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Consider this quote from author and professor Eugene Peterson:
“We don’t become more spiritual by becoming less human.”
Many religious and spiritual traditions seem so otherworldly as to be impossible to attain. Consider the love of one's enemies as exemplified and taught by Jesus. Or the compassion that is a primary focus within the Buddhist tradition. Or the focus on contributing to the welfare of others out of love for Allah in Islam.
There are, of course, many other spiritual and wisdom traditions, too, in addition to these world religions, which offer ideals that seem out of reach for many of us. Some traditions are too demanding or too disconnected from everyday life.
How do we determine which, if any, of these traditions are true and truly helpful to us? No particular tradition has a monopoly on the truth. This does not mean they are all equivalent morally, spiritually, or rationally. So how do we decide which, if any, to follow? How can we discern where true wisdom lies?
This brings us back to the above quote from Peterson. One criterion, though certainly not the only one, for a viable spirituality is that it makes us more human, in the best sense of that term. Do the beliefs and practices help us reach our personal potential, growing in intellectual and moral virtue? Are they consistent with other things we know about the world and ourselves? How much do they explain about the world and ourselves? Do they help us become the best version of ourselves? Do they empower us to serve the common good?
Any sound religious or spiritual way of life should do all of these things. Religion or a spiritual tradition that affirms us as we are without challenging us to help others as well as become better human beings is flawed. It should also be something that is realistic for integrating into our daily lives as human beings. Otherwise, it is difficult to see how any actual wisdom is present.
But perhaps we really can learn how to love our enemies, show compassion, and serve others. Maybe the things that initially seem too difficult are, in fact, within reach if we follow the way prescribed by a viable spirituality.
We should approach our spiritual lives with reason, passion, and an overriding concern to become more human, helping others to do the same. A sound spirituality can help us do that and may open up possibilities that only seem out of reach.
