Using spiritual senses for more than just communicating with God/gods

[PoetPhilosopher]

It is possible to get your spiritual senses in tune to the extent that you can do mildly abnormal things like walk in the pitch black, and not run into things, better than most people can?

And would this be considered spiritual sense at all - if you could?

 

[JoshuaTree]

If you could, would you be content with only doing the mildly abnormal things like walking on water, turning water into wine, healing the sick, raising the dead... Where would you stop or would you?

 

[sun rise]

you can do mildly abnormal things like walk in the pitch black, and not run into things, better than most people can?

There are occult capabilities and this might be one.

And would this be considered spiritual sense at all - if you could?

I would call it spiritual. To me a truly advanced spiritual sense is to see everyone as part of yourself. Another might be to know what is the best response in every situation.

 

[AlexanderG]

It is possible to get your spiritual senses in tune to the extent that you can do mildly abnormal things like walk in the pitch black, and not run into things, better than most people can?

And would this be considered spiritual sense at all - if you could?

I think this would require a two step process:

1. Reliably demonstrate that you can do the thing, like spatially perceive the position of objects in total darkness.
2. Present evidence that specifically supports your claim that thing is caused by your spiritual explanation, rather than other potential explanations. ("Sufficient to explain" or "consistent with" or "I just feel it" isn't good enough.)

As far as I'm aware, no one has ever given an example of part 1. Ever. Nothing supernatural of any kind. Have there been unverified anecdotes? Sure, but that's no reliable demonstration, and the plural of "anecdote" is not "data." However, we have reliably demonstrated that human memory is malleable and that we are prone to exaggerate, erroneously find patterns where none exist, and leap to unsupported conclusions to feel comfortably certain rather than remain uncomfortably ignorant.

I've also never seen anyone achieve part 2. Saying "I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and connection" is nice, but then saying, "and it must have been the holy spirit filling me," is entirely unjustified without something more. You have to show why your explanation is specifically the one indicated, rather than one of the infinite other possible explanations that we can also imagine and arbitrary select as the proposed explanation.

Heck, I'd love it if someone defined "spiritual" in a meaningful way, without just describing what it isn't. Ok, now my skeptical rant is over!

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

I think this would require a two step process:

1. Reliably demonstrate that you can do the thing, like spatially perceive the position of objects in total darkness.
2. Present evidence that specifically supports your claim that thing is caused by your spiritual explanation, rather than other potential explanations.

As far as I'm aware, no one has ever given an example of part 1. Ever. Nothing supernatural of any kind. Have there been unverified anecdotes? Sure, but that's no reliable demonstration, and the plural of "anecdote" is not "data." However, we do know that human memory is unreliable and that we are prone to exaggerate, erroneously find patterns where none exist, and leap to unsupported conclusions to feel comfortably certain rather than remain uncomfortably unsure.

I've also never seen anyone achieve part 2. Saying "I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and connection" is nice, but then saying, "and it must have been the holy spirit filling me," is entirely unjustified. You have to actually show why your explanation is the one indicated, rather than one of the infinite other possible explanations that we can also imagine and arbitrary select as the proposed explanation.

Heck, I'd love it if someone defined "spiritual" in a meaningful way, without just describing what it isn't. Ok, now my skeptical rant is over!

Thanks for the post. However, proving things to a skeptic is, after two years on this forum, not a game I play any more. I could have proof of something that proves it within reason to person Skeptic A. Skeptic A will then just drag the conversation on for hours asking stuff like "Well if it is true, what are the benefits of me believing it?" Then person B comes along who's an extremely good debater and gives a verbal punch to the jaw to me. And despite there being the chance that I'm still correct, Skeptic A will then say, "Yeah. I think I'll go with what Person B said." And then no one else posts after that.

 

[AlexanderG]

Thanks for the post. However, proving things to a skeptic is, after two years on this forum, not a game I play any more. I could have proof of something that proves it within reason to person Skeptic A. Skeptic A will then just drag the conversation on for hours asking stuff like "Well if it is true, what are the benefits of me believing it?" Then person B comes along who's an extremely good debater and gives a verbal punch to the jaw to me. And despite there being the chance that I'm still correct, Skeptic A will then say, "Yeah. I think I'll go with what Person B said." And then no one else posts after that.

Fair enough! I kind of interjected myself into your spiritual discussion like a grumpy old man. I'm new here and still getting a feel for what sort of threads are constructive for me to post in. Feel free to disregard all that and carry on.

 

[darkskies]

I've looked (am looking?) into astral projection and the like. I haven't actually had any experience, but from what I've seen it's like amplifying your memories of a certain location, parts of your body, etc. using the subconscious. If you have a good understanding of a location you've never been to, maybe you can "visit" there as well. It's an exercise for the mind and memory. So when you wake up, you could possibly have a really good picture of certain places, and walk around in pitch darkness.

 

[Spirit of Light]

It is possible to get your spiritual senses in tune to the extent that you can do mildly abnormal things like walk in the pitch black, and not run into things, better than most people can?

And would this be considered spiritual sense at all - if you could?

I believe it is called extraordenary abilities from those who claim to have such abilities

 

[Gargovic Malkav]

It is possible to get your spiritual senses in tune to the extent that you can do mildly abnormal things like walk in the pitch black, and not run into things, better than most people can?

