Coincidentally (unless you know Mark), Mark Vicente addressed a very similar topic on his "WTF Is On My Mind" podcast this week. His take was that a lot of spiritual thought systems now-a-days teach you to hate your physical body because it is bad and the spirit is good. He says that we can have more enlightenment and less anxiety if we accept that those traits we are taught are bad are part of all of us, and that accepting that we all have them helps to prevent self-loathing and loathing others for exhibiting traits that we are suppressing in ourselves.
Most of the people I encounter in my day-to-day life would find this idea abhorrent and look at people who believe it with condescension or at least pity. I feel less alone when I read or listen to posts like this.
Many people think we lose out on the wonder of the universe when we don't believe in souls or spirituality. In my opinion, knowing that I can experience love and awe and other complex emotions even though there's no such thing as a soul is more wonderous than chalking up that vast complexity to a simplistic, undefinable concept like a soul.
I often find it difficult to think in the abstract, so I don't know how it feels or what it means to be spiritual. I don't believe there is such a thing as a soul, just as I believe the mind is separate from the brain. You sum it up perfectly with the line, "You are your body."
The more I delve into new age baloney, the more I start to note similarities between it and Christianity, specifically in how it aims to control and degrade people; people are 'lower vibrational functioning" or "attached X to happen to them." Honestly, it seems as you say that spirituality really is just a tool malicious individuals use to attack, demonize, suppress or otherwise degrade people.
Spirituality Is full of understanding empathy and compassion. It brings awareness to opposing polarities of our human existence and yet is nonjudgemental and peaceful.
The shame soaked, guilt ridden, existence of fear and lack most of humanity lives and suffers with, is entirely created by the illusionary ego. If you would like to learn more about spirituality Alice I would be happy to guide you.
This contribution is not about spirituality. Spiritually honours the body and enjoys it. This post is about the religious version of spirituality which is the spiritual ego, that diminishes our human existence. More study needed here.
Coincidentally (unless you know Mark), Mark Vicente addressed a very similar topic on his "WTF Is On My Mind" podcast this week. His take was that a lot of spiritual thought systems now-a-days teach you to hate your physical body because it is bad and the spirit is good. He says that we can have more enlightenment and less anxiety if we accept that those traits we are taught are bad are part of all of us, and that accepting that we all have them helps to prevent self-loathing and loathing others for exhibiting traits that we are suppressing in ourselves.
Most of the people I encounter in my day-to-day life would find this idea abhorrent and look at people who believe it with condescension or at least pity. I feel less alone when I read or listen to posts like this.
Many people think we lose out on the wonder of the universe when we don't believe in souls or spirituality. In my opinion, knowing that I can experience love and awe and other complex emotions even though there's no such thing as a soul is more wonderous than chalking up that vast complexity to a simplistic, undefinable concept like a soul.
I often find it difficult to think in the abstract, so I don't know how it feels or what it means to be spiritual. I don't believe there is such a thing as a soul, just as I believe the mind is separate from the brain. You sum it up perfectly with the line, "You are your body."
Great essay, Alice.
Also, you should consider doing content on Youtube or a full podcast. You'd be a hit in the atheist community.
The more I delve into new age baloney, the more I start to note similarities between it and Christianity, specifically in how it aims to control and degrade people; people are 'lower vibrational functioning" or "attached X to happen to them." Honestly, it seems as you say that spirituality really is just a tool malicious individuals use to attack, demonize, suppress or otherwise degrade people.
Also, fasting, etc can cause damage to the body.
Spirituality Is full of understanding empathy and compassion. It brings awareness to opposing polarities of our human existence and yet is nonjudgemental and peaceful.
The shame soaked, guilt ridden, existence of fear and lack most of humanity lives and suffers with, is entirely created by the illusionary ego. If you would like to learn more about spirituality Alice I would be happy to guide you.
This contribution is not about spirituality. Spiritually honours the body and enjoys it. This post is about the religious version of spirituality which is the spiritual ego, that diminishes our human existence. More study needed here.