Where to find spiritual answers?

[Etritonakin]

In your spiritual practice, do you look for answers in the physical world? or do you look within you and search for answer?

Do you think God ( Abrahamic God) gives you answers directly or do you think by study the scriptures that this will give you the answers God wants you to understand and see?

"Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" We can know God generally by experiencing that which exists -but specifics require more direct instruction.

Essentially everything is God giving us answers -one way or another. Even when he leaves us to experience for ourselves, he created our ability to experience and consider -and also that which we experience and consider.

More correctly, everything we are and are able to consider IS HIM.
God is not within a greater reality, God is the sum of all that exists -HE IS THAT IS.
Technically, we are each made of a part of the whole of God -but logically separated as individuals by being arranged as such and being given the capability of independent thought, etc.
The following is not just a spiritual truth....
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Everything God does is technically within himself, even if "everything" is logically separated into an overall "mind/body/environment"
God is not only "One" in agreement, but in mathematical fact. Even if you look at it from a purely "physical" perspective, "everything" = "1" -and that "1" is subdivided and arranged as it is.

We are presently -to varying degrees -separate from (or at odds with) God inasmuch as we are illogical in reference to correct understanding and behavior.
As we are "new" and capable of independent thought and action [and therefore initially not knowing God from Adam ], there is logically a period of learning, error, correction, being "brought up to speed", as it were, concerning how to exist correctly within reality and knowing God's true personality -which requires not only instruction, but experience. God began by giving perfect instruction (though not yet complete, as it was interrupted and would have taken time, anyway) to the angels -and then to man -but instruction can be ignored, doubted, rejected, etc.
Experience, however, leads to an absolute reality check which will prove his instruction correct and necessary -and that he is who he says he is -at which point it is then possible for the once new and ignorant to willingly "align" or be aligned with God (being made willing by various means is necessary first -generally, and also the means specifically necessary depending on the individual or situation).
1 Cor 3:13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

All gain varying degrees of experience -and God will also directly instruct all -but in a specific order. Those in the first resurrection are called "firsfruits" -just as Christ is the firstfruits of them.
"The rest of the dead" will be resurrected to the "judgment" a thousand years later -which is not all doom and gloom. Some will have done good works even if ignorant of God specifically -and will be rewarded then. Some will not have done good works and will essentially be given an ultimatum and be purified.

1 Cor 15:20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

The whole of the old and new testaments given instruction concerning how to act, and describe God's plan -and how it has been carried out thus far.
The commandments have not changed, but God has given different JUDGMENTS under the law at various times according to what was necessary to carry out that plan (a good example of this is the issue of food -in Eden they were essentially vegan, afterward all animal flesh was allowed, then only some -and later, humans will again no longer eat any animal flesh. Even the nature of animals will be changed so that they do not consume each other -or humans. Other judgments -such as the harsh judgments of the old testament vs. the less harsh judgments of the new -follow the same basic pattern.)
The old covenant prepared a people for the new covenant -and both were for the purpose of creating a government and priesthood of immortals for the future.
Those in the first resurrection -of ALL NATIONS -will literally reign on Earth with Christ for the first thousand years -and "the rest of the dead" will be resurrected when that government is already in place FOR THEIR BENEFIT.

Then we will go beyond Earth -into "the heavens" which God "created not in vain" -but "were formed to be inhabited"

Isa 48:18For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.

 

[Windwalker]

In your spiritual practice, do you look for answers in the physical world? or do you look within you and search for answer?

I think others have touched on this, but answers to what spiritual questions? Aren't spiritual questions all in essence questions about finding truth and meaning for ourselves in the face of Existence? So then how can there be any endpoint single answer to a question of meaning? Meaning making is a process. It's a continually developing thing. To say I'm look for the answer to be told to me about my existence, would be like asking the question, "What is the answer to me being 35?"

The truth and meaning for us in life changes as we change. If there is an Answer, with a capital A, it is simply the foundation for which all meaning making runs its paths in our continuing development. That would be the Ground of all Being, or Shunyata, or God. But that does not provide some propositional truth that the mind can find its rest in having solved the puzzle.

Rather, it is the condition or screen against which questions and answers are projected onto and reflected back at us, leading us to continue to search for answers like a carrot on a stick to guide us into finding deeper, wider, and higher truth and meaning. There is no end point to that. It provides the space for us to explore the spiritual, or the quest for meaning. The answer is already within us as we explore it anew each day asking yet another question. Each answer, asks a new question.

