religion and spirituality

I believe there is an important distinction to be made between religion and spirituality. Religion I take to be concerned with belief in the claims to salvation of one faith tradition or another--an aspect of which is acceptance of some form of meta-physical or philosophical reality, including perhaps an idea of heaven or hell. Connected with this are religious teachings or dogma, ritual, prayers and so on.

Spirituality I take to be concerned with those qualities of the human spirit--such as love and compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, a sense of responsibility, a sense of harmony, which bring happiness to both self and others.

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Out of the Present Moment

Snow, ice and cold keep one indoors and disrupt sauntering.

Sauntering takes place in the mind at such times. Memories

provide the scenery, the color and the feel of times past.



Thoughts of candlelight, the smell of fresh linens, the quiet night

all lend another memory of wondrous times. Shadows on the

ceiling and walls blend two seekers together. Sharing the warmth

of closeness. The joy of knowing without the need for words. The

touch, the gentle caress, say all that need be said. Together.



Peace shared like this would serve to stop all wars, if only the entire

world could feel it. Everything begs to stay in those golden moments.



Just now, I allow my mind to wander back to those days during my

daily meditations. Not trying to go to the present moment. Preferring

to stay in those moments past and basking in the pure joy of them.



Namaste,



Phil