Religion is an umbrella term that includes a variety of religious practices and beliefs. These practices and beliefs are rooted in the traditions and values of an established institution. They include morals, ethics, worldviews, designated behaviors, texts and organizations.
Religion also includes an individual’s personal spirituality. Unlike other forms of religion, spirituality is usually based on individual’s belief system. A person’s beliefs can be derived from his or her own experience or trial and error.
In traditional societies, spirituality was a sub-domain of religion. Spirituality was defined as one’s personal connection with the divine. However, with the rise of organized religions, the concept of spirituality became broadened to include all aspects of life.
Today, the word “religion” can be misleading. It implies that the activities and organizations of a religion are separate from other aspects of culture and society. But the word also suggests that religion is part of a public sphere.
Nonetheless, religion and spirituality are both necessary to a healthy existence. Many people struggle with inner conflicts and difficulties. Fortunately, there are a number of spiritual practices that can help to relieve these struggles.
Some examples of spiritual practices include meditation, mindfulness, and the practice of mantra based meditation. Mantra based meditation is a form of meditation that can alleviate physical pain.
When it comes to mental health, a growing body of research links spiritual struggles and distress with declines in health. While there are differences between the effect of spirituality and religion on different mental health problems, the relationship between the two is a complex topic.