Home » Posts tagged "Spirituality"

Author Brian McLaren Unveils Spiritual Practices for the “Not Religious” in ‘Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in Twelve Simple Words’

Author Brian McLaren Unveils Spiritual Practices for the “Not Religious” in ‘Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in Twelve Simple Words’













Cover: Naked Spirituality by Brian McLaren


San Francisco, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) March 15, 2011

More than 20 percent of Americans define themselves as “spiritual but not religious,” a growing segment that Christian churches are finding tough to attract or keep. Author and speaker Brian McLaren suggests in his new book that a transparent encounter with God is what most spiritual people are seeking – and that this encounter is too often missing from organized religion. McLaren has penned Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words (HarperOne, March 15, 2011) to outline a dozen durable, doable spiritual practices that can lead to a truly spiritual life – and even to true religion.

McLaren, heralded in 2005 as one of TIME Magazine’s top 25 evangelicals, writes: “This is a book about getting naked—not physically, but spiritually. It’s about stripping away the symbols and status of public religion—the Sunday-dress version people often call ‘organized religion.’ We are after a lost treasure as old as the story of the Garden of Eden: the possibility of being naked and not ashamed, naked before God and naked before one another, too, where we have no need to cover up, to protect, to posture, to dress to impress, just the freedom to be who we are, what we are, as we are. I hope this book will help you strip away distractions and discover that precious hidden treasure underneath.”

Naked Spirituality offers twelve words, or practices, to anchor the reader in God and free him or her to do the holistic work the gospel calls for – to pray as well as save the planet; to worship as well as lift up the poor and needy. McLaren shares practical wisdom for living a truly spiritual life as he presents a dozen exercises for beginning and sustaining a meaningful relationship with God. Rooted in four seasons, these practices are represented by simple words which are easy to remember but rich in transformative power:

    Season One is Simplicity: This spring-like season of spiritual awakening is built on the framework of three words representing three spiritual practices – Here, Thanks, O!
    Season Two is Complexity: Like summer, this is a season of spiritual strengthening and it is marked by three concepts: Sorry, Help, Please
    Season Three is Perplexity: This autumn-like season is one of spiritual surviving, with three practices guided by these emotive words: When?, No!, and Why?
    Season Four is Harmony: As with winter, this is a season of deepening, practiced with three spiritual. concepts: Behold, Yes, and […]

McLaren invites readers to leave behind negative experiences of religion so they can become truly spiritual people and reclaim the promise of religion. He writes: “Religion, by its etymology, is about connecting us together again. In this light true religion and naked spirituality are two names for the same thing: seeking vital connection. So if religion is experienced as promoting selfishness rather than otherliness, as prioritizing one’s own personal salvation and religiosity over the well-being of others, then religion becomes anti—religious. Maybe if we name this kind of unspiritual phenomenon “de-ligion” instead of “religion,” we can save the latter word for the traditions that enhance and support naked spirituality.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brian McLaren is an author, speaker, pastor, and networker among innovative Christian leaders, thinkers, and activists. His groundbreaking books include A New Kind of Christian, A Generous Orthodoxy, The Secret Message of Jesus, and Everything Must Change. Named by Time magazine as one of America’s top twenty-five evangelicals, McLaren has appeared on “Nightline” and “Larry King Live,” and has been covered by The Washington Post and the New York Times. His website is BrianMcLaren.net.

Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words

By Brian D. McLaren

HarperOne, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

March 15, 2011| $ 25.99 | Hardcover | 9780061854019

# # #






















Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







Addictions ? Spirituality vs Religion

Without question, addiction freedom does require a spiritual transformation. And while Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) should be credited with uncovering that element, most participants fail to make an authentic spiritual transformation. I believe this can be mainly attributed to the false pretense that spirituality is somehow connected to religion. Spirituality and religion are distinctly and undeniably different practices. Religion is a community or group practice while spirituality is a personal journey. The practice of outward ideals and doctrines is not, nor has it ever been, a substitute for inner righteousness. Can one practice religion and spirituality? Yes, of course! However, one should not assume they are synonymous because they aren’t! Ironically, this is exactly what occurs in the Twelve-Step Program. Alcoholics Anonymous professes its independence from organized religion, but that’s a bit disingenuous since the majority of programming is sponsored by churches and various religious denominations. Moreover, two of the early, influential leaders of (AA) were deeply rooted in religion. Frank Buchman was a Lutheran minister, and Samuel shoemaker was a rector in the Episcopal faith.

While the end goal of both spirituality and religion is to establish a personal relationship with the divine, only spirituality can deliver on that promise. Religion is a community or group based practice, which usually follows a doctrine or set of ideals. When practiced correctly, spirituality is a personal journey that encompasses self-reflection, discovery, growth and a greater connection to ones higher consciousness and the divine. Truthfully, I have nothing against religion if it is practiced authentically. However, when it is not and is passed off as spirituality it becomes a grand facade that is completely counterproductive to addiction recovery. This is why many folks in (AA) trade masks or exhibit a behavioral transference. In other words, they transfer their addiction to (AA) or religion. Four of the steps of (AA) touch on self-discovery and selflessness, however, that valuable guidance is quickly quashed by the concept of powerlessness.

