"Religion Gives Traction to Spirituality"

       That phrase was said by great experiential scholar of religions Huston Smith, who died December 30th.

       When Smith's book The Religions of Man came out in 1958, he illuminated each religion so beautifully, I remember asking someone, "Yes, but what religion is Huston Smith?"  "Oh, his religion is comparative religions."  The obituary even mentions:  "He was sometimes referred to as a 'spiritual surfer.'"

       Smith lived another 58 years after that book came out, and the statement my blog title quotes was made in 1999.  Smith was raised in and remained an active member of the United Methodist Church.

       Language turns to imagery to convey experiential truths.  Putting the "traction" quote another way, Smith said, "If you are looking for water, it is better to drill one 60-foot well than ten 6-foot wells."