Spiritual, but not Religious?

Christian Mysticism

Many people judge truth to be whatever fits into their box. If it does not fit with whatever box they hold, it is rejected as false. Each religion is a box that people try to stuff God into. Each religion claims that the God in their box is the really real, one and only God.

Another approach is to take a step back so one can see all the boxes that people cram God into. When you take a step back away from your individual box, you get a larger view. Not only that, but your understanding and definition of truth changes. We move from “only things that fit into my box are true,” to “those things that are connected to and running through ALL boxes are true.” Truth is universal, runs through, and transcends “religion.” Religion is a system of practice, ritual, and communal gathering based in mythic-membership. Spirituality is a personal journey of the soul. Religion only requires belief, spirituality requires faith.

The problem -- and the challenge -- lie in the fact that, among its two billion adherents, relatively few Christians are aware of Christianity’s mystical tradition and contemplative path. Statements like “I’m spiritual, but not religious” can actually come from a fairly evolved place, from which one rejects external aspects of the tradition as absolute truth, while still longing for its esoteric wisdom. The real meal deal. Most people have far more belief than faith. Most Christians would never let go of their religion. They do not have the faith to do so.

Father Keating is a Trappist monk, following the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance . Trappists are a contemplative Roman Catholic religious order that follows the Rule of St. Benedict. In this video Father Keating talks with philosopher Ken Wilber on the nature of religion as a system.

Father Thomas Keating