You can have religion with spirituality. You can also have

"You can have religion with spirituality. You can also have religion without spirituality." These words, spoken by Eckhart Tolle, offer a profound insight into the nature of religion and spirituality, urging us to examine the delicate balance between outward practices and inner transformation. To understand this quote, we must first ask ourselves: what is the true essence of religion, and what is the deeper truth that lies in spirituality? Religion, in its most exalted form, is meant to be a vehicle for spiritual awakening, a path that leads the seeker from the mundane to the divine. However, as Tolle wisely points out, it is possible to practice religion without the deeper current of spirituality that is meant to flow through it.

Consider the great religions of the world: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Each is founded upon profound teachings that aim to lead the individual to a higher understanding of life, the divine, and the self. These teachings are spiritual in nature, for they seek to cultivate virtues such as compassion, humility, wisdom, and peace. Yet, over time, many of these religious traditions became increasingly institutionalized, with rituals, rules, and ceremonies that sometimes overshadowed the spiritual truths they were meant to convey. In this way, religion could exist as a set of external practices without nurturing the inner flame of spirituality that leads to personal transformation.

The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates understood the distinction between religion and spirituality when he spoke of the “unexamined life.” For Socrates, the pursuit of virtue, knowledge, and wisdom was the highest form of human expression, a deeply spiritual journey. He critiqued the religious practices of his time, recognizing that many of the rituals and gods worshipped by the people lacked the deeper connection to the divine that he sought. To Socrates, true spirituality was not about outward conformity to religious traditions but about an inner transformation—an awakening to the truth that lies within every human soul.

The same distinction can be found in the story of Gandhi, whose life exemplified the marriage of religion and spirituality. Gandhi, deeply rooted in the principles of Hinduism, understood that true spirituality was about embodying the teachings of ahimsa (non-violence), truth (satya), and self-discipline. His religious beliefs were not mere rituals or symbols—they were a living force that guided every aspect of his life and his work toward justice. His spirituality led him to seek truth in every situation, to speak up against injustice, and to live in harmony with the world around him. In contrast, those who practiced religion without spirituality might have followed the rituals and rules but lacked the deeper inner awakening that Gandhi so embodied.

Yet, history also gives us examples of religion without spirituality—instances where religious practices became nothing more than empty rituals, devoid of the transformative power they were meant to offer. The medieval Inquisition, where individuals were persecuted for their beliefs, is a stark example of religion without spirituality. The institutions of the Church used religion as a tool of control, with little regard for the inner growth of the individuals they sought to influence. In these instances, religion became a rigid, dogmatic system that stifled personal freedom and spiritual growth, leading not to enlightenment, but to fear and suffering.

Tolle’s insight calls us to reflect on our own relationship with religion and spirituality. Do we practice religion as an external set of rules, or do we allow it to guide us toward deeper spirituality? True spirituality is not merely about adherence to rituals or doctrines; it is about an ongoing journey of inner awakening, where we seek to live in alignment with the highest truths of our faith. It is a journey that demands not just external conformity but an internal transformation—a reconnection with the divine and the self. Religion can be the structure that supports this transformation, but without spirituality, it can easily become hollow and meaningless.

Therefore, the lesson for us is clear: We must seek to integrate religion with spirituality—to make our outward practices reflect and nurture the inner journey. We must move beyond the empty rituals and instead seek the truth that lies at the heart of all religions. By doing so, we can cultivate a life that is not just religious in form, but spiritual in essence—one that leads to true peace, love, and wisdom. And as we walk this path, we must encourage others to do the same, creating a world where spiritual awakening is not confined to any one belief system but is the living force that unites all people in their shared humanity.