Religion is a most integral part of our spiritual life. Yet how much blood (indeed!) and lives (billions dating from the ancient times!! were shed in the name of God (or aptly termed religion). God must be one the most abused name in history of mankind. Always in the midst of all the controversies and bloodsheds. People commit atrocities all “In His Name”. Why did this happen? Because from its original purpose (vehicle to enlightenment and oneness with God), religion has turned into an obsession, a source of power-play arena.
Nowadays, they aren't as violent and brutal as they used to be (the Inquisitions, the Witch Burnings, the Holy War against the Muslims, the Teutonic Knights and many others), but the tug-of-war continues. The truth is this: Practically all religion preaches about enlightenment and oneness with the Source (or God). But the problem is there are those who insist that their religion (God) is the only religion (God) there is. Sometimes, it gets so sickening because everybody is so busy arguing about who's got the better religion that they simply forgot why religions are there on the first place.
The answer is clear cut: “That religion which made you a better person is the right religion for you.”
It's like a competition of cars : Name it, Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu, Kia, Hyundai (throw in the BMWs, Mercedes, Chevrolet and more). We bought the car to bring us to our desired destinations. But in the middle of it all, we got so engrossed with arguing who got the better car that we simply overlooked the fact that all these cars are just as capable of bringing us to where we intend to go. In fact we can easily include public transports, bicycles, tricycles and pedicabs. Heck, we can even walk our way to where we want to go. Get my point?
It all boils down to where you are comfortable. Some find solace praying in the church, some found “the answer” meditating under a Bodhi tree (Buddha did that), for some it's wandering in the wilderness (Jesus did that for 40 days and nights), for some they just work themselves in a comfortable posture and meditate anywhere and anytime. So what am I really saying here?? Everything begins from our heart because the Kingdom of God actually resides in our heart. So let's not try to go out of our way and look for it. Making peace with yourself is for all intent and purpose making connection with God. Religion is just a vehicle for those who had difficulties finding their way. But God is really not that unreachable as perceived to be. Unconditional love is the universal language of God. After all God is Love and Loving is doing God's work.
