We live in a time that challenges our deepest being.
And whether we are tending to religious in the traditional sense, non-denominational or even atheistic, there is a question of being that applies to all of us. Can we, within the respective paths we are walking find commonalities, despite our differences?
This is not a post of what is better, or what is wrong with people, but rather what is helpful to meet the challenges of today, to meet happiness and fulfillment and the commonalities between them.
As a guide I would share this video by Rupert Sheldrake, a scientist from Brittain with rather peculiar views, that frankly blows the mind and allows you to look at things from a wider perspective.
He discusses: spiritual practices, prayer, meditation, even pilgrimage, the commonalities between them in several religious and spiritual traditions and bridges the apparent gap between science and spirituality.
https://yewtu.be/watch?v=fiUE9jCTnOQ
I do hope you will enjoy this even more as much as I have.
On a different but connected field of inquiry, I came across this channel made by prof. Wilfred Bastiani. Brace yourself. He is quite compact and speedy, so, despite the uplifting classical music, you might want to pause here and there.
In this particular instance, this is about freedom, which brings choice. How do we really make choices? A mirror to look into.
https://ytprivate.com/watch?v=jUJMTeDX-xM&list=PLSpNjGeUKaXiRj20qQxx9UXFqyeFmUSsg
Peruse his channel for more food for thought.
Enjoy!
I do all the things we are commanded to do: watch and pray, be sober minded, work, fast, seek the virtues, flee the world, attend corporate services, confess and participate in the holy mysteries. Life is very good and I try to remember to thank God for his blessings.
If I understand correctly, you have become part of a greater thing, where you seek to participate in the spiritual traditions, away from materialism, and when you mention virtue, it will probably be in the concept of classical virtues, yes?
In what sense is that different from what I do? I meditate and let go of my ego, trying to live in the Now, where I can be correct (virtue) in my actions towards others, share this with others who travel the same path.
What I have noticed, St. Paul writes about the fruit of the spirit. You know this, yes? Love, peace and joy. The other things he mentions are descriptions of behavior, like patience and kindness. This is exactly what flows from the soul.
In a previous post I asked: what did St. Paul point to as the source of division? If you would read that with attention, you would note that it is ego: the wants of the flesh.
Isn't it not true then, that despite perhaps a different object of pursuit, we do follow the same patterns and ideas where it comes to manifesting spiritual specifics in reality?
From my perspective, this points to commonalities. And without judgement towards each other, we stand and fight against the same evil. And so, as St Paul writes: each of us will render an account. But who are you to judge your brother in what is right or wrong? One will celebrate the full moon (like me) another will judge this to have no relevance.
Yet, what is the object we all pursue? Hence, given the tremendous pressure being put on us world wide with differing degrees of egregiousness, and as you said it to be a spiritual battle, we are in need of fortifying ourselves in this area according to the path we are walking.
added: see for instance discussion on Fourth Turning
I want to make sure, that, we share topics of interest, without becoming an echo chamber and identify with the vogue of the day.
Please, feel free to share the effects of your spiritual path and how it allows you to grow and remain steadfast.
The difference is one thing and one thing only: Jesus Christ. If you don't belong to Him, you belong to the devil. It is quite binary. He came to save us, and we respond to His mercy. We get baptized and are filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit. We try to rid ourselves of the passions and pursue virtue. It is not "classical" thinking, because, for example in Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle describes virtues existing on a continuum, but Christians see them as one thing: Good. So, many other systems use the same ideas as Christianity, but they lack the engine that makes it a stupendous gift to humans. As they say in the Russian church: c nami Bog -- God is with us. And He is. This is the one and major difference between Christianity and all other spiritual disciplines. As they say in this Q world: We have it all. And we do. We have the mysteries, we have the fantastic services and prayers, we have the Fathers, we have the holy sacraments, we have holy icons, which are windows to the saints, and we have The Church, in which Apostolic laying of hands on our priests goes unbroken from the Apostle until now. I am speaking of Orthodoxy. So, whereas I don't judge people, I do judge their structures and religions. This is OK, because we are trying to find the truth.