Religion and Spirituality
We live in a multidimensional universe, where nothing is definite; there is always another perspective, and so, there are many paths to eternity. The truly spiritual person is a free and creative spirit and follows his/her own road to enlightenment. They have moved beyond the entrapments of religion and glimpse the true spiritual reality.

Religion provides a solid, definite portrait of spirituality, brings it down to earth, so that it can be communicated amongst all of humanity. But the independent seeker paints in abstract and communicates in a subtle manner, for no words can really convey the language of the spirit. Religion is for the masses, and spiritually is a personal belief belonging to the individual.

If one has to follow a belief system, then let it be a philosophy of life. Such philosophies as Chinese Taoism and Confucianism, often seen as religions, were really spiritual and social philosophies, and weren’t religions at all. A philosophy becomes a religion when controls and dogma are introduced. We should follow a spiritual path in our own way, through our intuition and spiritual perception.

Spirituality has a broad meaning. At its simplest, it is just an interest in things of the spirit., that there exists something apart from the physical. Religion is considered spiritual because it deals with the spiritual side of life, and it’s often difficult to see the distinction between religion and spirituality. The common consensus is that a spiritual person must also be religious, but this is a materialistic view.

The greatest type of spirituality is awareness of the spiritual self. When we begin to awaken to our real self, which is hidden behind the human facade, and follow a much more direct path to the spirit, then genuine spiritual evolution occurs. We begin to depend on our own inner spiritual guidance and knowing, rather than outer philosophies and religions.

All religions share common themes that even non-believers agree with -- mainly the need for love, a heaven, belief in a higher power or god, and moral principles, the fundamental philosophies of life. The genuine spiritual path shares these same themes, but is also one of wonder, never-ending, and totally unique to the individual.

Overall, we are what we believe, like attracts like, and the Christian will go to a Christian heaven to be with Jesus Christ, the Muslim to a paradise to live in eternal bliss, the Hindu shall find liberation from birth and rebirth, the Buddhist will attain nirvana, and the independent spiritual seekers will find heaven in their own way.