I found the below writing resonant with thoughts about my own religion, and also about most organized religions. The dominant discourse about the Christian religion is one about promised salvation. Can one let go of this "reward" and take up the practices of contemplation, compassion, and charity? It leads me to wonder, if Christianity did not promise salvation, would there be any followers? Can people aim for "world peace" without any end goal at the end of life as we know it?
As long as we follow a spiritual approach promising salvation, miracles, liberation, then we are bound by the "golden chain of spirituality." Such a chain might be beautiful to wear, with its inlaid jewels and intricate carvings, but nevertheless, it imprisons us. People think they can wear the golden chain for decoration without being imprisoned by it, but they are deceiving themselves. As long as one's approach to spirituality is based upon enriching ego, then it is spiritual materialism, a suicidal process rather than a creative one.
-- Chogyam Trungpa
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