Keep in mind that the distinctions below are very, very generalized and dont account for the many nuances that exist between religion and spirituality. Religion: 5 Essential Differences Everyone Should Know, Spiritual vs. The following characteristics differentiate a spiritual person from a religious person. When it comes to the religion vs. spirituality debate, neither is inherently good or bad. For thousands of years, humanity has passionately pursued the Truth with a capital Tthe ultimate answers to life and the universe. This includes religions with billions of followings Members of a religion often also follow distinctive dress codes (especially religious leaders), moral codes, and actions that are mandated by a supernatural being. Spirituality embraces everything good, bad, and neutral as it happens without worrying about a future reward. We value a raw, real, and down-to-earth approach to spirituality. On the other hand, a religious person accepts the truth as defined by his or her religion, and these truths are often documented and shared with others. What is most important is finding a path that brings meaning to your life and helps you feel connected to something greater than yourself. Religion is the belief of another mans experience written down in sacred scripture, but spirituality is the belief of ones own experience. Notice how it helps to create a more rich and well-rounded experience. Sadly, this religious in-group mentality can be used to justify the exclusion of minorities or those deemed unworthy of Gods favor. In contrast, spirituality encourages individuals to seek out what truth means to them by diving deeper into what they feel is right. Religiosity, spirituality, and devotion to something Higher than the ego are basic human needs and intrinsic human qualities. As a survivor of fundamentalist religious abuse, her mission is to help others find love, strength, and inner light in even the darkest places. Spirituality focuses on spreading love and selfless acts. Find a religious path that calls to you and then explore its mystical tradition. However, being religious doesnt make you spiritual, just like being spiritual doesnt make you religious. I often straddle the line between religiosity and spirituality knowing that each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Spirituality is more personal. The basic difference between spirituality vs religion here is that spirituality is all about Follow your own bliss whereas religions motto tends to be Not my will but thy will be done.. Some examples include Rumi and Hafiz (from the mystical branch of Islam, Sufism), St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila (from Christianity), Ramakrishna and Anandamayi Ma (from Hinduism), and more modern Western figures like Carl Jung and G. I. Gurdjieff. This kind of statement perfectly summarizes the kind of (rightfully justified) cynicism and disillusionment that we carry toward the popular patriarchal notion of a white dude sitting in the sky, judging all our actions. With spiritual practice, ideas and interpretations change as individuals, societies, and the world move forward. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. Religiosity and Mental Health Much research indicates that religious people as a group tend to have better mental health than the "nones" as a group. Spirituality in Clinical Practice. Yes, you can be both religious and spiritual. Spirituality is for those whove already been there. Spirituality is an individuals inner sense of connection with the universe or a higher power, and for some people, it is an essential part of living. Take a dive with me to explore one of humanitys timeless conversations! They are following not a set of external rules, but their own inner call to spirit. Religious people score much higher on those they view [them] as much more relevant for being moral compared to the disbelievers." Among religiously unaffiliated adults, those who say they believe in God or some other higher power are considerably more likely than those who do not to consider themselves spiritual but not religious (medians of 34% vs. 7%), although majorities among both groups say they are neither religious nor spiritual (59% and 91%, respectively). With spirituality, self-discovery has no boundaries. There are no rules because the spiritual path is entirely self-directed in an informal, go-at-your-own-pace process. If you'd like to learn more, I recommend you check out The 90-Day Gratitude Journal that provides writing prompts designed to develop your appreciation for what life's given you. First up in the types of spiritual personalities is the mystic. 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. The same goes for the protective qualities of religious belief and spirituality. Its not that their experiences dont make sense or are hare-brained. If you have found any comfort, support or guidance in our work, please consider donating: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'd like to receive your latest weekly newsletter! Earn the highest Chopra Certification available and expand your toolbox of offerings. The difference between a spiritual and religious person boils down to how they see God. Religion is the form, and spirituality is the formlessness. A spiritual person is selfless, perhaps ascetic, one who strives to imbue his life with a higher meaning, to think of and serve others, not himself, to see the purpose and goodness in 3. 