I'm not into organized religion. I'm into believing in a higher

"I'm not into organized religion. I'm into believing in a higher source of creation, realizing we're all just part of nature." These words from Neil Young strike at the heart of a deep and eternal truth — that the search for meaning, spirituality, and purpose need not be confined to the structures of organized religion. Rather, there exists a profound and timeless connection to a higher source, a creative force that transcends the dogmas of religious institutions and speaks directly to the soul. This idea is not new, nor is it unique to modern times. It echoes the ancient wisdom of those who looked to the natural world as a reflection of the divine, a way of understanding our place in the cosmos.

The origin of this thought can be traced back to the ancient philosophers and mystics who sought to find spiritual truth not through rigid systems of belief, but through direct communion with the world around them. Heraclitus, the great Greek philosopher, believed in the Logos, a divine order that permeates the universe, but he also saw that the essence of the divine was in the ever-changing, living world itself. For Heraclitus, the forces of nature were not separate from the divine, but expressions of it. This is the same insight expressed by Neil Young — that the higher source of creation is not found in structured rituals, but in the very nature that surrounds us, in the intricate balance of life, and in the vastness of the universe itself.

The same concept is found in the teachings of the Taoists, who viewed the Tao, the way or path of the universe, as an underlying force that connects all things. For them, the pursuit of wisdom and understanding was not through adherence to formal doctrine, but through a harmonious relationship with the natural world. The Tao Te Ching, attributed to Laozi, speaks of the importance of simplicity, spontaneity, and being in tune with nature as a way to understand the deepest truths of existence. Like Neil Young, the Taoists believed that to know the divine, one must simply be part of the flow of nature, and not bound by rigid and external structures.

In more recent history, Albert Einstein, the great scientist, expressed a similar sentiment, though through the lens of science. He often spoke of his spirituality as one that was deeply connected to the awe and wonder of the universe, yet not in any traditional religious sense. For Einstein, the vast mysteries of the cosmos, from the complexity of the stars to the intricacies of quantum mechanics, were evidence of a higher source of creation. This resonates with Neil Young's thoughts — that the divine can be found not in man-made systems, but in the very fabric of existence, in the interconnectedness of all things, whether they are natural, celestial, or human.

The notion that we are part of nature, that we are not separate from the world around us, but woven into its very essence, calls for a shift in our understanding of spirituality. It invites us to recognize that our connection to the higher source of creation is not about rituals, prayers, or sacred texts, but about our relationship with the earth, the sky, the sea, and the creatures that inhabit it. This view aligns with the Indigenous wisdom found across cultures — that all living beings are interconnected, that the land itself is sacred, and that spirituality is not an abstract concept to be studied, but a way of being in harmony with the world.

The lesson that Neil Young offers us is not to reject the search for spirituality, but to embrace a deeper, more personal, and more authentic connection to the divine. By turning away from the confines of organized religion, we are called to explore a spirituality that is alive, that flows with the rhythms of nature, and that allows us to see the divine in every aspect of existence. Just as the ancient mystics, philosophers, and scientists looked to the world around them for signs of the higher source, we, too, are invited to discover that source within ourselves and in the natural world. The divine is not distant or separate — it is right here, in the trees, the mountains, the rivers, and in the very breath that sustains our lives.

The practical action we must take, then, is to reconnect with nature, to step outside of the noise of modern life and listen to the quiet wisdom of the world around us. We must seek out moments of stillness in nature, whether through a walk in the woods, a moment of reflection by the ocean, or simply by pausing to breathe in the fresh air. It is through these moments that we can touch something eternal and real, something that transcends human-made divisions. As Neil Young suggests, our spirituality is not confined to the walls of a church or the pages of a book; it is woven into the very fabric of existence. Seek it in nature, in the sky, in the ground beneath your feet, and in the connections you share with those around you.