Finding spirituality?

Question

First off, let me state that I'm an atheist, that I don't believe in organized religion, and that I specifically hate Evangelicals. That said, studies have shown that one can alter the brain to feel spirituality, and that spirituality can bring with it a certain amount of inner peace (without the hate). I'm looking for some helpful advice for achieving spirituality through practice. Any legit advice?

Answer 1

I'd say try the Quakers. They're Christian, but they are about as diametrically opposed to evangelicals as can possibly be.

They have a very spiritual and nurturing twist on contemplation, too. It's not meditation, but it's not conventional prayer either. The meeting here in Austin has lots of agnostics and atheists who come just for that aspect of the meeting. And of course they are welcomed with open arms.

Caveat: find yourself a Hicksite Quaker meeting, one with "unprogrammed" meetings. Any member of Friends General Conference should be good. Avoid Friends United Meeting, since they have preachers and hymns and are a bit more fundamentalist than Friends General Conference.

Contact me if you want more info.

Answer 2

Well, I'm not sure one needs Spirituality, in that sense, in order to achieve inner peace. Meditation (and being serious about it) can do this... and has been prove to alter the brain in such a way that it does bring inner peace. I use it in order to relieve stress (I'm in accounting for a large company... I need all the help I can get). Using meditation can help you face the hate you feel and then get rid of it - most things like anger and hate must be faced before you can drop it all together.

Meditation can, however, lead to a form of spirituality... NOT religion (as in organized religion such as Christianity), but it is more about facing your inner self (I know, it sounds corny) and coming to Know yourself better - what makes you tick, what sets you off and why... and more importantly, how to handle it in a constructive way, rather than a destructive way.

This is only one way... there are others, but many of them will sound more like it is coming from a religious point of view rather than a simple approach and from your question, I assume you want a simple approach to this. Meditation is simple and personal... no one can tell you how to do it in a way that you will achieve inner peace (in other words, no one can tell you that you are doing it wrong). There are several different methods and they are easily mixed to suit your personal needs.

I hope this helps.

Heathen

Answer 3

Why not try a spirituality that doesn't espouse any particular belief in a higher power? I think Buddhism fits that idea. And if any sort of organized spirituality is a problem you could try meditation, or Yoga, not the 'power' or exercise kind, but the practice that is centered around the spiritual self. Although I believe it is connected to Hinduism you could practice it without practicing Hindu.

Also you might try studying martial arts, there is also an element of spirituality in them.

Answer 4

I had wondered if they made that brain neuro stimulator available to the public if an atheist would want to try it. It stimulates the part of the brain that seems to be involved with religious ecstasy. I am a Christian and I have never been able to describe what it feels like to have an epiphany for lack of a better term. All religions have experienced this, but I honestly don't know what to tell you as an Atheist.. So I would guess you would have to find something as awe inspiring to you as God is to me. The Buddhists use meditation perhaps you could try that path.

Answer 5

While you do indicate that you are an atheist, what is more telling is you qualify your atheism with -- " I don't believe in organized religion": this statement is the operative thread, and this is an important thread.

Second, "one can alter the brain to feel spirituality, and that spirituality can bring with it a certain amount of inner peace."

If you can change your word "alter" and simply use the better "allow," I think you can make inroads and gather some idea about what I am getting at here...

Third is, "(without the hate)."

You are perceiving. This comes from within, from the Heights. The cutting edge is subtle and has always been an endemic quality at first found dormant in the true seekers. Such edge is not commonly featured in orthodoxy and convention: but the greats have always been cutting edge and abided no particular organized doctrine but rather borrowed those qualities within themselves that call out to them, and which fit first of all those sensibilities in themselves that they held dear and whose resolve -- whether intentional or not -- resonated in the hearts and minds of others in turn.

Take this into consideration: to wit -- Jesus was not Christian; Buddha was not Buddhist; Zoroaster was not Magi. Mohammed reformed and swept clean the organized, doctrinaire aspect of his great faith. Even in the more, say, secular turn on things, Confucius was not Confucian...

Do you get what I am getting at here? Each of these went forward to found themselves first and then found a new turn on things, a new dogma, and therewith came the followers who respectively became what we know today in each doctrine and practice and belief system or social order.

One abides the God worlds most and has always abided them best by one's especial search of Truth -- as only they could and wanted to know it. No one can or could give it to them. No one taught it to them, for they caught it themselves. "True spirituality cannot be taught, it must be caught."

Your "first off" is in particular open and does not indicate to me one who is an atheist but rather one who holds and intuitively sees that God and Spirit is accessible and knowable to any and all. You simply are just weary of all the hubbub, is what impresses to me more than any atheism.

The search by way of organized religion is but one way to approach it and a valid one. What imports most of all is how you feel and know to find truths as you know them. For yours is as well a valid one no less than another's.

Spirituality is not dependent upon an organization though such may or may not help. For some need the organized way, while others do not. And Spirit has provided countless ways for those who choose to seek via their respective journeys and paths -- often they are the individuals who have chosen the paths less travelled, whether they were lauded by their peers or not, or became known by a world following.

Your mission, then, is to go now and peer into the many faiths and paths of the world, see what resonates with you; go within yourself. Whatever might that way be, it may well have no name; but somehow you will find direction by your own merit to what is suited to your special spin... and thereafter become a practitioner of it...which purpose will be ever to come to know yourself first of all, and then to master yourself, which threshold approaches again and again -- for Life knows and has no limits.

Answer 6

depends on what you want to look into...

I can only suggest mine.

I Believe in opening the Holy Bible first to Psalms(read a chapter),then Proverbs(read a chapter) then a NT or OT Book (read a chapter I'd say -John for a start).
I sing and Pray to My Lord all day- not just on Sundays its where the relationship part is.

I hope this helps you.
And Hope You Find that Peace that passes all understanding!
I did by doing these things.

Answer 7

hmm, the connection with your spiritual side, it is contemplating a world view that place higher values on intangibles, being human, being in a state of non-predatory instinctual behavior. I am a christian and I read of your distaste for evangelical, but contemplate beauty in nature, contemplate the miracles you see round you and then just invite the author and creator of this beauty to talk to you. See how that goes

Answer 8

dear friend, the simplest way is to love all ur fellow mankind. seek the poor and drowntrodden and serve them in whatever way u can. provide them food, clothing, shelter or an oppurtunity to live a better life. do that without any expectations. trasform ur love to encompass all. n then u can meditate. when u do thus u'll experience that love in ur meditation. it is sweet n beautiful. that'll give u true spiritual experience.

Answer 9

Hold higher values for yourself and your life goals and live by them. Practice regular meditation with focus on things such as love, peace, forgiveness, etc.

Answer 10

My only advice that can give you is to come to God on His own terms and these are is terms. To turn from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the payment of your sins. If you are not ready to do this at the moment, at least you can give God the authority to come into your life by praying this prayer.

"Dear God, I do not know if Jesus is your Son. I want to know the truth. Please come into my life and show me the truth in Jesus name I pray, amen."

God's Word says that if you come to God, He will come to you. He wants to forgive your sins and spend eternity with you because He loves you. I believe that He will manifest Himself to you if you invite Him into your life. May the Lord reveal Himself to you.