Licking the Razor's Edge (2015)
Recognizing the hidden addictions that bind you, … to then set your True Self free
Recognizing the hidden addictions that bind you,
… to then set your True Self free
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RECOGNIZING our own ADDICTION to RELIGION<br />
An addiction to religion (or to “spirituality”) occurs when we become attached to <strong>the</strong><br />
“high” that comes from our spiritual practices. We focus primarily on <strong>the</strong> personal benefit<br />
that our religion brings ourselves (and those who share our beliefs), as opposed to<br />
allowing our religion to inspire us to Care for o<strong>the</strong>rs. It is seen less as a center of<br />
compassion for our community, and more as a means to achieve our own “personal<br />
salvation” &/or to manifest our own “spiritual abundance”.<br />
As with any o<strong>the</strong>r addiction, we must first identify where our spirituality has begin to<br />
slowly strangle our lives before we can <strong>the</strong>n free ourselves from its grasp. To assist<br />
yourself in this very important step, consider <strong>the</strong> following questions:<br />
*Do you view “<strong>the</strong> Truth” as being objective, literal or absolute?<br />
*Do you attempt to persuade o<strong>the</strong>rs to understand, accept or even adopt your personal<br />
spiritual beliefs?<br />
*Do you debate or argue about religious topics more than you calmly discuss <strong>the</strong>m?<br />
*If religion happens to come up in a conversation, do you avoid revealing your personal<br />
beliefs in order to be “polite”?<br />
*Do you believe that your own religion’s “Holy Scriptures” are legitimate and accurate,<br />
while those of o<strong>the</strong>r religions are not?<br />
*Do you loyally follow <strong>the</strong> advice of religious leaders or “spiritual masters”?<br />
*Do you see your own religion as “<strong>the</strong> only way to salvation”?<br />
*Do you have pity for, worry about, or are saddened by <strong>the</strong> afterlife prospects of<br />
members of o<strong>the</strong>rs religions?<br />
*Do you try to teach o<strong>the</strong>rs “<strong>the</strong> correct way”?<br />
*Do you worship more in a church (or a mosque, or a synagogue, or a temple) than you<br />
privately pray during your everyday life?<br />
*Do you believe that “<strong>the</strong> Truth” is complicated, or that “Right Action” is difficult to<br />
determine?<br />
*Do you see God as judgmental? Do you think He (or She, or It) punishes <strong>the</strong> “wicked”<br />
— ei<strong>the</strong>r in this life or <strong>the</strong> next?<br />
*Do you see members of o<strong>the</strong>r religions more as “lost souls” than as differently-devout<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>rs & sisters?<br />
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