 

[QuestioningMind]

In your spiritual practice, do you look for answers in the physical world? or do you look within you and search for answer?

Do you think God ( Abrahamic God) gives you answers directly or do you think by study the scriptures that this will give you the answers God wants you to understand and see?

First you need to provide some sort of verifiable evidence that this 'spiritual world' you speak of actually exists. As a physical being, what evidence do you have that searching for answers 'within you' constitutes searching 'outside' of the physical world?

 

[SalixIncendium]

First you need to provide some sort of verifiable evidence that this 'spiritual world' you speak of actually exists.

Verifiable to whom? If one experiences something, is it not verifiable to the experiencer?

 

[Aupmanyav]

In your spiritual practice, do you look for answers in the physical world? or do you look within you and search for answer?

Do you think God ( Abrahamic God) gives you answers directly or do you think by study the scriptures that this will give you the answers God wants you to understand and see?

I am an atheist and I belong to the Eastern religions. So, nothing to do with the Abrahamic Gods. I found my answers (already done and dusted) from the scriptures and contemplation - Hinduism, Buddhism.

 

[QuestioningMind]

Verifiable to whom? If one experiences something, is it not verifiable to the experiencer?

A person having an experience is evidence that an experience has occurred. But simply having the experience is not verifiable evidence that this was a 'spiritual' experience that somehow exists 'outside' of the physical world. What verifiable evidence is there that a 'spiritual world' exists beyond the physical world?

 

[Windwalker]

A person having an experience is evidence that an experience has occurred. But simply having the experience is not verifiable evidence that this was a 'spiritual' experience that somehow exists 'outside' of the physical world. What verifiable evidence is there that a 'spiritual world' exists beyond the physical world?

If a person experiences a lake, they can say that it feels "wet" can't they? So if someone experiences something that they say feels "spiritual", isn't that valid? What about if they say something feels "good"? Do you require there to be verifiable evidence" there is a "good world" for someone to describe a type of human experience as good?

Just because someone says they have a spiritual experience, does not mean they believe in a Casper the Friendly Ghost world.

 

[stvdv]

In your spiritual practice, do you look for answers in the physical world? or do you look within you and search for answer?

Do you think God ( Abrahamic God) gives you answers directly or do you think by study the scriptures that this will give you the answers God wants you to understand and see?

My Master came to me in a vision and told me to get rid of all my spiritual books (as well) except 1 book
So to me that was a clear message to search for answers inside
Before that He told me "Innernet ... not internet"

 

[Dawnofhope]

In your spiritual practice, do you look for answers in the physical world? or do you look within you and search for answer?

Do you think God ( Abrahamic God) gives you answers directly or do you think by study the scriptures that this will give you the answers God wants you to understand and see?

For me its both within and beyond.

I believe in God who has manifested Himself through the likes of Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha and Krishna. There is a wealth of wisdom and inspiration to be gained through their Teachings. Meditation and prayer are essential practices. Being able to listen and reflect on what others have to say is just as important.

 

[QuestioningMind]

If a person experiences a lake, they can say that it feels "wet" can't they? So if someone experiences something that they say feels "spiritual", isn't that valid? What about if they say something feels "good"? Do you require there to be verifiable evidence" there is a "good world" for someone to describe a type of human experience as good?

Just because someone says they have a spiritual experience, does not mean they believe in a Casper the Friendly Ghost world.

When a person tells me that the lake water felt 'wet', I know what 'wet ' means. However, if someone were to tell me that the lake felt 'pruth', I would need to know what does it mean to feel 'pruth'. And if someone tells me an experience they had was 'spiritual', I have to ask, what is this 'spiritual world' of which you speak? What evidence do you have that any such spiritual world exists beyond the physical world?? Is it a reality that exists beyond your 'feeling'?

 

[Windwalker]

When a person tells me that the lake water felt 'wet', I know what 'wet ' means.

Yes, because you have experienced wetness. Likewise, when someone tells me they feel "spiritual", I know what that means because I've had the experience of that myself.

However, if someone were to tell me that the lake felt 'pruth', I would need to know what does it mean to feel 'pruth'.

But the word spiritual is a very commonplace word. It has a range of known meanings. It describes a type of commonplace human experience. Does everyone have that experience? No. Has everyone experienced swimming in the ocean? No. Does that mean those who describe the smell of salt water in the air are nuts, because you may be never had that experience yourself?

And if someone tells me an experience they had was 'spiritual', I have to ask, what is this 'spiritual world' of which you speak?

