There is a natural tendency to asociate spirituality with religion, but they are very different. That I did not know before I researched and wrote "Spiritual Clarity." Religion is an organized system of beliefs in and the worship of God or gods. Spirituality is finding your own authentic self. Each individual needs to find their own way to spirituality and if that includes religion, so be it. Some people will be perfectly content to just believe as they are told, others will need more. Nothing is wrong with either path.
There are so many problems in the world today. Religion should help reduce conflict and suffering, not be another source of conflict. God definitely cannot plan everything because of all the horribly cruel events that studying history reveals. Unless God is into cruelty and I do not believe that is the case. I do not picture a man standing in the heavens planning with detail brutal events.
In one of his books, "The Art of Happiness," His Holiness the Dalai Lama, talked about the fact that religious beliefs are good but even without religious beliefs, people get by. In some cases, they even manage better. Beliefs or no beliefs are each person's right. He added that there is another level of spirituality that is what he calls basic spirituality - the basic human qualities of goodness, kindness, caring, and compassion. This kind of spirituality is essential. He considers the second level of spirituality or basic spirituality to be more important than the first. I believe that also. Society would be a mess and no one would be happy without the presence of these basic spiritual values. A church is not necessary to acheive these values for some people, although some do need a little extra guidance.
That makes me wonder if there ever was a person planning to murder someone else. while reading the Bible he or she decided against it because of the commandments?
Did you know Stalin was headed for the priesthood before politics sidetracked him? Pol Pot was a monk?
Does it make sense that the creator of the whole world and all that is in the universe is the same God in our own religion, so everyone else is mistaken?
Jackie Wellman, author of Spiritual Clarity
http://www.hoppy.bravehost.com
http://www.hoppy.bravehost.com
It doesn't matter what magazine or newspaper you pick up... Read More
We all know that the best laid plans of mice... Read More
"In the sixth century of the sixth millennium, the gates... Read More
The human body is surely a miracle of God's creation.... Read More
There is a concept in Jewish mystical thought known as... Read More
"What does it profit a man to have gained the... Read More
I come face to face with self whenever you come... Read More
We as human beings travelled in small bands for hundreds... Read More
In this series I would like to take you through... Read More
Do you go to God seeking His will for your... Read More
Obviously, if you really want to learn about the meanings... Read More
Imagine yourself marooned on a vast deserted island. You have... Read More
Who Are you?Have you ever asked yourself the question 'Who... Read More
I know God will not give me anything I can't... Read More
There is so much going on in the world around... Read More
In Corrogue, Celtic mythology helps me live a wonderful life.As... Read More
One cannot ask why bad things happen to good people... Read More
I thought I would draw this article up as a... Read More
The expression "Spiritual Enlightenment" has been used often in reference... Read More
A new chapter in my life begins today, the anniversary... Read More
After more than three decades of church ministry, I have... Read More
Your mind-body team is made up of your mind and... Read More
The dictionary defines the word forgive as: [to pardon, as... Read More
Now, I will recount in full what happened to me... Read More
So I met a friend recently and we went to... Read More
move out cleaning service Winnetka ...Meeting someone so attractive, so beautiful. Your heart beats like... Read More
Observations from the Town Car... "Home James!"The bulk of driving... Read More
How a Divine "Dream", gave me a Spiritual Principle for... Read More
Have you ever noticed how much our lives resemble a... Read More
THE KABBALAH OF PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION: TURNING DARKNESS INTO LIGHT"In the... Read More
Rose Ann Schwab is an internationally and world renowned professional... Read More
Can I be honest with you? There are days when... Read More
How did an artist accidently learn healing visualizations and improve... Read More
This article is the 1st part of an open response... Read More
"Mama, save me!"My six year old son jumped into my... Read More
Recently it has come to my attention people are noticing... Read More
The question of life after death is one that continues... Read More
Originating in what is now modern India; Tantra is at... Read More
What is it with angels and digital clocks? I fell... Read More
When I was a child, I thought as a child,... Read More
Existence of God: facts and figures Does God exist?If you... Read More
Jack Nicholson (Col. Jessup) (marine cornel) YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE... Read More
On reading Susan Cato's Time Magazine Canada piece titled, "In... Read More
It's late. But it's usually those words that you cannot... Read More
(Channelled)Roy, this morning in "Roy Bits," you tried to write... Read More
It has long been surmised that emotional trauma can lead... Read More
Life is just a journey. Princess DianaWhether we are... Read More
Iktomi:Another and somewhat longer term correspondent of mine is a... Read More
As you grow in wisdom, you will release, more and... Read More
It's an almost unbelievable thought, but could you be getting... Read More
Spirituality |