Organized Spirituality

Commerce + Organized spirituality = Religion.

As soon as you bring people together of similar spiritual backgrounds you have the first part of an equation that has plagued mankind for millennia. The factor that completes this equation is commerce. As soon as you suggest and make available any artifact for sale that aids in one’s quest for achieving a connection between oneself and a higher state of being you have created religion.

Spirituality is free, unbounded and unregulated. It is unique from person to person. That is what is so truly beautiful about it. Religion is bound by a pseudo understanding of spirituality. Whereas spirituality is the acceptance of it’s dynamic nature. Like a wild mustang spirituality is not tamed.

The Path

I was enjoying the gentle breeze, clear blue skies and sunny weather when a song by Matishayu, “A King With No Crown”, came on. This lyric; “With these, demons surround all around to bring me down to negativity” ignited a thought. As I’ve written before I am no fan of organized religions but I do fully advocate spirituality. It occurred to me that all religions do share another common theme; the struggle to be spiritual, to follow a peaceable path in the face of chaos and disorder. Am I wrong?

Yet many of us find it difficult to pursue peace outside of the constraints of a sanctioned institution. We like belonging to a larger group. Having our ideals and beliefs defined by quantity. I’m guilty of this myself. Looking for affirmation, a literal show of hands, that my path is correct. Is this really necessary?

If the path does not trespass, harm or infringe on another it does not require affirmation from others. It already has the golden seal of approval from the highest authority. You.

We are free to walk alone or to move with the herd.

He’s Baaaaaack vs

Connect by Underestimated

“Many people spend more time developing their excuses than developing themselves.  Would you like successful excuses or a successful self?” Jihan Thomas

Quickly, folks. That’s how I feel about religions and their followers. They spend more time focusing on what not to do than actually doing something worth while. Religion is an obstacle to spirituality and humanity. Being spiritual has nothing to do with what arcane laws you choose to follow because you feel that is how your salvation is secured. Spirituality is the process by which you connect with and better the lives of the people around you.

Nuff said. Peace!