ChieftheCef
Active Member
Can anything be spiritual, if so why and how?
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Hmmm... What are the definitions of spiritual? Why aren't they there own words?What definition of "spiritual" is being used when you ask this question?
I dunno, can you give me a definition? What's the real difference between the two definitions? They seem to me to be pointing towards the same idea of spirituality
Sorry for being difficult.
I don't believe it is.I don't think you are being difficult at all. It's the issue of how to define spirituality that's difficult. Some say: "I'm spiritual, not religious" which suggests that spirituality is separable from religiosity; the two can have an independent existence.
Others say that spirituality is precisely the religious experience and can't be separated from religion.
I could give you a definition if you'd like. Perhaps my personal definition, or maybe a definition I like from William James. But before I do that, could I get your perspective concerning whether spirituality is necessarily religious or not?
I would say both fit, but spirituality can be separated from religion.If you haven't decided (or'd rather not say) I'm fine with just giving my or James's definition and moving on from there. But I'm curious what you think.
I would say both fit, but spirituality can be separated from religion.
Here is something that might help
I kind of intuitively know but I can't put it to words.I would tend to agree with that. Of course, there's nothing wrong with having the two together. But I think there is a kind of experience (one that is "experienced" by both believers and non-believers) that we might call spiritual. Much like ordinary experiences.
Atheists and theists alike can perceive something ordinary... like a tree. Likewise, atheists and theists alike can have "spiritual" experiences. But now we are left wanting to distinguish what's the difference between a "spiritual" or an "ordinary" experience. Any thoughts on that?
I kind of intuitively know but I can't put it to words.
Hmmmm thank you so much. You thouroughtly answered my question. Truly, touche. Do you happen to know a feeling where you feel ultimate bliss? Do you know what that is?I mean, you can resort to haiku or something if you wanna. But I'd rather stick to prose.
But I don't think we need to do any of that. I think we can define "spiritual" experiences according to inner movements and processes that (inwardly) take us from one place to another. We already have a name for this type of experience: emotion... but we can easily differentiate a spiritual experience from simple emotion by noting that spiritual experience has some "extra qualities" that aren't present in emotion.
For example, emotions are always "about something." I'm happy that I got a raise." -- "I'm sad about getting fired." Things like that. A "spiritual" experience may feature emotions, but it also features something more. It is (perhaps) a realization about the universe that speaks to you deeply, but isn't necessarily a reaction to your current circumstances.
You may experience some cosmic being, like Yahweh or a bodhisattva... or who knows if it's one or the other? The experience itself (ie. I experienced a being of great love who peered at me with ultimate compassion.") THAT'S a spiritual experience. (imo).
"That was Jesus Christ"-- or "That was lord Rama." And "that being reinforced the truth of my scriptures." -- THOSE things I consider a religious interpretation of a spiritual experience, and, in themselves, they may not be very spiritual at all.
I've never heard of Brahman merging with Atman, but I have heard of Atman merging with Brahman. I've also never heard of Brahman coming, as Brahman is here there, and everywhere already. It would have to be separate in order to come. Course I'm most likely way off.It's a kind of spiritual experience, I gather from our talk. The Hindus believe it's something like Brahman coming to us, the Atman, and merging with Atman for a moment.
Yeah, you said it right. I felt it before. What do I do?I've never heard of Brahman merging with Atman, but I have heard of Atman merging with Brahman. I've also never heard of Brahman coming, as Brahman is here there, and everywhere already. It would have to be separate in order to come. Course I'm most likely way off.
Nothing. Enjoy the moment, or in this case, the memory of the moment. To get there again could be a goal. In Hinduism, the ultimate goal is to be able to go there at will.Yeah, you said it right. I felt it before. What do I do?
This is something that I have struggle to express for years.But now we are left wanting to distinguish what's the difference between a "spiritual" or an "ordinary" experience. Any thoughts on that?
I agree, it can be very difficult.I kind of intuitively know but I can't put it to words.