Ideas Why 'follow your heart' spirituality is actually religion
Oct 15, 2025
Galen Watts, a sociology professor at the University of Waterloo, explores the evolution of modern spirituality and its intricate ties to traditional religion. He examines the 'religion of the heart' and critiques the notion that spiritual practices are merely individualistic. Watts connects spiritual movements to social changes, including rights revolutions and the impact of charismatic Christianity. He warns that excessive focus on personal experience can lead to isolation, advocating for a balance between authenticity and community to foster genuine freedom.
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Where Spirituality Shows Up Today
- Galen Watts lists everyday venues where spiritual practice now occurs, from yoga studios to 12-step meetings.
- He notes media and celebrities have mainstreamed practices like meditation and yoga.
Spirituality As An Old Tradition
- The modern 'spiritual but not religious' movement is a continuation of a long Western tradition called the religion of the heart.
- It prizes subjective experience and self-realization over institutional doctrine and collective rituals.
Imminent Divine Through Experience
- The religion of the heart views the divine as imminent and knowable through direct personal experience rather than distant doctrine.
- Intense subjective experiences (meditation, raves, nature) serve as primary evidence of the sacred.
