual lives without religious direction. Religions are built on text for the most part, and you might find some inspiration in what you read. You may also discover that you completely disagree with what you read, which can also have a number of wonderful benefits when learning about yourself. Growth is important, and spiritual growth is something that will happen once you open your mind to the ideas that are out there.

Connecting to something more is important to the human condition. Whether you are a devout follower of a certain religion or you are simply trying to learn your spiritual life as you go, there is no wrong answer. Find what works for you and live your life true to what you’ve discovered.

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