Key Takeaways
- Spirituality and religion are different. Spirituality is a personal, inner journey; religion is structured and many aspects of religion are community-based.
- You can be spiritual without being religious. Practices like mindfulness, seva, and self-awareness support growth outside religious frameworks.
- More people are choosing spirituality. Especially among youth, there’s a growing shift away from rituals toward personal spiritual connection.
Table Of Contents
Understanding Spirituality vs Religion
Modern Trends: Rise of Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR)
Can You Grow Spiritually Without Religion?
Criticisms and Counterarguments:
Is it Okay to Be Spiritual But Not Religious?
Conclusion: Freedom to Choose Your Own Path
FAQs on Being Spiritual Without Being Religious
Introduction
Growing up, most of us saw our grandparents and even parents stringently follow religious ritualism with unwavering dedication. They believed that religion was above everything, even spirituality. But some of us believed otherwise.
Our hearts and minds were just not into it. There was an inner faith that God was too big to be associated with any one religion or confined to any ritualistic practices. If you endorse this thought, you are in the right place.
Let’s talk about something most of us think but rarely say aloud – the difference between being religious and being spiritual.
Understanding Spirituality vs Religion
Before we delve into questions like what is spirituality or what does it mean to be spiritual but not religious, let us take a pause and understand the core difference between the two.
This table helps highlight the difference between being religious and being spiritual in everyday life.
| Aspect | Religion | Spirituality |
| Definition | An organized system of beliefs, rituals, and practices | A personal inner journey seeking meaning or connection with a higher consciousness |
| Structure | Institutional (e.g., temples, churches, mosques) | Non-institutional, self-guided |
| Practices | Rituals, ceremonies, community worship | Meditation, introspection, mindfulness |
| Scriptures/Texts | Central religious texts (e.g., Vedas, Quran, Bible) | May read religious texts but focus on interpretation and reflection |
| Authority | Religious leaders (priests, gurus, imams) | Inner guidance or personal spiritual mentors |
| Community | Collective/group identity | Individual experience |
| Examples in India | Attending temple on festivals, following family traditions | Practicing meditation daily without following rituals |
| Goal | Salvation, liberation, following divine commandments | Inner peace, self-awareness, connection to the universe/divine |
To sum things up, any religion focuses on the extrinsic aspects of divinity laid down by traditions and community, more like a map, helping us to forge ahead. Whereas, spirituality is a journey compelling us to individually go inwards and build an inner connection with the divine.
Modern Trends: Rise of Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR)
The world is slowly moving away from dogma. Many are choosing the “Spiritual But Not Religious” path, seeking to tap into their inner source of divine wisdom and spirituality. They believe in listening to the soul rather than any sermon; thus taking a sidestep from traditional religious frameworks.
As per research carried out by Pew in the US,[1] around 45% of citizens in the age group of 18 to 29 identified themselves as Christians; on the other hand, 44% did not affiliate themselves with any religion. A similar trend was observed in the adult population too, in which 35% of adults no longer followed the religion they were born into. And this trend has continued to rise year on year.
A similar research was carried out in India too by the Urban Youth and Lokniti-CDS [2]. Though the adult population remained attached to their religious beliefs; 79% of the youth were far more open-minded and believed that India belonged to all religions and showed an inclination to embrace religious pluralism.
The rise in social media and globalisation has vastly contributed to this drift. Today, people, especially the youth are far more educated and do not blindly conform to inherited traditional beliefs. They are on the lookout for a holistic spiritual connection and are turning to online spiritual communities, wellness apps and YouTube gurus for inner guidance, leading to a decline in religious affiliations.
Can You Grow Spiritually Without Religion?
Now that we have established the difference between Religion and Spirituality and laid down some of the reasons for the rise of why people are spiritual but not religious. Let’s now discuss what it means to be spiritual.
To embrace spirituality, one must learn to channel their energy positively. Experience and embrace each day, moment, event, thought and emotion and not resist them. Resistance to any of these leads to stress. It simply wears down our energy completely. We must try to embrace life – not push it away or pull it towards ourselves. We need to practice mindfulness and meditation.
Mindfulness means being present in the moment, relishing and savouring each experience. If we choose mindfulness, we will be in a state of peace. Meditation is a process of training our mind to remain calm, focused and compassionate even in difficult times. Practising to be still and connected with divine energy. People practice mantra meditation, breathwork meditation, visual meditation etc. with the intention of observing thoughts, emotions and sensations without being judgemental.
Another non-religious path to spirituality is building a deep connection with nature. Amidst its beauty and stillness, people are able to find clarity and tranquillity, which often they are not able to find even in the most sacred religious places.
The next step in the path of spirituality is service and altruism. Service, often known as ‘seva’, is a voluntary act of helping others without expecting anything in return. Altruism is a broader principle, wherein we develop a genuine concern for the well-being of others and continue it even at a personal cost. Together, they are ways to inner growth, dedicating self to service of others.
These may sound a little too overwhelming to begin with. We can take small but steady steps to commence our spiritual journey by:
- Journalling: writing our experiences, thoughts and emotions, allowing us to reflect and better understand ourselves.
- Breathwork: Concentrating on our breathing – inhale and exhale. This technique will not only give us energy but help calm our distracted minds.
