spirituality
By aish0123
@aish0123 (142)
India
December 11, 2006 8:42am CST
Is either spirituality or rationality but never both at the same time?
Several years ago I would have said yes to these questions. But today I see that this conflict is nothing but an illusion. In fact, I think intelligence and spirituality ultimately follow the same path, and I don't mean this in the sense of trying to program your head with religious doctrine and then trying to convince you of it by manipulating the facts. I mean that by embracing your intellect to its fullest extent, you will eventually arrive at a sense of spirituality. You may not label it as such, but you will find yourself generating similar results to some of the most enlightened people around.
In terms of the question of intelligence vs. spirituality, the problem arises from the perceived sense of conflict between these two supposed opposites. This perception prevents us from trusting and following either side far enough. We'll only go so far down one side or the other before flipping back to the other side. We have our intellectual pursuits and our spiritual pursuits, and never the twain shall meet. They are both kept separate and compartmentalized. In the business world, our actions are governed by intelligence; we achieve the best results when we make the most intelligent decisions. But if we go home, meditate, and begin asking questions like, "What is the purpose of my life?" we have to load up a different set of rules. Now we've supposedly left the territory of the intellect and entered the spiritual realm. We try to interact intelligently with our outer world and spiritually with our inner world.
However, this perceived conflict is a fabricated one. If you were only to follow your intelligence or your spiritual beliefs far enough — really push them to the limits — you'd see they end up at the same place. The conflict is purely imaginary. It exists only in our thoughts.
1 person likes this
20 responses
@ability (692)
• China
12 Dec 06
SPIRITUALITY SAYS THAT GOD IS WITHIN US AND THAT WE DON'T NEED ANYONE ELSE TO MAKE THAT DIVINE CONNECTION FOR US.
RELIGION SAYS THAT WE ARE SEPARATED FROM GOD AND THAT WE NEED "THEM" TO MAKE THAT DIVINE CONNECTION.
SPIRITUALITY SAYS THAT WE ARE FREE TO MAKE CHOICES ON OUR OWN AND THAT WE MUST TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR ACTIONS.
RELIGION SAYS WE MUST MAKE THEIR CHOICES AND ACT THEIR WAY.
THE THEME OF SPIRITUALITY IS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
THE THEME OF RELIGION IS FEAR AND GUILT.
SPIRITUALITY DOES NOT REQUIRE US TO MAKE DONATIONS.
RELIGION HAS BECOME BIG BUSINESS.
SPIRITUALITY SAYS THERE IS NO HELL, NO JUDGEMENT, NO ANGRY GOD... THAT WE ARE LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY.
RELIGION SAYS THERE IS A HELL, GOD GETS ANGRY AND JUDGES US... THEREFORE, WE ARE NOT LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY.
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE ARE FREE TO CHOOSE OUR OWN PATH TO GOD.
RELIGION COMMANDS US TO DO IT THEIR WAY.
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE GO TO GOD TO LIGHTEN OUR BURDEN.
RELIGION HAS TAUGHT US TO FEAR THEIR GOD
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED OF OUR SEXUALITY... THAT IT SHOULD BE A SACRED CELEBRATION OF LOVE
RELIGION HAS TAUGHT US TO FEEL ASHAMED, GUILTY AND DIRTY ABOUT OUR SEXUALITY
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES US TO HONOUR AND RESPECT MOTHER EARTH
RELIGION HAS TOLD US TO "BE THOU FRUITFUL, MULTIPLY AND SUBDUE THE EARTH" I REPEAT... "SUBDUE THE EARTH"
SPIRITUALITY REMINDS US THAT WE ARE ONE WITH GOD AND ONE WITH EACH OTHER
RELIGION TEACHES DISUNITY AND SEPARATION WHICH IS THE OPPOSITE OF GOD
SPIRITUALITY SAYS GOD IS WITHIN
RELIGION SAYS HE IS IN HEAVEN AND THAT "THEY" ARE THE ONLY INTERMEDIARIES FOR US
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE ARE BORN IN INNOCENCE AND PURITY
RELIGION SAYS WE ARE BORN WITH SIN
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES THAT WE ARE ON A LONG SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE AND JOURNEY WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY END BY REUNITING WITH OUR SOURCE
RELIGION SAYS WE'VE GOT ONE LIFE TO GET IT ALL RIGHT AND THERE IS NOTHING BUT HEAVEN OR HELL AFTER THAT
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE ARE FREE TO EXPRESS
RELIGION GAVE US THE DREADED INQUISITION
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR ALL
RELIGION GAVE US THE CRUSADES IN WHICH MANY WERE KILLED AND SLAUGHTERED IN THE NAME OF GOD
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES THAT WE SHOULD LOVE ONE ANOTHER UNCONDITIONALLY AND ALWAYS HONOUR THE RIGHTS AND CHOICES OF OTHERS
RELIGION TREATED NATIVE AMERICANS, THE MAYANS AND OTHER INDIGENOUS CULTURES AS SAVAGE PRIMITIVES WHO "MUST BE SAVED"
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES PEACE AND HARMONY
RELIGION HAS CAUSED MORE WARS AND MORE KILLING THAN ANY OTHER REASON
SPIRITUALITY SAYS RESPECT ALL LIVING THINGS
I NEVER ONCE HEARD ANY RELIGION SAY STOP SLAUGHTERING MILLIONS OF TREES EVERY YEAR FOR CHRIST'S BIRTHDAY
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES US TO HAVE FAITH IN OURSELVES
RELIGION TEACHES US TO HAVE FAITH IN THEM
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS... THAT WE CAN FIND THEM BY "GOING WITHIN"
RELIGION TEACHES US THAT IT HAS ALL THE ANSWERS AND ONLY ITS ANSWERS ARE THE RIGHT ONES
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES US TO SEARCH FOR THE UNIVERSAL TRUTHS AND OUR HEARTS WILL TELL US WHEN WE HAVE FOUND THEM
RELIGION TEACHES WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ACCEPT THEIR VERSION(S) OF THE TRUTH
WHICH ONE FEELS BETTER TO YOU? SPIRITUALITY OR RELIGION?
