Can one be a spiritual being while still actively participating in terrestrial life?

Question

As I have been on my spiritual journey I find that the further I go on my spiritual quest the less I am interested in Earthly pursuits. Is it possible to be spiritual while still wanting a large house, big cars, and sex? These two things seem incompatable.

Answer 1

I kind of agree with you. I think that people can think and believe in their own spiritual sense, but our spirits are still housed in a shell called the Body. We must take care of this shell also, so then physical pursuits come into play. I think that one can have spiritual beliefs and thoughts, but in my opinion, I do not think humans can be considered "spiritual beings" until they transform to the afterlife.

Answer 2

First, I assume you are still a physical being at this time. Therefore, even though you may, one day, as-send to the spirit realm, and become a true and complete spiritual being, you aren't there yet..

As a physical being, you require several things to maintain your physical existence: air, water, nourishment,
and to procreate, sex. Now, even though you yearn to as-send to the spirit realm, ending your physical existence
prematurely, isn't an option, because the transformation from physical to spirit requires you to complete the first before advancing to the second.

Therein lays your problem. Should one make the most of the physical existence, or simply just survive the physical with the least effort, possible, waiting for the transformation that only death will bring.

I say, make the most out of each breath, each sunrise, each drink the physical life has to offer..work hard and achieve what ever you can. Live each life, Physical and spiritual to the fullest.. Good Luck

Answer 3

We are all participants and there isn't a choice there but we do have a choice in how we participate in the chaos of life. We live in a world where we require from the material world to live, to survive and I see no choice there. It doesn't mean the big house, car etc but to survive does mean we have to live in the material world even if we have stepped into the spiritual. The Earthly desires do disappear yes because we know these things are only borrowed while our bodies are still funtioning. We never own anything, not really all borrowed on borrowed time while we are here to experience life as a body and a soul joined to work as one.

Answer 4

It seems this will hinge on the nature of your practice. If your practice startes from an assumption the spirit and matter are distinct, then this would tend to be reinforced in your desires. But there are some practices (for instance Karma Yoga) that use worldly activity to overcome the limitations of the mind/body. Now, that doesnot necessarily mean superficial pursuits like the examples you give, but it does lead to a different engagement with ones life.

Answer 5

If you think these things incompatable then surely they are.

However a spiritual person must learn to live with paradoxes. (paradoxi?) As humans on the wheel of mystery we come up against them all the time.

Balance, compassion, and education are the things that matter.

Answer 6

The more "spiritual" you get, the less you will want.

Earthly persuits is a need of the body. It must be "kept up", so that the mind can achieve spirituallity.

But, once the Spirituallity is achieved, you will lose interest in things of Earthly value...(big house, fast cars and women).

But, we must take into account the age of the person. A teenager who achieves this, is "still" going to want all this because his/her hormones are raging...(more male than females I would venture), and that will still "drive" them to wanting sex.

The more "mature" a person is, (ok, older), the less he/she will want, because they have already achieved most of thier goals, and can focus on spirituallity. (But, a lot of young people says, its only because they are closer to death, is why they get "spiritual"...Rascals :).

Each will eventually come to a point where they realize that this Earth is only a passing phase and we must move into the 'next phase' of existence...

Now, is where I inject my religion into this, as JESUS CHRIST is the only answer, and seeking HIM through meditation and prayers and cleansing yourself of all thoughts and hates, will not be the answer...you must believe in HIM, repent your sins, and confess them, be baptised and live a good Christian life also...

Then you will achieve happiness that you seek.

I wish you well..

Jesse

Answer 7

Since "terrestrial life" is the only known form of life that can be verified, if you are going to be a spiritual being, you had better do it now.

Answer 8

If your ultimate goal is to transcend your physical body and your attachments, then yes, your spiritual journey is incompatible with materialistic life on this earth..

Answer 9

it is my experience that there is a shift from material values to spiritual values through spiritual growth. and for me it has been because contentment achieved through spiritual pursuits has a quality of wholeness when one becomes content with what is.

Answer 10

When you spiritualize your life, you become content with whatever house you can afford, second hand cars, if necessary, and a lifetime mate with whom you can attain spiritual heights.