What Benefits Do You Get From Your Religion or Spiritual Beliefs?
I have two questions I’d like you to consider:
1. What benefits do you get from your religion or spiritual beliefs? Or put another way, what are you looking for your religious or spiritual beliefs (and practices) to provide for you?
2. Is it in fact providing those things you identified above?
For example, you might say that you practice a religion (or follow a spiritual practice) to obtain peace of mind. Has that religion or spiritual practice actually brought you peace of mind? Why or why not?
Many take the position that religions or spiritual perspectives set standards that we are to move toward, but not actually attain during this lifetime. Yet others feel these standards can be attained during this life. I am interested in YOUR view.
I welcome your thoughts on some of the issues raised here. Please make sure to include the benefits you’re looking to get from your religion or spirituality. This is something that is not often discussed; yet I think we can learn from each other — and learn more about ourselves — by addressing these issues.
When I refer to “benefits” we seek from our religion, I am not implying that our motives are selfish or greedy. As I see it, there are reasons humans act as they do. If religion or spirituality did not benefit us in certain ways, we would not be inclined to have religious or spiritual views.
So, what benefits do you get – or hope to get – from your religion or spiritual beliefs?
Please send your comments and insights on these topics and I will share some of the responses in upcoming newsletters.
– Jeff Keller
© 2008