What attracts people to the spiritual?

[omega2xx]

When writing and making points about a subject, I tend to try and think of at least 3 things. This has absolutely nothing to do with anything spiritual. It is only because 2 only barely qualifies as a plurality - being only 1 greater than the singularity. A set of 3 of something gives rise to a (perceived) "proper" plurality. That's it, nothing more. I would guess it is the same with the basketball player. If you're going to bounce more than once... then twice is only barely committing to that plurality. 3 times is the perfect blend of plurality and brevity. What else does it need to be?

Everything you say may be true, but it may only be true of you and for all you know, God may have put that in your makeup.

Don't forget I called these thought trivia. Trivia is interesting, but usually not factual. However sometime trivia is the truth.

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

So what is it that attracts people to the spiritual to begin with?

I feel that people look toward spiritual answers/matters/etc. as a way of attempting to pacify the part of themselves that feels they are worthy of more. From my particular set of beliefs and opinions, I feel that, through evolution (both physical evolution leading up to humanity from other forms of creature, and mental with humans feeding on one another's discoveries and furthering the human knowledge-base) humanity has reached a singularly "special" form of consciousness. One that has given rise to an understanding that, in many ways, we are able to craft our own growth. Whether that be a spiritual growth, monetary growth, growth of wisdom/maturity, etc. And when we see this expenditure of great potential all around us in the others we know or look up to, it leaves us wanting to discover our own potential, and reach our own pinnacle. However, when many of us fail to realize what direction or form that potential growth takes - is it any wonder that it leaves us looking for help? Hoping for some divine intervention or message that shows us the way? Casting around in search of this "more" and how to get at it? I find it no wonder at all. I feel that we all too easily fall prey to the tenacity of this call from within ourselves, and earnestly attempt to answer - even if the most expedient methods at hand end up being irrational and misguided means to that end.

 

[Mary Blackchurch]

I think it's the fear of death. I doubt other animals worry so relentlessly about it.

 

[Lorgar-Aurelian]

I think it's the fear of death. I doubt other animals worry so relentlessly about it.

That wouldn't explain religions that have no afterlife.

 

[corynski]

What attracts people to the spiritual? Perhaps the fact that so many others are doing the same thing. From infancy, children are lied to, by everyone, wanting the child to believe as they do. X million people belong to religion Y, a majority... they must be right. But A number of people believe something else, and H number of people believe something else, etc., etc. If only there were some evidence, anything, that all the people could see and believe. But, science says there is no evidence that people will agree upon....... But who needs evidence for belief? From an anthropological point of view religion is much more than an imagined deity, it is life here and now, it is a supporting part of the social structure, the backbone of the group. In the thousands and thousands of years of our evolution a belief system learned from birth was an identification with a group, forever and ever, nothing could change that. If you broke the group's rules, you were ostracized, not permitted to stay with the group.... but anywhere you went you were ignorant of those other groups beliefs, and their gods..... And it wasn't always gods and goddesses, there were spirits before that, wind and tree and water spirits...... whatever worked maybe....... A believer 'hopes' his belief is true.... here, my bible just fell open to Heb 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." If enough people 'hope' for something,will that make it real? Not likely, but it will carry one along, if enough others do too. It's all to big for our minds seems a reasonable conclusion, perhaps we should reserve judgement......

 

[whirlingmerc]

I go through this cycle. Suddenly I feel strong spiritual inclination, I try to find a religion or spirituality that will satisfy said inclination, I find no evidence then finally I give up and eventually it will start all over again. When I've tried to find correlation with any particular events like massive stress, new environment ect there is no noticeable connection.

I am very curious as to why I've so often sought out the spiritual when just about everyone else I knew either made up their minds or just further explored their own path. No answer whether positive or negative seems to satisfy.

There is a whole extra annoying element as well. Pretty much every time you try to talk to someone or well I've tried to talk to someone they treat it in the most childish terms. They'll speak down to you like you're in baby's first religion course. Like you've never read anything on religion and you clearly need to be addressed like a child.

I should point out this whole cycle doesn't just have an effect on my spiritual life. The same sort of cycle will come in hobbies and interest in general. I'll get a sudden intense interest in something and focus on almost nothing but that then in a few weeks or a couple months It will switch to something completely different. Some people say that is just life but the sheer intensity of the change make me think there is something more going on there.

So what is it that attracts people to the spiritual to begin with?

People are attracted to the spiritual because they are as John Calvin said 'idol factories'
But people are attracted to the beauty of God because God moves them to

Jonah a worldview in 50 sentences or less

 

[Mary Blackchurch]

That wouldn't explain religions that have no afterlife.

What religions would those be?

Here's a chart of world religions: http://www.religionfacts.com/big-religion-chart

Which of those does not address an afterlife? Which of those do you think other animal tribes might ponder? I realise the latter part of that was a bit of a strawman, but I really would like to know what you think.

 

[Jumi]

I think there are two types. The more common spirituality wants to see themselves and their lives from the outside. They want religion to order their lives. The other type of person attracted to spirituality is one wants to turn their "eyes" to see inside of themselves. In my opinion sometimes people have both or are confused which they are really looking for.

 

[Twilight Hue]

People just like a good superhero to look up too.

 

[Diak (Jack) Anosh]

So what is it that attracts people to the spiritual to begin with?

The Spirit does it.

 

[crowfeather]

My first LSD experience showed me, beyond all doubt, that there was a whole lot more going on in life than was apparent to my physical senses.
Behind the mundane experience of 'civilization', there was a vast universe of ethereal connectedness between everything.
Thus was born a consuming interest in discovering what was actually going on, and why, and how.
The LSD, itself, was a dead end, but as a catalyst, it excelled. Its natural counterpart: the Psilocybe mushroom, took me even closer, but again, only as a catalyst.
The real deal is oxygen-powered, deeply meditative, and ego-suspending.
The highest of highs comes naturally, but certainly not easily.

I do not condone drug use: it is far too dangerous, and too easy to become hung-up on. But what an eye-opener it can sometimes be.
Years later, long after the fact, it culminated in Dharma.

So, yes, it was LSD that got me started, but thankfully, did not become an end in itself.