Do you practice religion?

My journey through religion and spirituality started with growing up in a Hindu household. I was surrounded by vibrant rituals, ancient stories, and the rhythmic chants of mantras. Like many, I reached a point in life where I began to question: What does spirituality truly mean? This curiosity sparked a personal odyssey through sacred texts, meditation practices, and deep reflection, shaping my understanding of faith and the divine. Here’s a glimpse into my journey and the insights I’ve gathered along the way.

Exploring Sacred Texts

My exploration began with the familiarHinduism’s Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads, texts rich with philosophical depth. Eager to broaden my perspective, I delved into the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, and the Quran. Each text offered unique wisdom, yet I often found myself grappling with their complexity. The poetic verses of the Gita spoke of duty and detachment, while the Quran emphasized compassion and submission to a higher power. The Bible wove narratives of sacrifice and redemption. Though I didn’t fully grasp every teaching, each scripture left an imprint, revealing shared threads of humanity across faiths.

A Year of Meditation

Reading alone wasn’t enoughI wanted to experience spirituality. This led me to a transformative ten-day mindfulness meditation retreat. For ten days, I sat in silence, observing my breath and untangling my thoughts. It was both humbling and profound. That retreat inspired a year-long commitment to meditation, where I explored various techniques, from Vipassana to guided visualizations. Through this practice, I learned a powerful truth: spirituality doesn’t require retreating from the world. You can cultivate peace and purpose while living your everyday lifewhether during a quiet morning coffee or a busy workday.

My Evolving View on Religion

Through years of exploration, I’ve shaped a personal understanding of the divine. I believe in a formless, gender-less, all-encompassing divine powera universal energy that transcends human constructs. We give it form, whether as deities, symbols, or stories, to make it relatable to our senses. For me, the ultimate temple is the mind, where intention and reflection reside. At their core, all religions share a universal message: peace, compassion, and unity. Heaven and hell aren’t distant realms but reflections of our actions and choices. Every faith and culture has an equal right to coexist, and those who reject this harmony miss the essence of their own teachings.

My journey isn’t completeit’s an ongoing exploration