And would this be considered spiritual sense at all - if you could?

There is this guy who can swim in arctic waters without special equipment.
And a guy who's able to hit bullets shot by a firearm with a sword without Hollywood magic.

When people find a physics based explanation for this, they may see it as evidence that spirituality has nothing to do with it though.

 

[SalixIncendium]

It is possible to get your spiritual senses in tune to the extent that you can do mildly abnormal things like walk in the pitch black, and not run into things, better than most people can?

And would this be considered spiritual sense at all - if you could?

Perhaps you can elaborate on what you mean by "spiritual senses."

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

Perhaps you can elaborate on what you mean by "spiritual senses."

I may mean ESP. However, defining things is difficult sometimes as different people have different ideas of the same thing.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I may mean ESP. However, defining things is difficult sometimes as different people have different ideas of the same thing.

Ah.

I don't follow sports, so I don't have that channel.

 

[George-ananda]

It is possible to get your spiritual senses in tune to the extent that you can do mildly abnormal things like walk in the pitch black, and not run into things, better than most people can?

And would this be considered spiritual sense at all - if you could?

There are people I respect that claim they can even drive blindfolded.

I would consider it a psychic ability using etheric and astral sensing.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

There are people I respect that claim they can even drive blindfolded.

I would consider it a psychic ability using etheric and astral sensing.

I see. I do feel I have a few slightly odd, abnormal abilities. Or rather a heightened sense of the spiritual side. I don't talk about it much though. I don't like to debate skeptics, and also when I bring the subject up, it may get into my mental history - what medicines I'm on, etc - and it's just not worth the energy in a public setting, in my opinion.

 

[Revoltingest]

It is possible to get your spiritual senses in tune to the extent that you can do mildly abnormal things like walk in the pitch black, and not run into things, better than most people can?

And would this be considered spiritual sense at all - if you could?

A quasi-friend claims that belief in Jesus & God gives
him "spiritual insight". So whatever he believes is The
Truth...handed to him from on high. He admits though
that it doesn't extend to things technical, or anything
easily debunked with evidence.

I claim "spiritual unsight". I'm clueless about The Truth
(except to the extent that I know he doesn't have it).

 

[George-ananda]

I see. I do feel I have a few slightly odd, abnormal abilities. Or rather a heightened sense of the spiritual side. I don't talk about it much though. I don't like to debate skeptics, and also when I bring the subject up, it may get into my mental history - what medicines I'm on, etc - and it's just not worth the energy in a public setting, in my opinion.

Fortunately (coming from my New Age/Advaita/Theosophical/whatever-word perspective) all we need to really worry about that is important is being happy and loving.

I am fascinating by the paranormal and all things beyond the physical though and a keen observer. I probably spend half my forum life debating skeptics but my personal life rarely comes up in those discussions. What is most important to me from my paranormal studies is the certainty that there is more than this physical realm and that we continue on after this physical life.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

Fortunately (coming from my New Age/Advaita/Theosophical/whatever-word perspective) all we need to really worry about that is important is being happy and loving.

I am fascinating by the paranormal and all things beyond the physical though and a keen observer. I probably spend half my forum life debating skeptics but my personal life rarely comes up in those discussions. What is most important to me from my paranormal studies is the certainty that there is more than this physical realm and that we continue on after this physical life.

You've expressed before that you see the collective of all people's stories as proof of the spiritual side. Add me to your list. I had some ghost stories as a teenager, but I shut myself off to what I feel is that energy. My modern stories consist of when I get into a religious trance, it's like I feel energy, the energy of objects, etc, and become part of a larger consciousness for a time.

 

[George-ananda]

You've expressed before that you see the collective of all people's stories as proof of the spiritual side. Add me to your list. I had some ghost stories as a teenager, but I shut myself off to what I feel is that energy. My modern stories consist of when I get into a religious trance, it's like I feel energy, the energy of objects, etc, and become part of a larger consciousness for a time.

My thought is that you are likely more psychically sensitive than most people including me. But I will say the real purpose of life is to be 'happy and loving'. Sometimes the wrong types of energies and entities and the confusion they create can take one further from those real goals of life. That is where advice like not dabbling with ouija boards and such comes from.

However I believe there are genuinely psychically gifted people and many of them can work with their gifts to benefit themselves and help others.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

My thought is that you are likely more psychically sensitive than most people including me. But I will say the real purpose of life is to be 'happy and loving'.

I'm more the anti-hero of my story.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

I'll be honest, I think a lot of my spiritual abilities come from the twilight rather than the dawn, and that both paths kind of lead to enlightenment. Why I'd rather achieve enlightenment through the "twilight" if you will, is because I've ended up further along in that path, and I've thought it over and I'm not willing to make all the sacrifices needed to become a beacon of light, as I'm not willing to give up earthly desires and also material possessions, and to achieve freedom apart from society.

But I still very much respect your beliefs @George-ananda . I'm willing to discuss this subject further, I know some may picture me as being the type to roll my eyes as you give me advice, but this open conversation hasn't come up yet, so I'll just let it flow if people who know what they're talking about on the subject of spirituality, like for example you or @sun rise, just feel like they need to add anything. However, I don't feel I'm going down a rabbit hole or troublesome path, either. I feel more like I'm getting in touch with my nature, and strengthening myself.