General Religion & Spirituality Articles

Article / Updated 03-22-2024

Millions of people around the world are celebrating major holidays in March and April. While Muslims are observing their holy month of Ramadan, both Easter and Passover fall in the spring as well. Here's an overview of how Muslims, Christians, and Jews are celebrating these holidays. Ramadan Ramadan began on March 10 and will finish on Eid al-Fitr (the festival of the breaking of the fast), which is April 10. During Ramadan, Muslims participate in daily fasts, communal worship, family gatherings, and readings of the Islamic holy book, the Qu’ran. Ramadan is a time when Muslims focus on spiritual development, giving to charity, and showing kindness and patience to others. To learn more about Eid al-Fitr and Ramadan, check out the article “Eid al-Fitr: Focusing on Charitable Acts.” Passover On the evening of April 22, Jewish people around the world will gather for Passover seders, the ritual dinner and retelling of the story of the Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt. Passover lasts for eight days and, traditionally, Jews conduct seders the first two nights. On Passover, Jewish people thank God for delivering the Israelites from slavery, with the seder reminding them of the hardships their ancient ancestors endured. Jews also take the time during Passover to think about and pray for other people and communities (Jewish and non-Jewish alike) around the world who are enduring hardships today. To learn more about Passover, see the article “What Is Passover and How Is It Celebrated?” Easter Easter this year falls on Sunday, March 31. It is considered the most holy day of the Christian church. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the central event of the religion. To Christians, the resurrection gives hope that they, too, will experience a resurrected life in heaven. People celebrate Easter in many different ways, including going to church, gathering with family for meals, attending Easter parades and festivals, dyeing hard-boiled eggs (the egg represents new life and rebirth), and having Easter egg hunts for children. To learn more about Easter, see the article “What and When Is Easter?”

Article / Updated 03-31-2022

At the end of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, families break the fast and celebrate during a three-day festival called Eid al-Fitr (Eid means "recurring event,"and Fitr means "break"). It is also known as HariRaya Puasa in Southeast Asia and Seker Bayrami in Turkey. Greetings of "Eid-Mubarak!" ("A Blessed Eid!") fill the air. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated during the months of April and May. The dates change every year in the Gregorian calendar (also known as the Western or Christian calendar) because Muslims, for religious matters, use a lunar calendar -- one that follows the phases of the moon. Within the Islamic calendar, the holiday takes place during the ninth month of the year. Although festivities include family gatherings, new clothes, and feasting, a strong focus remains on giving alms. Charity, especially to the poor and needy, is central to Islam, as represented by its inclusion in the Five Pillars of Islam (the basic tenets of the religion). An economically self-sufficient Muslim is expected to give alms in an act called zakat in Arabic. Giving to charity shows that one's faith in Allah is true and that material possessions do not control his or her life. Eid al-Fitr follows specific Islamic concepts In Islam, this "charity" isn't so much giving because of sympathy for a cause or because of a catastrophe. Rather, it's a regular, sacrificial giving (much like charitable offerings at church) that — in addition to helping the needy — reaffirms the following Islamic ideas: Everything belongs to Allah, even those material possessions that people think they own. By sacrificing these things for the sake of Allah, people are just giving things back to their rightful owner. Nothing should be hoarded. Society works best when things — including money and resources — flow naturally. By giving things away that you don't need or use, you give people who can use them or may need them the opportunity to do so. In this way, you save yourself from greed, and you prevent envy and jealousy in others. Islam also developed another element of charity called waqf. The waqf is a way of endowing money or land to be devoted to the maintenance of mosques, shrines, schools, hospitals, and other public works in Muslim lands.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-14-2022

Spirituality goes deep into the heart of every matter and extends far beyond the physical world of matter. Understanding what spiritual principles are (and aren't), can help to improve your life, empower your mind, and nourish your soul. Whether you’re looking for happiness, inner peace, or supreme enlightenment, no knowledge can propel you to achieve your personal goals and provide as effective a plan for living as does spiritual knowledge.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-10-2022

Knowing the people who founded and shaped major religions of the world — along with fundamental beliefs and practices of Buddhism, Islam, and Shinto — will lead you to a better understanding of religion.

