How does a person develop their spirituality without a sense of connection with any religions?

I was raised with Christian influence, studied sociology and cultural anthropology which opened me to other spiritual beliefs and in my teens, I explored a few options of other faiths but I cannot find one that is me. My beliefs are fairly universal and tend to agree with bits and pieces of each religion, but I can't put total faith in one and only one. What would be best for me?

i use bits and pieces from all over. native american, my own nature based beliefs, buddhism, episopalian and my own beliefs that have evolved from watching closely what impresses me about others.........xoxoxo pat

[nothemama8]

as long as we believe in ourselves and in what we see around us, that is what I think is spirituality

[KathyM]

Hi Ingridave

You say you can't place total faith in only one. Unless you feel a strong desire to carry a label and belong to a particular group of people, why is it necessary to pick only one?

I can't possibly claim to know what's best for you, but my guess would be to remain open. Listen to your heart and the world around you. Whatever it is you are looking for is probably right in front of you.

[Rapunzel]

That may be a hot question here, because naturally people will want to suggest that their own religion is best. There are reasons that they have chosen it. Somewhere there is a quiz you can take that matches your beliefs to the religion that is the best fit. It's non infallable, but maybe that would be interesting for you. You'll find the link if you go back a ways, or do a search, as it has been posted here a few times. You could also tell us more about your beliefs, and we could try to help identify something that goes along with them.

Probably, most or all religions will have something that corresponds to your beliefs, as there is a lot of overlap. I belong to one church, which I believe is true, but I can also find truth anywhere that I look for it.

The best way, I believe, to find a religion and/or spirituality is to pray and ask God to lead you to the truth. You will find people everywhere who will tell you that they have the truth, but it is meaningless without listening to the Spirit, because you will have no way to know who to listen to.

Or, have I misunderstood your question? Spirituality and religion seem to have a lot of overlap, but of course it is possible to have one without the other. Perhaps you are seeking to develop a spirituality of your own, without religion? There are many who are spiritual, but do not subscribe to a particular religion. I think that would be a difficult path, but preferable to those who are religious but not spiritual. The latter I feel is dangerous, as I think of it being ritualistic without considering or feeling the meaning for oneself. Religion is only valuable as a tool insofar as it serves God's purposes and brings people to Him, spiritually. There must be a purpose, and reason, and feeling motivating it. And all of those need to be directed the right way, and from the right place. It's not so easy, is it? But somehow it works.

[tranquility]

Hi Ingridave2

It is a tough thing isn't it? I was raised Catholic but didn't believe in most of it. I have had friends of different religions and asked questions about them all. What I finally came down to is that I am not Christian; however, I am spiritual. I believe in an Energy Source that is made up of all the good energies in the world and that power is greater to me and that's who I pray to. I also find that I have a deeper connection with this Source when I am in nature.

I have a friend that likes to go to all different types of churches to see what they teach and she likes pieces from some of them. I know I have heard of Non-Denominational Churches but I don't know what they teach.

You can google alot on the internet and read the philosiphies of all the different religions, it may help you.

Tranquility

Maybe I am romanticizing faith. While I have always been one who respects all faiths (providing they do not promote death rituals or anything like that), I envy those people who seem to have such a definite absolute faith.

I tend to be a centralist in that all beliefs have good and bad about them, but it is one area where my doubts still linger. I don't know if I am doubting faith or doubting my ability to feel faith. Maybe there is some traces of cynicism because I have always preferred individual expression over institutional controls. I can be a bit of a non-conformist.

Maybe I fear that giving whole faith in something would make me narrow-minded and yet, the generalness of my faith seems indecisive or weak to me sometimes. I feel a need to find something but how do I find something if I don't know what I am looking for?

the site is "Beliefnet".....

[beelieving]

Hi Ingridave2,

Like tranquility said, “it’s a tough thing isn’t it?” Like many of the others here I too believe that it comes down to being true to yourself and following your heart. I personally have never believed in following a specific religion. I honestly feel very content being and staying open to the multiple branches of spirituality. Believing in a higher power is important to me and having faith is important to me and I do this all without any labels. Just remember it has to feel right for you. Even if others think you’re all over the map with no direction, be patient with your discoveries and your heart will soon feel that calm and quiet reassurance of what you naturally believe in.

Best wishes with this process. ~ Bee

[(JD)]

I think if you ask the higher power that you sense to show you ways...to show you what you seek, it will be shown to you.

You could begin a quest ...seeking this information. Make a journal of what things you do believe. Write also those things you want more of for yourself... contemplative mood, peaceful sense of being... whatever is important to you to cultivate. Also make note of those things and people/types that you wish to stay away from, those that suck the energy from your bones. Decide who you will give your energy to...what people, causes and efforts. I think I would begin with that kind of stuff.