Can You Be Spiritual Without Being Religious?

Can you be spiritual without being religious?

Aravind & PriyaYoga 24x7 (www.yoga24x7.org)

[email protected]

72 percent of millennials (18- to 29-year-olds) said they're "more spiritual than religious” – a 2009 survey

According to a recent Pew report, almost 1 in 5 Americans identify themselves as SBNR

SBNRs have an increasing online social media presence

Seminaries, churches, mosques and other institutions will struggle for survival

Who are SBNRs a.k.a ‘Nones’?

Have some intuition of something greater

Have spiritual feelings

Allergic to institutions

They protest scientism/materialism

Tired of having their spiritual natures squelched or denied

They protest rigid and comatose religion

Ref: Linda Mercadante, CNN.com article, Author of “Belief Without Borders’

Viewpoints For

"I don't need to define myself to any community by putting myself in a box labeled Baptist, or Catholic, or Muslim.When I die, I believe all my accounting will be done to God, and that when I enter the eternal

realm, I will not walk though a door with a label on it."

Heather Cariou, a New York City-based author

“I’m SBNR because organized religion inevitably degenerates into tussles over power, ego and money.”

BJ Gallagher, a Huffington Post blogger

"I had this revelation that I bow to no one, and I've been spiritually a much happier person,"

Ekim, Muslim-turned Taoist

Viewpoints Against

“Being spiritual instead of religious may sound sophisticated, but the choice may ultimately come down to egotism. Religion is hard. Sometimes it's just too much work. People don't feel like it. I have better things to do with my time. It's

plain old laziness."

Martin, the Jesuit priest

"Hymn-singing, forms of prayer and worship, teachings about social justice and forgiveness -- all these things are valuable elements of religious wisdom.

Piecing it together by yourself can be done, but with great difficulty."

Jennifer Walters, dean of religious life at Smith College in Massachusetts

To be spiritual but not religious confines your devotional life to feeling good. If we have learned one thing about human nature, however, it is that people’s internal sense of goodness does not always match their behavior. To know

whether your actions are good, a window is a more effective tool than a mirror. Ask others. Be part of a community. In short, join.

Rabbi David Wolpe

So, can you be spiritual without being religious?

Krishna’s Bhagavad-Gita could help settle the debate

Let’s start with definitions

What is Spirituality?

That which pertains to the spirit or soul (anti-material living force that animates material bodies and minds)

Spirituality in its fullness includes Supreme Spirit Soul (God)

Feelings or emotions that stem from the heart (seat of consciousness) are truly spiritual feelings

So, ‘spiritual’ goes beyond material goodness or feelings (borne out of the mind)

What is Religion Really?

Eternal function of the soul Sanatana-dharma

The purpose of religion is to awaken and enhance our love for

God

A truly religious person abides by ALL of God’s laws


If ‘being religious’ means you MUST be part of an institution

YES

One would still need to follow a bonafide process with guidance


If ‘being religious’ means you have to embrace ‘materialistic theism’ i.e. body-based, irrational, judgmental, sectarian and divisive ideologies

YES

Gita’s View on Materialistic Theism

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.”

Bhagavad Gita 18.66

Bhagavatam’s View on Materialistic Theism

“Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhagavata Purana propounds the highest truth, which is

understandable by those devotees who are fully pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all.

Such truth uproots the threefold miseries.”

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.2


If ‘being religious’ means you have to immediately come to the highest platform,

otherwise you are useless

YES

Krishna offers both elevator (direct) and staircase (gradual) spirituality

“Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always,

without a doubt.”

Bhagavad Gita 12.8

“My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-

yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me.”

Bhagavad Gita 12.9

“If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will

come to the perfect stage.”

Bhagavad Gita 12.10

“If, however, you are unable to work in this consciousness of Me, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated.”

Bhagavad Gita 12.11

“If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of

mind.”

Bhagavad Gita 12.12


If ‘being religious’ means following the REAL RELIGION because at that level spirituality and religion are inseparable

NO

At Yoga 24x7… We cater to your taste and preference

We fan the spark in you!

Guidance on how to spiritualize your work and food

Service opportunities (office-bearers, members, volunteers)

Study of Wisdom Texts

Mantra Meditation

Full Training on Bhakti-Yoga

You can be spiritual

w/ or w/o being religious ☺