Article / Updated 12-03-2021

One of the great gifts of spiritual knowledge is that it realigns your sense of self to something you may not have even ever imagined was within you. Spirituality says that even if you think you're limited and small, it simply isn't so. You're greater and more powerful than you have ever imagined. A great and divine light exists inside of you. This same light is also in everyone you know and in everyone you will ever know in the future. You may think you're limited to just your physical body and state of affairs — including your gender, race, family, job, and status in life — but spirituality comes in and says "there is more than this." Notice that spirit sounds similar to words like inspire and expire. This is especially appropriate because when you're filled with spiritual energy, you feel great inspiration, and when the spiritual life force leaves your body, your time on this earth expires. These are two of the main themes of the spiritual journey: Allowing yourself to be filled with inspiration, which also translates into love, joy, wisdom, peacefulness, and service. Remembering that an inevitable expiration awaits to take you away from the very circumstances you may think are so very important right now. The study of spirituality goes deeply into the heart of every matter and extends far beyond the physical world of matter. Spirituality connects you with the profoundly powerful and divine force that's present in this universe. Whether you're looking for worldly success, inner peace, or supreme enlightenment, no knowledge can propel you to achieve your goals and provide as effective a plan for living as does spiritual knowledge. Going beyond the physical world Perhaps the best way to think about a spiritual approach to the world is to contrast it with a more common materialistic approach. The materialistic approach: The materialistic approach relies primarily on empirical evidence provided by the five senses — what can literally be seen, heard, tasted, touched, or smelled. This approach depends on the outer appearances of things to decide how and what to think and feel about them. A materialistic person fixes whatever may be wrong or out of place in their world by moving things around and effecting outer changes. The spiritual approach: In contrast, the spiritual way is to see beyond mere outer appearances and the five senses to an intuitive perception of the causes behind outer conditions. Someone with a spiritual approach may change and uplift their world by first transforming and improving their own vision. One of the main teachings of spirituality is to look within and find what you seek within yourself. The external world is ephemeral, temporary, and ever changing; in fact, your body will die one day, sweeping all those worldly accoutrements away like a mere pile of dust. Your inner realm, on the other hand, is timeless, eternal, and deeply profound. Knowing how spirituality differs from religion Although religion and spirituality are sometimes used interchangeably, they really indicate two different aspects of the human experience. You might say that spirituality is the mystical face of religion. Spirituality is the wellspring of divinity that pulsates, dances, and flows as the source and essence of every soul. Spirituality relates more to your personal search, to finding greater meaning and purpose in your existence. Some elements of spirituality include the following: Looking beyond outer appearances to the deeper significance and soul of everything Love and respect for God, or the universe, or your concept of a higher power Love and respect for yourself Love and respect for everybody Religion is most often used to describe an organized group or culture that has generally been sparked by the fire of a spiritual or divine soul. Religions usually act with a mission and intention of presenting specific teachings and doctrines while nurturing and propagating a particular way of life. Religion and spirituality can blend beautifully Different religions can look quite unlike one another. Some participants bow to colorful statues of deities, others listen to inspired sermons while dressed in their Sunday finery, and yet others set out their prayer rugs five times a day to bow their heads to the ground. Regardless of these different outer manifestations of worship, the kernel of religion is spirituality, and the essence of spirituality is God or the Supreme Being. Spirituality is: Beyond all religions yet containing all religions Beyond all science yet containing all science Beyond all philosophy yet containing all philosophy As one becomes more spiritual, animalistic aggressions of fighting and trying to control the beliefs of other people can be cast off like an old set of clothes that no longer fits. In fact, many seekers begin to feel that every image of divinity is just one more face of their own, eternally ever-present God. Loving and respecting all religions and images of God doesn't mean that you have to agree with all of their doctrines. In fact, you don't even have to believe and agree with every element and doctrine of your own religion! This goes for any teachings you may encounter along your path. Everybody thinks that what they are doing is right. That's what's so interesting about the world. Everybody is doing something different, and each one believes deep in their soul that what they believe is right — some with more contemplation and conviction than others.

