We are all aware of the fact that in our world today, religions often contribute to discord and war. Those who work for world-peace instinctively look elsewhere. H. H. the Dalai Lama in his Appeal to the World puts it succinctly: “Ethics is more important than religion.” And yet, realistic hopes for peace and cooperation must be based on psychological dynamics that stand behind the term Religion. Therefore, this talk will explore the distinction between Religion and the religions, suggest the connection between them, and attempt to show that basic human religiousness – mystical spirituality – is a power that can bring about wholeness on all levels. In the process, we will have to clarify terms like religion, spirituality, mysticism, and wholeness within the context of transpersonal psychology, and examine them above all from the point of view of personal experience. The move beyond materialism towards wholeness is no longer merely a topic for academic discussion, but has become a matter of survival of the human family. Whatever we say about it must therefore help us face the challenge of personal commitment to wholeness. Born in Vienna, Austria, in 1926, David Steindl-Rast studied art, anthropology, and psychology, at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts (MA) and the University of Vienna (PhD). In 1953, he joined Mount Saviour Benedictine Monastery. There he was sent by his abbot to participate in Buddhist-Christian dialogue, for which he received Vatican approval in 1967. In 1975 he received the Martin Buber Award for his achievements in building bridges between religious traditions. For decades, Brother David has divided his time between periods of hermit’s life, writing, and extensive lecture tours on five continents. His books Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer and A Listening Heart have been reprinted, translated and anthologized for more than three decades. Brother David co-authored Belonging to the Universe, with physicist, Fritjof Capra. The Ground We Share: Buddhist and Christian Practice, co-authored with Buddhist Robert Aitken Roshi. His most recent books are Words of Common Sense; Deeper than Words: Living the Apostles’ Creed; 99 Blessings: An Invitation to Life; and The Way of Silence: Engaging the Sacred in Daily Life. Brother David serves a worldwide Network for Grateful Living, through www.gratefulness.org, www.dankbar-leben.org, and www.viviragradecidos.org, a network of interactive websites with thousands of daily participants from more than 240 countries and territories.