Category: Religions

Religion and Spirituality

Can Religion and Spirituality Work Together?

Religion and Spirituality:

A common impression nowadays is that following a certain religion involves merely having faith in its claims, affirming its beliefs, adhering to its teachings or dogma, performing its prescribed rituals, and participating in its ceremonies and celebrations. Most people have become detached or divorced from the more personal, experiential, or spiritual dimension of religion. People’s connection with their souls and God and the embodiment of many moral virtues were largely weakened until the current spiritual reawakening.

Spirituality is concerned with more interpersonal and universal qualities, such as forgiveness, compassion, and love. It immerses us in our natural harmony, interconnectedness, and wholeness. Religion without spirituality is focused exclusively on material or practical aspects of life, especially rules, laws, and rituals.

The loss of morality and spirituality was in consonance with the encroachment of egoism, materialism, and empirical thinking over the past several centuries, which humanity fell into. It was characteristic of this dark (kali yuga or jahilliyah) age, while it had a stronghold that spirituality was relegated, disregarded, and even opposed.

I will show that not only is spirituality very much part of religion but also that both are essential and how the two complement each other. For example, in the Abrahamic religions:

  • Judaism has a spiritual dimension in the form of the Merkavah mystics, the Essenes, the Kabbala, and the Chassidic movement. They encourage people to develop a deep and intimate relationship with God. This is different from orthodox Judaism with its focus on halakha (religious laws and customs). Spirituality was denied by the Sadducees, Haskalah, and in the conservative and reform movements.
  • Christianity is essentially a spiritual faith despite being corrupted by the Roman empire and marred by a history of crusades and extremists. Hermetics and gnostics flourished in the first few centuries with the goal of liberating people from materiality and its emphasis on a personal relationship with God through gnosis. A significant change to strip Christianity of spirituality came about when they were persecuted and after the Council of Nicaea redefined the religion in 325 CE.
  • Islam formally identifies three dimensions of the religion as a deen (way of life): Islām(with its focus on the shariah, rituals, and other basic aspects), imān (faith and beliefs), and ihsān. The latter is the spiritual dimension, now more commonly called ‘tasawwuf’ (Islamic spirituality or Sufism). The Wahhabi or Neo-Salafi movement has tried to oppose this since the 18th century.

Spirituality:

Spirituality is not, therefore, something alien to religion at all; rather, it is an essential and integral part of it in its pure, original, and comprehensive form. However, the materialistic aspects dominated over time, and people generally disengaged from the more devotional side of religion except for the few spiritually inclined ones. The spiritual dimension is more pronounced in Eastern religions in general, but followers of those religions have also succumbed to extremism in recent times.

It is manifested, for example, in the form of the Hindutva movement among Hindus and Buddhist extremism in Myanmar. So, extremist and other debasing, intolerant, non-spiritual elements have left no religion untainted. But the misinterpretation, misuse, and exploitation of religion is the fault of certain deluded, anti-social, and spiritually devoid followers.

Human imperfections and weaknesses are to blame. It is neither supported in holy scriptures nor the essence of any true religion, which aims to strengthen people’s relationship with God, not to dissociate from God. As the Buddha once said, “The finger pointing at the moon is not the moon”.

Some people today claim to be “spiritual but not religious”. Spirituality without religion is an equally dangerous venture. Spirituality without religiosity can lead to self-centredness, complacency, and even materialistic tendencies, which are antithetical to real spirituality. The lack of proper grounding and protection, a framework for regulation and guidance, makes one vulnerable to influences by negative unseen entities. It also makes them more prone to mental health issues (King et al., 2018).

A proper spiritual approach would be to accept that differences exist between people of different religions, but we are all part of the same phenomenal experience instead of distancing from religion altogether. The Holy Quran (49:13) views diversity positively because God created it intentionally for us to benefit from so that we “get to know one another, not despise one another”.

This cannot be realized truly without spirituality. So, the spiritual dimension of life is essential, too, indeed more so, to ensure that we also appreciate our interconnectedness, underlying unity, and shared origin. Spirituality is supposed to develop deeper understanding, compassion, tolerance, enhanced faith, greater humanity, and so on.

