Spirituality and reasoning?

Question

Do you believe that there could be problems involved with trying to integrate spirituality with logic and reasoning? Or do you believe that, somewhere out there, there is a logical explanation for everything, even the spiritual things? Do you believe that by integrating the two, someone can come to a deeper understanding of the truth?

Answer 1

Just as having lots of thoughts doesn’t equate to being wise, having lots of spiritual ‘thoughts’ is not the same as being spiritual.

True spirituality which signifies our connection with our spirit is marked by a rise of divine wisdom in us.

It usually rises only when we are ready to drop our human reasoning, and intellectual prowess, which usually are blocks to divine wisdom.

It is wisdom only if it helps you live a better life.

Otherwise it is only a sheer mental concoction that we are passing around as wisdom, and masquerades never takes us closer to the eternal, only devotion does.

Bliss is the first symptom of the presence of divine wisdom. That is why, the true mark of a spiritual person, the one blessed with divine wisdom as well, would be his inner bliss, as divine bliss is the first sign of divine wisdom.

We often confuse our knowledge base or our intellect as our 'wisdom', though they can be starting points but at some point, they too have to be dropped to become worthy of divine wisdom, which is way beyond what human reasoning can ever achieve.

A wise man would always be happy and blissful, while an intellectual person would always wondering, why he isn't.

An intellectual person can confuse himself or others for a wise one, though in the end, our life should signify our inner truth, as it does with a wise man - As within so without. That is why the mark of a true spiritual person would be his playfulness and lightness of being, it would be a reflection of the inner Light.

Answer 2

I have always found spirituality comfortingly reasonable and logical. You simply need to learn how to think in the fashion that opens your mind to infinite possibilities, then accept that the logic of the universe ALWAYS makes sense. I don't really recognize a line between spiritual and logical thinking, they are the same. Some folks call argumentation logic, though nothing can be farther from the truth. I believe in an orderly, logical universe that has laws. If I learn the laws, (this is real logic in action), then follow those laws, I would expect to find peace at the end of that particular rainbow. Wouldn't you?

Hope this answers the question.

Answer 3

It's not that there could be problems trying to integrate spirituality with reason and logic, there are problems. Big problems. Sadly people have wasted their entire professional careers attempting to do such things. Spirituality has so many meanings to so many people, not much can be said about it except that it is illogical and unreasonable by definition.

Many people readily accept this, they are happy to admit that their spirituality is separate from reason and logic (though they usually add the conceit of spirituality being "beyond" or "above" reason).

Nowhere out there ever can there be a logical explanation for spirituality, that's not what spirituality is. Spirituality is unreasonable by nature, some people seem to need it or enjoy it, and that's their bag, but it is folly to attempt to reconcile them.

An attempt at integration can only lead to bad logic, bad reason, and bad spirituality.

Answer 4

Not really if you see that these aspects are all part of something greater. The same as a human can be explained by biology as an animal, by psychology as a being who is subject to conditions and determinants, we must also realize that a human is spiritual as he is able to detach oneself from even the worst conditions be they based on the soma or on psychic conditions.

So we should just not forget that several dimensions exist. The problem only arises if a man who is an expert, say, in the field of biology, wants to understand and explain a human being exclusively in terms of biology. Whenever totality is claimed an integration of all aspects is not possible.

You cannot describe psychological conditions with only biology, and you cannot describe spirituality with psychological or biological means. The same as you cannot fetch water with a shovel, whereas you very well can use a shovel to work with earth, so you must stay aware that humans consist of different dimensions. It is one sided if you only look at one dimension.

Answer 5

No, I believe the REAL problem with what people think, feel and believe "spirituality" to be is from the ABSENCE of "logic and reasoning".

Further, I believe that unless one has or uses "logic and reasoning", they will never reach any level of "true spirituality".

It's all based on the REAL definition of "faith" versus the one that is commonly taught and believed by most.

Here's a quote that you can use as a primer:

"Those with unworkable faith merely trust in their heart, or their feelings, which is not faith at all. "Faith" comes from the Greek PISTIS and literally means: "a mental conviction one has proven true by argument or reason". Thus if one has faith he will go to heaven he should be able to justify it by logical argumentation. One will notice that Paul, a big believer in faith, spent much of his time in logical argumentation.

The book of Hebrews gives an expanded definition: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

We can again find that the Greek will give us a much clearer translation here. "Substance" comes from HUPOSTASIS and in modern translations it is usually rendered "assurance" or "confidence", but in reality one English word cannot do it justice. It more literally means "That state of mind which supports an idea through a sustained effort." "Evidence" comes from ELEGECHOS which means "to prove a matter true or false". The word indicates that faith establishes the true reality. Thus a clearer translation of the preceding verse would be: "Now faith is having that state of mind which sustains that which is hoped for and reveals the truth of those things we do not see." This definition corresponds much better with the root meaning of the Greek PISTIS which is translated faith.

If we have faith we can sustain an idea until it is proven true or false. It is never a blind unreasoning belief."

Here's the URL/link to the article from which the foregoing was taken:

http://www.freeread.com/archives/943.php

And here are 47 quotes about the use of mind and spirituality:

http://www.freeread.com/archives/mindfulness-quotes.php

And don't think this just applies to "religionists":

"Many new agers believe that everything is preplanned. If something unusual happens to them you will often hear them say, "Well, I guess it was just supposed to be." On the other hand, I've never met one that wants to argue the subject or even present logical reasoning as to why they believe this to be true."

Regards,

Answer 6

Spirituality can exist with logic and reasoning comfortably. I think that it all depends on the state of the mind. Is it open or locked shut. Do you try to twist the logic to match the conclusion that you want to find or are you willing to look deeply, honestly and without preconceived ideas. It works of you are open to new and surprising. Much logic stems from a basis of spirituality.

Answer 7

There's nothing wrong with being logical and spiritual, but sometimes, if you try to bring too much logic into something, you'll end up with no faith left. You'll think that there needs to be a logical explanation for everything, when some things can only be answered through faith.

Answer 8

I starred your Q. This is a really deep question which is difficult to answer because *spirituality * manifests in so many different ways.
I suggest you Google "William James" (1842-1910) and read his book "Varieties of Religious Experience." He addresses the Q you asked and he tried to determine what those experiences in spirituality mean. If you would like a skeptical look at your topic, Google "David Hume " (1711-1776) and read his book "Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion." I am currently reading this book myself. I really like and encourage you to follow the idea of integrating your understanding of different disciplines.

I have assumed you are interested in *philosophy of Religion* and I have focused on giving you guidance to people much smarter than me. I hope your next Q is even more interesting.

Answer 9

I always ask religious people if their religion has enough room for science. Generally, they reject the sciences. Especially the church. But I believe that as humans press on into this new millennium, we may very well discover the true essence of our own spirituality. The keys to the afterlife. Of course, once this happens, religion as a whole will cease to exist. Once humans have the knowledge and understanding of what happens in the afterlife, they will no longer need religion.
I believe that science and spirituality can and will eventually intertwine to the point that one can learn from the other. But not in mine or my grandchildren's lifetime.

Answer 10

There is no paradox here.
Spirituality is reasoning of the self, ever influential reasoning in its purest form.
There is no spirituality in reasoning unless the element of faith and irrational acceptance take play in it.
and yes. There is a logical explanation. You. That's it. The "logical" configuration of the universe lies in the self.
And it is only through devoted and selfless reasoning we come to discover that.