Where to Now?

I would suggest that spirituality and religion are different. Religion involves rituals, teachings, and suggested ways of living. In essence, religion is an expressed form of spirituality. Spirituality is the essence or source that drives form. Spirituality is a way of being that unconditionally embraces all humankind—as well as all of creation.

Spirituality may also be expressed as meditation, Yoga, T'ai Chi, prayer, empathy, compassion, and treating others with dignity and respect. In essence, there are an infinite number of ways spirituality may be expressed. When this fundamental given is truly understood, it is clear that all religions and ways of expressing spirituality merge into ONE. There is no need to promote one religion as being the only true one as 90% of all religions profess.

It's also vital to understand that there are no words in the spiritual domain. Words, no matter how esoteric, are the imagination of human beings; whether they are inspired or not. That is probably the reason most prophets never wrote anything; including Jesus! Words, concepts, and writings are most useful to relay an inspired experience so that others who can relate to that experience, can HAVE THEIR OWN EXPERIENCE! In this sense, the experience is transforming, not the words. I say again, "The word is not the thing!" The transforming experience is the thing.

The obvious question becomes, "How do I have a spiritual experience or how do I tap into my spiritual self?"

1) First and foremost, acknowledge that spirituality comes from within you. It is impossible to be bestowed upon you by an external source, although an external source may influence or inspire you. Become an astronaut in inner space. For example, you may have been taught that someone wiser has the answers for your most perplexing problems or opportunities. Not so! Problems and answers are simultaneously created; by you. Therefore, the answers you seek are within you. Become courageous enough to look within yourself.

2) Create for yourself a quiet space or time where you can discover your inner thoughts and feelings that have not been consciously acknowledged by you. For example, unexpressed love for your significant other, telling your children you love them (no matter how old they are!), excessive stress brought on by trying to save the world (and feeling resentment when those you are trying to save don't appreciate it!), and scariest of all, asking yourself if you are happy, overall, with your work in the world.

3) As thoughts and feelings emerge from (2) above, just acknowledge that you have them, without judgment. Don't plan or take any action! Let them integrate into your everyday living on their own. Quite often, spontaneous solutions are delivered without your conscious effort; simply by telling the truth about yourself, a realization spontaneously occurs. For example, when we can express our innermost fears to someone who is a true friend (not someone who buys into our stories of victimization), that relationship opens into a spiritual connection; particularly, where there is unconditional acceptance.

Try these three suggestions (even if you are a "professional" at them all), and I will have more to try tomorrow. If you have a more than passing interest in the subject of spirituality, we have a resource book: "Spirituality in the Workplace" For the holidays, you can get 2 copies for the price of one on our website innovint.com In the ICI Bookstore