Religion:

If the antagonism for a religion is a specific issue with its scriptures, teachings, or practices, this would require further investigation with an open mind. One should consider its authenticity, context, purpose, translation, interpretation, etc. History is also replete with examples of political manipulation of religion. It has even been used to justify violence, persecution, terrorism, and conflict. But how much is religion to blame for all of this?

Religion was devised to civilize humanity, but the opportunity to manipulate it to control people is also present. So, it can be used to motivate people either positively or negatively. Faiths and beliefs have a powerful influence on views and behavior, but it is a misuse of religion when exploited in harmful ways. The antidote to politicized religion should be a clearer understanding of and stronger commitment to it combined with lessons in morality and spirituality.

Fundamentally, the question of whether religion and spirituality can or should work together is about the outer and inner aspects of life. We live in a world of physicality and outward appearances but also need to develop the capacity to see beyond them and mature in our spiritual development.

Religion, in its basic or dogmatic form, focuses on the external and mundane side of life, the phenomenal world, or the exoteric dimension. Spirituality, in contrast, focuses on internal matters, the spiritual world, and noumena. It is an esoteric dimension of religion understood in a wider sense as a way of life.

This dichotomic view of religion and spirituality is also shared by the sociologist Nash (2001), and he sees both as expressions of faith. People can have varying degrees in each domain, which are essentially related to doing (religion), being (spirituality), and knowing (faith).

It is possible, for example, for someone to have faith but not be religious, in which case the person is weak in expressing the faith. As mentioned before, being spiritual but not religious would make one lack the necessary grounding, and vice versa, i.e., religiosity without spirituality is a typical position of materialists who may also be prone to intolerance and extremism. If faith is lacking, then trying to be either religious or spiritual would be a superficial exercise.

The domains of faith, religion, and spirituality

Both internal and external aspects need our attention for healthy development. So not only can religion and spirituality work together, but they must be made to. In Sufi terminology, the zāhir(outer) and bātin (inner) are both considered essential – outer aspects for functioning in the physical world and inner aspects for delving deeper to understand realities and connect with God. Buddhism likewise distinguishes between the traditional ‘lesser vehicle’ (hinayāna) with its emphasis on teachings and scripture and the ‘greater vehicle’ (mahayāana) that takes a more spiritual and humanitarian outlook.

The bodhisattva (spiritually enlightened being) in Mahayana tradition is motivated by compassion and informed by deep wisdom to help others from suffering. But this is only possible when we first become aware that everything we experience in the phenomenal world of the samsāra (cyclic change) is marked by suffering. The Old Testament (1 Samuel 16:7) also acknowledges the superiority of the inner reality without dismissing the role of surface-level appearances.

Michael King, Louiise Marston, Sally McManus, et al. Religion, spirituality, and mental health: results from a national study of English households. The British Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 202, issue 1.

References

Nash, R. ]. Religious pluralism in the academy: Opening the dialogue. New York: Peter Lang. 2001.

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Who is God

Who is God?

For a long time there has been a debate asking “Who is God” and there have been and are many different answers.

For some people, God exists. And for others, God does not! Those who don’t agree with God’s existence always ask that if there is a God, who is He?

God is behind all creation in the universe, the creator of nature. Nature wasn’t created by human beings or any living things on the planet, and if we didn’t do it then something else must have done it.

Was it your mom? Was it your dad? 

They are very capable people and as parents they gave you all there is to give, but are they really able to create something as lowly as dirt? Even the President of the United States, with all the power he has, can not create a leaf from scratch. Let alone something as advanced as a worm. Therefore, there must be a supernatural power that created nature, humans and all living and unliving things on earth.

You can ask church or temple people, and you will mostly hear what they have heard about God and sometimes their experiences regarding how faith in God has affected their lives. But we are not much closer to understanding what He is.

What is God?

