Atheists, how do you maintain a spiritual balance?

Answer 1

I listen to 2cds of the Long Road Out of Eden by The Eagles....a few times each day.
Guess you know I'm a loafer.

Answer 2

In spite of some of the more predictable responses, this is actually quite an interesting and intriguing question.

Whilst an answer may hinge on what is being understood by 'spiritual', most people, I think, including atheists, have an idea what is meant by it, in terms of senses of self-awareness and balance. Even an atheist can sometimes suddenly be overcome by an overwhelming sense of 'being alive', and it's hard not to marvel at the concept of a bunch of inanimate atoms and molecules having, albeit only for a fewscore years and ten, consciousness and self-awareness.

And most people, including atheists, would have some inkling of what was meant by the concept of 'spiritual unbalance', perhaps in senses of being 'ill at ease' with what's going on in one's mind. I think the question merited answers a little more profound than some it received.

As for myself, I try to maintain whatever it is I think of as 'spiritual balance' through a range of activities and behaviours, from the things I do, the things I work at, the music I listen to, the literature I read, the ideas I sometimes struggle to understand, and sometimes being very still. Ultimately, I think it is founded on trying to be the best I can be, and whether I succeed or fail is less important than in being able to say 'I tried to be at my best, regardless'.

Answer 3

I don't really see it your way and woudln't use your terminology because we probably would get confused.

I keep to a regime of being person-centred and trying to provide the conditions for self-empowerment to flourish for self adn others. So I practise empathy congruence and respect as a life goal.
I volunteer in a psychiatric ward and sit with peole in their darkest hours without judgement or trying to change their reality. It grounds me in what is suffering what is real - I sit with those who are covered in beads of sweat doing cold turkey on alcohol.
I painted my house and everything in it matte white to take away the confusion in my mind.

Just because I don't follow a proscribed pattern of moral behaviour but do what I can when I can doesnt mean I am not sensitive or that I lose the plot about how to be humanitarian.

I try not to make too many executive decisions with my head but share out animal instinct and
feelings.

If that equates with spiritual balancing for you -cool! I just dont want to walk in any ones elses footsteps or shoes as they pinch and I odnt wnat the excess bother of following a pre-set code written by someone else I think I would be a poor human if I coudln't see what I could do.

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Answer 4

I don't believe in God and can't see how others do, but each to their own. Spirituality dose not have to mean believing in God. Investing time in ones self can maintain a healthy balance.

Answer 5

who said anything about needing a spiritual balance to live a good ol fun life??

(one could say that god = spirituality! hence..) the lack of god, the removal of god from my life... has given me motivation to live a good life!! seriously, when i removed god from my life and realized it was not real i became happier, got more friends, did better in school, got closer to my family, dated more... had more fun... and became more compassionate for fellow humans ..

spirituality never did anything like that for me!!

Answer 6

"Spirituality" is self-indulgence, pure and simple.

I would much rather spend time making the world a better place, improving life for me and those around me, than waste time on a non-existent "soul" or "spirit".

Answer 7

'Spiritual balance' has no objective meaning whatsoever, so is not something I would waste time thinking about!

Answer 8

I put 3 spirits on one arm each. Though I have to drop one when turning corners.

Answer 9

That depends on the spirit in question.lol

Answer 10

I drink Vodka and Whisky.

Edit: damn, Dominic C beat me to it! Good show, that man!