To have the question asked about a "world", as if it were a separate place somewhere else other than here, is a nonsense question. It's this world. It's the spiritual experience of this world. Spirituality is a human state or condition. It's not a "place" you go to.

What evidence do you have that any such spiritual world exists beyond the physical world?? Is it a reality that exists beyond your 'feeling'?

The evidence of spirituality is personal experience. It's has nothing to do with this fictitious other world you are imagining, like clouds and harps and resurrected puppy dogs. Those are the imaginings of children, with magic fairies and rainbow glitter.

The evidence of spirituality is lived experience, just like the evidence of being in love is the experience of it. People can have profound spiritual states occur to them in their lives at various times, or possibly all the time. There is no need to bring in sky castles and magical flying pixies. It has no bearing. To be spiritual, does not mean you confuse mythologies with facts.

 

[loverofhumanity]

For spiritual answers I would always first turn to the Buddhas, Prophets and Messengers as They are the wisest amongst men. None can compare with their knowledge and wisdom.

 

[QuestioningMind]

Yes, because you have experienced wetness. Likewise, when someone tells me they feel "spiritual", I know what that means because I've had the experience of that myself.


But the word spiritual is a very commonplace word. It has a range of known meanings. It describes a type of commonplace human experience. Does everyone have that experience? No. Has everyone experienced swimming in the ocean? No. Does that mean those who describe the smell of salt water in the air are nuts, because you may be never had that experience yourself?


To have the question asked about a "world", as if it were a separate place somewhere else other than here, is a nonsense question. It's this world. It's the spiritual experience of this world. Spirituality is a human state or condition. It's not a "place" you go to.


The evidence of spirituality is personal experience. It's has nothing to do with this fictitious other world you are imagining, like clouds and harps and resurrected puppy dogs. Those are the imaginings of children, with magic fairies and rainbow glitter.

The evidence of spirituality is lived experience, just like the evidence of being in love is the experience of it. People can have profound spiritual states occur to them in their lives at various times, or possibly all the time. There is no need to bring in sky castles and magical flying pixies. It has no bearing. To be spiritual, does not mean you confuse mythologies with facts.

In your spiritual practice, do you look for answers in the physical world?

It was YOUR question. YOU asked if I look for answers in the PHYSICAL WORLD. As apposed to what? Why the SPIRITUAL WORLD, of course. YOU are the one claiming that this SPIRITUAL WORLD is somehow separate from the PHYSICAL WORLD. I'm simply asking for some evidence that this spiritual world you claim exists actually does.

 

[Windwalker]

In your spiritual practice, do you look for answers in the physical world?

It was YOUR question. YOU asked if I look for answers in the PHYSICAL WORLD.

No I didn't. I think you are confusing me with someone else.

Why are you shouting, by the way?

As apposed to what? Why the SPIRITUAL WORLD, of course. YOU are the one claiming that this SPIRITUAL WORLD is somehow separate from the PHYSICAL WORLD. I'm simply asking for some evidence that this spiritual world you claim exists actually does.

Again, none of these are arguments I made, or would ever make. You're confusing me with someone else.

 

[QuestioningMind]

No I didn't. I think you are confusing me with someone else.

Why are you shouting, by the way?


Again, none of these are arguments I made, or would ever make. You're confusing me with someone else.

Interesting that you think highlighting a quote is shouting.

Okay fine.. so you don't agree with the OP and agree with me that so called 'spiritual experiences' are nothing more than a product of the physical world. The posts that you did make certainly don't seem to express that.

 

[Windwalker]

Interesting that you think highlighting a quote is shouting.

Shouting is when a poster uses all-caps in repeated words, which is what you were doing with multiple words and whole sentences in that post. So I asked why you were shouting your response.

Okay fine.. so you don't agree with the OP and agree with me that so called 'spiritual experiences' are nothing more than a product of the physical world. The posts that you did make certainly don't seem to express that.

We experience spirituality in this physical world, yes. What I disagree with you about is imagining that spirituality has to do with some other "place", or another "world". It's all this world, but not everyone is perceptually aware of the spiritual in this world. They are just not attuned to that, for whatever reason. And that does not mean seeing magic fairies. It means seeing radiant Beauty interpentrating everything in the world, and feeling profoundly connected with that. That is what spirituality actually is.