Some religions describe God as a personal being with emotions and will, while others view God as an impersonal force or energy. Belief in God often involves a sense of reverence, awe, and devotion, and many people turn to prayer or worship as a way of connecting with God. God is the one true God, the embodiment of all that is true, good, and just. He is the source of all existence and the sustainer of all life. As Christ dwells in us, we are united with God and empowered to live in accordance with His divine will, experiencing the fullness of His love and grace.

What is the Identity of God?

No one sees the wind nor air, but nobody can question the existence of wind nor air. All of us only can feel and experience it in many ways. We can identify and define God’s identity. We can feel and experience God in several ways whether we are believers of God or not.

God’s form varies according to cultural, religious and the forms we are living as here on earth.

For Black people, God could be Black, for White it could be white. It is same for Hindus. It could have eight hands. For animals, God may be a giant buffalo with four horns. And for Asian people, God has brown eyes and black hair. Actually, He could choose to be any or all of these things. I mean, we are talking about an entirely different way of thinking. Too often, humans tend to put exaggerated human characteristics on God, but that is like putting human characteristics on an atom. We have to think much differently.

God is not jealous, nor petty, does not hold a grudge. He is love. That universal love that does not require something in return. He loves his creations.

So first, we have to stop comparing Him to us humans in how He/She/It thinks.

What if we look deeper?

It is true that we cannot fully understand all there is to know about God. God is not limited by time or space as we are, nor is he constrained by anything else. He/She/It is in everything.

There are some aspects of God that are beyond our comprehension.

Our idea of God is just an exaggerated version of ourselves as we are still not able to define ourselves, but the definition about our self is not always correct. No one can define God. We can just experience and be in awe over it. We can’t really understand it fully. Whatever knowledge we have about God is mostly culturally based and depending on what kind of Culture you have, that is the type of God you have.  Have you heard the stories about people dying then coming back only to tell of the leader we know about – Christian, it is Jesus. And for others and atheists it is something else.  We can only experience this life God gave us, and that could be all there is – that we were given the chance to experience this gift of life God gave all of us.

What if we go beyond

God has been taught to most of us in the churches and temples and Mosques and from well-meaning people who have also learned it from religious organizations. But what if we dig deeper. What if we read other books, listen to other voices? What if we use science to explain God? Science has been used to try to explain our existence forever. The atom – the building block of everything we see, shows that everything we see is basically an illusion. An illusion of atoms and molecules spinning around so fast that it looks real to our senses here on earth.

But looking at science gives us more questions. Science does not tell us who God is, but only shows us how it was done. It also doesn’t explain why.

So let’s look at other books. And let’s use our compass to guide us. That inner sense of what is the truth. Let’s look at what some of the best known ancient and modern philosophers have said about God.

Some Quotes

Michael Beckwith, modern spiritual philosopher and motivational teacher, said God is not Superman in the sky. It is Beauty, intelligence and life. God is our life, and we are expressions of that life.

Neale Donald Walsh said God is in everything seen and unseen, there is nothing that exists that is not a part of God.

“Always, everywhere God is present, and always He seeks to discover Himself to each one.” – A.W. Tozer

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass – grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls.” – Mother Teresa

“God has no religion.” Mahatma Gandhi

“Let us never forget to pray. God lives. He is near, and He is real. He is not only aware of us, but cares for us. God is our Father. He is accessible to all who will seek Him.” Gordon B. Hinckley

Saddhguru says it is impossible to truly describe ourselves. How can we possibly describe the Great Creator? We can only experience it and dissolve into it.

“What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.” Hans Urs von Balthasar

“God’s voice is usually nothing more than a whisper, and you have to listen very carefully to hear it. But other times, in those rarest of moments, the answer is obvious and rings as loud as a church bell.” Nicholas Sparks

Swami Mukundananda suggests if we want to know who He is that we ask Him directly. Why ask people who may or may not know? Ask directly to the source, and be prepared and open to receiving the reply in one or more unexpected places, such as from a friend or the radio or a magazine page or an ad, or from that soft tiny voice deep inside.

