Life Desk :
In literature today, the term ‘spirituality’ is often used interchangeably with the term ‘religion’. But there are fundamental differences. First, religion can be defined as accepting a higher force and relating to it. Since ages, people have done this through prayer, ritual and various ceremonies in cultures across the world.
Spirituality goes one step further from mere belief in a higher force. It starts with inquiry into the nature of the divine and also dwells on the question of how one can transform one’s life by knowing reality. That means, a spiritual person seeks answers about the truth of the cause of universe and links this inquiry to his own personal development to expand his perspective.
Second, there is a general expectation that religion helps an individual to live an ethical life and become a good human being. But this is not always the case. A spiritual person, on the other hand, makes an active effort towards self-development by looking into his emotions. When emotions are mastered, living an ethical and responsible life becomes natural.
Finally, the question arises: is aspiritual person also a religious person? A spiritual person may have no firm opinion about the cause of the universe. But as he goes further in inquiry about realities, he finds the divine pervades everything and governs the whole universe in a cause-effect relationship. One’s actions, therefore, are not separate from divine order. One’s relationship with Ishvara becomes far deeper and penetrates every aspect of life.
-ET
In literature today, the term ‘spirituality’ is often used interchangeably with the term ‘religion’. But there are fundamental differences. First, religion can be defined as accepting a higher force and relating to it. Since ages, people have done this through prayer, ritual and various ceremonies in cultures across the world.
Spirituality goes one step further from mere belief in a higher force. It starts with inquiry into the nature of the divine and also dwells on the question of how one can transform one’s life by knowing reality. That means, a spiritual person seeks answers about the truth of the cause of universe and links this inquiry to his own personal development to expand his perspective.
Second, there is a general expectation that religion helps an individual to live an ethical life and become a good human being. But this is not always the case. A spiritual person, on the other hand, makes an active effort towards self-development by looking into his emotions. When emotions are mastered, living an ethical and responsible life becomes natural.
Finally, the question arises: is aspiritual person also a religious person? A spiritual person may have no firm opinion about the cause of the universe. But as he goes further in inquiry about realities, he finds the divine pervades everything and governs the whole universe in a cause-effect relationship. One’s actions, therefore, are not separate from divine order. One’s relationship with Ishvara becomes far deeper and penetrates every aspect of life.
-ET
