GENIUS FORUMS

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and out of sync,
I thought of you spiritual causalists whilst in a room half-full of academic hard determinists recently, and the various characterizations being put forth of what the spiritual impulse or sensation present in humans might be. If as a spiritual causalist, how do you assess the character of your own spirituality -- that which you are feeling, thinking, sensing, being? What is "it"? How does it manifest? Is it too vague for you to describe? Passively realized-upon? what?

How is it different from any other state of being, or is it a state of being at all? Or is it relationship to things? Or an intermittent sensation? Or an occasional outburst from David Quinn to others in whom he judges spiritual deficiency? (this last the affectionate prod).

I visit questions upon you that I'm not willing to answer, but how do hertz waves or unconsciousness-calling or natal memory strike you as explanations/descriptions of the experience or thing you call spiritual?


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The Tao of Pooh, eh?

Pye,

If as a spiritual causalist, how do you assess the character of your own spirituality -- that which you are feeling, thinking, sensing, being? What is "it"? How does it manifest? Is it too vague for you to describe? Passively realized-upon? what?

There are many ways of measuring it. For example, having consciousness of Truth, clarity of mind, an ability to speak and act truthfully without compromise or fear, an ability to live in perfect simplicity and freedom, beyond all suffering and emotionality, etc - these are the manifest traits of a spiritual causalist when his mind is on song.

But perhaps a better way to measure one's strength of spirituality is the amount by which one refuses to compromise or backtrack when the going gets rough. When everything is confusing and painful, when Truth seems nowhere to be found, when it seems that the confusion and suffering will only increase if one keeps striving to be closer to Truth, when all seems lost - if during these times one continues on with firm purpose and utterly refuses to backtrack, then it is a sure sign that one is in possession of a lot of spirit.

That is why it helps to totally divorce oneself from conventional society and its egotistical heavens, to burn all of one's bridges. Thus, when the going gets rough, one has no choice but to continue on.

In other words, a person with enough purpose and drive can create his own fate from the beginning, which can then kick in with a helping hand during those crucial periods.

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David Quinn wrote:Pye,

If as a spiritual causalist, how do you assess the character of your own spirituality -- that which you are feeling, thinking, sensing, being? What is "it"? How does it manifest? Is it too vague for you to describe? Passively realized-upon? what?

There are many ways of measuring it. For example, having consciousness of Truth, clarity of mind, an ability to speak and act truthfully without compromise or fear, an ability to live in perfect simplicity and freedom, beyond all suffering and emotionality, etc - these are the manifest traits of a spiritual causalist when his mind is on song.

But perhaps a better way to measure one's strength of spirituality is the amount by which one refuses to compromise or backtrack when the going gets rough. When everything is confusing and painful, when Truth seems nowhere to be found, when it seems that the confusion and suffering will only increase if one keeps striving to be closer to Truth, when all seems lost - if during these times one continues on with firm purpose and utterly refuses to backtrack, then it is a sure sign that one is in possession of a lot of spirit.

That is why it helps to totally divorce oneself from conventional society and its egotistical heavens, to burn all of one's bridges. Thus, when the going gets rough, one has no choice but to continue on.

In other words, a person with enough purpose and drive can create his own fate from the beginning, which can then kick in with a helping hand during those crucial periods.

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Coincidentally I was just thinking about how much I compromise my life as a spiritual man in order to make things easier on myself. I'm very ashamed of it but at the same time I feel nearly helpless to do anything about it. I flirt with disaster daily and I know if I don't make the final leap my chances will be gone. So far I've managed to balance my spiritual life with my worldly life, but I know I can't do this for too long. The thing I'm most worried about is just how I'll survive. Where will I find shelter, what will I eat, and can I face a possible complete rejection from not only strangers and acquaintances but family and friends as well?

I've thought long and hard about how I can accomplish this without unintentionally killing myself or ending up homeless in the process, but this society simply doesn't have a place for a wise man. Living on the doll seems like the most legitimate option, but in order to recieve more than just foodstamps one needs to be diagnosed with a mental/physical disorder. I need to find a situation that allows me to focus solely on my spiritual life and I need to find it fast.

Maybe I haven't suffered enough, or become disgusted enough with the ways of humanity to desire God's grace and God's grace alone. I need an inferno to burn deep within me to smash through all my fears and anxiety, but it feels like I only have an occassional spark here and there. Where can I find some gas to get the fire started? The possibilities!

Perhaps you should re-evaluate the idea that "being spiritual" and "being an introspective hermit" are synonymous.

Nick,

"Do what you are" is a phrase I came across and thought about lately. On one level I take this to mean knowing your own mind enough to understand clearly your strengths and weaknesses, and then taking that knowledge to pave the way for your progress.

On another level, the phrase can be used to remind oneself of the absolute freedom we truly possess due to our infinite nature.

Both interpretations are useful and can be used at the same time to keep one's life on track.

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At present, you appear to be doing a personal inventory check. I'm sure you've done hundreds, if not thousands of these over the past years. They are, of course, extremely beneficial for maintaining focus. From your past experience you'd know that giving yourself the time to gather in all the information you need to make decisions is an important part in this process. Rushing into things before you're truly ready can zap all your inspiration and energy. Sometimes, taking small steps is more beneficial than taking giant leaps, especially if those small steps enable you to keep traveling onwards.

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Sue

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Unidian:

The Tao of Pooh, eh?

This I have never yet read, but easily imagine. Yet maybe Eeyore is saying something as well . . . .

David writes:

There are many ways of measuring it. For example, having consciousness of Truth, clarity of mind, an ability to speak and act truthfully without compromise or fear, an ability to live in perfect simplicity and freedom, beyond all suffering and emotionality, etc - these are the manifest traits of a spiritual causalist when his mind is on song.

But perhaps a better way to measure one's strength of spirituality is the amount by which one refuses to compromise or backtrack when the going gets rough. When everything is confusing and painful, when Truth seems nowhere to be found, when it seems that the confusion and suffering will only increase if one keeps striving to be closer to Truth, when all seems lost - if during these times one continues on with firm purpose and utterly refuses to backtrack, then it is a sure sign that one is in possession of a lot of spirit.

Like anybody's school fight song, though it is loyalty to Truth you choose as object. I rather like the existential concretism of your answer and the resistance to a thick protective coating of the vague.

Nick writes:

So far I've managed to balance my spiritual life with my worldly life

What do you mean by your spiritual life? Of what is that constituted, or, what about it is different from your worldly life?

Is the historic opposition of these two (worldly/spiritual) an accurate thing, or a long-time romantic hangover? A thing is fragile that needs hothouses in which to grow and corners in which to hide from the noise and haste . . . .


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Sue Hindmarsh wrote:Rushing into things before you're truly ready can zap all your inspiration and energy. Sometimes, taking small steps is more beneficial than taking giant leaps, especially if those small steps enable you to keep traveling onwards.

I agree with that, but my biggest fear is that my life is headed in a direction where I might never be in a position where I can take my final steps towards enlightenment. Getting mixed up with this world is dangerous, and can only get worse the more you associate yourself with it. I feel it rub off on me from time to time and it absolutely disgusts me, it's pure evil. People are dying to be burdened by everything that is worldly, so by being a part of their society I am neccesarily burdened as well. I try to rise but the weight of the world pulls me back down.

It reminds me of just how connected everyone's consciousness actually is. Only when we rise together can we begin to enter Heaven's gates for good. Maybe I just need to accept that I'm just one brick on the long path of greater things to come.