Comments on: religion vs. spirituality http://www.moritherapy.org making lives better, making better lives Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:25:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Judy http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/comment-page-1/#comment-689365 Judy Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:04:06 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/#comment-689365 Indeed. I wouldn't discount anyone's spirituality or religion. (Although, I have had my spirituality discounted because I am not firmly planted in Christianity.) To the contrary, "practiced-oriented" is not meant as a demeaning phrase. When I attended Lutheran services on a regular basis, I was comforted by the singing of the litany at the beginning of each service. It was comforting to have company in professing my failth and love for all that was good. It was reassuring to have some sameness each week. Your points are very well taken. I concur. But...with that said...introspection and contemplation does take one to a deeper level, whether or not you are involve in organized religion. Thinking deeply about your practice AND your beliefs is mind-opening and induces spiritual growth. Thanks for responding to my message. Your message made me think!! Indeed. I wouldn’t discount anyone’s spirituality or religion. (Although, I have had my spirituality discounted because I am not firmly planted in Christianity.) To the contrary, “practiced-oriented” is not meant as a demeaning phrase. When I attended Lutheran services on a regular basis, I was comforted by the singing of the litany at the beginning of each service. It was comforting to have company in professing my failth and love for all that was good. It was reassuring to have some sameness each week. Your points are very well taken. I concur.
But…with that said…introspection and contemplation does take one to a deeper level, whether or not you are involve in organized religion. Thinking deeply about your practice AND your beliefs is mind-opening and induces spiritual growth. Thanks for responding to my message. Your message made me think!!

]]> By: haverson http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/comment-page-1/#comment-689291 haverson Sat, 23 Jan 2010 04:03:57 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/#comment-689291 But, you can't discount the hundreds of millions who find great comfort in their religion. To say only those who profess to be anti organized religion are enlightened is very short sighted. Many great humanitarians have or had in their time on earth, deep grounding in their faith. Humans are thinkers by nature, that doesn't mean every thought has good grounding. And most are somewhat products of their surroundings, if you associated with people who share a belief, it can rub off on you. It is also human nature to try and stand out, going against the grain is an excellent way to stand out. That alone doesn't make you right. it just means you think differently. But, you can’t discount the hundreds of millions who find great comfort in their religion. To say only those who profess to be anti organized religion are enlightened is very short sighted. Many great humanitarians have or had in their time on earth, deep grounding in their faith. Humans are thinkers by nature, that doesn’t mean every thought has good grounding. And most are somewhat products of their surroundings, if you associated with people who share a belief, it can rub off on you. It is also human nature to try and stand out, going against the grain is an excellent way to stand out.
That alone doesn’t make you right. it just means you think differently.

]]> By: Judy http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/comment-page-1/#comment-683098 Judy Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:20:36 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/#comment-683098 Having just read all of these blog messages, written over the course of 2 years, I conclude that "spirituality "and "religious" have multiple meanings based on one's own experiences, thoughts, and beliefs. It seems we mostly agree, however, that "religious" tends to refer to something which is more practice-oriented and less contemplative and introspective, while "spirituality" is almost the reverse. Very interesting and thought-provoking blog. Thank you all. Having just read all of these blog messages, written over the course of 2 years, I conclude that “spirituality “and “religious” have multiple meanings based on one’s own experiences, thoughts, and beliefs. It seems we mostly agree, however, that “religious” tends to refer to something which is more practice-oriented and less contemplative and introspective, while “spirituality” is almost the reverse. Very interesting and thought-provoking blog. Thank you all.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/comment-page-1/#comment-680023 Ryan Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:18:46 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/#comment-680023 Spirituality, as conceived by most (and as referred to in almost all of the comments above) is a set of practices pursued by individuals for the growth of the individual as an individual. Religion is a spirituality that takes seriously the fact that relationship is part of the very expression and fabric of being human. How can I have a deep relationship with God, if I do not care to join a community around God? "Dogma" is not restrictive, but freeing. Dogma is the basis of the conversation that we are to enjoy with one another--it is the field in which we meet. And dogma is not as rigid as people think. Once, in religion, you have a basis of agreement, you are freed to discuss the various points and details and come to an ever more refined understanding. Dogma is a work of the Holy Spirit that unifies us and brings us closer to God--together. Spirituality--as conceived by our contemporaries--is a leaving of that field, a shutting down of the conversation. To pursue spirituality over against religion is to say MY way is better for ME. Meditate in the garden. Do yoga. Read the Bible by yourself. Pray your own prayer. Worship at home and on the hiking trail. But seek grounding in a community that wants to put God in the center. Seek a community that strives, albeit in a very messy and roundabout way, to see God for who God is (and not for who they, individually, want God to be). I am nothing without my relationships. I am nothing without God. I am nothing without the people God sends into my life. I am nothing without the people that discuss God with me. I am nothing without the people that worship God with me. Without all of these relationships, my God--and my life--would be tragically small. My freedom and my open-mindedness come from my faith, which can only be lived out with others. Spirituality vs. Religion--it all comes down to a power struggle: am I right/in charge or must I suffer the opinions and plans of other faithful people? Am I right/in charge or is God? If religion has hurt you, I will not deny that. Churches can be abusive and those churches have lost sight of their Center. But there are other communities out there waiting to accept you....to show penitence, to seek reconciliation and to help you find healing. It is no good to suffer alone. Spirituality, as conceived by most (and as referred to in almost all of the comments above) is a set of practices pursued by individuals for the growth of the individual as an individual.

Religion is a spirituality that takes seriously the fact that relationship is part of the very expression and fabric of being human. How can I have a deep relationship with God, if I do not care to join a community around God?

