Is a feeling for the spiritual a handicap?

Answer 1

It's a sense - and senses are a good thing.

Answer 2

Hi!

A feeling for the spiritual is hardly a handicap. Much scientific progress came about because of scientists who possessed a deep sense of the spiritual. The Big Bang theory, for example, was posited by a Jesuit priest.

Personally, I've achieved much with my life by recognising a force greater than myself and accepting relationship with it.

There are aspects of the religious life, on the other hand, that can sometimes be a handicap to an individual who clings to them without question like a crutch, as this stifles spiritual growth. This is a "Let's sit down for a while with some ale and open minds for a chat" kind of question. It's a good question and indicates you are someone who wants to explore reality rather than have it handed on a plate already defined with all the nutrients cooked out of it.

Good wishes.

Answer 3

Hi DD,

Funnily enough, this question occurred to me last night, as one to put to the Y!A Community.

My take on it is the same as the Buddha's.

He observed a difference between 'worldly' and spiritual people, (people of integrity, wisdom & substance).

The former tend to go with the flow of worldly desires & interests, the latter to restrain / limit them.

Hence the values & things that make the two groups happy, differ.

The latter group though, the spiritual, can see and understand the values & interests of the worldly.

The worldly tend to be confused & flabbergasted at times by the conduct & views of the spiritual.

The sacrifices & love they'e willing to bring into the world.

Fortunately the great people of the world: Jesus, Buddha, Lao Zu ... have all tended to be in the latter category.

They're the one's generally agreed by the concensus of the wise, to be integrous & worth emulating in the long term.

This distinction between the worldly & the spiritual always has & probably always will be there.

I think paradoxically it's the latter that do the most to make this world a happy & safe place in which to be.

Is it a handicap? On the contrary, I find it a great Freedom... and not just for the individual. :-)

(Added):

I think when we first start developing spiritual feelings, the company of like-minded people can be most constructive & instrumental.

An analogy I've heard, is of a sapling potted plant being kept at first in a greenhouse, to protect it from the wind & small animals.

Once it's a bit bigger (developed leaves to photosynthesise, and a good root structure [like the good qualities of the mind - generosity, loving kindness, and wisdom]), the plant can be put, be placed safely, outside.

I'd advise any sapling seeker of good, to so equip themselves with such company.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

It cleary depends on whether Ms or Mr spiritual mind you feeling them. Getting locked up for feeling them thus might be seen as a handicap. Surely a real handicap is supporting aston villa.

Answer 5

Hi,
If it is then I am happy to suffer from this impediment. Having a feeling for the spiritual enriches my life. Without it, my life would be empty. I do not see it as a handicap at all.
Polly

Answer 6

Well, in spite of the general downward turn of things recently, I've found that my spirituality (I feel a little uneasy about that word. It has overtones of 'spiritualism') has prevented me giving up completely.
I view life as being a little like a computer game: I don't just want to complete it, I want to get all the little bonus levels, too.

Or, to put it another way:

All life is suffering, but you can keep coming back until you've done all the fun bits.

I'm a rubbish Buddhist... ;)

Answer 7

No it isn't, on the contrary!
We need spirituality, and more, a spirituality without god -whose presence would bias everything else.
Bertrand Russell (Nobel Prize in Literature-1950) for example is a man having a lot of spirituality, and he does not believe in a Creator being an atheist and a Darwinist.

Answer 8

Yes I have found it be so,the world is largely concerned with the rational and explainable now.

Mystery and the illogical does not interest them as much.They want plain facts.

The exception to this is Harry Potter I suppose.Proof that people still long for the imaginary or spirit of things.

Answer 9

It could be a sever handicap, as when we have spiritual potential unrealised, we not able to pay attention to things in life of more materialistic nature, for instance, financial matter, matters of family business, intellectual and emotional development. Because our spiritual needs, or needs, for self-actualisation sit at the top of hierarchy of all human needs, where needs for food, sex and shelter is at the bottom, placing our needs for social approbation and intellectual development in the middle.

When our priorities are wrong we suffer from confusion. Our spiritual needs require us to redefine all our needs in the hierarchical structure with top down approach. For instance, when we earn and consume food, we need to ensure that it is not merely for the feeding of our body but also for our spirit. The philosophy behind all religious thought is that human life is governed by the spirit that represent the needs of out soul, to be in communion with and experience the excellence of God Almighty. But if we fail to realise our spiritual potential we lose our touch of our divinity and fall helplessly at the feet of mere materialistic pursuits that eventually lead us into various troubles and abnormalities of physical, behavioural, emotional, social and spiritual nature.

Answer 10

Just the opposite!

It is the only thing that exists that doesn't handicap us.

Answer 11

Definitely not!

We are created with a spirit that suppose to have longing to establish relationship with our Creator.

However, with this sinful flesh, this longing is greatly diminished, needs a great awakening from on high to wakes it up to reality!