Spirituality vs Religion — What is Right for You?

From my perspective, spirituality is an innate and foundational aspect of being human. It is deeply connected to our natural curiosity about the world and our place in it. What are we? What is this world? Why are we here? On the other hand, religion is a social structure that offers the answers we’re seeking. Religions often tell us where we came from, why we’re here, and what happens after we die. They also outline a moral code and steps to follow that will guarantee the best outcome in the afterlife they describe.

Many people find comfort and purpose in a religion’s clear instructions and like-minded community. Unfortunately, when a religion controls the ability to communicate with the divine, it can manipulate its followers, sometimes in self-serving and drastic ways. With that kind of power, it’s no wonder that religious institutions are susceptible to corruption. This potential influence is why I believe it is imperative to develop a direct and personal connection to and understanding of the divine. This personal responsibility can be built and maintained either within a religious practice or outside of it. When we personally own our spirituality, we test our beliefs and cultivate our resonance  with truth, putting ourselves in a better position to recognize abuses of authority. We can then invest our trust and faith accordingly.

As you take charge of your spiritual progression, do not consider me an authority figure on anything other than my own lived experience. Do not take my word or anyone else’s as law. Have your own experiences before you invest trust or faith. Your spirituality is unique to you, and it’s something only you can truly know and understand. Likewise, religion may or may not be helpful for your personal journey through life, and only you can know if it’s a right fit for you.

As for my personal view on religion, I consider myself a secular spiritualist. The exchange of spiritual knowledge and the facilitation of spiritual experiences for myself and others is the practice of my religion.