An Open Place to Ask Spiritual Questions

When people describe an experience or action with the word "spiritual," I generally interpret them to mean they sense a deep connection to something beyond themselves, and beyond ordinary experience. So, to me, the Jedi pursuit of living in communion with a Force that binds all things together is deeply spiritual (at least when one succeeds at pursuing it ).

Also, it seems to me that that interconnectedness of all things is a reflection of (as I understand it) the Buddhist philosophy of "No-self" -- that the boundaries between what is the self and what isn't are illusions. Or at least not as definite as we typically perceive them to be.

I recently re-encountered Carl Sagan's quote that we are "a way for the universe to know itself." When I first heard that, years ago, I didn't take much notice, but now I find that deeply spiritual.

Rosalyn J wrote: Please, I would like to know "what is the purpose of being alive?"

Obviously I can't answer that completely, but I can give my experience and perhaps help others in the process.

For me, being alive is seizing control. Taking control of your destiny by not settling for less than you know you deserve, by finding your passion and following it, by learning to hear your ego and not knee-jerk follow its whispering. Its a life long journey, and only one I'm beginning on, but one that makes oneself responsible for their own success and failures.

Perhaps there ins't and end purpose. Perhaps after all this it all disappears, our life endeavours meaningless. But until I'm given proof of that, I find purpose in striving ever forward.

OB1Shinobi wrote: To everyone: what does "spiritual" mean/what do you mean when you say "spiritual"?

I live my life and do the things I need to do in order to survive, I go to work and buy groceries and I get a good nights sleep and I exercise. This is "how" I live.

On the other hand, my spirituality is "why" I live. It is my passion, my love my joy my hate, my anger and my connection to everything else through those things.

My body is "what" I am, my spirituality is "why" I am and my constant awareness of that is "who" I am. This is what it means to me.

Anytime I am asked what the purpose of being alive is, I'm always reminded of the touching moment when Forrest Gump is speaking to Jenny at her graveside. He says “I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floating around accidental-like on a breeze. But I think maybe it's both. Maybe both are happening at the same time.”

As for spirituality, I see it as the intersection of the tangible body and intangible Force. It is that place where these physical, biological, living bodies find meaning in the universe by experiencing the Force through emotions like love, hate, fear, and joy. We cultivate and practice spirituality by using our physical bodies to act in response to these emotions with acts of compassion, forgiveness, empathy, and understanding. Spirituality is how we connect our temporary physical presence to the eternal Force. At least that is one way I look at it, but it is always evolving as I grow and learn.

Rosalyn J wrote: Please, I would like to know "what is the purpose of being alive?"

For me purpose must be defined and cultivated. I don't think I have to look externally for that purpose, but that through understanding myself and the relationships that I share with everything within the universe, and the space that it occupies, I realize it's something that blossoms within me. It's not so much that my purpose defines me because I am in charge of molding it. But this requires that selfless ideation, the wiliness to cooperate, and showing compassion because of the fact that shaping your own purpose can come at the cost of hurting so many people if your intent is misaligned.

Kyrin Wyldstar wrote: My body is "what" I am, my spirituality is "why" I am and my constant awareness of that is "who" I am. This is what it means to me.

I like that!

Arisaig: I appreciate your willingness to answer questions that you don't comprehend...on someone else's post so I came to allow you to give your two cents on my question.
My question to Carlos was" if light is to dark; and yin is to yang:: if truth is to false then Jedi is to..?

Since you seek clarification on my question before answering, here you are. If light is to dark ( as in light being the equal and opposite of dark)...then what is the opposite of Jediism?

I eagerly await your answer

I don't think light is the opposite of dark any more than water is the opposite of an empty glass.

Athena_Undomiel wrote: Arisaig: I appreciate your willingness to answer questions that you don't comprehend...on someone else's post so I came to allow you to give your two cents on my question.
My question to Carlos was" if light is to dark; and yin is to yang:: if truth is to false then Jedi is to..?

Since you seek clarification on my question before answering, here you are. If light is to dark ( as in light being the equal and opposite of dark)...then what is the opposite of Jediism?

I eagerly await your answer

I wasn't responding to answer your question, but to perhaps help another better understand the question, as it seemed oddly worded.

But now that I have a full question, I wouldn't know what the opposite of Jediism would be, as the definition of Jedi and/or Jediism is not set in stone, it varies greatly, so the opposite would also flux from person to person.