Most people have a sense of something greater than themselves. This awareness can be connected to a specific religious, faith or spiritual tradition, existential questioning or a need to explain how we all got here. I refer to this as the Divine, honouring all belief systems.

Religious, faith and spiritual traditions have developed specific ways of relating to the Divine through sacred texts, rituals and liturgy and centuries of human experience becoming dogma. Other belief systems are less specific or perhaps rooted in scientific understanding of the world in which we live.

Research indicates that religious beliefs can enhance certain aspects of your well-being. However, these beliefs and behaviour patterns can become emotional entanglements that no longer serve you. They can prevent you from connecting with the Divine just as surely as they can cause feelings of separation in other relationships. Old religious beliefs can also create walls preventing a harmonious relationship with persons of other faith traditions.

Learning about other religious traditions and being with others who have different belief systems are ways in which interfaith interactions can enhance your journey into joy. Opportunities to be with others can also clarify and enliven your own relationship with the Divine. As you choose to find places of similarity, you will also find your own stuck places to release.

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