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Casey Mills's avatar

Thanks for this - it made me think of the Latin root of the word "religion," "religare", or "to bind". I agree with you and Nick that religion helps bind us to our responsibility to this world and to each other, preventing us from floating off into narcissistic spirituality.

Ryan C's avatar
15hEdited

I'm intrigued if resonance has any power to break and reshape us. Through fragmentation and realigning with new identities we seem happy to hold onto our favorite fruits of the spirit, speeding away from a conversion of heart, a molding of the mind, a resonance with a melody that reaches to what really is.

Ross Warnell's avatar

This is really helpful. The concept of resonance certainly fits with the definition of religion as that which binds that which has been broken or separated.

When most people say “religion" they usually mean “religiosity" or the externals and trappings.

So far as “spirituality”, much of which masquerades as spirituality is navel gazing. To the notion “I can find God by myself walking through the forest I say " All can. None must. Some should".

Tom aka Volkmar's avatar

I resonate with Cave's definition of religion which certainly demands something of us.

Richard, you said this in your last paragraph; "Our life is addressed by Being,"

What are you saying in using "Being?"

Richard Beck's avatar

I mean God.

But another person might experience "Being" less confessionally and more diffusely and experientially. As a sense, intuition, or even a vague disquiet that existence is asking something of them. They may feel that their life has a purpose, that it has been set before them as an adventure and a task. That life/existence/the cosmos is addressing, speaking, and calling to them. Even if they are not yet prepared to name the One who is calling.

Tom aka Volkmar's avatar

Thanks for the clarification Richard.