There is no need reason to assume what others mean when they speak of spirituality, or the spirit, is some magical fairy palace in the sky or something. That's been my whole point. You seem to not be able to tell the difference between commonplace human experience of the spiritual, with mythological fairy book tales of reality. And that to me is simply because you lack the experience, consider yourself a rational person, so therefore the rest of us must be believing in nonsense. Accepting spirituality as part of the natural human experience of reality, certainly is the more rational understanding.

 

[QuestioningMind]

Shouting is when a poster uses all-caps in repeated words, which is what you were doing with multiple words and whole sentences in that post. So I asked why you were shouting your response.


We experience spirituality in this physical world, yes. What I disagree with you about is imagining that spirituality has to do with some other "place", or another "world". It's all this world, but not everyone is perceptually aware of the spiritual in this world. They are just not attuned to that, for whatever reason. And that does not mean seeing magic fairies. It means seeing radiant Beauty interpentrating everything in the world, and feeling profoundly connected with that. That is what spirituality actually is.

There is no need reason to assume what others mean when they speak of spirituality, or the spirit, is some magical fairy palace in the sky or something. That's been my whole point. You seem to not be able to tell the difference between commonplace human experience of the spiritual, with mythological fairy book tales of reality. And that to me is simply because you lack the experience, consider yourself a rational person, so therefore the rest of us must be believing in nonsense. Accepting spirituality as part of the natural human experience of reality, certainly is the more rational understanding.

We experience spirituality in this physical world, yes. What I disagree with you about is imagining that spirituality has to do with some other "place", or another "world".

So again, you disagree with the OP who asked if we were searching for spirituality in the physical world. It's the writer of the OP who thinks that spirituality has to do with 'some other place'. I'm the one who was asking the OP for evidence that this 'other' spiritual world exists.

And yes, I do capitalize certain words for emphasis... so sorry if it makes you feel yelled at.

 

[Windwalker]

We experience spirituality in this physical world, yes. What I disagree with you about is imagining that spirituality has to do with some other "place", or another "world".

So again, you disagree with the OP who asked if we were searching for spirituality in the physical world. It's the writer of the OP who thinks that spirituality has to do with 'some other place'. I'm the one who was asking the OP for evidence that this 'other' spiritual world exists.

I see your confusion and understand it better. What the OP said was, "In your spiritual practice, do you look for answers in the physical world? or do you look within you and search for answer?"

What his question is about is do we look outside of ourselves for answers, in the physical material world, or do we look within, to the mind, the spirit, the soul, etc for "answers"? That is within us. It's not some outer realm outside of us, wholly displaced from us.

What the inner realm, or the spiritual realm is, is simply interior reality. Its always there, but not often seen as people never stop to look at or consider the eyes they are looking out through at the world. They never question the seer, the one looking. So it is invisible to them. And when they hear talk about it, well, it must be some magical other world, they conclude. No, it's this world. It's just a more liberated view and experience of self and reality.

 

[QuestioningMind]

I see your confusion and understand it better. What the OP said was, "In your spiritual practice, do you look for answers in the physical world? or do you look within you and search for answer?"

What his question is about is do we look outside of ourselves for answers, in the physical material world, or do we look within, to the mind, the spirit, the soul, etc for "answers"? That is within us. It's not some outer realm outside of us, wholly displaced from us.

What the inner realm, or the spiritual realm is, is simply interior reality. Its always there, but not often seen as people never stop to look at or consider the eyes they are looking out through at the world. They never question the seer, the one looking. So it is invisible to them. And when they hear talk about it, well, it must be some magical other world, they conclude. No, it's this world. It's just a more liberated view and experience of self and reality.

What his question is about is do we look outside of ourselves for answers, in the physical material world, or do we look within, to the mind, the spirit, the soul, etc for "answers"? That is within us. It's not some outer realm outside of us, wholly displaced from us.

The problem I have is this idea that the 'inner realm' the mind - I have no good reason to believe that a 'soul' or 'spirit' actually exists - is in some way APART from the outer physical world. You wrote earlier: What I disagree with you about is imagining that spirituality has to do with some other "place", or another "world". It's all this world. I agree 100% with that. Yet now you speak as if there ARE two SEPARATE realms, an 'inner' and an 'outer'. Personally I don't understand how you think that it's possible to not look 'within' when making decisions about anything. Any information that you get from the physical material world is interpreted internally by your physical material brain. I don't see a difference, yet you and the OP claim that they are different 'worlds'; or 'realms'.

 

[Lyndon]

It seems you're way off topic, not looking for spiritual solutions in any way, perhaps you can start your own thread about how stupid spiritual people are, but not here, please