Religion vs. Spirituality: The Difference Between Them

Spiritual aspirants heed the advice of Japanese poet Matsuo Basho, “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.”

Let’s try to clear things up by taking a closer look at the most defining differences between religious and spiritual paths.

Religion: 

• It is an objective experience, there is usually a greater focus on externals.
• It is object referral, you're completely focused on objects like house of worship , books and observances etc.

Spirituality:

• Self-referral, self awareness of your soul.
• Inward journey

• Moral rules, laws, and doctrines, as well as specific codes and criteria, create the organized structure that contains the religion’s specific belief system.
• The spiritual aspirant recognizes that he or she is on a “pathless path” of self-discovery. They are following not a set of external rules, but their own inner call to spirit. 

• Religiousinstitutions conservatively guard their practices and values, holding rigidly to the past and the original interpretations of the founder’s teachings.
• Spirituality embraces change and the evolution of consciousness. With spiritual practice, ideas and interpretations change as individuals, societies, and the world move forward.

Traditional religious beliefs, sometimes based upon rigid interpretations of key teachings, can create an exclusive worldview that isolates those who may not share their views or interpretations.

Spirituality favors an inclusive approach. In the recognition that pure spirit is a unifying force, no one is left out. You are part of the universal hologram, all gods and goddesses in disguise.

Through religion, you are taught to have faith in God or the scriptures as being the infallible and ultimate truth of reality.

Spirituality doesn’t dismiss faith; however, it often leans more heavily on direct experience of the soul or divinity.

Despite the best of intentions, religions can sometimes contain a subtle (or not so subtle) undercurrent of fear woven into their teachings.

By contrast, spirituality typically discards the vestiges of fear and worry in favor of a more loving, compassionate approach to life—and death.

These comparisons aren’t meant to be absolutes or an attempt to polarize one against the other.

Religious beliefs and spiritual beliefs differ in the ways in which they are practiced.

Whichever path or combination of the two you follow is the personal and subjective expression of your journey of awakening.