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Spiritual Fridays: Are you spiritual, but not religious?

For a while now the relevance of religion in current times is being questioned and the importance of spirituality is being appreciated. Pooja Bhula speaks to people who identify themselves as "spiritual, but not religious", explores their ideas of spirituality and religion, where they think one ends and the other begins, and whether spirituality is the new religion...

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Naomi D’Silva (25), Human Resources Professional
Religion is an institution created by society; it had a place in society, but has now become divisive. Spirituality on the other hand is not about institutions, it is personal. It tells you that God is inside you. I understand the need for rituals, they remind us to be with God. But if you discipline yourself to have your own ritual, then the point is achieved.

Spirituality is the original religion, the essence of religion, something we have created institutions around. But I believe in the first, over the second, because I don’t agree with all aspects of any religion. To be religious you have agree to all aspects of that particular religion, whereas spirituality allows you to have an amalgam of all.

The fewer conclusions we draw, the more we experience… Spirituality is about living a virtuous life and achieving your highest potential. I practice it by trying to be mindful in the here and now. And by being compassionate to everyone, even if they are not good to me. It is difficult, because it’s natural to feel angry and revengeful, but if you believe God is in you, and in others too, then you’ll know that evil is also a concept created by society and that everyone is evolving. Then you won’t hate anyone.

Amisha Jedhe (40), Spiritual Healer
There are different kinds of people--some do as directed, some question everything. The latter want to understand the reasoning behind people’s expectations of them. I used to have questions, like if God is in us then he must be in other people too, so why do we then need divisions of religion, caste and creed? I would ask elders about it, but got no answer. Overtime, I have discovered that spirituality is about questions, knowing yourself, knowing God… And to know God, you have to know yourself first.
 
Religion is just an alternative path to seek God, I don’t think it is inherently problematic. But it tilts towards rituals. During Diwali, lighting a diya symbolizes beating the darkness of amavasya (no moon night or new moon) with light, but people don’t know this. If they knew the rationale behind rituals, they wouldn’t care much if someone couldn’t follow something. But in the absence of knowledge, Diwali is like any other party, where people try to out-do each other in aesthetics, preparations etc. and God is lost. Similarly, the intention behind religious books is good; each tells you to look for God within you. But people interpret and use the books for their own vested interests and propagate religion through fear. Some wanting to be worshipped, use it to feed their ego by misleading the masses.

Spirituality frees you from all these shackles. From the ambit of religion you will look at other people as Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jew etc. the divisions start right there. From the point of view of spirituality you will look at everyone one as a human being. Religion also has a gender divide with Gods and Godesses, but the spirit has no gender. Now, all these are my interpretations, another spiritual seeker may think otherwise…  And that's the beauty of spirituality, it gives you the freedom to have your own interpretation. That’s why I don’t call anyone to conduct pujas at my house, I don’t want or need an agent of communication between God and me.

Spirituality for me is creating awareness about the spirit and what religious texts are actually trying to convey. Sometimes it brings me suffering, but it also enhances my journey. To answers questions I have to read and understand things myself. It triggers more questions that I explore through conversations with like-minded people or by thinking about them myself.

Tarun Durga (35), Digital Ad Man, Avid Cyclist, Musician
I come from a family where my grandparents, from both the maternal and paternal side, were very religious, but it never spoke to me. I don’t believe in God either, it’s for people who need solace in a certain manner and if someone is really down and out and believing helps them, fine. But I think it allows people to transfer their responsibility to God.

I think religion is an outdated concept, an operating system that is now defunct. At one point we needed it to explain things around us, like the sun, the moon, how things works and so on. Now you have science for it. Moreover, somewhere down the line, religion turned into a set of rules, with some people telling you how to lead your life. I’ve studied religion and there’s a lot of difference between what the texts say and how people interpret it. Like with all stories, interpretations are bound to differ because we glean from them what we need at that point in life; but, people need to be aware that there could be other interpretations. They have to decide whether to use the texts as dogma, or as a way of life, which religions started out as. Instead, religion is abused and people have blind faith. This again is not surprising becauses when masses come together, things always get spoilt. Good is only done by a few individuals. That's why spirituality works...

Spirituality is about self awareness and awareness about our place in the world. You can attain it through observation, introspection and empathy. It sets in a certain calm, consciousness, creates more empathy and helps you better regulate your decision making process… Sometimes I feel disconnected, it’s like a kind of mid-life crisis, a point when you’re weak. At such times some wallow in self pity, some try to find solution or turn to religion. I found my solution in mindfulness, a quasi scientific form of meditation, which requires me to focus on my breath and my body, and calms me down. It enhances my awareness and to an extent has also helped me quit smoking. I get the urge to smoke, but I am aware now that it will pass in a few minutes. That awareness makes it easier to resist. Spirituality is also about gratitude, for nature, its marvels, for the people you meet every now and then that make you happy. And interestingly the happiness also comes from gratitude, at times about someone who becomes such intrinsic part of your life that their dreams become more important than yours. I think, that’s what spirituality is supposed to do, bring your spirit happiness, lift it…

Claudelle Monis (25), Cultural Affairs Professional
When I was 18 I was really upset about something and thought, if there is God then how can such a thing happen. My mom always said that God gives us free will, and if we really want something, even God won’t interfere. One day I decided to vent out and not ask my wishes in reverence, that's when I realized that I can talk to God just like I would to a friend. For the first time, I felt God understood and didn’t judge. That’s how my spiritual journey began.

I’m quite pessimistic about religion; it’s completely manmade and unnecessary. If you’re one with yourself, you’ll automatically feel one with others and hence God. That itself will take you places. While religion’s original objective may have been to bring everyone together, bring love, it is run by humans and humans are self-centered. Consequently, religion just takes you away from the real objectives. You care more about your clothes and kneeling in the Church instead of God when you go for mass.

Spirituality is not about I have to, but I want to. That’s why I believe in it. God is in all of us, so there’s no need for us to be servile. I don’t mutter prayers for peace. Instead, I try to calm down first and then talk to God so that I don’t get distracted during the conversation. I am equally comfortable talking to my father, who passed away five years ago, and my relatives, who are no more. I like reading the Bible, but like a story book. I am supportive of all religions, adhere to all and have always felt most connected to Ganpati. I get teary eyed during visarjan. I also strongly believe in the theory of karma, but for me heaven and hell is here on earth. You’ll pay for your actions right here.
 
You can say I create my own religion, but I consider myself spiritual because I do things in my time, in my way, on my terms and I think my God understands… I just want to be a good human being, follow my heart and enjoy being with good human beings. I think being good is being spiritual.

If you have an opinion on this topic, please share your comments or mail me on poojabhula@gmail.com

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