Religion: to Connect
The word religion is from the Latin re ligare meaning to bind, to connect. The same root as ligament, the structures that bind and connect bones. All religions at their core are meant to help us connect.
To connect and unify the disparate parts of ourselves, to connect with others, and to connect with God, something much greater and more mysterious than our small selves.
“My heart has become capable of every form; it is a pasture for gazelles and a convent for Christian monks. And a temple for idols and the pilgrim’s Ka‘ba and the tables of the Tora and the book of the Koran. I follow the religion of Love: whatever way Love’s camels take, that is my religion and my faith.”
-Ibn al Arabi
At their core, religions are meant to bring about compassion for all beings and awe of the divine. However, the ego nature in us slowly but surely turns the teachings of compassion into intolerance and selfishness.
Religion is an Action
Religion is not about what we believe, but what we do.
Religion is an action, and if done properly results in a lifetime of action for good, truth, and humility.
The spiritual path and awakening is not about orthodoxy, meaning right doctrine, subscribing to a set of ideas. The true goal of religion is a process of transformation, accomplished through orthopraxy, right practice, living religion as a way of life and a way of being.
“Do not attach yourself to any particular creed exclusively, so that you may disbelieve all the rest; otherwise you will lose much good, nay, you will fail to recognize the real truth of the matter. God, the omnipresent and omnipotent, is not limited by any one creed, for he says, ‘Wheresoever ye turn, there is the face of Allah’ (Koran 2:109).
Everyone praises what he believes; his god is his own creature, and in praising it he praises himself. Consequently, he blames the disbelief of others, which he would not do if he were just, but his dislike is based on ignorance.”
-Ibn al Arabi
Creed: Gift of the Heart
The word creed is from the Latin credo “I believe”, from cor do “I give my heart”.
As with belief, our creed must be our way of life.
A creed of the heart will allow us to see and feel from the perspective of another person so that we can practice true compassion. A creed or belief of the mind separates us from others that don’t carry that same belief.
The brilliant author on religion Karen Armstrong writes in her book The Spiral Staircase, “Saint Anselm of Canterbury had written, ‘Credo ut intelligam’, usually translated ‘I believe in order that I may understand.’ But Cantwell Smith explained ‘Credo ut intelligam’ should be translated ‘I commit myself in order that I may understand.'”
Belief: to Love
The word believe is from the Middle English beleven “to love”. In order for a belief to be of any use its purpose must be for love. It doesn’t matter if we believe in God, or in helping others, or in any number of things if our actions are not grounded in love.
These can be small simple actions. Practicing listening to others. Meditate, pray, and commune with God, by yourself or in community. Practice awakening in every moment. Breathe and transmute your energies.
Reference
The Spiral Staircase by Karen Armstrong