Religious Zen

I am a spiritual minimalist.

The more and more I look at the spiritual and religious landscape of the world, on the internet and in physical places that I go to, I am seeing an explosion in the numbers of people who shun what is expected of them and embrace what they feel is important.

I am one of these people. I like to call myself a spiritual minimalist, and this has nothing to do with people who have the fewest in number of spiritual beliefs. Rather, it is those who embrace a number of ideals. Here are just some, but not all, of the traits that make up a spiritual minimalist:

• They choose what fulfills them as a person.
• They shun what others try to force upon them, especially if it doesn’t work.
• They see no problem with dropping a belief if it isn’t working.
• They understand that not all answers will come from the same source.
• They rely much more upon personal intuition rather than just external information.
• They act on their spiritual beliefs in all areas of life, not just publicly.
• They don’t see a need to force people to believe or think their way.

Spiritual minimalists can come from all nations, creeds, and religions. In my opinion, these are the people who get the most out of the spiritual lives- whatever that may be. Believe it or not, it could also mean that Atheists are “spiritual minimalists” in a way. Most of them that I know fit several of these categories.

My journey.

Throughout my life I have always strove to connect with the more spiritual side of myself. While many were content with adopting a certain religion and being very wishy washy, I would always go gung-ho with whatever it may have been. It absolutely baffled me that somebody could choose a way of life and almost completely ignore what they had decided to believe in. Most of these people would then gossip and slander those who didn’t live up to their religious ideal, when they themselves didn’t even measure up to their own yardstick!

To this day, some of my beliefs have changed, but I am still as ever passionate about my spirituality as ever. I do not make it a point to try to “convert” others into my way of thinking. I instead stick to self-improvement and personal development.

Over the years, I have dropped some of my beliefs- even those that were deeply held- and have also picked up some new ones. There is nothing wrong with this at all! In the scientific community if something has been proven wrong, it is almost as good as getting something proven right! At least then you know that one thing doesn’t work, and it’s time to move on to something that does.

When it is all said and done, you ought to focus on what works for you. Nobody else will have to live with the consequences of what you believe except you, so why go about life trying to please others? In the area of your morals and beliefs, you should never be swayed by what others think of you, only by your own convictions and personal values of what is right and wrong. If you do this, then no sane human being could ever condemn you.

Simplifying your spirituality, an overview.

You may be wondering why you should even be a spiritual minimalist in the first place, or at the very least asking yourself why you should simplify you spiritual life. The benefits have everything to do with self-reliance, independence, and a stable foundation for everyday life. It is very refreshing and reinvigorating to know that you are choosing your own path in life, and that no one else is trying to choose it for you. It is all about freedom! As human begins, we shouldn’t just want to be free, we need to be free. Being free to do whatever we want as long as it doesn’t harm anybody else is a beautiful thing.

Our spirituality constantly spills over into our everyday lives. If we are unhappy with our spiritual lives, it will effect the other areas in several ways. This is why when many people violate a tenant of their religion, they often feel guilty and pull away from the religion altogether- or so they think! Really, they haven’t “pulled away” at all, but are simply so guilt ridden that they purposely do all the things their religion goes against. People who have truly pulled away and found freedom will not feel guilty at all for, let’s say, drinking.

Certain religions, or rather the people who run them, are the cause of many alcoholics, chain smokers, unwanted pregnancies, and many other things. The list can go on forever. If you break these people free, however, they will do what is right for them, and not fall into the rut that guilt brings a long. Often this means a less extreme pulling away from their old spirituality and a rebirth into a better and more balanced new one. This is what spiritual minimalists constantly strive for: self-improvement, not guilty feelings.

Empower yourself today.

You don’t need to wait on the rest of the series to become a spiritual minimalist. Decide today that you will only follow what you value. Realize that whatever you choose, it is just as valid as any other thought or belief system in the world today.

Over the course of this 7 part series, I will be giving you tips and instructions on how I’ve improved my own life as well as what has worked for others. I will not be endorsing or condemning any specific religion, but rather pleading with you to live your own life your way, rather than someone else’s. I will also tell you how to begin with a clean slate and start new.

Next time, we will be dealing with beginning anew. It is a powerful way to become a new person, especially for those who are victims of current religious systems in the world today.

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