taken from jim's myspace. Rofl yes im trying to make conflict with you
@mansha (6298)
• India
12 Dec 06
I feel you have misunder stood the whole concept she was trying to explain.being religious doe not mean being spiritual or other way round.Spirituality is a state of mind when the petty things do not bother you like rituals and beliefs because if it was so we would have seen god making all of us with one mould. Its a process of awakening of the soul when you know from your mind and heart that god loves you and you have a purpose of finding yur inner being which is undyng and will walk this earth not in the same physiacl being but in the form of another matter and will stay here only.we may turn in to ashes but we are not destroyed just become another form of matter.Intellect is the thoing that gives us this wisdom to move aweay from petty rituals and attain our higher selves.
@farocop44 (447)
• Canada
11 Dec 06
I think spirituality should be described as a point of view. The problem with spirituality, and I dont mean spiritual beliefs in general, is that everyone has an opinion and usually tries to convince you that their opinion is the right one. Hence so many church denominations. Rationality in spirituality is being able to understand something that was originally described in a spiritual sense as something unexplainable. Eg: Lot and the pillar of fire. People of that time would have no comprehension of what that was, but we would be able to rationalize it as being a nuclear bomb. Or Noah. The flooding of the world has no comprehension, but what if it was actually something like the ice age. Ice is only cold water, and would have the same effect on the world. Just thoughts. But as you see spirituality relies on the concept that you cant rationalize anything and must believe we dont have the brains to come up with understanding of why something is or occurs. I say spirituality can be rationalized at least to the current limits of our imagination and understanding of science. Completely compatible
@tenzen (114)
• Philippines
30 Jan 07
Is it me or have I read this before on the web somewhere? Probably deja vu.
Regardless, I have never experienced trying to "max out" any of those. Have you gone through this experience yourself? If so, what process did you use to "max out" those two to the point where they meet?
Sad part is, I may never see your reply, if you have any.
@angel108 (570)
• Philippines
12 Dec 06
I agree that spirituality and rationality should go together. it is an art someone must learn.
@lovespecialangel (3632)
• United States
12 Dec 06
i think in truth it all comes down to one thing.....faith
we try to have faith in believing what we have been told all our lives in what is written. we lead our lives by other peoples beliefs. But in fact all we need to believe in is ourself. The faith that we can accomplish what we are setting to do or believe in. Myself i am spritual in my own accord. I know i exist and life has meaning.But its the paths we take either given to us by our parents or peers that leads down the road we travel. That is why I believe in me and dont need others to dictate who I am or how I should act or do. I follow no leader or congregation or I do not belong to now following of any group.I believe love is the faith we should follow not only for ourself but for our neighbors and family most importantly.
@wsamboer (186)
• South Africa
11 Dec 06
How can Spirituality, Rationality and Intelligence be illusions? Your claim or explanation or statement does not make for rational thinking. Exactly what are you are trying to say? Is spirituality not a state of mind where people regard the materialistic issues as less important and view their purpose in life in accordance with their faith in a much higher power than they are? How they view their inner self in relation to this higher power e.g. “God or the Creator of all creation, whatever you wish to call him, has nothing to do with any illusions.
People who profess to be spiritual are not motivated by any illusions, nor is the intelligent or rational person. Intelligent people are in fact very rational in their approach and thinking.
There can be no opposition in either of the three. In fact Spiritually endowed people are just as rational in their thinking and approach to life as intellectual persons. I cannot find any cause or reason to believe otherwise. The only difference is that not all intellectuals are spiritually minded, but they count on rational behaviour and thinking a very great deal, and never regard spiritually minded people as illusionists.
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
11 Dec 06
That is very deep thinking and I tend to agree with you but I know it is probably going off the track but I consider my self very spiritual but not religious at all, so I think there are three lines, Spiritual, Religious and intelligent...just my thought....thanks for your indepth thought, they are good.
@jricbt (1454)
• Brazil
11 Dec 06
I respect you, but disagree, partially.
I think that we cannot generalize this. There are people like you that find rationality and spirituality together. Others have absolutely no spirituality whatsoever, and I am one of them. For example, I don´t see or need to see a purpose in life. Life is. Just that. Nothing more, and it is okay to me.
@mauier113 (688)
• Philippines
11 Dec 06
Spirituality is something that comes within ourselves. It is something you get as you go through life, it is something what your inner self tells you. It guides us through our life to go to a deeper point. Intelligence, we get it from experiences, we enhance it to use also for our daily struggle for decisions and perceptions. Intelligence would be best if it is guided by our spirituality.
@sunil_dear_33 (4)
• India
11 Dec 06
What is Spirituality? Something concerning with the intellect or what is often thought of as the better or higher part of mind. Or is it the moral aspect of life? Perhaps it may even mean a state of being incorporeal. Whatever way one may define, it may be termed as an ideal that reckons all reality in essence as spiritual. Or simply stated spirituality is one's character or quality that makes one transcend the barriers of worldliness, caste, creed and sensuality; and realize one's connection with the Truth.