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God and Racism

God and Racism

Racism continues

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

I have a dream that one day in Alabama, little black boys, and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and little white girls as brothers and sisters.” These famous words are from Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr’s speech, “I Have a Dream,” in Washington, D.C. His speech gives a clear vision of an ideal society where God and racism can not coexist. This is the standard for a people if they claim God created us as equal and to be discrimination-free towards all its people.

It had been almost three score years since this speech was delivered. Dr. King always wanted to see American society evolve into a racist-free community one day. Unfortunately, even after over half a century, racism has remained one of the deepest-rooted problems in America and the world.

What does God think about racism?

Racism is not about noticing skin color. Racism is thinking one’s color is better than another. And that kind of judgment can lead to all kinds of b.s. God never intended one race or color to be above another for it is said more than once that we are all brothers and sisters. Racism, in its simplest terms, is the discrimination and discriminatory oppressive behavior toward others due to skin color or the culture one comes from, the kind of clothing one wears, or even the type of language one speaks. It also includes discrimination due to one’s country of origin, religious beliefs, etc. Several historical examples show the Historical Origins and development of Racism and how people have faced racism in various forms.

One of the most famous examples is whites’ discrimination against Black people simply due to their skin color in America and European countries. Another example of racism is anti-Semitism, i.e., the hatred and mistreatment of Jews.

A form of racism that targets people of the Jewish faith. The peak of this anti-Semitism was seen during The Holocaust instigated by Adolf Hitler.  Millions of Jews were killed in a mass genocide because of their Jewish background[1]. Jews were the scapegoat and blamed for everything wrong in the world. This race blame is a popular game in the political world from the beginning of time until now. Just find someone to blame is easy and emotional. We love to blame others. That is human nature.

There is no need to peep into history. We can observe our surroundings and easily see racism happening in some form or another right among us. One is alienate from the school sports team if they look, talk or act differently from other players. One is side-line from his friends’ circle because he comes from another land with different habits. Furthermore, one can seen as something less than the others.

If he puts a long tilak on his forehead as in the Hindu system has a long beard. And white cap as followed in the Muslim community, or has a weird kind of turban on his head as worn in Sikh traditions. He is still human just as equal to any other human.  Suppose a person speaking a different language lives in a particular community having a common foreign language. In that case, that person is made to feel separate from the community on certain occasions. Discrimination of people based on caste, creed, or gender is also visible worldwide.

Just like Cancer

Just as cancer starts with a small portion of the body and gradually spreads, taking control of the whole body and eventually leading to the death of the person. Similarly, this racism is also as bad as cancer in modern society. Ultimately defeating the unity of society by attacking the differences instead of the commonalities.

Fear of the unknown also contributes to misunderstanding and distrust. Someone may have “heard” about those kinds of people and so they sow the rumors that lead to fear and lack of compassion and human understanding.

How does racism affect society?

How does racism affect society?

It is said that Man is a social animal and cannot live without society. Still, suppose a man chooses to remain on the platform of animalistic thinking and propensities. In that case, he must live without society as there is no peace, harmony, or happiness in a community of lower-vibrational animals. The kind of impact racism leaves on people’s lives is egregious. Specific incidents from people’s lives worldwide are sufficient to show what kind of society we live in. But we can do better when we consider God and racism.

As a black girl, I have experienced a lot of pain because of my skin color. Being an Indian Muslim in America, I can say that I have experienced racism and microaggressions quite a few times. I was in elementary school, asking my friend if I could go to her house. She said, “No, sorry, my dad doesn’t like Indians.” A lot of my childhood friends were nonblack, and I often was made to feel like an outsider with them,” says KJ from Texas[2].

Throughout the years. I have heard multiple “jokes” about all Muslims — or even just brown people in general—being terrorists, says Ridah Shaikh. Lakhwant Singh was working in his suburban Denver liquor store in April 2020 when a man walked in, assaulted him, damaged products, shouted profanity, and yelled. “Go back to your country”[2].