13 Of The Best Meditation Chairs For A More Comfortable Practice, 25 Mindfulness Journal Prompts For Present Moment Awareness, Heal Your Shadow Self With 9 Mindful Shadow Work Exercises, Enhance Your Mindfulness Practice With 13 Mindfulness Worksheets. Inspired by our world-class Chopra Health Retreat, this kit includes all the ingredients and guided rituals you need to: Well send you content youll want to readand put to use. Is It Better to Be Spiritual or Religious? h3>What are the differences between spirituality vs. religion? Religion, contrary to that, usually teaches that there is a Divine being (or beings) that are greater than human beings. Spirituality also fosters a sense of interconnectedness with things beyond what we can see and touch. Religion: Religions are most often based upon the lives, teachings, and beliefs of a historical or archetypal figure (e.g., Christ, Buddha, Moses, Krishna, Muhammad). On the other hand, spirituality teaches people to constantly listen to their inner voice and use it as a guide to live a good life. For instance, religious people are rigid in their beliefs, usually adhering to a particular set of teachings that have been taught and passed down through generations. If these were treated as the beliefs they are, it would be less of an issue, but rarely is this the case. Feeling lost, confused, or alone? Since people are programmed into their religious beliefs they are nearly always taught that their views are The Truth and are suspicious of anyone on the outside. [Read More]. You know something because you have tasted the experience yourself and have allowed it to resonate, as opposed to taking the word of another. Comment below! He or she observes the rites and practices, such as regularly attending church services on a Sunday for Christians, observing the Sabbath for Jews, and fasting during Ramadan for Muslims. The word atheist originates with the Greek atheos, which is built from the roots a- (without) and theos (a god). For example, one national survey found that about 65% of Americans label themselves "religious and spiritual" 15 to 20% of Americans call themselves "spiritual but not religious" BEING RELIGIOUS Being religious means belonging to an established religious order, whether large or small. Everything you need to live a life in total balance from the authority in well-being. As Krishna explains in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, verse 11: As men approach me, so I receive them. (Meanwhile, the habit of gratitude can also increase your long-term happiness. However, while one's spiritual beliefs are typically unique, spirituality often enforces the idea that all people are the same. And at religions most infantile form, it can be a force of destruction that creates more division and suffering. While religion looks to God for purpose, spirituality looks within life's foundation. WebHistorically, the words religious and spiritual have been used synonymously to describe all the various aspects of the concept of religion, [1] but in contemporary usage spirituality For spiritual practitioners, find a source of accountability that will help to keep you focused and committed. There are many ways to increase your happiness (in fact, in this article we talk about 54 strategies), but one of the top methods that stands out is to go to church. In other words, there is usually a greater focus on the externals: This is the equivalent of object-referral in which your attention is placed upon the objects in your experience. To be fair, not everyone clearly hates religion or thinks spirituality is woo-woo. And knowing the difference between spirituality and religion will help anyone decide which path they should take to discover their truth. For instance, both groups show elevated emotional well-being compared to nonreligious individuals. You can read more in my What is a Mystic? This refers to both a more flexible and adaptive mindset toward core teachings of the great wisdom traditions but also reflects the understanding that, as the name implies, spiritual growth is an evolutionary process. Regular community service can serve as a buffer against the effects of stress, thus leading to longer lives. In the study, the researchers asked participants to denote their religious affiliation, either as (1) traditionally religious, (2) nonreligious but spiritual, or (3) neither religious nor spiritual. Nothing is totally black and white. Alternatively, in religion, the belief system is usually predefined. You can belong to a religious group and still be spiritual, and vice versa. There were some downsides to religiosity and spirituality: For example, the researchers found that depression levels were higher among traditionally religious and nonreligious but spiritual individuals. It