Spirituality and Religion

by Barbara Sachs

I have been pondering spirituality and religion. Is there a difference, which or both are in my life, do I want either of them? Are they the same, and is it possible to have both together, or is this even desirable? This is not intended to be a final treatise on this subject, but rather to open an ongoing dialogue. I can see a further discussion on how this fits into our everyday life. So please read this as though we are questioning this together and if you feel so moved, respond.

I began thinking of this partly because my daughter is getting married and her fiancé made a statement that all religion is for the weak. Partly because I have felt an intense urge to reimmerse myself in Judaism, and partly because I went to a workshop with a woman Rabbi who addressed this topic and ignited a spark in me.

Is there a difference between spirituality and religion? The Rabbit said a definition of spirituality is something inborn, innate, a sense of awe. Asking and wanting to know what is the meaning of life. Is there a purpose.

Spirituality comes from within and makes us look for meaningfulness. It brings us to sensing there is something beyond ourselves. It is the knowing that we are more than what meets the eye. There is something much larger than we are. Spirituality brings with it a sense of awe, the sacred, wonder, mystery.

Kids wonder why the sky is blue, how deep is the earth. We live with the big questions, regardless of which tradition we are born into. We wonder what is the meaning of life. Something draws us further, beyond whatever we can know, grasp. It helps us heal our despair and pain. It is what pulls us back into life. It has nothing to do with thought, or mental understanding.

We can experience this through sailing, going to the beach, taking a hike, meditating, watching children setting the table, watching a sunset. What triggers this sense of awe may be the same for people or different. When we experience this we know it is more than ourselves. Some call this God or being, essence, Buddha nature, mystery, or the beloved.

We understand spirituality through the little or simple things in life. It makes us feel the preciousness of life. At different times we are overcome with a sense of sacredness. We are touched in our soul. We find something, someone breathtaking, or inspiring. We know this from the inside. It is not our rational mind.

We can find this in love connections, music, dance, movement. Everybody has their own way of connecting. How many times have you heard what an awesome day, or movie. We feel so joyful and full. We are in the present. We are moved beyond ourselves. We experience interconnectedness.

The best moments with our spouse, lover is when we feel connected in an indescribable way that comes from within. Love-making from here is profound and never duplicated. Each time this sense of awe happens, it is fresh and refreshing. There is a sense that life is dynamic, not static. We are stuck with the feeling that there is more than what meets the eye. Something makes us feel good, so we try to pursue it. We look for renewal.

One thing is for sure: there are different ways for different folk. (Is that why there are 31 flavors?!) How can we support this awe in ourselves and our children? (This that seems to make life worthwhile and gives life value.)

Whereas religion has the rituals that one can follow no matter what you think. It is the vehicle for the spirit when they work together. Religion usually is dogma, rules and regulations, the blueprint or platform that is agreed upon. It is not possible to have a religion of one. When we go to a specific religion we can expect certain convictions. There is a sense of membership, rituals, doctrine agreed upon. For example, in Judaism, Shabbat is a given, in all the denominations of Judaism. Religion is a community with membership identity.

We can have religion without spirituality and spirituality without religion. It appears that people in the West are seeking some form of this combination. But is it that or the yearning for the spiritual, to find meaning in their lives/ Or is it the interconnectedness of both spirituality and religion where we can listen and act from with but still have a community with an identity that has ritual, rules.

Religion may the the outer container, the shell. Is it an empty shell without the infusion of the inner dimension, the spirit? Does the spirit need a context or container?

Ideally, perhaps what is most optimal is to bring spirituality and religion together. To have proround aloneness at the same time profound connection that is bringing God into everyday life.

—from our March 1994 Newsletter

Site design by BitJazz Inc.