rhonjon

A good trip on ayahuasca?

Yes, but that to me is a natural human experience. It occurs within my mind. If it is a “good trip” then I become more aware of myself and the world around me. My awareness of my “connectivity” with the Universe is enhanced. It all happens in my head…man!

I do believe that there is a mind body and spirit, and that many physical illnesses results when the three are not aligned properly. These ideas go all the way back to Freud, and honestly even before that…

There is still a lot that we don’t understand, but I believe there is more evidence towards the existence of a soul than there is against it

There are many other examples to consider but here’s another one:

https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/04/05/522738015/is-neuroscience-rediscovering-the-soul

@Reg

so can you give me an example of a “spiritual experience” that is not capable of being called a natural human experience?

A good trip on ayahuasca?

Sorry I couldn’t resist LOL

What I mean is that I disagree when you say that the soul does not exist…[Read more]

@Simon – to remind us of our own insignificance in the scale of things for starters. Try finding a place without light pollution at night, lie down, look up for 10 minutes and report back 🙂

Davis wrote:
I’m yet to read a single text, book or comment referring to spirituality in a secular sense that didn’t confuse or overcomplicate things.

One of its meanings is “self-transformation for the better”. Another usage is “connection to something greater than oneself”.

I’ve heard it spoken of in a military-battlefield context as si…

[Read more]

Reg the Fronkey Farmer wrote:
Do that not inspire you?

I guess it’s interesting.  It doesn’t inspire me too much.  To do what?

It seems then that your view aligns with most of ours and you are referring more to awe and fascination than anything. Which is very admirable. I highly recommend ditching the term spirituality. I’m yet to read a single text, book or comment referring to spirituality in a secular sense that didn’t confuse or overcomplicate things. Nothing is…[Read more]

Simon, you would not exist if a star did not die.  Do that not inspire you?

@Ivy, so can you give me an example of a “spiritual experience” that is not  capable of  being called a natural human experience? Or is it duality of the mind and body that you think is real?

I don’t care too much about “awe and wonder” of the universe or natural world.  It doesn’t particularly help me live my life.

Au contraire, that’s because others do it for you. Imagine the state of medicine without those who wanted to know why. It is so much easier to wave some chicken feathers through some smoke and say it is all up to the gods…[Read more]

@Reg

I am talking of the natural world and how as we are part of that natural world. These sensations of awe and wonder are entirely natural human experiences. There is nothing “spiritual” about them. They are manifestations of how our brain reacts to the stimulus of the appreciation of art, beauty, natural wonders, etc. An appreciation of nat…

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I have to say, I don’t care too much about “awe and wonder” of the universe or natural world.  It doesn’t particularly help me live my life.  On the other hand, it’s probably solipsistic of me to feel that way.  I am more interested in practicalities, and stars don’t have much to do with me, apart from looking pretty and far away.  I am int…[Read more]

@Jody Lee

Maybe I haven’t explained myself well…….The stars died so you could be here today.

I think you have just about answered your own question. But once again we are down to the meaning of words. Let me offer something as a starting point to reach for a workable definition.

Spiritual is a general term people use to express their react…[Read more]

@Unseen

I’m not squirming in discomfort. What in the world about the notion of spirituality would make me feel discomfort?

Then why did you suggest she find a different word?

You’re engaging in armchair psychology without a license.

How so?

Do you believe in ghosts or souls? Are you a dualist?

What do you mean by dualist? Like I said earlier in…[Read more]

Is it “awe” or spirituality? You all have probably seen this…just in case..

Maybe I haven’t explained myself well. I DO believe we are electro-magnetic machines made of meat. I do recognize our insignificance compared to the cosmos. I do not believe I have a soul and I don’t believe in ghosts. HOWEVER, I believe in the wonder and beauty of it all. The SCIENCE of it all.

“Every atom in your body came from a star that…[Read more]

I am “conscience vs conscious” challenged by way of autospell, LOL