Spirituality is a buzzword that is often overused and misunderstood.

We all want inner peace and emotional freedom. Connecting with our true selves, living from our core, is the brass ring we all seek.

Interior stillness is what I want for my clients as well as for myself. However, this is only half of a true spiritual journey.

Inner peace is not the endpoint. That sense of calm is what allows us to fully turn outward and engage with the greater world.

True spirituality results in “tikkun olam,” or “repairing the world.”

Authentic spiritual people don’t need to broadcast how spiritual they are any more than Bill Gates needs to announce how rich he is. Too often, the shout-it-from-the-rooftops “I am spiritual” people are self-centered with their gaze set only inward. They confuse being calm with being spiritual.

Furthermore, spirituality and religion are not one and the same. One can be spiritual and not religious, religious and not spiritual, both, or neither. Some very spiritual people are atheists and some very religious people wear blinders.

The Dalai Lama says his religion is compassion. Amen to that.

As an executive coach, a person of faith, and a meditator, I know the importance of acquiring and maintaining inner peace, a place of calm we can return to again and again. I treasure it. But that isn’t enough.

It is from our inner sanctuary that we must return to the only question that makes us truly spiritual: what can I do to alleviate suffering for others?

Take one action.

Help one person.

Save one animal.

We need you.