Spirituality
vs religion
Definition of Spirituality
(religious spirituality)
Spirituality
Spirituality:
what it truly means to you! Spirituality
is one word which puts a human being on the highest pedestal of life. It is field
of Spirituality traveling which one reaches the last leg of cosmic life nay the
form of human being himself! The
goal of Spirituality is attaining salvation moksha in Hinduism! From the beginning
of the first manifestation as an amoeba to the last manifestation (the 8.4 millionth
manifestation)... the goal of every life remains the same.
The
phase of life as a human being announces that the life has come full circle. It
is only as a Human Being that one can get enlightened (reach the stage of Nirvikalpa
Samadhi) and attain salvation moksha in Hinduism. Reaching stage of enlightenment
is the last step in the field of Spirituality. Spirituality
is living life as it was meant to be... not as we may have desired or wanted living
it. Living a life of choice is not the forte of all human beings. Those on the
path of pure Spirituality... the true seekers of Spirituality are sometimes able
to manifest destiny by establishing absolute control over it.
It is a certain fact that
only the true seekers of Spirituality become the masters of their destiny. Knowingly
or unknowingly many people who have a materialistic goal in life travel the path
of spirituality and become successful in life. It was not a happening by chance...
all was the result of a law which cannot err. These highly acclaimed individuals
unknowingly tread the path of pure Spirituality and achieved the goal of their
life. Spirituality
in other terms means that before we ask God Almighty for material riches to be
bestowed upon us... we need to compensate by giving something equivalent or more
back to the community. This is the path undertaken by most successful entrepreneurs.
In terms
of Spirituality we are not supposed to get anything unless we promise to do something
in return... in the system of God there is fair play all throughout. As we desire...
so shall be the corresponding karma we would be required to perform. Mere false
promises bring us nothing. It
was the forte of JRD Tata that he always loved his country and the countryman.
The benefit of the society was foremost in his mind all the time. The prime reason
why the Tata Empire is known as the foundation builder of India! Tata name itself
is representative of building a technological Empire for the benefit of entire
nation. This is what Spirituality is all about. JRD
Tata was a trustee par excellence. According to him everything belonged to God
and he was merely a trustee carrying out the dictates of God. In his lifetime
he never built a house for himself. His love for the material riches of life did
not seem to exist at all. His every endeavor was aimed at improving the quality
of life of human life and the country as a whole. What
a noble persona JRD Tata was... a true Karma yogi indeed! He did not live Spirituality
rather Spirituality lived in him. He was a perfect example of how a true spiritual
seeker must live his life. JRD may have never admitted that he lived a spiritual
life but unknowingly he practiced Spirituality every moment of his life.
JRD Tata followed the dictates
of Bhagwad Gita throughout his life unknowingly. Apart from being a true karma
yogi... he also excelled in teaching the core values to the society. He was one
of the rarest kinds that have ever dwelled on mother earth as material riches
and comforts in life never attracted him come whatever may. JRD
Tata excelled in human values to the extent that even most accomplished people
on the path of pure Spirituality get dwarfed by his accomplishments. Spirituality
is not only seeking the domain of God but even in day-to-day matters of life every
human being needs to practice Spirituality. The
famous saying, "whatever we want others to do unto us... we should do unto them"
forms the core teachings of Spirituality. It is not merely a saying. It has to
be practiced in reality as was preached and advocated by Napoleon
Hill in his famous books "Think
and Grow Rich", "The
Master-Key to Riches" and the famous "The
Law of Success In Sixteen Lessons". These
three Bible books by Think
and Grow Rich ... "Think
and Grow Rich", "The
Master-Key to Riches" and the famous "The
Law of Success In Sixteen Lessons" form the core of Spirituality. There is
no argument about that. At every stage Napoleon hill has prophesied that before
we can expect anything from God we need to give something back to the community.
