SPIRITUALITY VS RELIGION Defining Practices that Separate Intuition, Instinct, and Intention

Defining Spirituality 

     What does it mean to be spiritual? Spirituality, though it may appear similar across cultures, is deeply personal—an individual journey toward understanding oneself and connecting with a higher purpose. It is about paying attention—to intuition, to energy, to the guidance of ancestors, and to the unspoken lessons of life. It is an awareness that extends beyond the physical, an embrace of both the seen and unseen forces that shape existence.

     Spirituality has always been fluid, allowing each person to cultivate their own practices and beliefs without the constraints of rigid doctrine. It is found in moments of stillness, in the vibrations of spoken words, in the quiet understanding that there is something greater at play. Some experience it through meditation, prayer, or reflection, while others feel it in the embrace of nature, in the rhythmic pulse of the ocean, or in the warmth of the sun. It is both deeply personal and profoundly communal, as the spiritual journey often leads to a deeper connection with others, with nature, and with the energies that guide us.

But What is "God?"

    For some, God is a creator who shapes destiny. For others, God is a presence that exists in 

everything around us. Atheists, on the other hand, believe there is no higher power, viewing life as the result of biological and evolutionary processes. In this perspective, consciousness comes from the mind, not the spirit, and life is guided by knowledge and experience rather than mystical forces.

     Across the African diaspora, spirituality has always been a way to connect, heal, and find strength. It exists in the rhythm of drums, in the affirmations passed down through generations, in the traditions that honor the unseen. It is a way of knowing that we are never alone, that the wisdom of those before us lives within each of us. It is present in rituals of remembrance, in the veneration of ancestors, and in the faith that even in struggle, there is guidance and protection from forces beyond what the eyes can perceive. 

     Spirituality within the African diaspora is also a practice of reclamation. For centuries, 

colonialism and oppression sought to erase indigenous spiritual systems, replacing them with foreign beliefs. Yet, the spirit remains unbreakable. Across the world, people of African descent are reconnecting with their ancestral traditions, embracing practices like Ifá, Vodou, Hoodoo, and Kemetic spirituality. They are rediscovering their roots, learning the sacred names and rituals that were hidden or suppressed, and finding power in the stories and wisdom that have endured generations. 

     To be spiritual is to recognize that existence is more than material survival. It is to honor the whispers of intuition, to seek knowledge beyond what is written, and to walk with an understanding that the past, present, and future are interconnected. Spirituality invites people to embrace both faith and self-discovery, to trust in forces greater than themselves while also tapping into their own inner wisdom. It is an ongoing journey—one of healing, transformation, and deeper understanding of the self and the world around us.

Religion

The Intersection of Doctrine and Divine Experience 

    Religion was born from spirituality as a way to bring people together in shared belief and practice. With its humble beginnings, it gave structure to faith, helping communities pass down their understanding of the divine. In its purest form, religion provided a space for people to find comfort, seek guidance, and support one another. It became a vehicle for collective worship, ethical guidance, and communal bonds, shaping societies and offering a sense of belonging.

     However, as religion evolved, its role shifted. It became a system of governance, dictating societal norms and influencing political structures. Over time, religion was often used as a means of control. While spirituality has always, and still does allow for a direct and personal relationship with the divine, religion has often times placed intermediaries—priests, bishops, and other religious authorities—between individuals and their faith.  Where spirituality nurtures free thought and self-discovery, religion has, oftentimes, imposed rigid rules, traditions, and interpretations of sacred texts; texts founded on the belief that Spirituality was the original path to faithfulness. The church, once a sanctuary for wisdom and connection, became a place where access to the divine was dictated by human authority rather than personal experience.

     For many in the African diaspora, religion was introduced through colonization, rarely as a tool of empowerment and rather as a method of erasing indigenous practices. Missionaries and colonial rulers imposed foreign doctrines, often forcing African people to abandon their spiritual traditions and adopt new religious frameworks. Yet, spirituality persisted—hidden in the coded messages of hymns, embedded in the rhythmic beats of sacred dances, and carried in the 

murmured prayers of elders who refused to let their ancestral wisdom fade. 

     Today, many within the diaspora are reclaiming their spiritual autonomy. Many are questioning inherited religious structures and seeking alternative paths that align more closely with their ancestral roots. They are embracing African-centered spiritual systems, reconnecting with nature-based practices, and rediscovering the deities, spirits, and traditions that once guided their ancestors. This reclamation is not an outright rejection of religion but rather a restoration of balance—the recognition that spirituality and religion are not mutually exclusive but must serve the soul rather than restrict it.

      At its best, religion can be a guiding force, a means of bringing people together in shared reverence and accountability. At its worst, it has actively been the primary tool of suppression, used to instill fear, limit and even erase critical thought, and control the masses. The key lies in discernment: embracing what nourishes the spirit, questioning what feels restrictive, and understanding that faith is a deeply personal journey. Whether through structured religion, independent spiritual practice, or a blend of both, the ultimate goal remains the same—to seek truth, to cultivate inner peace, and to foster a connection to the divine in a way that feels authentic and liberating.