Touring is my religion. Music is all-encompassing - my religion.

In the sacred journey of the soul, there are forces that transcend mere belief and become something all-encompassing—something that defines the very essence of a person’s existence. Brendon Urie, the frontman of the band Panic! At The Disco, speaks deeply of such a force when he says, “Touring is my religion. Music is all-encompassing - my religion.” These words resonate with an ancient truth, that passion and purpose can become so intertwined in a person’s life that they take on the form of a devotion that surpasses all other commitments. For Urie, music is not just an art form—it is his path to transcendence, his ritual, and his guiding light in the world.

Throughout the history of mankind, music has held a revered place, not only as entertainment but as a spiritual force, connecting us to the divine and to one another. The ancient Greeks believed that music had the power to heal, to uplift, and to influence the very fabric of society. The Pythagoreans, followers of the great philosopher Pythagoras, considered music to be mathematically sacred, and they saw it as a way to align the soul with the harmony of the cosmos. Music, in their view, was not just an external art but a reflection of the inner order of the universe, a divine language that could speak directly to the soul. In this sense, Urie’s words mirror the ancient understanding of music—not as a mere pastime, but as a form of worship and devotion.

Consider the ancient shamans of tribal cultures, who used music and rhythmic drumming as a way to enter altered states of consciousness, to commune with the divine, and to guide their people through spiritual rituals. The beat of the drum, the melody of the flute, the sound of the chant—all of these were seen as conduits for divine energy, connecting the physical world with the realm of the spirits. For these spiritual leaders, music was not just something that filled the air; it was the very vessel that carried the soul on its journey toward enlightenment. Urie’s devotion to music as his religion calls upon this deep, ancient connection, where music is not a mere practice but a sacred duty and a powerful medium of spiritual awakening.

In the modern era, Urie’s words reflect how music has continued to serve as a transcendent force for individuals and cultures. The life of Ludwig van Beethoven is an example of how music can become a sacred calling, a path to both personal and universal truth. Despite the crushing weight of deafness, Beethoven’s passion for music never waned. In his solitude and suffering, his music became a prayer—a plea for understanding, a search for connection, and an expression of the deepest emotions. Beethoven’s work continues to inspire, showing us that music, when lived and breathed as a calling, transcends personal limits and touches the soul of all who listen. In this way, Urie’s devotion mirrors Beethoven’s, both of them dedicated to music not as a career but as a lifelong pursuit of truth and expression.

The deeper lesson embedded in Urie’s words is this: when we find something that brings us closer to the essence of who we are—something that moves us, ignites us, and allows us to transcend the ordinary—that becomes our religion. It may not be a conventional faith, nor a traditional worship in temples or churches, but it is a devotion to the sacred aspects of life that shape us, challenge us, and inspire us to become our best selves. Just as Urie finds meaning in his music and his life as a touring artist, each of us must seek those forces that lead us toward higher understanding, connection, and purpose.

In our own lives, we can learn from Urie’s example by recognizing what in our hearts burns with the fire of passion and devotion. Whether it is art, service, love, or some other force that moves us deeply, we must treat it with the same reverence as a sacred practice. Music, for example, has the power to heal and uplift, but it is not only in the listening or creation of music that we find our calling—it is in how we live our lives with purpose, how we serve others, and how we express our truths through every action we take. Let Urie’s words remind us to embrace the arts, the beauty, and the passion in our lives as a means of spiritual growth and connection.

So, let us follow the example of those who have given their lives to a cause, to an art, or to a purpose greater than themselves. Whether through music, dance, literature, or any form of creative expression, let us devote ourselves to the things that bring us closer to the divine within us. Just as Urie finds his religion in the rhythms of music, so too must we discover our own calling, our own sacred path, and follow it with dedication, passion, and an open heart. For in doing so, we come closer not only to the divine but to the very essence of our being.