He was also a true practitioner of Spirituality from heart. Spirituality
definitely helps one take control of destiny. As we proceed on the path of pure
Spirituality we tend to develop a positive approach towards life. Reeling all
the time under a positive attitude of mind... One is able to fine-tune those critical
aspects of life which are an absolute must if one needs to become the master of
his own destiny. Spirituality
makes a perfect man out of a negative thinker. In the field of Spirituality there
is no place for any negative thinking. One who has fixed a goal in life and always
indulges in positive oriented thinking can not be a loser in life. It can never
happen! Spirituality
imbibes the following virtues in a human being: Spirituality
makes you feel all the time that there is something higher than the mere existence
as a human being. Spirituality
spells out that God exists within every living being as our soul the atman within.
It is God within us which guides us on the right path whenever we tend to go wrong.
Spirituality inculcates
in every human being a feeling of positive ness all throughout. Floating on the
positive mental plane brings one closer to our goal of life. It
is Spirituality and spirituality alone which prompts and guides one in the right
direction whenever we feel cheated by the senses prevailing upon us. To come out
of the clutches of the five senses is what Spirituality is all about.
If we desire to know God
truly then we need to follow the path of pure Spirituality. It is only as a true
spiritual seeker shall we realize God one-day. It
is a Spirituality which cuts short the path and makes the whole world look like
a family. In the spiritual domain there is no space for different religions, dogmas
or creeds. our soul atman the spirit within wanton desires cease to exist... the moment Spirituality takes
complete control over us! Spirituality
truly is the essence of life. However materialistic we maybe On earthly plane...
there shall come a day when Spirituality would completely wipe us clean of all
the impurities within us. Without
Spirituality the life or a human being is like a rudderless boat going round and
round in the unfathomable sea of life. It
is Spirituality which teaches every human being the real value of life... being
spiritual is not being religious alone... Spirituality teaches us the core values
of life... the real essence of us! It
is only through the medium of Spirituality that God is able to guide the mankind
towards its destined goal. As many human beings... as many different spiritual
paths! Right from
day one when we are born and until the last breath... it is Spirituality which
keeps our heart pumping all through. It is Spirituality which clears all doubts
that our soul (the Atman within the body) is the real master and our body is but
to decay and die. Spirituality
clears all doubts related to the concept of God. Whenever in doubt... the wise
follow the dictates of the spiritual masters of the era! Every spiritual being
merges his identity with the Supreme Being (the Almighty God). Spirituality
confirms that life has to go on... it is a journey to be completed in many phases
(8.4 million manifestations in fact). It is Spirituality which confirms that the
life of a human being of 70 to 80 years is but a trickle in the total life a span
of our soul the atman within. The total life span of the soul being a maximum
of 96.4 million earthly years! Spirituality
has no relationship whatsoever with religion. Following a religion means following
the dictates of a successful spiritual master... one who has already covered the
journey and has become capable of guiding the mankind to its logical end.
religion is meant for living
a single span of earthly life. On the contrary Spirituality guides every living
being to its logical end in the unending cosmic journey undertaken by the soul
our atman within. It
is Spirituality alone which removes the fear of death from those who have released
the pinnacle of spiritual life. Spirituality gives you a commanding position in
life. One can work for above 23 hours per day having gained absolute control over
sleep. This is not only possible but can be observed by watching the topmost rung
of spiritual masters. The
presence of Spirituality in our lives cannot be done away with for it forms the
inner core of our manifested physical life. Behind every success lies the core
of Spirituality which guides one inherently all throughout cosmic journey.
In practice... when I started
in search of God at an early age of 13 years... I was so confused about life that
I thought it was only the religious masters who shall guide me on the right path.
I was so wrong. It
was at the age of 37 that I came in contact with God one-to-one basis. It was
the pinnacle of my spiritual pursuit. My life had come full circle. This was to
be my last manifestation. I had reached the end of cosmic life. The distinction
between spirituality
and religion were now absolutely clear to me. Having
been able to traverse the path as a true seeker of Spirituality and reach the
end goal has been a really pleasant experience. Everything I try to convey to
the community is based on true personal experience of life. Being my last sojourn
on Mother Earth I have but to impart the pearls of Spirituality I have learned
before I leave the mortal frame. Spirituality
is not to be practiced merely in theory. Spirituality is not contained in the
sacred textbooks alone. We simultaneously need to practice pure Spirituality and
try reaching the end of the cosmic life. Achieving salvation in present life would
be something every human being would desire. Why
not all of us practice pure Spirituality all the time! back
to what is spirituality
Spirituality
and religion The
difference between Spirituality and Religion is the most often asked question
on the net. For a layman both seem to be the same. All one has learnt since childhood
is going to a temple, mosque or a church for praying to God. What other purpose
can religion have for one who is ignorant of different facets of religion? One
inherently follows Religious practices from the start. One may be born a Hindu
but may be a strong believer of Christianity. Why does one change over?
