Spirituality is religion sans rituals, habits, creeds and beliefs. It is concerned with the soul and its connection with the grand-soul (Atma and Parmatma). Spirituality unites all human beings; religions compartmentalize humanity.
Spirituality has no symbols while religion has various symbolisms. Spirituality is concerned with linking the spirit with the super spirit. This linking process involves concentration; the spirit connecting itself to superspirit, attracting it and finally getting merged into or assimilating into it. The meditation is the process used for concentration. This meditation, is beyond material, psychological or emotional realm. Through meditation, we first get our body and mind and then our soul in harmony with the super spirit. Calm and peace lead to harmony and compassion and contribution towards the welfare of others. Meditation is related to what you realy feel moment-by-moment, day-by-day and whether you are ready making a contribution to the hearts of other living beings. This brings out other important aspects. Spirituality is not only concerned with self but with the well-being of the entire creation; contribution to this well being and helping raise hearts.
Religions, however get involved with separate groups and divide the concentration to physiology, psychological and emotional states in addition.
Meditation takes one off from compulsion, impulsiveness and desperation and provides ability to regulate oneself. It causes positive reinforcement. It is different than self control which involves forceful attempt to control one’s impulses out of fear of oneself. As against this, one should be self observant and allow a state of "sehaj".
The great leaders like Lord Mahavira, Buddha, Mohammad, Christ, Guru Nanak etc, were the spiritual embodiments and not the religious endowments. Religion follows spirituality. In its zeal, it may go to the extent of vitiating spirituality.
Religion gets concerned with cause and effect without understanding the true nature; the true energy which is continuously changing and goes on changing forms continuously. The beings relate these changes to causes and effects. Spirituality is beyond all this. It gets enlightened into the cause of all causes and does not require to know the effect. For example in the nervous system, gap is the point of choice where choice or option can be found within the nervous system. Neural awareness of sensations with equanimity also create such a point of choice. This is a problem of major religious thoughts. In spirituality, this gap or void is gradually reduced from being a part to becoming a whole. The spirituality is the wholesomeness of the One; while religions are parts engaged with causes and effects. Let us aim at the wholesomeness rather than getting lost into parts.
