My personal spiritual beliefs can be found in many "religions" and spiritual teachings. I am an eclectic mix and find that my beliefs continue to evolve and grow as I learn more. I believe that we are all spiritual beings, regardless of whether we are "religious". Spirituality is evidenced in tender moments, kind gestures, thoughtful words. We are all part of one whole and our consciousness of those connections with each other is part of that oneness, part of making ourselves whole.
My own journey began in my early teens when I began to explore religions outside of the Episcopal church in which I was raised. I was fortunate in having a supportive family who accepted my decision to not attend church with them and respected my search for knowledge. I started out by reading about Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Mormon, and Muslim traditions including some of the traditional sacred texts. Over the years my learning has grown to include less traditional paths, including Native American, Meso-American (Mayan, Incan, etc.), New Age, Taoism, Wiccan and Pagan, and a longstanding fascination with Spiritualism and psychic phenomenon.
What follows is by no means a comprehensive explanation of the various teachings I have explored. It is intended to merely give an idea of the general philosophy behind various traditions, and perhaps to help you on your own path of seeking.
Buddhism