Are you religious?

I have been asked this question quite often. A lot of times I really don’t know what or rather how to reply. I have also thought of this question many a times and every time I get to encounter different thoughts. I think answer to this lies in another a more basic and fundamental question that stares at me. What is religion?

• Is it something that I was born into – incidentally Hinduism?
• Is it worshipping gods and goddesses that my parents have made to believe since childhood?
• Is it following rituals and traditions?
• Is it going to temple every Tuesday and on all festivals?
  
  

I could go on but that does not help me and thus every time I asked ‘Are you religious?’ I have no answer.

Whenever I have asked my family and friends they all have come up with different thoughts and different view points. If you have seen a Hindi movie ‘Dharm’ directed by Bhavna Talwar, its protagonist Pandit Chaturvedi played admirably by Pankaj Kapur does try to define religion. It resonated with me to some extent but not fully and then I realized it is something that each one of us defines for ourselves as we go on.

Basis my values, beliefs, and experiences of till now 33 years I have formed an understanding of religion which is “A way of living”. This way can be illustrated by

• Treating all other human beings with respect and dignity no matter what
• Being kind to life whether it is in form of humans, animals or plants
• Being tolerant of other traditions, practices, forms irrespective of which faith they represent
• Being honest and true to ones feelings and views
• It is about giving: this could take form of love, money, things or time
• Finally it is about acknowledgement of a power irrespective of the manifestation that power may take
  

If I look at my own understanding mentioned above, I try to live them everyday and at every opportunity. When I say live I mean I try to make sure my actions confirm to them. Honestly not all my actions always confirm and when ever I do something that I regret, I resolve not to do it again.

Now I know if I am asked ‘Are you religious?’ next time, I can truly say ‘I am practicing to be religious’. What about you?

If you are thinking you already knew this, sure idea is not about giving a new perspective but it is about making you think and putting you on a path to find your own answers