Recent research on racism post-pandemic is more worrying. Asian Americans are more likely than any other group to say they have been subject to slurs or jokes because of their ethnicity since the coronavirus outbreak. Sizable shares of Black and Asian adults worry other people might be suspicious of them if they wear a mask in public.

Since the coronavirus outbreak. Most Asian Americans (58%) and 45% of Black Americans say it is more common for people to express racist views toward their group. These are some of the research results shared by the Pew Research Organization[3]. Let’s talk about God and racism. Does God discriminate?

Can God help us solve racism?

Can God help us solve racism?

So far, we have discussed God and racism, its origin to some extent, and various incidents. Does God discriminate? Of course not however. I want to suggest the root cause of racism from the perspective of religion and God and a simple solution to eradicate it. As it is evident from people’s experience, racism originates from an individual’s bias or prejudice, which stems from his own identity. Self-preservation is the first and fundamental law of nature.

Every individual wants to preserve their body, mind, ideas, thinking, feelings, beliefs, and emotions. During this process, he creates likes and dislikes because he is the center of the activity. One who agrees with his ideas and views is included in his circle, and the rest he excludes. One sees and promotes the views and priorities of one group or “category” of people over others.

When this process expands from person to family to society to community and ultimately to nation. Discrimination originates in colossal form. Which we can call systematic racism when it runs through many areas of society, from law enforcement to housing to finances. In all these expressions, the aim is one’s self-satisfaction and maintenance of superiority of beliefs, thoughts, and emotions.

What does God say about racism?

Let us see God’s word on racism through various religious scriptures about racism. Starting with the classic Indian spiritual text- The Bhagavad Gita, where Lord Krishna informs us that we are not these bodies but souls, indicating I am not Indian, American, etc.

I do not belong to a particular society, community, family, or even mind. I am pure spirit soul, and part and parcel of God, above all these bodily designations. Since we are not purified, we identify ourselves with body & mind and fight with each other on superficial physical identifications. Verse 5.18 of the Bhagavad Gita gives us the vision of an elevated person. Who has come to this realization of soul? “The humble sage, by true knowledge sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater [outcaste].

What does God say about racism in the Bible?

Racism and the Bible –  As per The Bible, Galatians 3:26 Romans 8:14, we are all children of God, and hence we are brothers and sisters. In the holy Quran, in the matter of dealings with other people. The Qur’an says. “Do not let the hatred of others you meet allow you to swerve to do wrong and depart from justice.” “Be just: that is next to piety.” (Quran Surah Al-Maa’idah, 5:8) . Do not let your enmity for your enemies exceed the limits and turn you away from justice in either words or actions.” And even though The Bible does mention slavery, it does not condemn it nor approve of it. But even here it seems to want us to treat everyone equally.

Ephesians 6:5

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

Ephesians 6:9

9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Similar instructions can found in other religious scriptures.

So a careful study of all these scriptures gives us a clear understanding of how to treat other human beings, on a level equal to oneself. Free from any discrimination because God created us equal. But someone may question how religion can solve the problem of racism.

It might be difficult to imagine, religion can help the race situation. When there have been ongoing conflicts between various religious groups. This happens when people live with a false conception of the Hindu, Muslim, or Christian. God and the many sects without acknowledging that the sun, although known by different names in various countries is the same. It equally distributes sunshine to everyone. A rose, by any other name, is still a rose and smells so sweet.

Hence, acknowledging that God is one and we all are his children is key. Even if this principle is practiced daily, racism from its roots can be ended if these principles are taught in all churches, schools, colleges, and homes from today onward.

Experiencing racism at work?

Experiencing racism at work can be a difficult and traumatic experience. It can take many forms, from overt discrimination and harassment to more subtle forms of bias and microaggressions. The impact of racism at work can be far-reaching. Affecting not only an individual’s job performance and career prospects but also their mental and physical health.

The issues between God and racism can complete very quickly. Recently there has been a great debate on teaching Critical Race Theory in America because some fear that CRT admonishes. All white people for being oppressors, while classifying all black people as hopelessly oppressed victims. Yes, it may happen. But even if it is not taught people can go to the internet and learn this theory in great detail. Nowadays, social media can be so influential – even more than schools or colleges.

