The idea of someone being ‘Spiritual But Not Religious’ has been circulating for years, but it’s become a common claim made mostly by college age students in present time. For people who can’t seem to identify with a specific religion, this seems to be the solution. You don’t have to deal with the commitment of being part of one religion, and can essentially pick and choose which parts of different religions and philosophies you agree with.

As yoga and meditation became more and more trendy, SBNR also grew in popularity. Being Spiritual But Not Religious means that to you, there’s sources of spirituality outside of religion. Please keep in mind that to some, these beliefs are their personal beliefs, so do not mock or judge because your personal beliefs don’t align with theirs. To give everyone an idea of what it means to be SBNR, I attached a link to a video by College Humor which sums it up briefly (and comically). Below is four take away points that should help when it comes to understanding what it means to be Spiritual But Not Religious.

1. It’s a rejection of organized religion (to some degree).

When it comes down to the details, it can get a little fuzzy. There’s different degrees of being SBNR, but it all ultimately comes down to the rejection of an organized religion. Whether it’s because of doubting the existence of a God, or simply wanting to make decisions for yourself and not fit into your family’s ideals — there’s a separation from the person and structured religion. Some become SBNR as a gateway to being introduced to a new religion, giving them the ability to test out other beliefs of other religions and cultures and see what fits them best. For others, SBNR was the way to go after growing up in a strict and highly religious household. And then, there’s some who just don’t believe in a deity or God and would rather focus on their spiritual growth than religious emphasis on life. SBNR focuses more on the aspect of the mind and body connecting as one.

2. It’s not just for Atheists.

There’s no rule set in stone that you cannot believe in a God to be part of the SBNR community. You can have belief in a God or deity, but choose not to associate yourself with said religion. For some, the idea of structured religious practices and ceremonies induce anxiety beyond their control, so they choose to have their own relationship with their God and also not be part of that specific religion. SBNR focuses on spiritual growth without the need for a God or religious followers, it’s about connecting the mind to the body and strengthening that connection through your own methods.

3. It’s all about energy.

What you give is what you get. There’s a belief that the world will take whatever energy you put out into it, and project it back to you. So, if you’re constantly thinking negative thoughts, you’re going to be constantly running into negative situations. There’s an energy for every person, and you can usually pick up on that when you first meet someone. People who are SBNR tend to think very highly of energy and really believe in it, even performing cleansing ceremonies and processes to ‘cleanse their energy of negativity’.

4. More inspirational quotes, please.

Instead of biblical quotes, people who are SBNR tend to use a lot of inspirational quotes from sources all over the world to do exactly what a bible quote does for a Catholic — it inspires them, it comforts them, and it helps them see the world a little bit differently. Although their quotes are usually posted on top of picturesque landscapes and not on fine paper, it’s used just the same. These quotes can differ by author, but they all are being shared to change the view of the reader and make them see things in the eyes of another.