Spiritual, Not Religious: What IT Really Means Today
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Are religious people spiritual?
A religious person might naturally assume they are spiritual, and many are. But many are not. One of the glaring defects of many religious people is their firm conviction that non-believers are not spiritual. They view spirituality in a sectarian way, validate their religiousness by external symptoms and rituals, and do not acknowledge those outside their traditions, even if such people exhibit the characteristics and lifestyle of a spiritually elevated person. This is because of their belief that perfection is achieved by joining the right religion and faithfully believing in those doctrines. And if you join the wrong religion, sorry, but you are doomed to suffer in hell forever.
It is obvious to many that “religious” people can be more materialistic, prejudiced, and in lower consciousness than the “unsaved.” Rituals and doctrinal belief can serve as external symbols of success, even if those people who observe or hold them do not demonstrate the qualities and lifestyle of genuinely spiritually evolved people. When rituals and other external forms of practice assume more importance than actually being spiritual, one’s cultivation of higher consciousness and genuine spirituality can get lost in the mix. I am not saying that any set of beliefs or rituals are wrong or not spiritual.
It is wonderful if one’s beliefs and practices awaken one’s dormant spiritual consciousness, uplift one’s life, and help one love and appreciate others, especially people of other faiths. But when sectarian views fuel a materialistic mentality, or a hatred toward people of other religions and people that don’t follow a religion, then this is simply a non-spiritual practice of religion: materialism masquerading under the guise of religion or spirituality
How Spiritual Are You?
You might be more spiritual than you think. Conversely, you may think you are more spiritual than you actually are. Someone might ask, “Am I spiritual if I wear a purple Om T-shirt?” Well, you might be, but it’s not because of the T-shirt. If you are wearing it to look good, or to look spiritual, it probably is just boosting your ego, not your spirit.
One way to answer the question “Am I spiritual?” is to note that because we are all spiritual by nature (souls within a body), we cannot not be spiritual.
It’s just that we may not realize or connect with our spirituality. So I use the word spiritual here to refer to acknowledging, realizing, and acting with the understanding that “I am the spirit within a material body.”