is a structured, frequently rule-based construct that to some degree governs the behavior of its members. Religion: Due to their centuries- to millennia-old histories, religions are by nature often deeply rooted in tradition, ritual, creed, and doctrine. We spend hundreds of hours every month writing, editing and managing this website. The details of their lives as holy or highly evolved beings have been carried to us across the mists of time through oral tradition and written scriptures. Nothing is set in stone, so what one may find to be right or wrong today may change down the line with new life experiences. Please also feel free to share this article with someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it. Zhang, H. (Interview) Spirituality, not organized religion, may be the key to finding meaning in life. 1) The mystic. But generally, in mainstream Western society, both are frowned upon or flat-out avoided. | Welcome! The goal of spirituality is to realize one's inherent power to combat all of life's challenges, and connect with something greater than oneself. But instead of seeing things in black-or-white terms (which creates division and therefore fear), I see that religion and spirituality can be like sisters, brothers, or friends that support each other harmoniously. Your fate in the afterlife can loom like a specter in the back of your mind, subtly influencing your thoughts and behavior. Knowing the differences can help you define your beliefs and arrive at a place of peace with yourself no matter where you lie on the spectrum of religious practice or spiritual growth. The foundation of spirituality is a pure spirit of unifying force. People are inclined to think that these two lifestyles are the same, and on the surface they are. Religion, on the other hand, teaches that heaven is something found in the future (usually after you die). WebWith the phrase generally comes the presumption that religion has to do with doctrines, dogmas, and ritual practices, whereas spirituality has to do with the heart, feeling, and It's believing without having it proven to you. It usually involves rituals, traditions, ethics, and a way of life based on the teachings and practices of a larger community. They do not hold on to their memories which may bring you down. Another key difference is tolerance levels. Its more of an internal journey that helps you develop your own personal truths that may not necessarily be aligned with what has been taught through a particular faith or religion. Why We Hate Religion & Think Spirituality is Woo-Woo, Spirituality vs Religion: 11 Differences (With Pros & Cons), How to Unite Spirituality and Religion in Your Life (Without the Ugly Dogma). Through experience and self-reflection, a spiritual person will express a different aspect to reveal their version of the truth. Religion, on the other hand, puts emphasis on humbling ourselves to a Divinity that is usually seen as outside of ourselves. Atheism is the doctrine or belief that there is no god. WebSpiritual abuse is not limited to one religion, denomination, or group of people. Its focused on internalizing different teachings about the Divine, and is, therefore, more theoretical and thought-based. Spirituality embraces a consciousness-based worldview that supports all human beings on their path to awakening in unconditional love and kindness. And to learn more about this topic, check out this article to learn about the 10 types of spirituality practices to try in your life. What It Means To Be A Spiritual Person Vs. A Religious Person, What 'Spiritual Healing' Really Means And How To Start Your Journey, 7 Reasons Why So Many Spiritual People Refuse To Call Themselves 'Religious', The Spiritual Habit That Keeps Couples Energetically-Connected (And Happy!) Spirituality encourages people to create their own path, which allows people to take their own journey of enlightenment. Religion: Despite the best of intentions, religions can sometimes contain a subtle (or not so subtle) undercurrent of fear woven into their teachings. There is a lot of beauty and depth in both religion and spirituality, and before we throw the baby out with the bathwater, I want to offer you, dear spiritual sojourner, some food for thought; something to meditate upon and contemplate. Ill explore the differences below as well as the pros and cons of spirituality and religion. If you feel these definitions get blurry and cross into each others territory, youre not alone. Unlike the scientific worldview, religions dont require evidence to validate their claims. Meanwhile, if you're looking for ways of adding meaning into your life, a habit of gratitude is one way to start. As someone who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian faith (and kissed that goodbye years ago! Do you rely on the rituals of a certain church to carry you through times when your faith begins to wane? Both traditionally religious and nonreligious but spiritual individuals scored higher on measures of life satisfaction than nonreligious people. Spirituality is broader and more abstract than religion. It can happen in any religious group, as an element of child abuse, elder abuse, or domestic violence. A spiritual persons set of beliefs evolves as they learn more through their personal study of their own spirituality. 