This question of “what is spirituality?” means different things to people and that includes the scholars. For some it means religion for others it has a completely different meaning far removed from religion.
There are many types of spirituality that people sometimes base their beliefs around and also many different reasons people practice spirituality.
What we do know is that the meaning of spirituality has changed over time.
Mt Kailash
Tibet’s spiritual mountain has a religious and spiritual background.
What is your definition of spirituality?
Spirituality is a word that is sometimes used loosely and as such is often debated and commonly misinterpreted.
Some people confuse spirituality with religion and so with that their belief system comes along into the discussion. Religion does emphasis spirituality as being an important part of faith, it is possible to be ‘spiritual’ without necessarily being part of an orgainsed religious community.
These are some simple definitions of what defines spirituality and religion.
Spirituality
- Beliefs around meaning of life
- Sense of peace and purpose
- Individual practice
Religion
- Specific beliefs
- Specific practices
- Belief and practices shared by a common group/community
Why do people practice spirituality?
Many people see spirituality as a way to find solace and peace in their life. (My pilgrimage to Mt Kailash was to find solace and peace after major life turmoil.) It can be practiced beside Kundalini Yoga, which ultimately focus on control of breath, an expansion of energy and alignment of chakras. The goal is not truth in the sense of possessing the correct theory, but a certain form of practice, a spiritual practice.
Spirituality can bring a connection with Universal Consciousness and therefore your soul. When you are in total balance with all aspects of your being and therefore reflected in everything that surrounds you, this can feel like there is a connection to something larger than yourself.
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” -Carl Jung, author of The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga
Spirituality is also used as a way of gaining perspective, recognising our role in life has a greater value than just what we do every day. It can separate a person from dependence on material things and establish a greater purpose.
The spiritual stance is an ethics of inner action for the sake of self-knowledge. Spirituality helps you trust in life and yourself even when managing difficult situations. When you’re connected in the self, inner peace grows. You will find you are more capable of caring and loving for yourself and others and you’ll experience the joy of being who you are by deepening your yoga practice.
Some people seek spirituality as a way to cope with change or uncertainty.
Are there different types of spirituality?
There are plethora of thoughts that spirituality may be defined in a number of forms such as:
- Mystical spirituality – thoughts around there is something outside the material world, beyond senses, ego and time. Unity with all things.
- Authoritarian spirituality – common in religious practices and looks at definitions and rules.
- Intellectual spirituality – focus on analyising history and spiritual practices.
- Service spirituality – common in religious faiths to serve others.
- Social spiritualty – a connection to others.
Kundalini Yoga and Spirituality?
You don’t have to have a particular faith to practice Kundalini Yoga. As the “yoga of awareness” the philosophical purpose of Kundalini Yoga is to awaken your higher self. That is to give you an experience with your soul.
Kundalini Yoga is not a religion. When we apply the technology of Kundalini Yoga to our bodies and minds, it has the effect of uplifting the spirit. It is for everyone. It is universal and nondenominational.
“Kundalini Yoga is not a religion. Religions come out of it. Kundalini Yoga is not a fad, and it’s not a cult. It’s a practice of experience of a person’s own excellence, which is dormant and which is awakened.” -Yogi Bhajan, 7/26/96
By using the technology that the Kundalini Yoga masters have created over thousands of years, we are able to disconnect from the worldly ego and connect with a higher creative consciousness. This higher creative conscious is within all of us. Kundalini Yoga is a method to shake off our false ego narrative of separation and experience the true nature of our existence.
“The primary objective [of Kundalini] is to awaken the full potential of human awareness in each individual; that is, recognize our awareness, refine that awareness, and expand that awareness to our unlimited Self. Clear any inner duality, create the power to deeply listen, cultivate inner stillness, and prosper and deliver excellence in all that we do.” -Kundalini Research Institute
We have the challenge and blessing of navigating in perhaps the most chaotic times this world has experienced. I feel it is a primal time to embrace your spirituality. We have the opportunity to bring peace to the world and protect the resources of our earth by connecting with your truth.
Sat Nam
(Truth is my name)
This is not a scholar’s paper, it is a collection of my thoughts captured during this time of uncertainty. If you would like to read scholar’s papers on spirituality and religion there are experts who have written amazing in-depth papers and books on this subject. Some of this information was sourced from such sources.
I look forward to sharing my spiritual story on the dream that became a reality… Mt Kailash pilgrimage.
