What is the core of spiritual strength?

This writing is kind of the continuation to the past blog of mine, of religious discussion. Like I concluded in that blog, no religious nor spiritual path can be judged or categorized by the plain facts it offers. I've come to think this is also the case with nominal christianity. People have somehow lost the core of the religion. The same phenomenon can be seen in all religions. In many spiritual movements, like christianity, islam and buddhism, you hear the talks about secularization.

The common answer is that religions are needless today. Science has taken so big leaps that people don't have the need to believe into "imaginary friends" anymore. But at the same time everyone can see how the science has not got us any better. Science has only those thousands of theories, diagnoses and medications, still unable to solve the mystery of mind and to explain what we are made of. Besides, science is also a question of believing. Whether it is a regular flu or theory of relativity, we can explain a lot, but having an effect on the real world theories describe, requires faith.

What is it that spirituality offers then? What is the core to keep people empowered and convinced? I don't know the answer for sure, but I think I'm not missing the point very badly, if I say it is the experience. Same time as the talks of secularization increase, the influence of religions and spirituality to our everyday life diminishes. Though only through the influence, you get the experience. And the influence is nowadays only the few formal things scattered infrequently along your life's path - weddings, funerals and from two to three other days in your life.

I had to take the buddhist yoga course to learn to quiet my mind and to learn to contemplate my inner thoughts. I got only vague suggestion on praying from my own spiritual group. Only after some time I learned about medieval monastery practices and for example quietism that would've had the part of the answer I was searching for. It was the experience I was after - not a membership to a club that has certain benefits after you die.

For me the experience and living this life is in a core of my spirituality. I don't get any satisfaction in argument on facts and figures. I don't get a warm feeling of belonging just by donating to someone who is on "a good cause". I need the experience, the tools for this life and the nourishment for my spirit. And luckily I've come to notice, that I'm not alone.