If religion provides succor
to one: why the dissatisfaction while following one religion? Is there something
beyond the mundane, that we cannot see? Why one needs to go to a church, temple
or mosque and pray
to god? If we do not follow the religious practices ... shall we be
doomed to die a terrible death? What if I do not want to follow any religion at
all? Live a lively Life with compassion for all beings. Why would God bring me
death if I do not commit any sin?
In all the religions of the World, the presence of a higher power within us, our
atman the soul within is accepted. No dispute on this issue, what is the nature
of atman the soul within. None has seen this spirit, the most powerful source
of energy in the Cosmos, much more mightier than the biggest of Suns and Stars
in the Brahmaand (Cosmos). Study of this spirit (our Atman, the Soul within) and
of the mightiest of all the Spirits (GOD ... the Almighty Creator of the cosmos)
is what Spirituality is all about.
Spirituality is that aspect of Life of a Jiva (Manifested Life of an Atman, The
Soul Within), which forms the core of all Life on Mother Earth. Without Spirituality,
religion cannot survive. Spirituality can survive without religion.
Around 3600 years before
when there existed no religion, Humanity existed. How did people live without
guidance from religion? How did these persons live as Buddha, Jesus Christ and
Prophet
Mohammed had not yet been born? What of following the religion, which
gradually evolved as a following of these Spiritual Masters?
Lord
Krishna, Mahavira, Buddha, Jesus
Christ and Prophet Mohammed were not religious but Spiritual Masters
of their time. Their following is known as a religion. Followers of Buddha practice
Buddhism ... the eight fold path. The followers of Jesus, the Christians study
Bible, the doctrine administered by Jesus Christ and his associate disciples.
Prophet Mohammed preached what is contained in Qoran, the sacred document of the
followers of Islamic Dharma. Followers
of Jaina doctrine are known as Jains. Jains are never known as followers of 24th
Tirthankar Mahavira who strongly advocated that every Human Being is imbibed with
the power to become a Mahavira like him. Jaina Philosophy is unique in itself
that Jain word is derived from 'Jina'... One who has won his real self, one who
"Realizes" GOD in his Lifetime. Followers of this doctrine and what Mahavira and
the earlier 23 Tirthankars preached is what we know as 'Jainism'.
religion broadly is study and following what is laid down in the scriptures for
improving upon our level of Life. To live a Life full of moral values and ethical
practices. Spirituality
is delving deep into the inner domain of self ... studying scriptures to know
atman the soul within and GOD (The Almighty Creator). Followers of Spirituality
without exception are after the absolute truth. They do not hanker after fleeting
and temporary pleasures of Life. Seekers of Spirituality live a contended Life
where as religious followers believe more in pleasing one GOD after another to
seek their material wants fulfilled in the present manifestation.
True seeker never seeks bodily pleasures for self and family nor makes material
pursuits as goal of Life. One is not attached to the body of the master but to
what he has to preach.
religion
and Spirituality difference - brief Audio Hindi (66.6
MB)
(this clipping
takes few seconds to load initially - suitable for broadband internet connection
preferably above 256 kbps) back
to spirituality and religion
religion
and Spirituality religion
and Spirituality - what differentiates religion from Spirituality?
religion
is "absolute truth of life" of the physical manifested world. It is
religion and not Spirituality which forms the basis of the present society we
live in. In the present the needs for following a religion being at its minimum...
it is easy to follow any religion. Anyone... even a layman can follow any religion
but not Spirituality?
What vastly differentiates Religion and Spirituality?
religion... if it forms the core of the physical manifested world... it is the
Spirituality (the truth of our Soul within) which upholds the values in the society.
