Partly as a result of the spiritual teachings that have arisen outside
the established religions, but also due to an influx of the ancient
Eastern wisdom teachings, a growing number of followers of
traditional religions are able to let go of identification with form,
dogma, and rigid belief systems and discover the original depth
that is hidden within themselves. They realize that how 'spiritual'
you are has nothing to do with what you believe but everything to
do with your state of consciousness. This, in turn, determines how
you act in the world and interact with others.
Many people are already aware of the difference between spirituality
and religion. They realize that having a belief system - a set of
thoughts that you regard as absolute truth - does not make you
spiritual no matter what the nature of those beliefs is. In fact,
the more you make your thoughts [beliefs] into your identity,
the more cut off you are from the spiritual dimension within yourself.
Many 'religious' people are stuck at that level. They equate truth
with thought, and as they are completely identified with thought
[their mind], they claim to be in sole possession of the truth in an
unconscious attempt to protect their identity.
the established religions, but also due to an influx of the ancient
Eastern wisdom teachings, a growing number of followers of
traditional religions are able to let go of identification with form,
dogma, and rigid belief systems and discover the original depth
that is hidden within themselves. They realize that how 'spiritual'
you are has nothing to do with what you believe but everything to
do with your state of consciousness. This, in turn, determines how
you act in the world and interact with others.
Many people are already aware of the difference between spirituality
and religion. They realize that having a belief system - a set of
thoughts that you regard as absolute truth - does not make you
spiritual no matter what the nature of those beliefs is. In fact,
the more you make your thoughts [beliefs] into your identity,
the more cut off you are from the spiritual dimension within yourself.
Many 'religious' people are stuck at that level. They equate truth
with thought, and as they are completely identified with thought
[their mind], they claim to be in sole possession of the truth in an
unconscious attempt to protect their identity.
What is arising now is not a new belief system, a new religion,
spiritual ideology, or mythology. We are coming to an end,
not only of mythologies but also ideologies and belief systems.
The change goes deeper than the content of your mind,
deeper than your thoughts... to your Original Depth...
spiritual ideology, or mythology. We are coming to an end,
not only of mythologies but also ideologies and belief systems.
The change goes deeper than the content of your mind,
deeper than your thoughts... to your Original Depth...
Eckhart Tolle
From - A New Earth
2005
From - A New Earth
2005
~
Photo - from the internet
Sitting here trying to get out of my head! Will have to read more Tolle again soon! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI also often listen to guided meditations that help me get out of that endless cycle of thought... There are many on YouTube. Here's one of my favorites https://youtu.be/TObCIKn0XXA
Deletethanks you, I was recently asked by some friends in a local church to explain the meaning of the "spiritual but not religious" trend. This provided a good summary just when I needed it.
ReplyDeleteWell how 'bout that :) I've even gotten to the point where even "spirituality" is seen as an identity, a cloak we wear, that eventually drops away.
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