The belief that a highest being has the power and control of the universe is called spirituality. It is an awareness of the purpose and meaning of life and the development of personal, absolute values. Typically, when we say spirituality, religion is associated. But, although spirituality is connected with religious life, many believe that personal spirituality can be developed outside of religion. Acts of compassion and selflessness, altruism, and the experience of inner peace are all characteristics of spirituality.
To add, admitting to oneself that a superior being controls your life and you can turn to that superior being in time of needs is part of spirituality. It is God’s spirit that can provide for you the strength and courage to face your problems. It is the admission that you do not have to burn yourself out fraught to solve all your problems on your own. It is the openness to let go of your sense of over-responsibility and let God have some authority over the problems. Spirituality is also the identification that humans consist not only of physical matter but also have a spiritual dimension that needs daily care in order to survive.
Faith, hope, and love are the three foundations of spirituality. Faith is what allows the person to believe that a supreme being is helping them in times of trouble, sorrow, and pain. Faith is the belief that God will never desert or forget you during your time of need. Furthermore, spirituality is easily identified in people who have hope and trust in God’s mercy, wisdom and justice. Their hope makes them to “let go and let God.” Their hope enables them to hand over their sense of over responsibility, guilt, rescuing and enabling to God’s hands. Their hope enables them to take a “tough love” stance in order to get aid for the troubled persons in their lives. Also, when one gives love, concern, and generosity to others, there is spirituality. With spirituality, people are altruistic and giving in their approach to the world. They are able to make a difference in people’s lives.
However, there has been a rising conflict between the boundary of spirituality and religion. The two terms may be sometimes used by people interchangeably, yet one should be clarified with its distinction. Religion is an institution established by man for different reasons- exert control; instill morality, stroke egos, or whatever it does. On the other hand, spirituality is born in a person and develops in the person. It may be kick started by a religion, or it may be kick started by a revelation. Spirituality extends to all facets of a person’s life. Spirituality is chosen while religion is often times forced.
Personally, I believe that spirituality is deeper than religion. As what was said, religion is most of the time forced, thus, usually, people practice religious rituals out of obedience to the religious tradition. But, true spirituality is something that is found deep within oneself. It is a way of loving, accepting and relating to the world and people around. It cannot be found in a church or by believing in a certain way.
