Why?

Everything comes down to one crucial factor. Are we working against each other? Or are we working as a whole with each other?

Are we feeding pain, fear and suffering? or are we creating from a place of Healing, Love, and thriving?

I find myself craving life as I write this. I am watching Nature turn over and take control with its elements, counterbalancing the pain our species inflicted on our home.

The Connection between Religion and Spirituality.

Spirituality is more than just finding the soul and spirit within our bodies. It is about relating and connecting to the spirit in all life, including food, herbs, trees, grass, animals, insects, bacteria, dust, particles, elements, atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons, celestial bodies in space, etc. 

You see, spiritual enlightenment is about finding wholeness within, connecting to universal consciousness and a deep, radiant knowing that we are all connected and need each other to ride the waves of life, that is, the Divine Within that is all life, all existence.

Without this understanding that stems from a place of stillness and being in the space between thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and emotions, we become trapped in a limited idealism that amplifies the Ego and creates attachment to a perception of reality that feeds on separation and pain. 

This attachment or need for our idea and belief to be right becomes an imbalance, an extreme need for superiority, that at times, when embodied by energies of power, inflicts rigid rules and regulations on society that cause chaos, war, destruction, pain, ignorance, and suffering in our world.

Now, here is the catch. We do need an order. History has shown us that we cannot function without Justice balancing the scales of intention, Evil versus Good, Light versus darkness, and Shadow versus Shine.

We need to make sense of our connection to Nature and its symbols, as Psychologist Carl Jung mentions in his teachings and as Astrology and Astronomy have shown us throughout its development in history. It is how we learn to communicate, create languages that help us understand each other, and define the meaning in what we sense within our hearts and entire beings.

This desire to share our divine connection to all life and to make sense of this knowledge within our hearts is why humanity created Religion: to make sense of and give meaning to the spiritual experiences of our lives. 

You see, Religion is not bad, and it is not Good. The leader's intention defines how it will impact those who look up to the Religious leader. 

It is about the spiritual work and enlightenment that the leader has reached in his spiritual journey to seek the divine that makes the difference in how he teaches his ways.

Suppose the Religious leader needs more education and understanding of the language and beliefs he is following and needs to do the necessary spiritual work to connect to Love, unity and healing within. In that case, his followers will reflect that lack of spiritual awareness, creating ignorance.

Many beautiful religions worldwide amplify and focus on the spiritual experiences and enlightenment found by utilizing the methods, rituals, values and practices and, at times, the worship of a higher power or powers, referencing deities, Gods and Goddesses. 

These religions include Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Paganism, Shinto, Jainism, Sikhism, Bahai, Taoism and many others. Each Religion has unique beliefs, practices, and customs that shape how its followers live their lives and understand the world around them. Religious Leaders show their followers these ways of living, creating structure and definition to a spiritual law defined by the experiences of a group.

Now, when a Spiritual Leader who has done the spiritual work within, finding their way to the Divine Light, Spirit and Soul, approach these religions, we often find that if we all look a little deeper, you will see that truth lies in all of them. Together, we see the whole picture, that is Divine Love.

All Religions are true; an Oracle creates them by turning into the Magician who then grounds his channelled and ethereal experiences of the Divine into structure, guidance, value and meaning.

Beauty is in the Feminine and the Masculine, The Seeker and The Peacemaker's ability to transcend their Ego into Spirit, blending their unique gifts in Nature's dance and ritual of Sacred marriage, finding Love in darkness and light and sharing its Magic with the Universe.

Religious Leaders Vs Spiritual Leaders: Understanding the Difference

However, there is a difference between a Religious Leader who teaches their ways and attachment to the beliefs of the spiritual law written in scriptures, defined by a particular order, and A Spiritual leader who understands that every single soul on this planet brings a unique perspective and perception of reality based on their upbringing and life experience.

As a result, a Spiritual Leader shows the way by being an example and empowering others to find their way within, reaching peace and unity. They do not push their beliefs on others; they only use it as a guide to show the value of practicing spiritual discipline to amplify that divine connection and remind us of our initial awakening.

Typically, Religious leaders are individuals who hold an official position with a religious organization. They are responsible for leading and guiding their followers according to the beliefs and practices of that particular Religion. A Religious leader tends to provide a sense of community and belonging for his followers, a framework and structure to bring meaning to their lives, especially if they are lost and seeking to find their own light.

Spiritual leaders deeply understand spirituality, referring to the inner, personal aspects of one's beliefs and experiences and inspiring others to connect with their unique spiritual journeys. They empower others to embrace their unique authenticity and sense of individuality while connecting and loving others' differences in culture, traditions, beliefs, languages, race, and sexuality. They teach others that we might all be different, but as a result, this is our collective power to create positive change, unity, connection, wholeness, and Love. 

These two titles are interchangeable depending on the individual holding this leadership position, as there are Religious leaders who have found spirituality from within and Spiritual Leaders who practice a particular religion. 

Everything depends on the ability to transcend Ego, beyond limiting beliefs, ideals and emotions that keep us stuck in a particular way. It is about embracing and understanding that we all have a unique way of reaching enlightenment. As a result, all traditions, cultures, and spiritual practices should be respected, shared, and valued from a place of Love and Unity. 

When one heals, all heals; the divine in me sees the divine in you. We are all reflections of the Divine seeking peace, unity, and connection to the cycle of life and death - eternity.