confused about spirituality vs religion

I have recently been going to this place to meditate. This place is sacred to me but is not a church. I become in touch with my soul and a higher power but I do not pray. I simply sit on a rock on the water's edge, still, silent, and free. I feel a sense of uphoria at times. I really have no clue about religion as I wasn't raised to belive. But at those moments, the moments when I fear I will not last alone, that I need someone there with me. I go to that sacred place and know I am not alone. So is this what eligion is? Could it just be to believe in something stronger than you, something you feel inside? What ever it is, it has helped me get through the hardest time of my life. Should I think about going to church too?

Shannon

NO...... this is not religion - this is the Higher Power (God) you spoke about reaching out to YOU..... for He feels and listens to our HEARTS, and HE has heard yours.

Please keep in mind that one does not need to attend church to find God - they only need to open their Soul & Heart unto Him.... that which YOU are doing.

LoVe,
Rhapsody - (((( hugs ))))

Yes, I think religion is believing in something stronger than you but, perhaps unfortunately, there are few churches that "simple." Spirituality and religion both have to do with beliefs about a supernatural power but religion is more the whole "system" of beliefs rather than one's personal experience or sense/expression of spirituality.

We came from God. WE are a part of God because he has given us a soul and breathed life into it.
Is it so strange that when you become still and "listen deeply"...that you finally hear God?
I think not.
Religion?
Listen to what God is a saying and where God is leading you.
There are no borders there.
m.b.

To add to what you said, Perna... "religion" is the practice of those beliefs.

You're right in that churches are seldom that "simple."

I trust more in spiritual for I have seen much in it verses religion that seems to be much made from man.

Thank you Shannon for question and everyone else's answers it has opened my heart in a way and maybe pointed me in the right direction in finding peace from my panic attacks.

Sitting on a rock reminds me of Carl Jung.

He used to sit on a rock when he was a boy and wonder:

Is it me that is sitting on the rock?
Or is it that he is the one that is sitting on me?

:-)

(Or similar, I can't quite remember)

Good Question

What a wonderful experience for you. I always believe it is God. Some people believe a higher power. As to Religion. I think only you can decide. I was raised Catholic but have attended several different churches over the years. Some I found very judgemental. Some would rather Preach than, Walk the Walk". When you find a place where people are loving, accepting, and leave you free to experience whats in your heart I think its a place to consider. First Nations have conections to nature. What is interesting to me is whatever religion you look at the basics are the same.

pehaps spirituality is what is inside
religion is how you choose to show what's inside

Thats a good thought Sky. I really believe that my relationship with God is my own. Those powerful moments we share quietly lose something in the telling. Who can say what is in someones heart? I love Church but have wrestled with what is "preached" at us. I believe He is there and knows what and where I am and what I am doing. He was a simple man and lived a simple life. We do much in this world when we Honour all that he created. From a blade of grass to the sky above.