Guest Author - Andrea Gardiner, Ph.D.

Religion has long been the institution presiding over matters of the spirit. For centuries, religion has been the leading authority on those unseen forces that are so active in our world and our personal lives. Religion has taken the time to explain mysteries such as the formation of the world, formation of mankind, and the creative genius behind it all. It has taken much care to keep you in touch with other realities in existence besides the physical on you are accustomed to. For the most part, all religions, no matter its place of origin manage to fulfill this role. Yet most assume that traditional religion and spirituality are one and the same.

Although religion discusses the soul and spirit, spirituality and religion are very different. First, let us address the areas in which spirituality does not concern itself. Spiritual philosophy does not consider the use of rules and regulations. There are no requirements to be spiritual; no rituals or ceremonies that are necessary to consider yourself a spiritual person. Spirituality does not use doctrine or dogma in its explanation of spiritual matters or theory. Traditionally, religion has been the entity that has taken care of all these characteristics. In its effort to explain Origin to you, it has assumed “rules of engagement” so to speak that has translated itself into various religious laws and doctrine.

What spiritual philosophy has concerned itself with is the exploration of You. What is now considered spiritual philosophy was once regarded as secret knowledge of the mystics long ago. Its main focus has been to present you with a working knowledge of Spirit as all things. For instance, the individual who sees his/herself as spiritual rather than religious will see the Divinity in small daily activities and self fulfilling projects. This is because their philosophy tells them that all things are spiritual and without limitation. This person is more likely to acknowledge and take stock of the various portions of their Being. If anything were to be considered “sacrilege” by this philosophy, it would be the neglect of your inner portions.

Spirituality is a way of thinking that is incredibly personal. It has the ability to conform to any individual’s particular beliefs about life in general. Although there is no consensus on the accepted beliefs proposed by spiritual philosophy, here are a few commonalities:

- One Infinite Mind is built into everything that exists within the Universe.
- The Universe, Mind, Source does not acknowledge right vs. wrong or good vs. bad, it simply Is.
- Everything is allowed in order for there to be true balance.
- There are as many Truths as there are perceivers of that Truth.
- There is no source of evil, only resistance to well-being.
- You are a Divine extension of your Source.

Such notions are meant to incite exploration of Self without invading or offending the beliefs held by the individual.