The difference is known by everybody, but discussing the problem will get you a wide range of solutions. Our government, police, and society can help us to some extent. Still until and unless we revolutionize our consciousness and do not make this simple principle of deep conviction in our hearts a priority. The evil of racism will continue in society. 

Unfortunately, we think teaching Science, Math, Engineering, Law, etc., is essential for children, but also learning how to treat our fellow humans with dignity and respect and how best to live a life one can feel proud of – one that is just and right is even more important.

Still, lessons in practicing humility, tolerance, equal treatment, and justice cannot be ignored. And the common practice of resorting to intolerance should be stopped.

The height of the illusion is that one knows a person can drive a plane, repair a car or fight a case in court if and only if he has practiced making himself qualified. Still, we expect these saintly qualities to manifest in oneself automatically without practice. If not supported by our elders and leaders, where will they lead us, and will it be a place we will be happy?

Whether it’s a question of the external world or the inner world of human beings. No skill or quality can develop without regular practice and dedication. Since it’s an internal disease of an individual. The solution must come from inside but be encouraged and supported by those who want to because we understand the desirability of living in a just society. The preference of living in justice for all, for if not, you could be next to suffer in an untethered world ruled by fear and emotions.

All of us owe the search and cure of racism not only to those wronged but also to those who judged and have the power to affect the situations when we do not follow our better angels. But when we slip into the human darker characteristics of anger, fear, blame, and suspicion based on things we heard or told by our leaders or media industry, it could lead us to disaster.

Speaking about media, some do not consider that the surest way to increase viewers for news shows is to sensationalize them. Using fear and anger will get more to watch.

One of the key lessons in the Christian Bible is thou shalt, not judge. Yet that is what we do so easily. We are responsible for the crime of judging a person, and more, judging another unknown person by only what we see and not what is inside them. We need to strive to find out what is inside every one of God’s children. Remember, God created us equal, and not to just see what is outside to judge. For all to join in prejudiced emotions running unchecked without asking for wisdom and the universal love that God gave us.

References

[1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/anti-Semitism
[2]https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/learning/what-students-are-saying-about-race-and-racism-in-america.html
[3]https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/07/01/many-black-and-asian-americans-say-they-have-experienced-discrimination-amid-the-covid-19-outbreak/

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My Best Friend God !!

By: “Jyoti Shukla”

My Best Friend God:

God is our best friend, I’ve always had a strong belief and a love of God and believed that the Lord is my protector and God is my best friend because God protects his people. I was raised to believe that a higher power watches over us and that we should be kind to one another at all times. If you wonder if God protects us from danger? You will get your answer after reading my post.

When God is your best friend

I remember the first time I felt the presence of God and experienced God’s love. It was during my childhood when I was 6-7 years old. I had developed a strong belief that God was my friend, just like other friends or siblings, by listening to spiritual stories. And this ‘friend’ could do anything for me. So, whenever I was in a mess or needed a favor, I’d pray to God and bribe him with small sums of money. So, I bribed God.

“If mummy won’t scold me for breaking the plate, I’ll give you two cents. If I pass the exam, I’ll give you three cents.” That was my budget, and I bribed accordingly. My family was first astonished to find coins in our deity’s picture. But then they learned about my ‘arrangement’ with God, and they laughed, never stopping me from doing this or preaching to me that God doesn’t need money or bribing. They left the business between God and me.

Then, I grew up, completed my studies, and wanted to move to some big city for a job. This time, I took a religious path.

God, My Protector

My Best Friend God

Does God protect us from danger?

I came across my best friend God and understood that the Lord is my protector, God is our best friend when my parents passed away one after another. The world opened its loving arms for me, and people reached across to console me because God wanted to protect me; God protects his people. A cousin-brother of mine, whom I hadn’t come across in many years, took my phone number from my sister-in-all and started calling me every weekend.

He was very spiritual, and without asking anything about my well-being, he would start talking about God and how many ways He can be found.

