Why go through Spiritual Stress?

[AiR]

We may wonder and question: Why should we go through all this spiritual stress? What is the necessity to break our head to find out who we are, where we have come from and what is God?

Quite a valid question, isn’t it? We feel that we are wasting our time in life on matters that will hardly have any relevance. But on further introspection the question that arises is, “Are these questions relevant or not?” Let us take one step back - what is the whole world seeking? The whole world seeks happiness. People chase achievements to get pleasure from money, fame, success. It gives them happiness, but money can’t buy happiness because money can only provide pleasures. Moreover, there are disappointments, after which happiness comes to an end. Some are lucky to hit the second peak. They leave achievement and go towards fulfillment, which is fueled by contentment, peace, joy, love, faith, hope, universal connection. They too are seeking happiness. But ask somebody who has climbed the achievement peak, and the fulfillment peak whether they have experienced everlasting joy? There may be peace and there may be pleasure, but one thing that is still missing is purpose.

So, what can give one purpose? The only way I believe to find purpose in life and everlasting joy is probably to search for answers for the questions. In that case, the question that arises is, “Is spiritual quest truly meaningful or is it just a waste of time? What will be the final outcome of this spiritual quest?” If the spiritual quest can truly give us everlasting joy, liberation and the nirvana, then is it not worth pursuing and finding answers to the questions that the world ignores? There may be so many questions that the majority of humanity doesn’t even consider worth asking, but if this can give us the ultimate joy, then think about it - isn’t it worth it?

AiR

 

[Timothy Bryce]

I remember, as an 8 year old boy, laying in a bathtub saying the rosary prayers over and over for an indefinable time. This was for my grandfather who, although I had a somewhat awkward relationship with, brought me to tears when he shook my hand for the final time before he underwent severe surgery for bowel cancer. I didn't really know if I would ever see him again and when I did, he was so doped up that he couldn't communicate properly or behave in a way that his intensive care nurses could attend to him without security present.

Before all that **** happened, I had never taken my Catholic education seriously and took most of it as a ripe joke up until I left it with high school. In that bathtub, I prayed to god that my grandfather would either live a few more years or die with dignity. He lived 10 more years before dying so far beyond what could be considered "dignity" that it still breaks my heart 5.5 years later.

I still hate Christianity and Catholicism. The funerals I had to endure of that nature were far more disgusting than I was even anticipating; literally, the undertaker was prepping the coffin-holders like we were drawing up some football play.

Why go through spiritual stress? My answer is that, somewhere along the line, you realise the value of it and persevere with it as a result.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

We may wonder and question: Why should we go through all this spiritual stress? What is the necessity to break our head to find out who we are, where we have come from and what is God?

Quite a valid question, isn’t it? We feel that we are wasting our time in life on matters that will hardly have any relevance. But on further introspection the question that arises is, “Are these questions relevant or not?” Let us take one step back - what is the whole world seeking? The whole world seeks happiness. People chase achievements to get pleasure from money, fame, success. It gives them happiness, but money can’t buy happiness because money can only provide pleasures. Moreover, there are disappointments, after which happiness comes to an end. Some are lucky to hit the second peak. They leave achievement and go towards fulfillment, which is fueled by contentment, peace, joy, love, faith, hope, universal connection. They too are seeking happiness. But ask somebody who has climbed the achievement peak, and the fulfillment peak whether they have experienced everlasting joy? There may be peace and there may be pleasure, but one thing that is still missing is purpose.

So, what can give one purpose? The only way I believe to find purpose in life and everlasting joy is probably to search for answers for the questions. In that case, the question that arises is, “Is spiritual quest truly meaningful or is it just a waste of time? What will be the final outcome of this spiritual quest?” If the spiritual quest can truly give us everlasting joy, liberation and the nirvana, then is it not worth pursuing and finding answers to the questions that the world ignores? There may be so many questions that the majority of humanity doesn’t even consider worth asking, but if this can give us the ultimate joy, then think about it - isn’t it worth it?

AiR

To tell you honestly, I found searching physically exhausting. I dont have time to read scholarly books, create fifty book, Book of Shadows, pray ten rosaries a day, or meditate for an hour or day. My time is on my health, education, and literally reconnecting with family and friends.

I have never asked what my purpose in life was. I had no time (illness and surgeries). Skiping my life history, if I never heard the internet, being closeted family, Id probably never have asked and stayed in clinical drepression due to extra social isolation.

I never thought about being happy. It was all.about being healthy. When I practiced SGI Nichiren Buddhism, all I heard was happy-happy-happy. I literally had to ask what the heck that meant and thats almost five years ago today.

I do believe its worth the search when you have the mind and energy to do so. If not, its best to take stock on what you already believe in. Write it down. Reflect on what you do to live those beliefs and values. Find a way for yourself to strengthen them as a foundation to adopt other values based on that foundation.

Its worth it so you wont live in a past of misery if you know the present and future can hold more value by your effort to change yourself.

A lot of people on RF used to be christians, ex catholics, ex jw, etc. Its worth it if you feel these religions or walks of life are creating more stress than the journey instead. Catholicism had a double edge sword with me. It made me feel worthless then it said we can clean your worthlessness so you can be worth while. But to do that you cant slip up. So basically, youre watching your steps making sure you dont set up shop pillow and all in the confessional. Thats only three years of practice. I cant imagine a whole childhood! And not even in this area where its more watered down.

Yes. Its worth it. How to go about it and finding a support network is crucial just like any other transiton in life. I just hope seekers know religion or spirituality shapes your LIFE. Its how you define life. Thats the definition. How you interpret the world around you.

It takes a lifetime to build foundational values.

Its worth it. In the words of my fam, " so BRING IT ON!"

 

[Sunstone]

There may be so many questions that the majority of humanity doesn’t even consider worth asking...

The notion that the majority of humanity doesn't even consider worth asking the sort of questions your mentioned is, on the face of it, ludicrous. The vast majority of humanity asks those questions at one time or another during their lives, and apparently many of them ask them over and over for years on end. But you're certainly in good company with your impression that only a select few of us ask such questions: The myth that most people do not is apparently widespread.

 

[Kueid]

ask the real big very important question "why would I make such a question?" or the very pinnacle of worthiness "why I'm assuming there is an why?" or even the underestimated and never talked taboo question of all time "why why?". But before asking big questions how about ask small ones, like "is the whole world seeking happiness?" cause if the whole world aren't doing just that your argument is crippled. Another thing, saying that there is only ONE WAY to do anything is a good way to limit yourself. Finding answers is fun and all but in any way it is the sole road to purpose and everlasting joy in life, absolutely not true.

 

[Papoon]

A DJ on TripleJ (Aus) said "it's so hard for lifeforms to get comfortable"