Without Spirituality the physical manifested world cannot sustain for long but
in the absence of religion... the society can survive on its own.
It is
Spirituality (the truth of our real self... our Soul within) which forms the core
of the cosmic world. The physical manifested world is a reality in terms of senses
(which guide every human being on its earthly journey). In the cosmic world...
our physical manifested world does not hold good for there is nothing solid in
the Cosmos. Everything in the cosmos is made up of the basic building block of
the cosmos which comprise of atoms and molecules alone.
religion
is meant for passing of the physical manifested life in a meaningful manner. Unable
to understand the nature of God... humanity has built for itself various religious
centers all over the globe. These religious centers are they a mosque, temple
or a church... provide a succor to the ever ailing society. They quench the thirst
of an average human being... one who does not have time or the resources to contemplate
directly on God Almighty.
Indulgence in Spirituality is not meant for the average human being. To fathom
the depths of the Scriptures of the various religions of the world (the core truths
of Spirituality)... one needs to dive deep into the pearls of wisdom contained
in the various sacred Scriptures of the world. Spirituality is totally oblivious
of a religion. In the field of Spirituality one need not go to a mosque, temple
or a church in search of God. It is contemplation and only contemplation which
shall lead one to God Almighty.
Spirituality (contrary to religion) is
all about the spirit existing within every human being nay every living being
(Jiva in Hinduism). It is truth of every life prevailing on Mother Earth. It is
the real self of us that exists within every living being since the birth of that
body in form of an individual soul. Spirituality and Religion are the two fundamentals
of life which every living being is required to follow simultaneously.
One can live without religion
but not without Spirituality for Spirituality forms the core of very existence
of every living being. It is the spirit within every human being that we exist
as a physical form on Mother Earth. We may or may not indulge in understanding
Spirituality or a religion but inherently every living being pursues the path
of spirituality in every manifestation. Spirituality is that fundamental of life
which cannot be ignored by one.
To understand the basics of the Spirituality
(not religion) one needs to understand the underlying meaning of the various sacred
Scriptures existing on Mother Earth. Whatever our religious masters teach us on
the physical plane may not be a truthful representation of whatever is contained
in the sacred Scriptures. Many commentaries may exist related to a particular
sacred Scripture but all may not be correct or rightly represent the facts contained
therein.
To interpret the sacred Scriptures correctly one needs to understand
the inner meaning of the core teachings contained therein. Spirituality in other
words can only be best understood from a realized master. Only those who have
reached the level of Mahavira, Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ or Prophet Mohammed
can deliver the humanity of its ills.
On the contrary going to a temple,
mosque or a church can provide temporary succor to the ailing humanity but it
is only Spirituality which can provide a permanent relief. Religion provides relief
in day-to-day life but Spirituality liberates one forever from the cycle of birth
and death. Religion is primarily a following of an enlightened master...
it is only the correct interpretation of his teachings that one can follow spirituality
to its logical end. Buddhism
religion relates to the teachings of Gautama Buddha. The Islamic religion is based
on the teachings of Prophet Mohammed. Jainism (which can not be rightly called
as a religion but a way of life) is based on the collective teachings of the various
Tirthankars (enlightened souls). Similarly Christianity is based on the teachings
of Jesus Christ.
Following the teachings of Mahavira, Gautama Buddha,
Jesus Christ or Prophet Mohammed... One can definitely reach the higher portals
of religion but to become one like Mahavira, Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ or Prophet
Mohammed one needs to understand the core teachings of the realized masters themselves
in a totally unadulterated form.
In a nutshell, if we desire to understand
the fundamentals of life itself and reach the end of cosmic journey... we need
to understand Spirituality in totality. And on the contrary if we desire to live
the present physical manifested life in the best manner possible then following
the dictates of religion alone would suffice. back
to religion and spirituality
Essays
By: Vijay
Kumar "Atma Jnani"
Vijay Kumar... The Man who Realized
God in 1993 explains more on Spirituality. For more details on being spiritual
visit - Spirituality.
Send your query
- click
here Ref.
Spirituality related links... | 
Subscribe
Weekly Newsletter "Spiritual Secrets Unveiled"