There are a great number of religions available that one can choose to practice. Often times, we are born into a family where a religion is practiced and we also adopt that religion. Other times, we find ourselves drawn to a particular set of beliefs or a particular group of people where a set religion is practiced. And sometimes, as we grow and change, we find the need to change the religious group we have affiliated ourselves with because a new religious system is a better fit for us.
Spirituality is an internal experience. Your spiritual experience may be very different than the person that you are seated next to in a pew, walking beside in a garden or speaking with in a meaningful conversation.
Both religious and spiritual experiences can happen to you while you are alone or in a group. And both religious and spiritual experiences can be the foundation of your development of faith. And faith is THE ingredient that promotes recovery.
All religions recognize that there is a superhuman power that their group believes in. This superhuman power is known by many names including God, Buddha, Allah, Source, Higher Power and others. Religions have a particular expression of the way in which they worship that superhuman power. Part of this expression is known as doctrine or creed.
Doctrine or creed is defined as a body of principles that are taught or advocated for. This doctrine or creed comes from someone outside of your self and calls a community together to participate in following this doctrine or creed. There is generally a place where congregants gather to worship and follow a structured service. Congregants can feel a level of comfort in knowing they are part of that particular religious community. Each religion states that by following their doctrine that you will be in God’s graces and gain admission to a heaven or a heaven like place after leaving your physical body upon death.
Religion has a ready made support system with fellow congregants and a system to follow such as structured services, songs to sing and a time and place to show up to be part of the fellowship. Spirituality requires that you build your own support system.
And, yes, you can be both religious and spiritual. Here’s to a life that helps you connect to the Source in whatever way you are most comfortable.
©2007 Renee Siegel, MA, LISAC, NCGC-II. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced without the permission of the author.
