Growing up, I lumped all forms of spirituality together with religion, and threw them aside.

I believed in facts, and facts alone.

But somewhere along the way, I found myself disillusioned with the certainty of science, the way it often acts like it has all the answers, when in truth, our understanding of the world is so limited.

During this disillusionment, the pull toward spirituality came back. That longing led me to explore other ways of knowing, try things I once scoffed at, and study the philosophies and practices I’d ignored.

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I attended kirtan, spent Christmas on a meditation retreat, and slowly started building a study list and practice for myself. I discovered that meditation and presence are what ground me most. The concepts of oneness and universal connection feel deeply true, comforting, and liberating. They help me be more open, loving, forgiving, and generous, not because of rules or judgment, but because I see myself as connected to everything else.

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Unlike the god I grew up with, this path doesn’t feel power hungry, harsh, or transactional. It doesn’t demand blind faith or promise a deathless death. It is a belief system rooted in compassion and presence. Spirituality, for me, has become less about seeking answers and more about learning to be here, alive, aware, and grateful for the connection that’s always available.