A Mystic Journey

Perhaps this information can assist all of us in providing some guidance to our kids. Spirituality is a difficult topic that can clash with certain religious views. But there is a simple way to approach and understand the topic. Here are a few suggestions:

• Share the common principles that are found in all religions, all religious views and all spiritual paths.
• Introduce the significant world’s religions to give kids an understanding of the different beliefs.
• Encourage kids to understand that life is more than just physical. It is also a belief in something greater. Help them “feel” a spiritual connection, which is emotional rather than logical.
• Focus on the overall importance of “Unity.”

Spirituality recognizes an inner dimension of the human experience, often called the soul or spirit. At its core, spirituality also reflects a common moral and emotional longing: to love and be loved, to reduce suffering, and to live in harmony with others in the world. Spirituality includes all religions, all religious views, and all spiritual beliefs. 

Common Principles of Most Religions and Spiritual Paths:

• compassion, 
• unity, 
• truthfulness, 
• fairness, 
• tolerance, 
• responsibility, 
• respect for all life, and
• service to all life. 

With these basic concepts as universal, how unfortunate there is so much religious strife in the world. If we could only learn to act on our common beliefs, as opposed to dissecting and defending them.

As I read these eight principles common to all religions, I was reminded of the six pillars of Character Counts that I discussed in a previous post “Character Counts.” 

Character Counts:

• Trustworthiness 
• Respect
• Responsibility 
• Fairness
• Caring
• Citizenship

I had forgotten that the principles common to most religions and the pillars of Character Counts are basically the same. Not a surprise that what makes a person a better human also defines spirituality.

Significant World Religions

I believe that everyone needs to be aware of the largest religious groups in the world. Too often we focus, and thus have our kids focus, mainly on the ones prevalent around us. Teaching kids to understand the larger world helps provide a perspective we all need. In the US, Christianity is dominant both in the news and in numbers. But Islam is a prevalent and growing religion in the world. Kids should be taught the difference between the extremists in Islam and the peace loving Muslims. Extremists, such as the ISIS terrorists and the White Nationalist Christians, do not accurately represent any religion, even if they are the ones receiving so much attention.

The four largest religion groups in the world, in order of size, are:

Christianity

Islam

Hinduism

Buddhism

Judaism is not one of the largest but is a significant religion. 

Sikhism, while not widely known in the US, is widespread in India. (Sikhs are recognized by the black or white turbans the men, and some of the women, wear.)

Another large group comprises the atheists (do not belief in God), agnostics (aren’t sure about the existence of God), and those who do not identify with any particular religious group.

I believe it is important that we honor and accept all of these groups, both religious and non religious, especially those whose beliefs may differ from our own. If our kids understand this at a young age, that tolerance will stay with them as they grow.

A Spiritual Connection

The significance to spirituality is a belief in something greater than ourselves, a belief in a bigger picture. What we call  this “greater than”  is insignificant.

 A  spiritual definition is not necessary, a connection is. 

A definition is intellectual, a connection is emotional. 

We want to encourage kids to experience a spiritual connection. Here are some ways they might do that:

• Feel it standing at the ocean’s edge with their feet in the sand as if their whole being were being cleansed. 
• Feel it riding through the mountains, highlighting a feeling of insignificance and humility.  
• Feel it working in the garden as their hands touch the earth, revealing a connection beyond any comprehension. 
• Find a way that may be more appropriate for your child.

Hopefully they will feel some love and warmth.

Encourage them to incorporate that feeling into their daily world. 

Focus On Unity

Our spirituality gives us a reason to care, a reason to go on, a reason to help others. Sometimes that simplicity eludes us, and our kids, as we all struggle through our complex days. 

Unity is mentioned above as one of the common principles in all religions. If we focus on unity, our connection with all others, that is spirituality. 

Perhaps a focus on this one idea reminds us and our kids that 

compassion and caring for others is most important in life.