Spirituality is the sense of connecting with something bigger than yourself. It’s not just about religion, but it can include all religious traditions as well as non-religious ones, such as a connection with nature or a sense of oneness. Some people are afraid to find a spiritual path because they think it’s outside of their religion, but in reality, it’s more of a deepening of what’s already there. And it’s also not about joining a church or a religion, but rather finding a way to bring your mental, physical and emotional worlds together in a more cohesive way.
Often, there’s overlap between people who are spiritual and those who are religious. However, it’s important to distinguish between the two because there is a different meaning attached to the word “spiritual” than there is to the word “religious.”
According to the definition by William James in his article The Varieties of Religious Experience, spirituality is an experience that may include practice in a particular religion, but also exists independently of religion. Religious experience is a specific form of spirituality, and it is an expression of devout religiosity.
Another difference between religious and spiritual people is that while religious individuals often follow a set of guidelines established by their religion, spiritual people are more flexible in their beliefs and practices. This flexibility allows them to incorporate practices that are beneficial for their wellbeing, such as meditation. Spirituality encourages self-reflection and focuses on a greater sense of purpose, which can help individuals to overcome challenges in life.