- Energy Healing: Practising Reiki or balancing chakra helps to balance the body’s natural flow of energy.
These practices gently introduce us to what it means to be spiritual in a non-religious way.
Rightly quoted by Deepak Chopra, “Religion is belief in someone else’s experience. Spirituality is having your own experience.” We need to make the choice and pave our own path of spirituality.
Why Do People Choose Spirituality Over Religion?
Does spiritual mean being religious – well, no. That is why more and more people have moved away from defined belief structures and practices and have chosen the in-ward path of spirituality, offering a sense of liberation and flexibility. Let’s take a look at some more reasons:
- Psychological Reasons: From a young age, certain religious false narratives are imposed upon us, which seem ritualistic rather than meaningful. For those seeking clarity, these practices feel restrictive rather than purposeful. On the other hand, spirituality offers far more autonomy, and an outlet to experience inner purpose and meaning. This helps us to better cope and adapt to the journey of life.
- Cultural Factors: Nurturing spiritual growth is based on embracing cross-cultural practices and philosophies, which is in complete contrast to religion. Religion is often conformed to identity, rituals and traditions that have been passed down through generations.
- Mental Health Research: Both religion and spirituality help individuals to cope with mental health issues, however in distinct ways. Following ritualistic practices gives a sense of belonging and helps deal with anxiety, fear and at times depression. Conversely, Spirituality helps in building a flourishing life, finding purpose and building an inner connection, making people become more emotionally resilient to face the ups and downs of life.
Criticisms and Counterarguments:
People who embrace spirituality over religion do face their share of criticism. They are often labelled as too individualistic or followers of cafeteria spirituality- due to their approach of overlooking religious structure and adopting cross-cultural beliefs and practices.
Let’s not forget that religion does give us a sense of community, and a moral framework. It gives a community an ethical grounding to tread on. However, followers of spirituality, not being bound by any of these, may be at a risk of becoming too self-centered, in their quest to find a deep inner meaning.
This aspect of spirituality was further critiqued by renowned philosophers Charles Taylor and James K. A. Smith, who both endorsed the importance of the moral grounding of religious traditions. Thus, we need to strike a balance between the two to avoid going astray.
Is it Okay to Be Spiritual But Not Religious?
In India, many view spirituality without religion as a way of challenging age-old traditions, values and beliefs, generating friction between elders and the youth.
Religion does give us a sense of identity and duty. Lacking reverence for any religion or defying its roots is not something that spirituality in any form endorses. And youngsters, who willingly forge their own path must be cognisant of this.
Let us look at how India’s rich cultural and religious diversity offers an opportunity for spiritual inclusivity. From the Vedic philosophies to the 10 Sikh Guru’s teachings, Buddhism’s mindfulness to Sufi mysticism. India is an apt example, where all religions can co-exist in harmony. This pluralism encourages people to explore traditions and create their own vision and mission for personal awakening.
Conclusion: Freedom to Choose Your Own Path
The realms of belief in the almighty have been redefined. Today, more and more people look at religion and spirituality from a different prism. Being spiritual without being religious is not only possible—but thriving. They have been able to seep inner peace, purpose and a far deeper connection outside the religious framework. Practising mindfulness, meditation and connecting with nature has helped many redefine their way of looking at life and overall well-being.
If you are wondering how to find your inner connection or purpose, well you are already on a spiritual path the moment you open your heart and choose to love over fear, service over self, gratitude over discontent, growth over certainty and experience over comfort. This is the essence of the journey UEF stands for, guiding you toward alignment, awareness, and purposeful living through conscious connection.
References
[2] https://lokniti.org/media/upload_files/Lokniti-CSDS%20Youth%20Report%202017.pdf
FAQs on Being Spiritual Without Being Religious
1. Is spiritual and religious the same thing?
No. While they may overlap, religion often involves structured beliefs and rituals, whereas spirituality is more personal and internal.
2. What is being spiritual but not religious?
Being spiritual but not religious is seeking a personal connection to the divine or deeper meaning, which may be outside the religious’s ritualistic framework.
3. Does a spiritual person believe in God?
A spiritual person may believe in God, a higher power, or a universal energy. Spirituality is more about inner connection.
4. Are spiritual practices like meditation religious?
Meditation does have religious roots. They are widely practised for mental well-being, focus, and inner peace.
5. Can being spiritual help with mental health?
Absolutely, Spirituality gives a sense of purpose, inner peace, and emotional resilience, promoting overall mental health and well-being.
6. Why are so many people leaving religion but staying spiritual?
Many people are choosing spirituality over religion in search of a non-judgmental path to purpose and inner connection. They are tired of conforming to institutional authority and rituals.
7. Can children be taught spirituality without religion?
Definitely, Children can be taught spirituality without religion. This can be done by nurturing values like kindness, gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. Introducing these values at a young age will help in creating a flourishing child.
Related reads
- 33 best books on religion and spirituality ever written
- Missing dimensions of happiness
- 10 Physical symptoms of spiritual awakening
- A guide to the law of detachment
About the author:
Akhilesh Gupta is the founder of the Universal Enlightenment & Flourishing (UEF) Foundation and a past Fellow of the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative. He previously served as senior managing director at The Blackstone Group and held leadership roles at Reliance Industries Limited and Hindustan Unilever.
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