Spirituality and Religion

By Trish Briggs

When I was in my twenties, I began exploring my spirituality.

I had been raised Roman Catholic. My mother was a very devote Catholic (as my daughter describes her, “a devote Catholic with some paranormal spice”). Not surprisingly, her mother was a devout Catholic as well. 

Like all good little Catholic girls, I considered becoming a nun. This was short lived because as I matured, I started questioning some of the rules (doctrines) of the Catholic Church. What they preached and who they professed to be, didn’t always follow through in the spiritual sense of the doctrines. Why couldn’t I talk directly to God? Why couldn’t I directly ask God for forgiveness? I could ask him for everything else, but not forgiveness. Why did I need a middleman, but it wasn’t necessary when I prayed? Etc. Etc. 

I left the church. For a while, I just called myself Christian because I believed in God, Christ, etc. but didn’t believe in the rules of the church. I didn’t know what else to call myself. As I explored different ways of worshipping, my mother feared that I had lost my way.

My beliefs about worship no longer aligned with hers. This caused a dilemma within me that stayed with me for over a decade. Her fear became my fear. 

When I was in my thirties, I happened to read a research article that explained the link between spirituality and religion. It gave me the understanding I was seeking. I am going to share a piece with you as often times, especially in my generation, there is a conflict that arises within. 

Religion is a systematic approach to spiritual growth formed around doctrines, philosophy, mysticism, paranormal (spiritual hierarchy) and standards of behavior. To be religious means to follow the doctrines of the religion of choice. It is one platform for spirituality. There are many platforms. Religion works for people who want structure and direction in their approach to spirituality.

In the reading, I could clearly see that religion had introduced me to the concept of spiritual growth, and this was good. I honor this foundation. However, I outgrew it. I left the church because I was seeking more for myself then the church could offer me at that time. I wanted to establish a one-to-one connection with the Divine. The church frowned about this. My spirit and soul were seeking the Divine. 

I had not lost my way. I had just evolved!

Spirituality is a personal intimate experience of Divine that needs no middleman. It is about rediscovering that divine spark within (all of us) and connecting it with our divine creator. It is about figuring out who we really are and healing ourselves. It’s about finding our sense of worthiness within, that is reflected in the Divine or in our Divine potential. It is about becoming one and whole, again.  

(P.S. If you are not allowed to question, then the religion is one of man, not God.)