Post #9-Spirituality 101

 

I couldn’t resist but to once again begin by invoking one of my favorite spiritual teachings by Dr. Seuss. My using the word spiritual in regards to Dr. Seuss may seem odd to some of you, but when teaching collegiate courses in religion, my first lecture always included a discussion around religion vs. spirituality. Are they the same? Is there a difference? Can one be spiritual and not religious or religious and not spiritual, or better yet can we be both religious AND spiritual? How is each of them defined?  While there are many contrasting definitions  (I would love to hear your thoughts around these questions and personal definitions, join the conversation by leaving a comment), I like to think of religion as organized systems, ideologies and structures around humanity’s age-old search for meaning and purpose within a theistic paradigm or understanding. On the contrary, I see spirituality as the same search for human meaning and purpose, yet without the confines of a definitive and systematic organization (and for you Oprah fans, she defines spirituality as "living with an open heart.")

For many people, spirituality feels more open, freeing the individual to find a path that seems “authentic” to their own lives, while religion has resulted in rules and ideological litmus tests that can strangle individuality and one’s personal relationship with the Divine. I spent the first two and a half decades in the latter while I now embrace the former. I am one who believes he has found a balance of religion and spirituality. There are many, many aspects of the religion of my childhood that I still very much enjoy (As an African-American who has used the lessons of the Civil Rights Movement in my doctoral studies, I clearly recognize the incredible influence Christianity and the Black Church has had on the black struggle for freedom and have the utmost respect for that; therefore, the religious traditions of my grandmother and foreparents will live in my heart forever!)  However, I’m not foolish enough to believe that the infinite greatness of God can fit within the limited view of any one church, denomination or religion. Instead,  I believe there is much more to know, learn, and experience. Having said that, let's turn again to Christian scripture, The Message Translation of the Bible quotes Hebrews 6, verses 1-3 as saying:

So come on, let’s leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it!

I love it! “Let’s leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises….there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it!” I wholeheartedly agree with the author of Hebrews here, the religious community, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and otherwise, has spent incredibly too much time on petty differences, theological dogmas, and doctrinal litmus tests, when there’s a greater truth to be known and to be told. So, while looking to the dysfunctional irrelevance that religion can offer, the first spiritual truth I would offer the world of religion as well you personally, would be the spiritual truth of responsibility.

I’ll be revisiting this spiritual principle as time goes along, but I want to introduce it by simply challenging you with the idea, that if you are an adult and there is something in your life that isn’t the way you wished it could or would be, then you are partly if not entirely to blame.  Wow! I know that can be a hard pill to swallow but let it sit with you.

I will not now or ever dispute that many of us have not been treated well as children and some of us have been downright abused. Also, there have been many circumstances that have been seemingly out of our control, but today….outside of a catastrophic illness (and sometimes we play a major role in those as well), we must take responsibility for our lives….and if our lives aren't what we want them to be, we must take responsibility for changing them.

I’ve been hanging around the Church for a long time, and if the Church has any complaints about declining memberships and waning attendance, then it only has itself to blame. In an age where people are literally thirsting to death for meaning and purpose, the Church’s response has all too often been closed rather than open, rules rather than relationship, exclusivity rather than inclusivity, and religion rather than spirituality. Likewise, outside of some rather unique circumstances (and considering the very fact you are privileged enough to be able to access and actually read this blog, you’re likely not to have them) you are responsible for your current life and thereby must take responsibility for it.

Consider this a call to action, we must take responsibility for our circumstances, our beliefs (political, religious or otherwise) and our actions. Hear these words with your soul: NO MORE BLAME GAME. No more blaming our parents, our race, our socioeconomic status, or any other woeful pity-party excuse. See, religion puts us at the hands of an angry Devil or an angry God or the covering or lack thereof of a husband or pastor or warring angels or Holy Spirit or somebody, anybody other than ourselves. Spirituality leads us to take full responsibility for the mess we have caused through our lack of presence and awareness and attunement in our own life.

Grace abounds! It is present for you, but are you present for it? Are you living an examined life? Are you paying attention, listening to the invaluable lessons your life is trying to teach or have you dedicated a life to inauthenticity and pig-headed stubbornness.

You’re a grown-up now.  The expiration date has come and gone on blaming your parents for your mistakes. Take ownership for your life, your finances, your faults, failures as well as successes. Yea, you messed up in the past, but you can’t truly move forward until you confront full-faced your part in the mess-up. It’s only then can you move forward in faith and victory. This, my friend, is Spirituality 101.  So, don’t be ashamed, be responsible, because……

This is not the end of your story. Your best days are not behind you, they are ahead of you. Don’t listen to the woulda, coulda, shouldas, because if you take responsibility for your life—past, present and future- anything is possible! So, keep your head up and look down the road for #bigthingscoming!

Taking Full Responsibility,

 ~Ray

NOTE: If you’re new to the site it might be helpful to read my first introductory post. Also, feel free to post your questions or comments here and you can always reach out to me on Twitter @raycjordan using the hash tag #bigthingscoming. 

(Copyright, 2013, Ray Jordan)