“Who Says You Can’t Teach an Old Dog a New Trick or Two”

I received the following article in an email and to my way of thinking the author has done a very fair assesment of Spirituality vs Religion. Now I can see the benefits that religion offers to its followers however from my perspective Religion also affirms ego, judgement and identity to determine that one ’s selected religion is better in some way or another over other Religions – if not there would still only be one religion – the first one whatever that was. 

In any case I can’t comprehend the discrepancy that one faith is better than another or that there is only one path to heaven because as a father while all my children are different I still send equal love to them all and I for one hope and pray that God is more tolerant, and loving than I! 

Article By: Tejvan Pettinger

Religion is a path to God. Spirituality is also a path to God. However they have differences in approach.

“The essence of religion:

Fear God and obey God.

The quintessence of spirituality:

Love God and become another God.”

Sri Chinmoy

Past vs Present. Religion tends to take great inspiration from the past. It reveres the ancient religious texts, as the way to achieve salvation. Spirituality is not so concerned with the past. Spirituality believes in the eternal now. To attain liberation we need to live in the present. It is not the past or the future that gives us liberation. We achieve peace of mind only when we concentrate on doing the right thing here and now.

Fear vs Love. Quite often religion takes the approach of fearing God. Religion is a reminder to do the right thing so will not suffer in the future. The spiritual approach to God is through the path of love. Spirituality teaches us not to fear God, but approach him through the path of love.

Where is God? Often religion talks of God as being high in the heavens. At times God can seem far from the reach of aspiring humanity. Spirituality shows us that God is omniscient and omnipresent and can be felt as a living presence in our own heart. Furthermore not only is God reachable but we can attain the inner realisation of God.

Universality. Many followers of religion feel that only their path can lead to salvation. They have tremendous faith in their own religion, but at the same time they feel other religions are wrong and cannot lead a seeker to God. Spirituality feels that all religions are valid. Spirituality knows there are many paths to the same goal. Spirituality embraces all the world religions, but at the same time, is not constrained by any religious dogmas or forms.

Outer worship vs Inner Worship. Religion places great emphasis on outer forms and outer rituals. These are helpful for giving a sense of formality to the worship of God. But spirituality is not concerned with outer rituals. Spirituality says that what is important is a seeker’s inner attitude. Through practising spirituality we seek to develop an inner shrine in our own heart.

Religion and spirituality have their differences but at the same time Religion can embrace spirituality. Through following their religion great saints have attained the fruits and realisations of a mystical approach to God. This includes Christian mystics such as Teresa of Avila, St Francis of Assisi. Sufi Saints like Rumi, Hafiz and Attar. In fact each religion has produced spiritual seekers of the highest order.

You ever wonder why so many people never reach the potential that others see in them?

In my life I’ve witnessed many people with amazing talents that dwindled in obscurity. Seriously, I’ve seen guitar players, comedians, artists, sales people, bricklayers, gardeners; you name it, I’ve seen people in all walks of life that never even came close to their potential. WHY?

Because they weren’t willing to fail – they couldn’t bare to risk humiliation. Their ego controlled them. In fact it was better to dwindle in obscurity and make countless excuses than it was to consider the possibility that a peer might snicker at their perceived weakness, should they have any setbacks as they attempted to enter into the realm of greatness.  

The sad part is that most people really don’t care what other people are doing, because they’re too caught up in their own busy little world. So in actuality those that fear to fail end up being their own worst enemies. They judge the thoughts of others based upon what they’re thinking – they cast out their fears and take them back assuming that others must also be thinking that way and it becomes an endless cycle of insanity spinning around in their little monkey minds.

Then when someone is willing to step up and take that risk, those that fear to fail, almost always feel obligated to put down the risk taker in hopes that they don’t succeed, because if the risk taker did succeed then those that fear to fail, would again focus upon themselves, feeling that others must be thinking as they do, and that they are a loser.

So the next time you or anyone close to you appears to be engulfed in the fear to fail, tell them – it’s ok no one really cares what you are doing, so you may as well get over it and accept the willingness to fail, because success only come to those who are willing to fail!

You’ve got to live it to live!
Frank Moffatt

For the majority of the past five years I have lived in S.E Asia, so needless to say coming back here to Canada has been a bit of an eye opener. First off just walking down the street takes me back – I mean here I can walk for blocks and only pass one or two people and I’m in Calgary a city with over a million residents.  Where-as in Jakarta or Bangkok you will pass no less than 20 people in a block and that can be as late as Midnight.

Granted both Bangkok and Jakarta have over 8 million residents and yes many poor people live on their streets, but why are Calgary streets so bare? Even the sidewalks in Calgary are great as compared to Jakarta, where it’s possible to fall into an opening anywhere and lord knows how far you might end up falling.

So again why?  People in Calgary are friendly in stores, they hold doors for others and the majority of bus drivers even say thank you when you get off of their bus, but still very few venture outside – or possibly more accurately alone.  

Could it be that we all make enough money to buy cars so why walk? Could it be that we have once again (as in the 80’s) fallen in the lazy ways of the couch and TV and feel we deserve a sedentary lifestyle because of all the crap we have to put up with at work, with the government, with our spouse and kids or whatever other external source it is that is limiting our opportunity for a happy life and that is completely wearing us out over the course of the day. Or could it be the news – and all the negative propaganda they bombard us with on a daily basis – I mean after that how could we dare go outside – I mean after an hour of that the world looks pretty darn bleak

So there you have it – my 2 cents on Calgary’s bare streets – either too much money – too much pain or too much fear – because it certainly can’t be the sidewalks.