What's the best way to be spiritual WITHOUT joining any religions?

Question

I do NOT want a page full of Bible answers please-only other individuals who have genuinely sought answers and can therefore help me!

........and NO drugs either!!!!!

Answer 1

Some practical measures to consider.

1) Look up the different non-religious philosophies going. Some of the more prominent ones are Eastern philosophies, e.g. the Tao, the Four Noble Truths of the Buddha (and the Eightfold Noble Path), but the West had a philosophy called Stoicism, which was founded in Ancient Greece, and which influenced Christianity, especially regards the development of moral character.

Two of the most prominent Stoic philosophers were Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, who wrote "Meditations", and Seneca, who wrote "De Vita Beata" or "The Good Life".

To the Stoics, philosophy was something you did every day - practical guidelines for treating yourself, other people and the world around you.

But basically, you can throw all of the above away if you just stick to some simple thought exercises you can do daily.

Firstly, remember that nothing is guaranteed. Not even that you're going to see the end of this day - or even an hour from now.

Secondly, that every organism is connected. Whatever harms one man harms every man. The harm to the branch hurts the tree - one bee dead diminishes the hive. But also that which benefits the other guy benefits all, and help is often the only thing a man can offer, when money and riches are not enough - or even present at all.

Thirdly, whatever good you do, don't hang around asking for thanks. Move on. You've done what you felt it was your duty to do. If your lungs demanded thanks for flooding your blood cells with oxygen and stopped working until you acknowledged their efforts, you'd be dead.

Fourthly, remember that everything has its time, everything comes into being, and everything passes and dies. That goes as much for the money in a man's bank account as it does for the man. Money, in the end, is irrelevant in your spiritual quest. Keep a hold of it, sure; manage it; but don't fall into the trap that money is all there is, and that it must be accumulated and held onto at all costs. Don't you dare trust in luck. Treat it with indifference, and always be prepared to see it slip through your fingers. You might always find more money coming your way later, so don't mourn what's past - like Seneca, it's dead and gone.

Finally, remember that each and every moment you live is gone. Forever. You can't bring it back; and there are no guarantees that you'll have a future. All you have is each tiny little moment, so make it count.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Study the different religions. Buddhism really impressed me with it's attitudes toward existence. If you like, read about Christianity and Islam. At a college or university sign up for a comparative religion course or get the textbook for the class and read it. Once you understand what everyone believes take what rings true to you and start fashioning your own belief system. Explore the new age and pagan beliefs as well. Also your local bookstore probably has a religion section so go there and browse.

Then keep your body healthy with a good exercise program and eat vegetarian. Don't hang out with people who have 'low' or base energy, seek nice friends or be by yourself. Get enough sleep. Keep your mind turned toward the spiritual and away from greed, lust and hate.

This worked for me.

Answer 3

What is your purpose of being spiritual without joining a religion? Spirituality is pretty much vain and useless unless it is tied to a particular religion. Even mystics tie their spirituality to a form of religion. The issue you may be struggling with is that no "religion" has been without its corruption and has escaped unblemished. As a Christian, I have developed a personal relationship with Christ that has me focused on Jesus and not on the others around him. Of course I worship with other people, but it is to draw strength from them when I am weak, to learn from them, and to add support to them, and also to have accountability for my actions so that I stay on the right path. I dont look for them to be a perfect reflection of Christ, but I realize that we are all growing towards Christlikeness. So I would say that you can only be truly spiritual by practicing a Religion. If you try to be spiritual without choosing, how do you know what spirit you are trying to grow in or what your end state should be? If that is the case, then you are just looking for a experience and you really are just worshipping yourself. The truth is that spirituality alone is not the goal, but holiness is the goal. The practicing of various spiritual disciplines only serve to make you have a more disciplined and holy life. Knowing this is the true goal of mankind, and also that no man is without sin and therefore cannot obtain perfect holiness, then true holiness can only be obtained through the pardoning blood of Christ.

Answer 4

To be spiritual is to draw close to God. Since it is one to one, I guess it's natural to believe that we need not join any religions. Simply by praying, reading the bible should teach us what we need to be spiritual since all the instructions are there.

However all that is head knowledge. Without being in a group and experiencing difficulties, trials, how can one truly realise what is spiritual. Gandhi said that "My life is my message" I thought that was rather spiritual because he proves his point through action, whole life long and he was with people - lots of them. Mother Teresa is another remarkable figure. So my opinion is that work with people,struggle along with them, help them through God's teachings and along the way you will realise many things about life and become spiritual person.

Answer 5

I found a great book called "The Four Agreements" by don Miguel Ruiz. It's a great read.

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you wonít be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Answer 6

The only way to be "spiritual" is to be filled with the Holy Spirit which happens when you read the Word of God, the Bible, accept its truths and then live by those principles. Religion is just a term - Christianity is a relationship with Jesus and then you obtain the spiritual. God's blessing on your quest as you seek the "truth".

Answer 7

Study the religious text of all the faiths, meditate, pray and contemplate the questions that plague all mankind. Read about philosophy, psychology, science and anything else that attempts to explain things. Have faith that if you are honest with yourself and you get to know who you truly are by meditation and contemplation you will find the answers you seek.

This is the best advice I have found for someone seeking Truth:

“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”
--Buddha

Answer 8

Spirituality is a gathering of ideologies, values and teachings. It can come from life experience, from you parents, from society and lot's of other places.

To me spirituality is:

A mental state that brings you inner peace in knowing you are doing the best you can and the constant desire to learn from others and from life without judging.

Answer 9

If you can find salvation through a none religion than you have been mislead. I am not saying that you have to be a Methodist, Baptist, or other denominations, but you have to be a Christian which is one who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and accepts him as your savior. Just remember that you also have to confess that you are a believer in Christ. A Christian is one that believes in Christ. I hope and pray that this has helped you. May God reach out and touch someone through this. Most of all may God reach out and touch you. I truly hope that you are saved and if you are you will never be the same and you will know the difference.

Answer 10

Meditation is good.

Although if we don't have a clue how to mediate, a good way is to take yoga class which end in relaxation/meditation short session.
It is amazing how that can make you feel within yourself as well as connected with everything at the same time, hence you can become more 'open' to find your way to spirituality.