| Spirituality
vs. Religion by Dorothy M. Neddermeyer Spirituality, often misunderstood as a concept, is easily defined as "working to be a true and strict God-related spiritual being or development of spiritual being." The highest spiritual achievement ever is one who has developed his/her true divine being to the point that his/her spirit is equal to the Holy Spirit of God. Spirituality is the God-related science of developing or freeing the God-made innermost being -- the core of all of us, "made in the image of God." True God-related spirituality is achieved by means of scientifically applying spiritual teachings and spiritual techniques that allow ego to vanish in the fire of divine love and ego-oriented spirit, better called intellect, to be replaced by the Holy Spirit. Such true spiritual teachings can only be affected by a true connection to our innermost self. Because all humankind is God-made, every human has at one time or another the urge to develop their suppressed spirituality again. Spirituality is our true nature and spiritual development is the most direct way to solutions of love and peace in all creation. We know God is only love, because love creates, all else destroys. If Love creates and God so loved us he created the heaven and earth, therefore we know God only loves. Love cannot co-exist with any other premise simultaneously; therefore, God is only love. The big bug-a-boo with being in human form vs. in spiritual form (as God is) is that we have this construct called "ego" to grapple with...the ego is essential to navigate the vicissitudes in life. Yet, the ego is what gets us into trouble. So we came from spiritual form and formed an ego to grapple with the human requirements in this place called "earth." All life on earth serves but the one and only purpose of developing our spirituality again to the point of being free of spiritual ignorance, free of selfish or destructive behavioral patterns, free to return to our eternal home in God. True spirituality always leads to freedom in God. All God-related development is worthy of being called spiritual or spirituality. Many human developments lead in totally different directions -- away from God! Worshiping idols, is such an example, as well as depicting God as a punishing God who stands with a check sheet watching our every transgression and sending us to hell if the list is too long or egregious. The intent for religion or churches is to support, promote or teach true spirituality among all. This has failed in many religions. The development of true God-related spirituality is under direct supervision of God and free from any religion or church. While some churches may have spiritual groups, which have true spiritual teachings, most have long ago started ego-oriented abuse of teachings, such as that God punishes. Development of true spirituality is free of any church or religion. God has no religion, for God is Holy Spirit! Thus, the test for spirituality is, "What would God do?" God is a loving God, therefore, God would respond with love no matter what. As spiritual beings connected with God, we respond to others with love. "I love myself and others, thus, I comfort myself with love vs. reacting. I will set my boundaries in a loving way vs. with anger or spite." The ultimate healing of spirit is done when becoming one with God as a result of conscious spiritual development. That means true spirituality is achieved after oneness with God. This level of spiritual connection with God is generally attributed to gurus or an avatar. However, I believe that one can achieve this level of oneness with God even though one does not accept the distinction of either guru or avatar. One achieves the distinction of guru or avatar because one chooses to be a teacher of spirituality. That one does not chose to be a teacher of spirituality does not mean they have not achieved the level of guru or avatar. Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, Ph.D., will be among the International Association for Regression Research and Therapies Board Members who will be conducting a Training Institute here in Minneapolis, Minn., on October 25-31. Contact Eric Christopher at (651) 649-1952 or Kevin Doheny at (651) 688-2469 for information or visit the IARRT website at www.iarrt.org Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, Ph.D., is an author and psychoprofessional who works with physically or sexually abused children and adults. Neddermeyer just published a revised version of her 1995 book, If I'd Only Known...Sexual Abuse in or out of the Family: A Guide to Prevention. Neddermeyer is executive director of Genesis Consultants, Inc. at www.Gen-Assist.com and conducts metaphysical & spiritual tours at www.gen-assist.com/tours.asp Copyright © 2004 Dorothy M. Neddermeyer |
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Sept 2004 |
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