Written by Kathryn Austin, Relate Intern
When discussing religious beliefs with others, sometimes you will hear other people claim to be spiritual as well as religious, or spiritual instead of religious. What exactly does “spirituality” mean?
Dictionary.com defines “spiritual” as “of or pertaining to the spirit or soul, as distinguished from the physical nature.” “Religion,” on the other hand, is said to be “A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.” To me, the big difference between the two is the questions that each one answers. While we look to religion to answer big questions concerning the existence of life, the purpose of living and the afterlife, spirituality serves to answer questions about the self.
I think spirituality is the desire and ability to know yourself. It is being able to introspect to solve problems. No matter your religious belief, if you can’t trust in yourself that you are strong, then the world is a place that takes advantage of you, as opposed to you taking advantage of the opportunities that life brings. Learn your strengths and weaknesses and stop being overly critical of yourself. Look at your shortcomings from an outsider’s perspective: “I am very good at maintaining my friendships, but I would like to enhance my communication skills.” Then, brainstorm ways to achieve your self-improvement goals. Everyone has shortcomings, and accepting them while productively working to change them will put you on the fast track to spirituality.
While religion may help you understand the goings-on of the world around you, spirituality will help you understand the goings-on inside. Without knowledge of yourself as a unique individual living in this world, you may find it much harder to look to religion to answer the bigger questions of existence. So add “believing in yourself,” or spirituality, to your religious agenda everyday!
(Photo by http://www.ucg.org/teenstudy/images)