“Dogma” is not restrictive, but freeing. Dogma is the basis of the conversation that we are to enjoy with one another–it is the field in which we meet. And dogma is not as rigid as people think. Once, in religion, you have a basis of agreement, you are freed to discuss the various points and details and come to an ever more refined understanding. Dogma is a work of the Holy Spirit that unifies us and brings us closer to God–together.

Spirituality–as conceived by our contemporaries–is a leaving of that field, a shutting down of the conversation. To pursue spirituality over against religion is to say MY way is better for ME.

Meditate in the garden. Do yoga. Read the Bible by yourself. Pray your own prayer. Worship at home and on the hiking trail. But seek grounding in a community that wants to put God in the center. Seek a community that strives, albeit in a very messy and roundabout way, to see God for who God is (and not for who they, individually, want God to be).

I am nothing without my relationships. I am nothing without God. I am nothing without the people God sends into my life. I am nothing without the people that discuss God with me. I am nothing without the people that worship God with me. Without all of these relationships, my God–and my life–would be tragically small.

My freedom and my open-mindedness come from my faith, which can only be lived out with others.

Spirituality vs. Religion–it all comes down to a power struggle: am I right/in charge or must I suffer the opinions and plans of other faithful people? Am I right/in charge or is God?

If religion has hurt you, I will not deny that. Churches can be abusive and those churches have lost sight of their Center. But there are other communities out there waiting to accept you….to show penitence, to seek reconciliation and to help you find healing. It is no good to suffer alone.

]]> By: jarrah http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/comment-page-1/#comment-672170 jarrah Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:20:48 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/#comment-672170 religion is crap religion is crap

]]> By: Kyle Reynolds http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/comment-page-1/#comment-671542 Kyle Reynolds Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:38:18 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/#comment-671542 I think spirtuality lets you think outside the box, whereas religion seems to be rigid no room for growth either you believe black and white or you are going somewhere bad. I think of myself as lil of both too. I think spirtuality lets you think outside the box, whereas religion seems to be rigid no room for growth either you believe black and white or you are going somewhere bad. I think of myself as lil of both too.

]]> By: Teddy T. http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/comment-page-1/#comment-668219 Teddy T. Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:14:55 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/#comment-668219 Hello,I was just reading some of the letters that were sent about spirituality. for myself and I speak for myself only.I quit trying to analize things.I dont try to run things (control)things in my life anymore.People,places,things,situations .Anything thats happening around me.If something good happens in my life I hang on to it as long and as hard as I can .If something bad happens bad in my life I process it and get rid of it as soon as possible. Every day, I pray and ask God to run my day for me, and I stay out of my own way. Hello,I was just reading some of the letters that were sent about spirituality. for myself and I speak for myself only.I quit trying to analize things.I dont try to run things (control)things in my life anymore.People,places,things,situations .Anything thats happening around me.If something good happens in my life I hang on to it as long and as hard as I can .If something bad happens bad in my life I process it and get rid of it as soon as possible. Every day, I pray and ask God to run my day for me, and I stay out of my own way.

]]> By: Carrie http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/comment-page-1/#comment-667302 Carrie Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:26:39 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/#comment-667302 I think what we may not have considered is that religion and spirituality can be quite compatable. I can seek out and experience God in the beauty of my flower garden, becoming engrossed in the magic and grace that surrounds me; then go to mass, becoming equally engrossed in a ceremony that honors God through song and age-old literature where perhaps hundreds or thousands of people have come to experience Him together for years. And when I leave mass I can see those puffy white clouds that are so God inspiring! Over time I found that my heart wasn't satisfied on one side or the other...but when I finally put the two together it was a beautiful moment. I think what we may not have considered is that religion and spirituality can be quite compatable. I can seek out and experience God in the beauty of my flower garden, becoming engrossed in the magic and grace that surrounds me; then go to mass, becoming equally engrossed in a ceremony that honors God through song and age-old literature where perhaps hundreds or thousands of people have come to experience Him together for years. And when I leave mass I can see those puffy white clouds that are so God inspiring!

Over time I found that my heart wasn’t satisfied on one side or the other…but when I finally put the two together it was a beautiful moment.

]]> By: oscar wright http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/comment-page-1/#comment-664108 oscar wright Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:40:26 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/#comment-664108 Hi Isi, the older I get the more I move towards that white light in the distance which is God. Recently I was in Istanbul and prayed in a mosque while there was a ceremony. I think to find God one must seek him in his various manifestations....in everywhere and in everything; perhaps in a beautiful porcelain tea cup. Here is my new tango video in which I combine my daughter, Tango Child, with tango. Please rate and comment on the video if you have time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX1CnDygTWM Hi Isi, the older I get the more I move towards that white light in the distance which is God. Recently I was in Istanbul and prayed in a mosque while there was a ceremony. I think to find God one must seek him in his various manifestations….in everywhere and in everything; perhaps in a beautiful porcelain tea cup. Here is my new tango video in which I combine my daughter, Tango Child, with tango. Please rate and comment on the video if you have time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX1CnDygTWM

]]> By: mazen http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/comment-page-1/#comment-659367 mazen Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:56:09 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/religion-vs-spirituality/#comment-659367 When you are religious , you are refering your spiritual experience to somebody's else spiritual experience through religion, a scripture , a bible or a religious book . When you are spiritual, the experience is yours and yours alone, nobody's else. There lies the difference between religiosity and spirituality. It's between SELF's spiritual experiences vs OTHERS' spiritual experiences. Both are original, which do you trust? When you are religious , you are refering your spiritual experience to somebody’s else spiritual experience through religion, a scripture , a bible or a religious book . When you are spiritual, the experience is yours and yours alone, nobody’s else.
There lies the difference between religiosity and spirituality. It’s between SELF’s spiritual experiences vs OTHERS’ spiritual experiences. Both are original, which do you trust?

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