Religion vs. Spirituality ( just before popping out to the boat)

July 10, 2007

Nisargadatta , Steve Baxter <revspirit wrote:

>

> .b.b.b,

>

> You asked me an interesting question about whether I'd been

listening to religion's detractors. I know that my writing appears to

many to be limited in its scope, or stunted in some way. Its prime

audience, though, is people who are steeped in religion (as I used to

be) but who sense that there is *something* beyond what they currently

know or think is " truth " .

>

> I know that, in the Big Picture, all is One and opposites are only

appearances. Some don't, though, and I hope that some of those folks

are lurking here and will find something in my posts that will help

them to see beyond their present state of mind.

>

> You can't jump from point A to point B if point B is out of sight.

I hope to help bring people from point A to some halfway point.

Awakening is a process.

>

> Yes, I know it will happen someday whether I do anything or not,

but that's my purpose. To not do so would be to deny who I am.

>

> Thanks for your words!

>

> Steve

and thanks for your words too Steve.

i'm not knocking what you have to say.

i've heard it all and then some..before.

i too am no longer religious in the sense of Saturday at the Temple or

Sunday at Mass or praying five times daily facing Mecca. i don't ring

bells nor strike gongs nor burn incense nor do shamanic rituals...you

get the idea.

but whenever in my many years i have delved deeply enough into any of

the related 'religions' that on surface are nothing more than the

above....i have found devoted men and women who have had as deep,

real, authentic, and undeniably true gifts to offer as any

Nisargadatta or Ramana or Lao tse or any other 'spiritual without

religion' person.

none of the above non dualists etc. have ever said anything 'new' or

'different' than those religios.

i guess in a way we are all elitists.

and why not.

none of us a really different.

just diffent strokes we make swimming to the same Here and Now.

as Frank Capra's movie said:

" It's A Wonderful Life "

..b b.b.

..............................nnb..................................

> " .b bobji baba " <Roberibus111 wrote:

> Nisargadatta , Steve Baxter

<revspirit@> wrote:

> >

> > (Moderator: If you trim this post, please provide a link to the

> entire message at http://blog.myspace.com/revspirit. Thanks!)

> >

> > Religion is exoteric and spirituality is esoteric.

> >

> > Religion focuses on the outer person (appearance or expression),

> while spirituality focuses on the inner person (thoughts, feelings,

> and so on).

> >

> > Religion is form and spirituality is substance.

> >

> > Religion copies and imitates, but spirituality discovers and

> originates.

> >

> > Religion fills; spirituality overflows.

> >

> > Religion brings routine. Spirituality brings freedom.

> >

> > Religion values ceremony. Spirituality values meaning.

> >

> > Religion imposes rules. Spirituality declares universal truths.

> >

> > Religion says people are bad. Spirituality says they are good.

> >

> > Religion empowers others. Spirituality empowers oneself.

> >

> > Religion is the painting. Spirituality is the flower.

> >

> > Religion looks to the past. Spirituality looks to the future.

> >

> > Religion takes discipline. Spirituality takes curiosity.

> >

> > Religion burdens. Spirituality lightens.

> >

> > Religion persuades. Spirituality explains.

> >

> > Religion fears. Spirituality seeks.

> >

> > Religion defines. Spirituality expresses.

> >

> > Religion teaches longsuffering. Spirituality teaches patience.

> >

> > Religion takes away. Spirituality affirms.

> >

> > Religion limits. Spirituality expands.

> >

> > Religion requires the acceptance of a belief in place of experience;

> > Spirituality requires the release of beliefs that hinder experience.

> >

> > Religion is a bandage. Spirituality is the scalpel.

> >

> > Religion obscures. Spirituality uncovers.

> >

> > Religion is the haven of the fearful. Spirituality is the

> playground of

> > the joyful.

> >

> > Religion dulls. Spirituality sharpens.

> >

> > Religion hushes. Spirituality laughs.

> >

> > Religion cries tears of guilt and shame. Spirituality cries tears

> of release and joy.

> >

> > " Murder is the ultimate response of a human nature that denies

> reality in favor of its own illusions. (Especially self-murder.) "

> >

> > --from the new book Revolutionary Spirituality: Awakening to Your

> True Self by Steven E. Baxter

> >

>

> true spirituality is all inclusive.

>

> most certainly it does not set itself in opposition nor

>

> comparison..with 'religion' or any other pursuit, endeavor or path.

>

> spirituality does it all.

>

> it is not restrictive in any way.

>

> it is joy AND guilt..

>

> hushed and loud...

>

> fearful AND joyful...

>

> etc. etc.

>

> true spirituality does and is everything contained and done in

>

> religion.

>

> why the separation?

>

> have you been listening to religion's detractors?

>

> .b b.b.

" Murder is the ultimate response of a human nature that denies

reality in favor of its own illusions. (Especially self-murder.) "

>

> --from the new book Revolutionary Spirituality: Awakening to Your

True Self by Steven E. Baxter

>

July 11, 2007

I dig it.".b bobji baba" <Roberibus111 wrote: Nisargadatta , Steve Baxter <revspirit wrote: > > .b.b.b, > > You asked me an interesting question about whether I'd been listening to religion's detractors. I know that my writing appears to many to be limited in its scope, or stunted in some way. Its prime audience, though, is people who are steeped in religion (as I used to be)

but who sense that there is *something* beyond what they currently know or think is "truth". > > I know that, in the Big Picture, all is One and opposites are only appearances. Some don't, though, and I hope that some of those folks are lurking here and will find something in my posts that will help them to see beyond their present state of mind. > > You can't jump from point A to point B if point B is out of sight. I hope to help bring people from point A to some halfway point. Awakening is a process. > > Yes, I know it will happen someday whether I do anything or not, but that's my purpose. To not do so would be to deny who I am. > > Thanks for your words! > > Steve and thanks for your words too Steve. i'm not knocking what you have to say. i've heard it all and then some..before. i too am no longer

religious in the sense of Saturday at the Temple or Sunday at Mass or praying five times daily facing Mecca. i don't ring bells nor strike gongs nor burn incense nor do shamanic rituals...you get the idea. but whenever in my many years i have delved deeply enough into any of the related 'religions' that on surface are nothing more than the above....i have found devoted men and women who have had as deep, real, authentic, and undeniably true gifts to offer as any Nisargadatta or Ramana or Lao tse or any other 'spiritual without religion' person. none of the above non dualists etc. have ever said anything 'new' or 'different' than those religios. i guess in a way we are all elitists. and why not. none of us a really different. just diffent strokes we make swimming to the same Here and Now. as Frank Capra's movie said: "It's A Wonderful Life" .b b.b.

"Murder is the ultimate response of a human nature that denies reality in favor of its own illusions. (Especially self-murder.)"--from the new book Revolutionary Spirituality: Awakening to Your True Self by Steven E. Baxter