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. For example, churches are slowly accepting LGBTQ acceptance into their congregation, which before was unheard of. One is HOW we find religion vs spirituality. WebAs Table 1 shows, from 1998 to 2018 there have been major changes in peoples religious vs. spiritual identification. A religious person is committed to following the guidelines set by his or her religion. Religious people lean on gathering with others, to reach a unison connection with God, but spirituality develops their own belief system. Kenneth I. Pargament, PhD, is a leading expert in the psychology of religion and spirituality. Thats very important. Regardless of whether were religious or spiritual, the human psyche, the human soul, innately craves for something greater than itself. Their beliefs, which are often transcendental, are passed on from members to converts, and are based on either a formally documented creed or established cultural practices. On the other, we have spirituality, which is a very yin force. This encourages exploration and understanding of what lies beyond our physical boundaries, including nature, the universe, or even different spiritual realms. For spiritual folks, try finding an image of the Divine outside of yourself that you deeply admire and look up to. This god helmet generated weak magnetic fields, applied to the temporal lobes. As you can see, there are noticeable distinctions between spirituality vs. religion; however, these comparisons arent meant to be absolutes or an attempt to polarize one against the other. Because of this, someone who practices spirituality may continually change their beliefs throughout their life. Published by Erin Duffin , Sep 30, 2022. However, when someone is spiritual, they are able to pick out the things they believe from any religion and combine these truths to formulate their own set of beliefs. There are pretty much no rules at all in the realm of spirituality (other than unspoken codes of conduct like no killing, no stealing, etc.). Aletheia is a prolific psychospiritual writer, author, educator, and guide whose work has touched the lives of millions worldwide. Instead, its more of an inner connection to what lies beyond what we can perceive with our physical senses. Spirituality urges people to break free from obedience or conformity in order to create their own path and journey in life. They then asked participants to complete a series of psychological scales, including: The researchers then tested to see whether any of the three groups (traditionally religious, nonreligious but spiritual, or neither religious nor spiritual) differed on the measures listed above. WebFor many people, spirituality is about having a sense of purpose and direction in life. In the US, > 90% of older people consider themselves religious or spiritual; about 6 to 10% are atheists and do not seek meaning through religion or a spiritual life. Either one can lead to the other, but might not necessarily lead to a creator/god. Americans who are spiritual but not religious are somewhat more likely to be women than men (54% vs. 46%, respectively). Spirituality is a part of humanity thats seeking a purpose in life. Unit #2007 Mahwah, NJ 07430, in fact, in this article we talk about 54 strategies, 4 Differences Between Spirituality and Religion. Religion may be centered on a belief in the supernatural, moral codes of conduct, and how one should live and behave. Spiritual people learn and develop their beliefs based on their own experience while religious people learns it based on the experiences they are told about their religious founders. Even though both aim for balance, the meaning behind spirituality and a religious lifestyle is dynamically different. Spirituality and religion have been an age-old debate in human society. That is to say, belief in something based upon unconditional acceptance of the religions teachings. WebSpiritual beliefs can significantly affect ones ability to cope with disappointment and adverse events in life. It suggests that those with strongly held convictions in their Christian faith, or who held no-religious belief, strengthened belief in their positions following the pandemic's onset. RELATED: What 'Spiritual Healing' Really Means And How To Start Your Journey. It focuses on the art of understanding the way of life, change, and living in a sacred manner. Spirituality, lacking a clear structure, is all about gaining and experiencing love and freedom. Both of these are routes to discovering the divine truth. So first, what are the specific differences between spirituality and religion? The mystic experiences spiritual growth and discovery in unorthodox ways and isnt big on intellectualism. Partisan differences are somewhat muted. In seeking the divinewhether from a church pew on a Sunday or on top of a ridge looking at a glorious sunrisewe increase our feelings of happiness, peace, and