Spirit vs. Soul

[Runewolf1973]

One thing about animism though, is that it does not dwell on the notions of ego, or suffering, or the cessation of all thoughts. I could care less about the "I" because I know that the "I" is just a natural part of Being. As an animist, I do not concern myself with such things. These are all natural and to try to cease them would in fact be unnatural. Just let them be is my motto. Thoughts happen, ego happens, suffering happens. It is all natural. I don't worry about what my mind is doing at a particular time. I let the thoughts in and let them out, allowing that "river" of thoughts to just take it's course. I do not dwell on things. Let them be as they may. Did our earliest, primitive ancestors concern themselves with such things? Do animals concern themselves with such things? I think not. They simply do whatever comes naturally. That "I" only becomes a problem if you think it's a problem.

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[Ben Dhyan]

I am no Buddhist, nor am I Hindu. In fact I know quite literally next to nothing about Hinduism or Buddhism. As an animist, I came to my own understanding of how the universe works and the nature of it all. It seems to me that the older a belief or spiritual path is, the more natural it is and therefore the more true to reality it is. This is why I can relate so much with Buddhism or Hinduism. They are very old systems and they share that same deep connection with nature. If one could look back far enough in time, they would see that there was no "spiritual path", it was simply a way of life, a sense or understanding of how nature worked. That is why I prefer animism over anything else. It is the oldest "way"...that existed before any other paths or religions or spiritual beliefs existed.

Agreed...

One thing about animism though, is that it does not dwell on the notions of ego, or suffering, or the cessation of all thoughts. I could care less about the "I" because I know that the "I" is just a natural part of Being. As an animist, I do not concern myself with such things. These are all natural and to try to cease them would in fact be unnatural. Just let them be is my motto. Thoughts happen, ego happens, suffering happens. It is all natural. I don't worry about what my mind is doing at a particular time. I let the thoughts in and let them out, allowing that "river" of thoughts to just take it's course. I do not dwell on things. Let them be as they may. Did our earliest, primitive ancestors concern themselves with such things? Do animals concern themselves with such things? I think not. They simply do whatever comes naturally. That "I" only becomes a problem if you think it's a problem.
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Animism may not dwell on the notions of ego, but that is no reason to presume there is not a good reason for other religions to deal with the subject. You say "If one could look back far enough in time, they would see that there was no "spiritual path", it was simply a way of life, a sense or understanding of how nature worked.", now if you have you ever wondered why the ancients never spoke of the necessity of a "spiritual path", the answer is because they had not yet a fully developed ego that sees reality from a dualistic perspective. Now that the ego is generally well developed in most people, they see nature as separate from themselves...I am me...and all else including nature is not me...duality pervades the intellectual culture of human society and thus corrupts the true understanding of the scripture which is generally trying to convey to the reader about underlying unity of nature. Only when the ego is humbled will the non-dual nature of reality be realized by the aspirant.

Fine if your ego is already a humbled and can 'see' the unity in the apparent multiplicity of nature, but for those whose egos are waxing strong and lost in confusion and maya of material existence....the teaching of being one with the oneness through the cessation of dualistic thought whereby the ego does not arise to divide the unity into two...me and not me, is an important contribution to religious practices.

 

[Runewolf1973]

Animism may not dwell on the notions of ego, but that is no reason to presume there is not a good reason for other religions to deal with the subject. You say "If one could look back far enough in time, they would see that there was no "spiritual path", it was simply a way of life, a sense or understanding of how nature worked.", now if you have you ever wondered why the ancients never spoke of the necessity of a "spiritual path", the answer is because they had not yet a fully developed ego that sees reality from a dualistic perspective. Now that the ego is generally well developed in most people, they see nature as separate from themselves...I am me...and all else including nature is not me...duality pervades the intellectual culture of human society and thus corrupts the true understanding of the scripture which is generally trying to convey to the reader about underlying unity of nature. Only when the ego is humbled will the non-dual nature of reality be realized by the aspirant.

Fine if your ego is already a humbled and can 'see' the unity in the apparent multiplicity of nature, but for those whose egos are waxing strong and lost in confusion and maya of material existence....the teaching of being one with the oneness through the cessation of dualistic thought whereby the ego does not arise to divide the unity into two...me and not me, is an important contribution to religious practices.

That is true. As humans evolved over time and their ways or level of thinking changed, so too did their needs change with regards to spirituality. As much as they expanded their minds, they needed to learn how to control that mind as well, to control that ego. I have much respect for Buddhism and Hinduism as they are great teachers in that way. I fully suspect I was either Hindu or a Buddhist in a past incarnation.


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[zenzero]

Friend Runewolf,

I fully suspect I was either Hindu or a Buddhist in a past incarnation.

That is exactly what our minds need to understand that we are part of THAT unchangeable entity which never takes birth nor dies, having no past nor future! Its HERE-NOW!

Love & rgds

 

[Runewolf1973]

Friend Runewolf,


That is exactly what our minds need to understand that we are part of THAT unchangeable entity which never takes birth nor dies, having no past nor future! Its HERE-NOW!

Love & rgds

Exactly. The forms which that entity takes are always changing. There are many different forms, but the entity itself as a whole is unchanging. All is One which gives the illusion of the many.

 

[Aupmanyav]

You missed the point.
Had enquired as to how you are handling your 'I'
as your path is not evidently clear, to me yet.

I did not miss the point. My path is crystal clear to me. I said I have settled the question of my 'I' long back, perhaps 25 years ago.

"Sarvam khalu idam Brahma" (All things here are Brahman)
"Brahma stayam, jagan-mithya; jeevo Brahmaiva na parah" (Brahman is truth, the observed is illusion; there is no difference between a living entity and Brahman)
Note: Expand it to include the inanimate.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Aupmanyav,

Our languages are different.
However thank you for your response.

Love & rgds