We've had idea exchanges in our discussion group regarding the word "religion" verses "spirituality." Perhaps we can say that religions are historical events, whereas spirituality is the common spiritual experience that comes through every religious tradition.

Of course, the idea of universality is not unusual or new. However, what is unique about Vedic spirituality is the way in which it approaches the idea of universality, which is from the ground up.  There is a Ground of Being, a God or Ultimate Truth. This is admitted by all religions without exception. Vedic spirituality merely says that it is out of this Primary Reality that consciousness is opening up, expanding out. In fact, the idea of expansion is latent with the word "veda" itself.

Veda comes from the root vid, which means insight, knowing or understanding. Thus, Vedic spirituality is "insight spirituality" in that it deals exclusively with this opening up process, the act of discovery or epiphany. This process of "opening up" is occuring everywhere, in science, religion and everyday life. In other words, spirituality isn't confined to a religion, but in fact it is occuring every second of the day, in every event wherein we open to life around us.

Consequently, Vedism doesn't concentrate the metaphor or religious image a person uses to arouse inner inspiration. Whether one is Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Native American or Taoist, this is of no consequence. These various traditons are but the vehicles in and through which inspiration occurs. Vedic spirituality is exclusively interested in the psychology behind inspiration, how and why we are awakening to life around us, and the direction to which this awakening process is ultimately headed.

Swami Brahmavidyananda