| Spirituality is the path and process of self change, | | | | certain belief system of "this belief is the only |
| improvement, and action that leads to awakening. | | | | way" is one of many spiritual blocks that can |
| Many people in today's society are considering | | | | keep a person from moving forward to the top |
| themselves more spiritual than religious, including | | | | of the mountain. Eventually, to realize the self one |
| teenagers. However, these spiritualists have their | | | | must dissolve the beliefs and ideologies of religion, |
| own definition of what spirituality means to them | | | | although it was initially helpful. |
| so it shows how the spiritual path can differ | | | | According to Acharya Shree Yogeesh, religions |
| among us. | | | | hold maybe 1 - 2% of truth. One religion, Jainism, |
| For example, people may have not considered | | | | contains 10%. If a person looks in their heart and |
| my first sentence of this spiritual blog as the | | | | soul they will see all the truth is within them. The |
| definition of spirituality. Also, spirituality is not a | | | | realization of truth can happen if they are able to |
| religion. Religions are associated with doctrines, | | | | dissolve and uncover the darkness, clouds, and |
| dogma, large organizations, based on a widely | | | | illusions that subtly cover the soul that cause pain |
| accepted belief system on how events occurred, | | | | and suffering in life. |
| what God is, the process of creation, etc., | | | | Spirituality: Change, Self-Improvement, Action |
| whereas spirituality is learning about and | | | | Spirituality is the path and process of self change. |
| experiencing one's own self on a deeper level that | | | | Change is important because no one is the same |
| leads to the realization of truth and the spiritual | | | | person. Every moment is changing and in each |
| reality. | | | | moment a person is changing. Changing yourself is |
| Countless Spiritual Paths | | | | putting efforts into dissolving and uncovering the |
| There are as many different paths and processes | | | | darkness and clouds. |
| to realizing truth as there are as many people. | | | | Spirituality is the path and process of self |
| Like Mt. Everest, one of the tallest mountains on | | | | improvement. In order to change, one must |
| earth, the top of the mountain is the goal and the | | | | grow, learn, and have experiences. Reflection of |
| sides of the mountain are the way up to the goal. | | | | the self and what needs improvement is a key |
| With no set paths, people try and climb Mt. | | | | factor in realizing one's negative and positive |
| Everest, paving their own way, experiencing their | | | | qualities that need improvement. With self-analysis, |
| own side, facing their different challenges, having | | | | one can find the blocks and errors in thinking that |
| achievements along the way, and ultimately | | | | are causing and collecting pain and suffering in the |
| reaching the top. At the top, where the climbers | | | | life. |
| discuss their path, the one thing in common is that | | | | Spirituality is the path and process of action |
| they reached their highest goal, but getting there | | | | because without action, knowing one needs to |
| was completely different with its own set of | | | | improve and change does not equal change and |
| challenges, achievements, and experiences. | | | | improvement. Taking steps, working (not just |
| Similarly then, spirituality is the individual path of | | | | thinking) on the self daily is what helps a person |
| change, improvement, and action which leads to | | | | climb the mountain of spiritual awakening. |
| awakening (top of the mountain). | | | | Spirituality, Self-Realization, Enlightenment |
| Religion vs. Spirituality | | | | Spirituality leads to self awakening. As a person |
| Religions in this world, using the Mt. Everest | | | | dissolves his or her illusion, thinking, and emotions |
| metaphor, are like paved roads going up the | | | | that cause pain and suffering in life, he or she |
| mountain. People only know these roads as | | | | climbs the "Mountain of Life". As the pain and |
| getting up to the top, so most people take it. The | | | | suffering are dissolved, the person rises higher |
| paved roads of religion, however, do not go all | | | | and higher in the spiritual realm getting glimpses of |
| the way to the top, but rather stop at a middle | | | | truth. Such glimpses of truth only inspire and |
| point on the mountain because it is impossible to | | | | motivate a person even more to discover his or |
| pave any road further. From there, religion does | | | | herself and reach the top to experience ultimate |
| not take anyone further, but if an individual wants | | | | peace, happiness, and bliss. Once the soul is clear |
| to continue up to the top, he or she, like other | | | | of any veil of illusion, darkness, it sees everything |
| climbers, must climb Mt. Everest on their own to | | | | clearly without thinking, feeling, or any other |
| reach the goal. Spirituality leads to self-realization. | | | | senses. It knows and experiences all truth for |
| Religion can help you become a good person in | | | | itself, and this moment is called self-awakening, |
| society but religion does not lead to soul | | | | self-realization, or spiritual enlightenment. |
| awakening and liberation. | | | | Overall, spirituality is an individual's path, journey, |
| A person can be religious and spiritual in the way | | | | and experience to finding and knowing one's true |
| that a person can still change, improve, and take | | | | self, the soul. |
| actions in their life; however, the downfall is that a | | | | |