Article / Updated 10-08-2021

In 1966, Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies at California State University, created a uniquely African American and Pan-African holiday called Kwanzaa, which is celebrated from December through January first. Kwanzaa is related to many African celebrations of the first harvest. The name Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which translates as first fruits. Five fundamental activities of Kwanzaa In African-American culture Kwanzaa is a time for five fundamental activities: To reestablish interpersonal bonds To express reverence to the creator To commemorate and honor ancestors To commit to following cultural ideals To celebrate life, family, community and culture Seven principles of Kwanzaa culture Kwanzaa recognizes and celebrates these seven principles of African culture: Umoja (unity): To work towards unity with others whether family members or members of a larger community. Kujichagulia (self-determination): To define oneself and find one’s unique voice in the world Ujima (collective work and responsibility): To cooperate in community building and problem solving Ujamaa (cooperation): To build and sustain business from which the community as a whole profits Nia (purpose): To collectively strive towards cultural unity based on tradition Kuumba (creativity): To use our creativity to improve our community Imani (faith): To believe in each other, our leaders, and the righteousness of our struggle What happens during Kwanzaa? During Kwanzaa, children receive gifts of books and heritage symbols. The book represents the value of learning recognized since ancient Egypt and the symbol is to remind the child of his or her commitment to African traditions. Kwanzaa colors are red, green, and black. A mat (called a mkeka) is laid on a table and decorated with seven candles representing the seven principles, and one is lit on each day of Kwanzaa. Ears of corn are placed on the mkeka, along with a unity cup (called a kikombe cha umoja) for pouring libations in honor of the ancestors. The mkeka is also decorated with beautiful art objects and books that represent the best that African culture has to offer. The final day of Kwanzaa is set aside for reflection. Celebrants spend this day in quiet contemplation and maintain a peaceful, humble attitude towards others. It is a time for individuals to answer three questions: Who am I? Am I really who I say I am? Am I all I ought to be? Answering these questions honestly can bring about a renewed commitment to being the best we can be and to honoring the time honored African cultural traditions. Kwanzaa does not reflect any religion but rather plays tribute to ancient cultural values and traditions.

Step by Step / Updated 03-08-2017

The following exercise can help you to rise above the illusions of your own life-movie by giving you a way to practice controlling your levels of absorption in the illusions of a theatrical movie. Some religious and spiritual traditions guide you to withdraw from the world and to hide yourself in a cave or go to a mountaintop where you can escape the illusions of life. This approach can help to keep your mind and heart focused on greater matters, however it is not always the most practical approach, nor is it the only way to become free from the bindings of illusion. You may renounce your home, family, friends, job, clothes, and anything and everything else that you own, however this kind of outer renunciation does not guarantee spiritual liberation or freedom from illusion. What needs to be renounced is the ego, the self-interest, the petty desires, and sense of ownership. What needs to be renounced are the false ideas about who you are — thinking that all you are is an individual body with a mind that is separate from the universe, from God, and from everyone and everything else. This limited identification is the main illusion that keeps you from entering into higher spiritual awareness.

Step by Step / Updated 03-27-2016

Here are ten lines that may sound spiritual on the surface, but could have other not-so-spiritual meanings. Laughing at the foibles of yourselves and others is part of the cosmic joke, and spiritual efforts don’t get exempted!

Step by Step / Updated 03-27-2016

Spiritual images are invocations of the divine presence and reminders of the symbolic ideals for which they stand. Although some religions frown upon worshipping idols or forms, others find this practice to be a powerful way to communicate with God on a tangible, personal level. The following figures show several spiritual images and objects that devotees from different traditions may choose to include on their altars or in other areas of their home or work environment.

Step by Step / Updated 03-27-2016

Life brings a variety of pleasant and challenging experiences: One day everything goes smoothly, but another day is filled with obstacles. One time you are showered with good fortune, but another time you’re dragged down by misfortune. You may feel constricted by your past, fearful for the future, or hopeful about a new possibility. All these different kinds of experiences bring opportunities to see your life with spiritual eyes.