Synthesizing East and West Spirituality
The rose of the west and the lotus of the East
Humanity’s Major Religious Streams
most of the people of earth can be divided into just a few simple categories
1. Abrahamic Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Baháʼí Faith, others Originated in the Middle East; monotheistic focus on a personal God.
2. Dharmic Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism Originated in the Indian subcontinent; emphasis on karma, dharma, reincarnation, liberation (moksha/nirvana).
3. Taoist- Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Chinese Folk Religion Originated in Far East, China/Japan; focus on nature, harmony, balance, ancestor reverence, cosmic flow (Tao).
4. Indigenous / New Spiritualities Tribal religions, Shamanism, Animism, Rooted in earth-based traditions, spiritualism, often localized and varied yet sharing certain similarities
5. Secular / Non-religious Agnostic, Atheist, Humanist, Spiritual but not Religious (SBNR) A growing category that often retains ethical or philosophical systems without formal religious structures.
- New Age movements - theosophy, Esotericism, Spiritism
Almost all of humanity is swimming in one of just a few great spiritual rivers.
They may have thousands of branches, sects, and variations — but the roots are few, ancient, and deep.