"Spiritual But Not Religious":

“I have lived with several Zen masters -- all of them cats.”

― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now

"I'm spiritual but not religious" is a concept I hear often and have labeled myself as being. It is more likely a self definition used by those who have come out of a particular organized religious experience either growing up or a specific religion or denomination the participated in in later life and yet found it either terribly unsatisfying.  left over the drama and scandal of its leadership or simply found the teachings to be more burdensome than liberating.  Such was the WCG experience and continues to this day in the splinters for many.  

When I consider myself  "spiritual" , and I don't speak for others, I simply mean I have a tremendous respect, awe and curiosity about the Universe I live in.  Learning about it has left me with a wonderful sense of being a part of and not separate from all that is.  Or as it is said,  "I am in the Universe and the Universe is in me."   I don't mind, in fact am in awe, that every atom in my body came from the core of an exploding star. Every bit of iron in my blood, same. I don't mind being made up of the Universe, conscious and observing itself.  Very poetic and "spiritual" to me. 

 I also find it more incredible, and not disturbing, to define humans as the model of a "Conscious Hairless Ape" that has evolved over millions of years to what we presently are and yet still short of what humans shall become in time. But you knew that.   I would also note that if we were "Conscious Hairless Horses" our God or gods would be some form of supernatural horse. The image we'd have been created in would be that of a horse. That's how we are wired to think it seems. 

My interest in and collection of stone tools, most thousands of years old and several millions , speak to me of those who have come before, lived, laughed and loved out their lives with all its drama and trauma and are no more.  To pick up a stone tool in a field, or from the riverbed that someone dropped or lost thousands of years ago is a spiritual experience to me. It tells me to live now while life is mine to live. 

Grooved  Hammerstone/Axe I dug out of the bottom of the Willamette River one morning last summer before work in a location occupied for the over 11,000 years. 

I have spent many a night outside in the heat of summer or blast of winter (a better time to view) with my telescope reminding myself  of what's "out there" and feeling that spiritual connection with it all.  Believe me, that telescope got me through the Fall of GTA, the Receivership in the late 70's and most of the other BS WCG inflicted on my psyche as a church pastor. 

Perhaps it's just a connection, but in this sense, that is my definition of spirituality.  It is not a religious feeling. I certainly don't need to prove it's there with 10,20 or 30% of my income or driving all over creation to be with the group while others tell me/us how it all is. 

Just the view on the way to work and from the neighborhood was a spiritual experience in deep time.

Mt Hood is 500,000 years old and the dip in the hills is the gap through which the Missoula Ice AgeFlood waters of 15,000 years ago poured through into Portland at 600 feet deep. Now in South Carolina is only get to see Walmart and Target....sigh. 

Sitting on top of Mt Hood over looking Mt St Helens and Adams or time on the Oregon Coast was easily a "spiritual experience" and reflective times for me. It spoke of deep time and the forces and processes that have long gone on to bring us to this present scene. 

Sitting "alone" along the Willamette before work one Sunday, this apparition emerged from the water and rather startled me. . I thought the Willamette River Goddess had come to take me home.  It was a spiritual experience until I spotted the photographer on the beach. :)

Spirituality seems the default position we take when religion has driven us mostly mad. It is the difference, perhaps, between cats and dogs.  In religion, like a dog, one is trained to sit, eat, roll over and come when called.  Cats, not so much are tend towards a good symbol of the spiritually minded person, however that translates for them, who have come out of religion or never had a taste for it to begin with.

 https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-spiritual-and-vs-religious/

Religion and spirituality are two concepts that go hand in hand and are discussed together almost on all occasions. Both are essential aspects of a human being’s life that help them gain a deeper understanding as to what their lives and existence are about, thereby, helping them to cope with the regular ordeals of life.

What is Spiritual ?

Being spiritual can be defined as a process of personal transformation that is in accordance with certain religious ideals. However, since the 19th century, spirituality has been separated from religion and has been more focused upon experience and psychological growth. There is, however, no single widely-agreed upon definition for spirituality and thus, it can be any blissful experience of meaningful activity. However, according to Waaijman, spirituality can be traditionally defined as the effort to recover the original shape of man in the image of God. However, in modern terms, spirituality would denote a process of transformation which is triggered by a meaningful activity and is a very subjective experience.

What is a Religious ?

A religion can be described as a philosophy or method of thought based upon an organized set of cultural beliefs and systems created by man with the intention of bestowing a meaning to the human existence. This is done so by putting communities in communion with a higher power through rituals, stories and beliefs. It is an open community that usually allows freedom of thought to its members, its principles having been established and accepted by large groups of people for a long period. In most cases, one is often born into one’s religion while others choose or convert into a religion of their choice after experiencing, researching and extensive studying out of their own free will. Being religious would mean wholeheartedly believing and placing faith on these beliefs as preached by one’s own religion and arduously following its practices and rituals.

What is the difference between Spiritual and Religious?

It is a given fact that religious and spiritual are two terms that are often discussed in similar contexts. However, the term “spiritual, but not religious” being in trend these days , it is important to note that while a religious person is most definitely a spiritual person, a spiritual person is not always religious. So that is where the differences commence.

• Religion is a tangible theory where importance is attached to worshiping idols, symbols and fixed ideals. Thereby, being religious involves placing faith upon such tangible aspects. 

The concept of spirituality does not include idols or symbols and as such it has more of an intangible, vague quality.

• Religion has a basic moral code, a set of core values and a story outline.

 Spirituality does not feature such characteristics.

• Religions are based upon rituals that are strictly and ceremoniously followed by those who are part of that religion. 

Spirituality does not feature such rituals and the practices followed in spirituality are subjective. Some may follow methods such as meditation while others may engage in chanting, et c. However, these methods are not customary to be followed.

• Religion and its ideals are based upon the teachings of a religious leader who has thus set up such ideals with the aim of guiding the people towards nirvana, salvation, etc . 

Spirituality is focused upon the inner cultivation of a person. This is done so with the aim of enabling the individual to reach a higher plane of being.

• Religion brings societies together by common beliefs, rituals and customs and thus features entire communities of believers. This also contributes towards lending a helping hand towards members of the community by way of providing alms, engaging in community service, etc. 

Although spirituality believes in good will towards others, it is more of an individual practice. While there may be small communities that hold common spiritual beliefs, it is a rather secluded practice which features communities much smaller than the communities found in religion.

Being spiritually minded, no matter one's definition or experience with the concept, is indeed life and peace.  Organized Religion and the never ending and never quite satisfying search for "the One True Church" complete with the exact right things to believe do and give up….., not so much.  

Thoughts?