Difference between Spirituality and Religion

In a discussion with the Members of Luntiang Aghama we have differentiated Spirituality between Religion.  Because there are Spiritual People without Religion, and there are Religion now-a-days that are not spiritual such as in the case of a Religious organization based in Surigao Del Sur that was found to be soliciting investment from the public in a form of a Ponzi Scheme. Ponzi scheme as we google it says that it is a of fraud in which belief in the success of a nonexistent enterprise is fostered by the payment of quick returns to the first investors from money invested by later investors.

The discussion has been brought up to tell that early Filipino People are not religious bu Spiritual People. Now-a-days if we talk about religion we also talk about money such as the mandatory church doctrine of Tithes and other Love Gift offering in a form of money. Though Offerings are not limited in form of money. And the teaching of the Shrine about offerings varies upon whom you will give the offering.

Basically when we talk about Spirituality it pertains to the Spirit.  Spirits are subtle energies that can not be seen but it can be felt. The manifestation of spirits through work are called ritual; and the repetition of workings with the spirit is called practice; And these practices as we work with the Spirit becomes religion as we organize and share it with other people.

Luntiang Aghama is a Religion with a set of spiritual working practiced by members to attain certain level of spiritual advancement and growth.  Thus the main focus of our Shrine is the Spirituality of each member.

When we talk about Spiritual development, advancement and growth- we recognize two levels of development that starts from the lower self to the higher self. The lower self concerns the mundane aspect of man such as the physical, emotional and mental aspects; whereas the Higher Self concerns the astral, soular, monad and the Divine. In Luntiang Aghama we recognize each individual as a manifestation of the Divine Spirit therefore everyone has the Divine Lineage within them selves.