The words religion and spiritualism have ben used interchangeably by many. Though the two terms appear to mean similar, they are however different in perception and execution.
How are they different?
Religion usually refers to an organized set of beliefs by a group of people who see themselves as different from others. It is more of a set of institutionalized system of attitudes, and practices, services, rituals and worship.
According to me, in simple terms, spirituality is an individual pursuit towards the ultimate truth. It is a means of communion with the Cosmic Consciousness and even beyond, communion with the Supreme truth.
Religions have been established and propagated based on the lives, teachings and beliefs of some incarnations, attained masters, messengers etc. As for example, Krishna, Sai Baba, Buddha, Mahavira, Guru Nanak, Moses, Jesus, Muhammed and so on. They become ultimately the subject of worship and devotion. Scriptures either dictated by them or written based on their practices and preachings along with coded rituals and dogmatic governing rules created by the custodians of the faith ultimately form the foundation of particular religions.
We generally grow up with religion as a part of our family custom. Depending on where we are born, we identify ourselves as Hindus, Christians, Muslims and even further as Vaishnavites, Shaivites, Catholics, Protestants, Sunnists, Shiaits, etc. We often associate with these identities or sub-identities apparently with no real understanding of what they actually mean or stand for.
For most of us, it may mean going to a temple, church or mosque every day or every Sunday or every Friday. For others, it may mean attending some of the annual celebrations or festivities.
For some, it has some meaning with a belief in the God of worship or on the words or sermons of accepted religious leader. Over the years, we get dogmatically attached to our religion.
Sometimes, we come across some people who seem to radiate positivity and peace. We love to have them around us because of their calming presence. They generally exhibit a sense of tolerance towards everyone they come across and every situation they meet.
These are spiritual people who are very much at peace with the whole world and very much confident of their identified beliefs and remain steadfast to their pursuit. They keep themselves away from lime light but are ever ready to offer advice to all those who genuinely seek.
Spirituality involves individuals with an established belief in self and the Universal Principle. They indulge in practices adopted by spiritual masters in their attempt for self-realization and communion with the Cosmic Principle.
Spirituality is more often based upon the practical application of the founder’s teachings. Spiritual seekers tend to follow in the footsteps of the leader/master and seek for themselves what the leader or master had sought.
One can become spiritual following a religion but spirituality does not need a religion. It is just like oil and water, both fluids, are needed to cook a vegetable and yet they are immiscible and remain separate.
If we take it to its logical conclusion, all religions can lead to spirituality, only if they would look in the right direction. It is for the believers to move ahead and away from externalities and discover it. As part of religiosity, we are engaged in rules rather than the essence behind it. Religion can be a means to reach spirituality and if you are conscious enough you do not need a religion.
Comparison of Religiosity and Spirituality
| Religion | Spirituality |
|---|---|
| Not one but many | Only one type |
| Group or community activity | Individual activity |
| Involves rituals and formal practices | Spiritual ascent without dogmas |
| Religion is more of an objective experience. Usually, there is greater focus on the externals. | Spirituality leans more towards self-awareness or awareness of inner self. Involves an inner journey for self-realization rather than any external activity; an inner identity than worship |
| For those who are asleep | For those who are awake |
| For those who require guidance from external source | For those who listen to their inner voice |
| Dogmatic with unquestionable obedience to strict rules | Questioning, rationalized thinking and reasoning and responsible for actions and consequences |
| Very often invokes fear | Seeks inner peace |
| Talks about faults and sin and hell or purgatory | Lift one’s spirit, learn from errors and live in the present |
| Represses humanity and directs towards a false paradigm | Inner evolutionary transcendence and self-awareness |
| Instilled from childhood by the family and community environment | Acquired by self-study evaluation and analysis |
| Is like a food force-fed from childhood and forced to like it later by habit | Is like a food chosen by self and that is satisfying and appeals to one’s senses |
| Religion is not God or consciousness | Spirituality is all about self-consciousness and higher consciousness |
| Makes one to invent | Makes one to discover |
| No investigation no questioning | Investigates and questions everything |
| Is based on a community or organization with rules | Is divine and without rules |
| Is often the cause for conflict and division among humans | Is something that unites mankind and creates universal brotherhood |
| Makes us believe we are physical creatures having a spiritual experience | Makes us believe we are spiritual creatures having a physical experience |
| Houses of worship (temple, church, mosque etc.) | Houses of meditation and self-enquiry |
| Books of scripture | Texts of spiritual practice involving the enquiry of spirit. Soul, mind and body |
| Religions don’t require evidence to validate their claims. Followers are taught to have faith in God or the scriptures as they are supposed to be infallible and ultimate truth of reality. Acceptance and surrender to the divine are taught as the path that leads to ultimate salvation. | Emphasis on direct experience of the soul or divinity. Spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, silence, and contemplation allow one to make conscious contact with more expanded states of consciousness. |
| Religious beliefs usually based on rigid interpretations of key teachings. Belief in something based upon unconditional acceptance of the religion’s teachings | No such distinctions and favours and inclusive growth. No one has monopoly on truth |
| Deeply rooted in tradition, ritual, creed, and doctrine | Less focused on the rigidly traditional approach and involves change and a process of evolution of consciousness |