I have also been in meditation and yoga, so we’d talk about meditation, not a word about anything else. He kept calling me every Sunday for one full year. Fifty-two weeks of spiritual talks had a calming effect on me; more than anything else, those talks helped me recover from my loss.

Not only this, but I found that birds and animals flocked around me like protectors, and I understood who my protector was. Suddenly, many pigeons started sleeping outside my bedroom, on the grill, as if protecting me in my sleep as my protector. Sparrows started coming and frolicking on my flat’s balcony. Then, one day, when I was walking on the road, I felt some wetness on my right hand, deep in my thoughts, which assured me God protects his people. I looked down and saw a dog licking its chops and grinning as if it was playing with me and trying to make me happy!

Earlier in my life, I was never a religious person. I went to temples and participated in religious ceremonies but never felt like I was there for the right reasons. It always felt like I was going because all my family members enjoyed those gatherings and not because they made me feel good or helped me in any way.

God Is Kindness

I had always been kind, but I became even more kind after my parents died. So now, whenever someone is having a tough day or needs help. I’m the first to offer assistance and show them kindness. It’s as though God has given me this new sense of purpose in life – to show people kindness and love no matter what happens to them, for God is with you. If nothing else, I compliment people on any good thing about them. And it lights up their faces! That is God smiling back at me.

The experience of God is a feeling that one gets when they are in the presence of kindness. It is a feeling that most people have had at some point in their lives. And somehow you get to feel God in your life.

It has been said that if you have never felt God, then you are not human. This is because God and spirituality go hand in hand. This makes sense because it is impossible to be alive and not experience the kindness of others at least once in your lifetime.

My experience of God is not like what most people think. I know there is a God, but it isn’t the kind of God that punishes us for our sins and gives us good things when we are good. Instead, God is love, and love is God.

I believe that God is an energy and experience. The feeling of God can come through in many ways – with kindness, through nature, through music, or by being in awe of something beautiful or powerful because God is everything, and the lord is my protector. This feeling gives me pleasure. God is full of love for us all. God created us and He loves us.

God, In EverythingMy Best Friend God

I have had a lot of experiences with God. I had seen him in the most unlikely of places, heard him in the most unlikely of moments, and felt his presence when I needed it the most. It showed me that God loves us as we are.

God had given me peace when I felt lost, hope when I was hopeless, and love when I felt unloved. He had given me strength when my own body failed me. He offered me joy when all seemed hopeless. He has shown himself to be kinder than anyone else could ever be to me- even if he is not always what we expect him to be. God loves all of us. But is god our friend? Yes, God is everything.

Many people have had experiences with God, and they have different experiences. My experience with God was positive. I felt the feeling of kindness from Him. His love for me is unconditional, making me feel so loved. Life, love, and God are all interconnected.

God, My Mentor

God has been helping me through tough times in life. He has helped me be a better person day by day. He loves me unconditionally, no matter what happens in life. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn about Him and know that.

My experience with God changed my life as I understood what it means to have faith. I realized that I could have a relationship with Him, even though He may or may not be there. Earlier I used to ask, Who is God, and What is God? It is something that needs to be felt to understand.

I used the term “experience” because this is how we should think of our spiritual experiences as they happen naturally and without effort. For example, my relationship with God began with the feeling that I needed to know Him more deeply because He was so important to me.

God’s love for us encompasses everything. It was not until I experienced God differently that I realized the importance of my faith. This experience changed my life, and it continues to change me.

I experienced God through meditation, as well as through prayer. The meditation process allowed me to see the world in a new light and understand it. Meditation has helped me become more aware of what is happening around me. And it has helped me make sense of life’s problems better than ever before.

When your best friend is God, the world opens up.

And now I notice what is going on around me more deeply than ever before, and I realize when your best friend is God you are never alone. I talk to God like a friend.

I had a spiritual awakening, defined as an experience of God or the divine. It cannot be explained in words and can only be felt. My experience with my best friend, God, was an awakening that changed my life in a way. I could never have imagined.

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