Christians, atheists, agnostics, pagans, who-so-evers, can I ask your opinion?

Question

This question is to anybody who understands that people have a spiritual side that needs nurturing: How do we live to optimize spiritual growth/development for ourselves and among all people? (Besides "being a good example.") What do you think?

Wow, Randy. You don't think Christians, atheists, agnostics, pagans, or who-so-evers could believe that people have a spiritual side that needs nurturing?

Who's really the confused person here?

Answer 1

What a great question!

I think that it takes time to nourish the spiritual. Daily life is fast-paced and makes a lot of demands, and I think that we tend to fall into an instant-gratification mode when it comes to taking care of ourselves spiritually, too. That doesn't cut it in the long run, though.

I don't know what faith you lean toward, but I think that it's important to spend time every day reading something spiritual that brings you closer to G-d. I'm Jewish, and ideally (but not always in actuality), I read some Psalms every day. I pray often, too--sometimes standard prayers from my prayerbook, but I also try to reach out often and talk to G-d about what I'm thinking, what I need, my concerns for others.

I don't think that it's just so-called 'spiritual' writings that are helpful, either; poetry nourishes me (if it's good!), as does music.

Other things: I think that when we remember to be grateful for what we have, it nourishes the spiritual by focusing us in on what is positive in our lives. I forget somtimes: I think about the nice house I don't have, the vacation I can't afford--and I forget that I'm healthy, that my kids are doing great, that I have what I need, that I've grown spiritually, etc.

Focusing on the needs of others is also helpful. Not in a martyr-ish way--we have to take care of our own needs, too! But it's good to shift attention from our own petty problems and do good in someone else's life

Last year I had a chance to hear Rabbi Avraham Twerski speak. He's not only a noted Rabbi, but a psychiatrist and addiction expert who's written many books. He said that one doesn't have to be religious to be a spiritual person: He's known spiritual atheists, he said. The requirement for being a spiritual person is to always be trying to improve oneself, to become a better person.

Answer 2

There is on no account a first-rate feeling while you lose your virginity. The purpose it mostly did not think unique is for the reason that you would be in surprise on the results. TV makes it appear so first-rate every now and then however when you check out, you are disillusioned to start with. You must do not forget that you simply selected to have intercourse out of interest instead than being sexy. When you are extra skilled and uncover a well companion, you can see the change. Eventually, the pain will leave. Mistakenly putting a penis in a dry gap may also be painful. If you are determined, check out placing a few ice again there. I'm stunned that you just did not think agony from experiencing your first time even though. Have you used a dildo for the period of masturbation earlier than? Besides the factor, if he was once so skilled, you could had been telling us how first-rate he was once. Was foreplay concerned? Was he passionate or simply stroking for the sake of doing it? He would had been a virgin for all you already know.

Answer 3

We travel the road called life......and we feel the call at some point I suppose realizing there has simply got to be more. Until we reach this pivotal point, we will do nothing. Growth is gradual and experiences along our journey helps us to see things from a deeper level beyond the superficial. It is a part of us we don't always choose to accept because it is the side of us that is contrary to our nature. Compassion is something that needs to become the product of spiritual growth and the ability to know what to say at the right time. It does not happen overnight. This is part of our struggle as human beings in the big over all picture.

Answer 4

Live with intent. Which sort of goes hand-in-hand with the idea that not everyone that wanders is lost.

And it truly is a subtle thing, isn't it? I feel spiritually nourished after meditating, during my Sunday School class, after playing my bass or keyboard... or completing a fine painting.

And I see your point about being spiritual without necessarily being a deist. yes, I personally believe it is possible to spiritually grow and still be an atheist.

To call it all a fairy tale or dismissing it out of hand because of feelings about organized religion or certain belief systems, is really saddening. Life is richer with the acknowledgment of spiritualness.

Good on ya, Jon.

Answer 5

Great question Jon!
I think about the Seven Spiritual Laws
1. The Law of Acceptance-Everything is as it should be.
2. The Law of Surrender-When we stop resisting & surrender to the situation excatly as it is, things begin to change
3. the Law of Divine Guidance-God will do for you what you can not do for yourself
4. The Law of Responsibility- With divine guidance, we can look at exactly how we participate in our situtation
5. The Law of Choice- having taken resposibility, we can choose new interpetations (thoughts) that empower us
6. The Law of Forgivness- after we have cut the karmic cord (the past with it negative message) , we will be a ble to ask God for forgive us.
7. The Law of Creation- Experiencing the freedom of forgivness opens up the gates to new realities.
What all this means if we practice some basic laws we can change our way of experiencing the world and maybe see it with more compassion. This, I think, is a spiritual way of dealing with the world.

Answer 6

I personally try to do it by reading a lot and contemplating what it is that I really believe--not what someone else tells me is right or wrong, but what I can both accept intellectually and what "feels" true to me. And I respect other peoples' right to do the same. My personal belief is that we are all equal, and that we should live together in brotherhood and acceptance of one another. Attempting to learn unconditional love is the best way to optimize spiritual growth.

Answer 7

Your question contradicts itself. You asked: "Christians, atheists, agnostics, pagans, who-so-evers, can I ask your opinion?". Then you say that this question is to anybody who understands that people have a spiritual side that needs nurturing....

Basically, I think you are a very confused person.

Answer 8

For me, nature is what I use to nurture my spiritual side. Lay out on the lawn some night and look up at the stars. Light from suns that might be like ours, and taking millions of years to get to you. There's perspective for you, and a sense of awe and wonderment. Then go out and learn as much as you can about what you've seen.

Answer 9

Embracing the natural world through the eyes of "mainstream" science is a very spritual experience, as is self expression through the many arts, the wonder of curiosity in a childs eye, or the simple appreciation of nice natural surrounding.
Religion, particularly christianity, has no monopoly on spirituality, and definately not on morals..

Answer 10

Its EASY!!! Its the real answer to most problems I find,,, Treat OTHERS like YOU would like them to treat you!! Just put yourself in their shoes and than things will always look somewhat different. There will always be someone better, worse, smarter, not as smart, poorer, richer, bigger, smaller,than you .. Its called life !!,,so make the best of what you can and accept others and their opions even if you don't agree with them . What a boring world if we all thought the same and acted the same about everything!