A spiritual practice must be born in the fire of liberation. One’s higher consciousness or spirit doesn’t exist in the realm of anger, resentment, jealousy, envy, judgment or fear. Consequently, to make that connection you must take the necessary action to relinquish your fears and insecurities. To put it bluntly, you must wipe the slate clean. It really boils down to looking your demons squarely in the eye! However, it’s hard to liberate or empower yourself if you’re being told that you are powerless! Think about it! Have you allowed others to usurp your personal power, strip your personal identity, or prevent you from following your true divine purpose? These issues can only be addressed in an authentic spiritual practice. If you’d like to embark on an authentic spiritual path, begin by examining you fears and self-limiting beliefs. Adopt a set of principles and stand firmly – no matter what anyone says or does. Take back your personal power by learning to say what you mean and mean what you say. Say no to others when it’s necessary. And, learn to speak your will in a calm and confident way.

In Summary, religion and spirituality can be practiced together; however, they are vastly different paths. Religion is a community path while spirituality is a personal journey. The path that is most beneficial to addiction freedom is spirituality.

 

Regards,

David Roppo

The Addiction Freedom Coach

If you’d like more information on overcoming addictions or how to make an authentic spiritual transformation, click on the links below to get a free copy of my E-Course!

addictions

overcoming addictions

overcome addictions

 

 

 

Addiction Freedom and Life Transformation expert David Roppo is fiercely committed to helping people everywhere who struggle with addiction, career/ personal life identity crises, life purpose issues and low self-esteem problems. Guiding them with easy to learn tips and empowering pearls of wisdom to create a truly magical existence that’s free from habitual behavior and filled with happiness, love, true purpose and abundance – is his passion and commitment. David is a work-in-the trenches coach, author, speaker and creator of a unique 5-step addiction freedom and life transformation system.

 

Article from articlesbase.com

Related Freedom Of Religion Articles

Church and State: The Role of Spirituality in Politics, Hammer Museum


Frank Schaeffer, author of the New York Times best selling memoir, Crazy For God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back, joins us to discuss his fiery evangelical past. The son of theologian Francis Schaeffer, Frank came of age with the Christian right, growing up in an evangelical/fundamentalist world with Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson at the kitchen table. He eventually broke ranks with the powerful political/religious movement that influences the Republican Party and will provide us with his unique insights as he searches for a meeting place for what he calls “the scattered refugees of The Church of Hopeful Uncertainty.” (Run Time: 1 hour, 43 min.)

Spirituality VS Religion

Do you think that spirituality and religion are synonymous? I used to think that they were, but as I learned more, I discovered there are major differences. I found out that you can be spiritual and religious, spiritual and not religious, or religious and not spiritual. That may seem confusing. I will explain.

To being with, there are only two basic emotions, love and fear. The loved based emotions include compassion, forgiveness, caring, kindness, and unconditional love, which is true love because there are no conditions. Whereas fear based emotions include control, guilt, anger, abuse, and passive and active aggression.

It is also helpful to understand that we have four basic parts, mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. Our human personalities are composed of our mental, emotional, and physical parts. They make us unique. Our spiritual part is our higher-self, our all-good, all-knowing, unconditional loving part. It is also known as our God-self. We can connect with our spiritual truths through our intuition.

Therefore, spirituality comes from our spiritual part. When we commit to being honest, kind, caring, loving and accepting of others and ourselves, we are acting from our spiritual part. We have integrity, create win-win solutions, and do what we can to make a positive difference, see everyone as equals and deserving of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

For example, I know of a policeman who stopped a truck driver for drunken driving. He knew that if he arrested the middle aged-man, he would lose his job and not be able to support his family. Instead, he drove him home and talked to him about his problem. He also counseled his family. I call him a “spiritual cop.” He cared enough to help the man and not just punish him.

Spiritual people support everyone having equal rights. They act considerate and responsible. They believe in the power of positive thinking and take responsibility for their lives. Spirituality means living from love rather than fear.

Where does God or a higher power come into all of this? If they do believe in a divine being that looks like a light or person, it will be a loving one that supports, protects, and provides for them. They feel supported to be their unique selves. Spiritual people accept that God is all-loving, and all-powerful, and wants them to be happy, healthy, abundant and successful. They often speak directly to God, instead of having a person relay God’s messages to them. Or, they are spiritual and religious because they have loving spiritual leaders and books that support them living from love and acceptance.

Spiritual people do not have any dogma or rules except Karma, (you reap what you sow) what you do to others will be done back to you. For example, if you are cruel to other people, you will probably experience people being mean back. Your kindness will be rewarded with a return of kindness.

On the other hand, religion has a dogma and a human being interpreting their God’s messages. As we all know, human beings have fears and they can alter the information, consciously or unconsciously. Religious books were translated by man throughout the ages. The information can be loving or fear based. It is my belief that if it is loving and supportive, then it is spiritual. However, if it is preaching guilt, control, superiority, judgment of others who are different, and believing only their truth is right, it is not spiritual. If it is teaching that you are sinful and here to suffer and struggle, it is not spiritual.

I do not believe that God tries to control us. God honors our free will, and wants us to be happy as any healthy parent would. “Joy and laughter are signs of God’s presence.” I believe that God gave us the proverb, “Do unto others as you want others to do unto you.” Honor and accept everyone, and allow them to live their lives as they choose. Spiritual people live and let live. They see everyone as equals and support freedom and liberty for all. They live from love!

copyright 2009 by Helene Rothschild, MS, MA, LMFT, Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist, intuitive counselor, and author of,”All You Need Is HART! Create Love, Joy and Abundance ~NOW!” She offers telephone sessions, a relationship check-up report/questionnaire, books, e-books, CDs, Mp3 audios, plus a free newsletter, “Healing Your Body” Mp3 and “Truths Set You Free” e-booklet. http://www.angeloncall.net , 1-888-639-6390.

paintball guns