"Separating spirituality from religion is not the answer. At the least, it is an artificial dichotomy. If taken to extremes, it can also make people reluctant to form healthy long-term personal commitments in all sorts of arenas. Yet such commitments are a necessary component of change. To deal with the magnitude of the problems we face, we need an 'engaged spirituality' rather than simply a privatized one. In fact, spirituality actually may be a smaller, not larger, category than religion. Religions have many interwoven ends, values, and goals, not just for self, but for community, the larger world, and after death. To try to homogenize all religions into a common spirituality, or to dismiss them all as only limited angles on reality, moves us further away from them, not closer, and it will not bring peace. It is not truly an inclusive perspective because it disrespects their distinctive characteristics, their history, their normative claims, and their unique visions.

"Instead, by borrowing or 'poaching' from organized religions, we may unknowingly be creating what Will Herberg called a 'cut flower culture.' A bouquet of flowers is beautiful for a time, but these blooms do not last very long because they are cut off from their roots. Perennials are plants whose flowers grow, wither, but come back again because the bulb in the ground provides life. If the bulb is removed from the soil, there will be no more blooms. Many of the values we still live by in this society are the fruits of the faith traditions and communal efforts of previous generations. Without keeping these plants in their proper soil, without tending them and leaving their roots intact, how long can they continue to flourish? Many SBNR people I met hope we will achieve a new cultural consensus, bringing oneness, peace, earth-care, human dignity, freedom, and equality. But how likely is that without the roots and soil that nurture commonly held values, and the structures to support and pass them on to subsequent generations? These are just some of the dangers in the SBNR ethos which will impede the hopes and dreams for change.

"It is not likely, however, that the 'spiritual but not religious' ethos or movement will die. In this market-driven environment where religion is privatized, commodified, and niche-marketed, it may well survive as a subset to which commercial enterprises cater. That is already evident by the increasing number of products which position themselves by, for example, yoga themes, meditation themes, organic themes, and so on. It is clear in all the health, psychological, educational, and business enterprises which now add 'spirituality' to their list of offerings. In the face of all this, the search for authentic spiritual experience can seem daunting. But it is not impossible. For people who are genuinely seeking spiritually, I suggest they ask themselves some questions when they consider a spiritual group, practice, teacher, or affiliation:

"• Does this theory or practice securely orient me to the Ultimate or does it promote an over-done or harmful focus on self?
• Does it give me more confidence to tackle the important existential questions of life? How does it deal with suffering and loss? Does it give me a sense of meaning and purpose? Or is this merely a technique to make me feel better temporarily?
• Is it a claim to exotic, esoteric, or ancient knowledge without much basis in historical and cultural realities? Does it promise to enhance my control over the uncontrollable?
• Does it lump all religions into one thing — whether claiming they are all similar or all harmful — rather than respecting each one's distinctive characteristics, traditions, and particular vision?
• How balanced is it? Does it balance reason with emotion? Is self-care balanced with concern for others? Is individualism balanced with group cohesion?
• What is expected from me and what character traits and outcomes do I observe in the other practitioners? Do I feel a spiritual connection with them?
• Are the practitioners working outward for the common good, as well as looking inward? Is there a concern for social justice, community, or political realities?
• Is the message largely one of repudiation, or one of affirmation? Are there common beliefs which give the practitioners unity and purpose, yet freedom is allowed for individual interpretation?

"These and other such questions can help guide those who are genuine in their spiritual search."