Spirituality and Religion: Can they co-exist ??

What is Spirituality ?

Why do we need it ?

Can religion and spirituality coexist ?

I’ll answer all the questions above, before I do, let me tell you something.I’m not a Saint nor a Sinner neither I’m qualified enough to talk about religion. BUT as an individual and after spending 22 ‘glorious’ years on planet Earth, I’ve developed a perspective about religion & spirituality and in the next few minutes, I will tell you my opinion on this subject.

• Understanding Religion

Before we plunge into spirituality, let us do some warm up. Lets talk about RELIGION. Religion may have different meaning for different individual. For me it is a PATH, certain set of guidelines given to you to live in harmony. BUT has religion served its purpose ??

For years, humans have killed each other in the name of God and religion. Even till this day,fundamentalists and extremists are brainwashing the youth and turning them against each other. Religion has ALWAYS divided us Or is it the religious leaders who divide us ? It is a matter of debate, we’ll get into it some other day.Religion and the concept of God has damaged the society beyond expectation.

We may have developed a lot in the field of science and technology, but our thought process has not  moved an inch. Most of us get offended when someone talks ill about our religion.  We protest and vandalize our own country’s property when our religious symbol is burnt down in some other part of the world. People still quarrel about wars and incidents which took place nearly thousand years ago. If such is the case, then there is something wrong with the theory of religion.

• Spirituality

Religion may be a guideline, but spirituality is a LIFESTYLE. No matter who you are, an Engineer, a Doctor, Actor, Model, Wrestler etc anyone can be spiritual. You don’t have to leave your family, shave your head, wear saffron and go to the Himalayas to become spiritual. You can be spiritual simply sitting on your couch, yes its really simple. As I said, spirituality is lifestyle. It is a method for attaining a perfect balance between inner and outer self. Humans are a part of nature and to understand nature one must understand himself. AND you can only understand yourself, when you take the road to spirituality.

In this fast paced world when everything is one click away, all we need is mental peace. Religion in no way is helping us attain peace. Equanimity can be attained only through meditation and yoga.

NOW a bigger question, CAN religion and spirituality coexist ??

Answer is, YES they can. A spiritual person also believes in GOD, but his/her God is different from our God. For a spiritual person ‘God is in every living being on this planet.’ I’m a form of God, you are God, my pet Dog is God, the trees in my garden are God. We don’t have to carry a cross or go to Mecca or take a dip in the Ganges to serve God.

You can serve God by simply offering some food to the poor, adopt a pet who lost its leg or helping your neighbor is also serving God. Keep your religious books aside and take the path of spirituality. AND see the WORLD change in front of your eyes. 

This is my take on religion, spirituality and God. I’ll be glad to read your views on this topic, so please comment below.

-Thank You-