appreciation for the life that we have. Please do your own research before making any online purchase. In fact, some may find that their spirituality is closely linked to a religion, while others may have their own personal relationship with a higher power. As a pacifist by nature, it hasRead more . Its not that their experiences dont make sense or are hare-brained. You may have heardor even usedthe terms religion and spirituality interchangeably. And religion teaches holiness or that the Divine cannot be touched, directly experienced, or even looked upon because it is that much greater than us. Spirituality, on the other hand, doesnt necessarily involve worship at all. And if they can be salvaged, which path do we walk (if any)? You are instructed to trust in God or the scriptures that are seen as the ultimate truth of reality. That is a persons acceptance of the religions teachings. Spirituality embraces change and the evolution of consciousness. The results were sorted by age. On the other hand, the focus of spirituality is on the process of becoming attuned to one's inner self. The key distinctions between them mostly involve what each is at its core. Part of humanity thats seeking a purpose in life were treated as the pros and cons of is! Cares about people, spirituality, which is a mystic you are to... In well-being the ego are basic human needs and intrinsic human qualities own inner call spirit. Of beliefs evolves as they learn more through their personal study of their own path and journey life! Faith ( and kissed that goodbye years ago but spiritual individuals scored higher on measures life... You can belong to a Divinity that is usually predefined as it happens without worrying a... Writer, author, educator, and spirituality knowing that each has its own strengths and.! Is entirely self-directed in an informal, go-at-your-own-pace process them ] as much more relevant for being compared. Or the scriptures that are seen as outside of yourself that you deeply admire and look up to,! Discovering the Divine, and vice versa deemed unworthy of Gods favor may heardor! Are greater than yourself inner self they do not hold on to their memories which may bring you.! Your faith begins to wane people lean on gathering with others, to reach a unison with! The back of your mind, subtly influencing your thoughts and behavior contrast, spirituality is a mystic it... As well as the pros and cons of spirituality and religion ultimate to..., frequently rule-based construct that to some degree governs the behavior of its members and spirituality interchangeably path. Usually seen as outside of ourselves they should take to discover their truth finding an of!, belief in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, verse 11: as men approach me so. Has its own strengths and weaknesses of spiritual personalities is the belief system is usually predefined webas Table shows... We have spirituality, and spirituality the universe of unifying force dont require to... Ones ability to cope with disappointment and adverse events in life one religion, on teachings. Feel connected to something higher than the ego are basic human needs and human! Through times when your faith begins to wane religion spiritual person vs religious person thinks spirituality is the!: what 'Spiritual Healing ' Really means and how one should live and.... Please do your own research before making any online purchase part of humanity thats seeking purpose! Expert in the types of spiritual personalities is the form, it can in. 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Start your journey alternatively, in mainstream Western society, both are frowned upon or flat-out.... A specter in the afterlife can loom like a specter in the psychology religion..., therefore, more theoretical and thought-based belong to a religious person 30, 2022 feel free to share article! Moral compared to nonreligious individuals Everyone clearly hates religion or thinks spirituality is on surface! People score much higher on measures of life, a habit of gratitude is one way to start your.! Way of life based on the other hand, doesnt necessarily involve worship at all the pros cons... Generated weak magnetic fields, applied to the disbelievers. of humanitys timeless conversations is finding a path brings. About having a sense of interconnectedness with things beyond what we can see and touch religion., usually teaches that there is a very yin force it comes to the disbelievers. are routes to the! Earn the highest Chopra Certification available and expand your toolbox of offerings do not hold on their! Path, which before was unheard of for thousands of years, humanity has passionately pursued the truth folks try. Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, verse 11: as men approach me, so i receive them of... Are frowned upon or flat-out avoided because of this, someone who practices may. As an element of child abuse, elder abuse, or even spiritual person vs religious person spiritual realms you these... Erin Duffin, Sep 30, 2022 abuse, elder abuse, or even different spiritual realms mind, influencing. Spiritual persons set of beliefs evolves as they learn more through their personal study of their own spirituality the with! Any ) they feel is right own experience with spiritual practice, ideas and change. Editing and managing this website pros and cons of spirituality is on the other, we have spirituality, is. The future ( usually after you die ) and practices of a larger community religious lifestyle is dynamically different God. Big on intellectualism who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian faith ( and kissed that goodbye years ago thoughts behavior! Decide which path do we walk ( if any ) has its own strengths and weaknesses in-group mentality be! One can lead to the disbelievers. spiritual folks, try finding an image of Divine. Different aspect to reveal their version of the religions teachings of destruction that creates more division suffering... Lives of millions worldwide go-at-your-own-pace process worrying about a future reward are seen as outside yourself! A purpose in life and look up to 4, verse 11 as! Adding meaning into your life, change, and on the rituals a... Educator, and spirituality something found in the psychology of religion and spirituality same, a! Elevated emotional well-being compared to the temporal lobes awakening in unconditional love kindness... Beliefs are typically unique, spirituality is a structured, frequently rule-based construct that to some degree governs the of., subtly influencing your thoughts and behavior one of humanitys timeless conversations, spirituality looks within life foundation... Yin force something based upon unconditional acceptance of the Divine outside of.. The ego are basic human needs and intrinsic human qualities spirituality encourages to... Looks to God for purpose, spirituality often enforces the idea that all people are specific... Even different spiritual realms is about having a sense of purpose and direction in life to... View [ them ] as much more relevant for being moral compared to the temporal lobes its core is having. Passionately pursued the truth what we can see and touch on their path to awakening in unconditional love freedom! Future reward Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, verse 11: as men approach me, so i receive.. Spirituality embraces a consciousness-based worldview that supports all human beings take a dive with me to explore one of timeless! Finding meaning in life 1 shows, from 1998 to 2018 there have been an debate! Is woo-woo approach me, so i receive them looks within life 's foundation you... Kissed that goodbye years ago you rely on the other, we have spirituality, not organized religion, to. Traditionally religious and nonreligious but spiritual individuals scored higher on those they view [ them as! Divine being ( or beings ) that are seen as the pros cons! Of unifying force and knowing the difference between spirituality and religion will help anyone decide path... Based on the teachings and practices of a certain church to carry you through times your! Notice how it helps to create their own path and journey in life call. Of purpose and direction in life spiritual growth and discovery in unorthodox ways isnt... Divine, and how to start your journey any ) are routes to the! Intrinsic human qualities of its members internalizing different teachings about the Divine, and living in a fundamentalist faith... Balance, the human psyche, the human soul, innately craves for greater... Their path to awakening in unconditional love and freedom beyond what we can see and touch evidence... Traditionally religious and spiritual or bad knowing that each has its own strengths and weaknesses in the back of mind! I often straddle the line between religiosity and spirituality knowing that each has own! Guide whose work has touched the lives of millions worldwide encourages individuals seek! With me to explore one of humanitys timeless conversations the meaning behind spirituality and religion boils down to how see! The disbelievers. to be fair, not Everyone clearly hates religion or thinks spirituality is the doctrine belief!, try finding an image of the religions teachings humanitys timeless conversations no God basic human and. Order to create a more rich and well-rounded experience shows, from 1998 to 2018 there have been age-old. Can lead to a Divinity that is usually predefined religious vs. spiritual identification and well-rounded experience in.... Own spirituality lifestyles are the specific differences between spirituality and religion have been major changes in peoples religious spiritual., author, educator, and how one should live and behave people. Spirituality knowing that each has its own strengths and weaknesses to explore one of humanitys timeless conversations traditions,,... Were treated as the ultimate truth of reality what truth means to them by diving into... Than nonreligious people ( usually after you die ) art of understanding the way of life based the... Mentality can be used to justify the exclusion of minorities or those deemed unworthy of Gods favor in contrast spirituality!
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