On Definitions

Spirituality; Faith; That's what my blog has pretty much taken on as a focus. It's what I dwell on, where my thoughts lead me inexorably day by day.

Religion. It's part of that issue of spirituality and faith. But it's not synonymous. For me, and I highly doubt this is unique or original to me, Religion is the cultic manifestation of a belief system, comprised of the rites and practices associated with a particular set of beliefs, dogma and doctrine. In my view, religion is organizational, comprising a plurality; it's corporate practice that may or may not be rooted in actual belief so much as a desire to belong to something meant to give meaning.

Spirituality, on the other hand, while not excluding the organization or plurality, is concerned with things of the spirit that may or may not involve rite, practice, dogma and doctrine. While belief is not an essential element of religion, it is essential to spirituality. Spirituality is relational to Other. It's how we each, as individuals, relate to that Divine Other.

For many, religion and spirituality are exclusive of each other... or seem to be.

In the USA, we've spent 3 years reeling from an act of violence that, at first, united us like we've seldom been united before, but has ultimately led to great disunion. It was perpetrated by a group of individuals who aligned themselves with a group that proclaims itself to be supportive of a particular religion; indeed they view themselves as perveyors of the truth of that religion.

We Americans buy into this, and thus proclaim that the religion in question is evil, that it is a religion of hate and violence. Educated people of faith from that religion, however, deny these claims, proclaiming their faith to be one of peace, one that we westerners don't understand. Yet, each day more and more acts of violence are performed in the name of said religion, reinforcing for us in the USA the belief that it is the terrorists behind the acts that are the true spokesmen for that religion.

Those of us who are Christian see ourselves as people of peace, that peace is one of the central points our Jesus tried to get across. Yet, people in the mideast who hold to another religion have experienced the vicissitudes of war and oppression that those of nominally Christian background have visited upon them. Around the world, many look at Christianity, and are reminded of forced conversions, and enslavement by Christians. From outside, I suspect, an observer can look at both of these religions and draw the conclusion that neither are religions of peace; both are equally violent, with long histories of killing and acts of inhumanity.

Religions really serve best as focal points for individuals. It is the private spiritual lives of the citizens of this world that matter. I've known muslims who were kind, loving, peaceful people. I know Christians who are the same. I've known, or known of, folks of both religions who are hateful, angry, bitter and vengeful. But when we take the time to get to know each other, and look at how individuals relate to that Infinite, Divine Other, we're all much more alike than we realize. All this can be said of all world religions, I suppose, Buddhist, Hindu, Jew, and a host of others I can't recall to name at this point.

All of us are in process of becoming. Some have chosen a road or path towards becoming kind, loving, peaceful folk striving to live at peace with the world around them; others have chosen a road or path towards lashing out at those who do not hold to their own beliefs, or whom they perceive to have wronged them.

In the long run, I suppose, it's not going to be how I practiced the rites of my religion, but how I interacted with that Divine Other, and the world about me. Can I stand apart from myself and perceive one who has tried to walk with integrity a life pursuing union with Divine Other, or will I see a bitter, angry, and spiteful person who demands of others that which I don't generally live myself?

!snort!

So. There!

Process or Product

Another day, another mile along the journey. Another panel on the window of my life.

I was contemplating this journey this morning on my drive into work. To be a bit more specific, I was considering what I think God expects of us.

It began, really as I lamented that my walk was less than perfect... that I found it too easy to forget to communicate with that Divine Presence in us all. Days go by, sometimes, when I neglect my spirit.

It seems the Christian life as espoused by my childhood church, and most Christian churches, for that matter, spend far too much effort focused on that. Perfection. Perfection is the ideal. It's what is held up to us. My childhood churches has it's saints which are held up to us as examples of what we should strive for.

Posh! Perfection is not possible. Those saints were not perfect. They were ultimately just as flawed as am I or anyone who might stumble upon this blog. It's not the result that matters. In the great scheme of things, from a spiritual perspective, it's not the result that matters to the Divine Presence, and it's not the result that matters to me.

When it comes to spirituality, not religion, mind you, but spirituality... when it comes to the journey with Divinity that I seek, the result is merely the effort. Process. Our journey, our spiritual actualization, is process, not attainment or destination.

The real sin isn't to be imperfect or even to fail to strive to attain perfection. The sin is to not enter into the process.

My friend today told me she's trying to "focus on finding out who I am, defining me... because I don't know who I am." She's decided to enter the process. Because, I believe that ultimately, it's that quest to "find out who I am, define myself" that IS spirituality, it is process. It's participating in the journey to the Divine Presence, the Other Within.

Reflecting on her comments it comes to me that most of humanity spends a good share of our existence not only not knowing who we are, but also not even trying to find out... or for that matter most are unaware that there is something TO find out.

So, once more, l dive in to this process of seeking that Inner Other that is my destiny. Care to join me?

!Snort!

So! There!