My Spiritual Journey

[Audie]

I am trying to understand but not having experienced this jhana I probably do not understand. I've been curious about this before, because I remember you mentioning it in another thread. It is possible to stay too long in it or even get stuck there. That seems to be your point.




Thinking this through, yes sex is supposed to pleasurable, but there are different kinds of pain and different pain killers. If your foot hurts but I numb your hand it doesn't relieve your pain. Having some candy doesn't fix everything. It might fix something though.

Different help for different pains?

The junkie fulfills their desire in ways that worsen their desire, but if they could numb the root of their pain perhaps they would not do that. Analogously if I throw you into a pool, but you cannot swim you might panic and thrash. I can yell at you that you're only making your problems worse by thrashing, or I can throw you a float.

So do not all who fervently seek transcendence
do so because of their pain and betimes, or generally
make ultimately matters worse for themselves?

Whether the transcendence is chemical, electronics,
or, say, fundamentalist christianity, people do, in
their millions, get stuck.

While the purveyors of same get rich.

The chem/electronics people are by far more
honest, earning at least that faint praise.

 

[PearlSeeker]

Definition of the term "spiritual" is a problem.
I'm thinking of commonly expressed experiences
of connection to all of humanity or higher powers,
ie, something more than ordinary personal growth.

Spiritual means "relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things."

So, what belongs to this dimension? Assistant (bot) says:

The spiritual dimension refers to the aspect of human existence that transcends the physical and material world, encompassing beliefs, values, experiences, and practices related to the search for meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself. While the spiritual dimension can be understood in various ways depending on cultural, religious, and philosophical perspectives, it often involves questions about the nature of reality, the existence of the divine or higher power, the interconnectedness of all beings, and the ultimate purpose of life.​

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You said you think about religion. Isn't this a little bit exploring this dimension?

 

[Audie]

Spiritual means "relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things."

So, what belongs to this dimension? Assistant (bot) says:

The spiritual dimension refers to the aspect of human existence that transcends the physical and material world, encompassing beliefs, values, experiences, and practices related to the search for meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself. While the spiritual dimension can be understood in various ways depending on cultural, religious, and philosophical perspectives, it often involves questions about the nature of reality, the existence of the divine or higher power, the interconnectedness of all beings, and the ultimate purpose of life.​

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You said you think about religion. Isn't this a little bit exploring this dimension?

" spirit", or "soul?"

 

[Revoltingest]

Spiritual means "relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things."

So, what belongs to this dimension? Assistant (bot) says:

The spiritual dimension refers to the aspect of human existence that transcends the physical and material world, encompassing beliefs, values, experiences, and practices related to the search for meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself. While the spiritual dimension can be understood in various ways depending on cultural, religious, and philosophical perspectives, it often involves questions about the nature of reality, the existence of the divine or higher power, the interconnectedness of all beings, and the ultimate purpose of life.​

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You said you think about religion. Isn't this a little bit exploring this dimension?

I think about it.
I don't experience any aspect of it.

 

[Nakosis]

I think about it.
I don't experience any aspect of it.

I'd imagine your mind wasn't wired/programmed for it.
Either culturally or genetically. That is the way my mind is now.
It wasn't always that way. Can't say that i miss it.
In your case however, there is nothing to miss.

 

[PearlSeeker]

" spirit", or "soul?"

Soul and the spirit are often used interchangeably.

 

[Audie]

Soul and the spirit are often used interchangeably.

First one is imaginary, second is so widely and
variously used as to be nearly without meaning.

Values, beliefs, experiences, practices...sure, we all do
that.

Connection to higher power is tho, imo, also imaginary.

 

[PearlSeeker]

First one is imaginary, second is so widely and
variously used as to be nearly without meaning.

Values, beliefs, experiences, practices...sure, we all do
that.

Connection to higher power is tho, imo, also imaginary.

Soul/spirit generally pertains to inner life (soul = psyche) but "spirituality" is more specific. It usually means search for meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself. This is not necessary belief in god(s) and immortal soul.