Comments on: On spiritual experiences - what are they worth? http://www.allconsidering.com/2008/spiritual-experience/ Considering life, spiritual growth and more ponderings Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:05:56 +0000 hourly 1 By: Janah http://www.allconsidering.com/2008/spiritual-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-140 Janah Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:03:06 +0000 http://www.allconsidering.com/?p=220#comment-140 Regarding the link to Urban Monk, every time I read about needing gurus and teachers, I’m left with wondering how the Buddha pulled it off by himself. I guess if someone wants a guru, who am I to argue? Nisargadatta thought they were a useful shortcut, perhaps it’s so. If we’re all going to be around for eternity and a day anyway, I lose the point of getting there faster. Which brings me to my point. It often seems like the claims of spiritual experiences are just a different kind of self regard. Sitting around talking about it is helpful to whom exactly? The knee jerk answer is that it opens up ‘possibility’ to someone who hasn’t had such an experience. More likely it implants suggestion, and the person finds what they expect. That’s the problem with belief or any kind. We all think that it’s the other person who is gullible and misled. Whether it’s belief in reincarnation or belief in the guru, it all springs from a desire to continue, to become more. It is an elaborate escape from the truth of what is, nothing else. Have to have a guru? Here’s one, no cost, no mantras, no sitting, no robes, no obligation….. Do useful work, don’t take more than you need, be quiet. Regarding the link to Urban Monk, every time I read about needing gurus and teachers, I’m left with wondering how the Buddha pulled it off by himself. I guess if someone wants a guru, who am I to argue? Nisargadatta thought they were a useful shortcut, perhaps it’s so. If we’re all going to be around for eternity and a day anyway, I lose the point of getting there faster.
Which brings me to my point. It often seems like the claims of spiritual experiences are just a different kind of self regard. Sitting around talking about it is helpful to whom exactly? The knee jerk answer is that it opens up ‘possibility’ to someone who hasn’t had such an experience. More likely it implants suggestion, and the person finds what they expect. That’s the problem with belief or any kind. We all think that it’s the other person who is gullible and misled.
Whether it’s belief in reincarnation or belief in the guru, it all springs from a desire to continue, to become more. It is an elaborate escape from the truth of what is, nothing else. Have to have a guru? Here’s one, no cost, no mantras, no sitting, no robes, no obligation…..
Do useful work, don’t take more than you need, be quiet.

]]> By: Evelyn Lim http://www.allconsidering.com/2008/spiritual-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-139 Evelyn Lim Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:51:29 +0000 http://www.allconsidering.com/?p=220#comment-139 I've recently started reading your blog posts. I find them thought-provoking. Thanks! On my site, I share about my spiritual experiences. They are real to me. I choose to honor them for how they have helped me make paradigm shifts. However, I see them for what they are. They are only true to me alone. I cannot convince others about the experiences that have happened to me. My interest is only in telling my readers to go explore and validate their own truths. I've also been taking Kundalini Yoga lessons; but I do not tell others that the Kundalini energy has been awakened in me. It has not happened. However, my friends who have experienced it, shared with me in their excitement. I am happy for them. At the same time, they do go back to their normal life; but I believe, they tread in greater light. I wouldn't call them enlightened, just because they have got some Kundalini awakening! It is a spiritual journey, no doubt and not a one or two time experience. I'm constantly mindful that I do not act special just because I have got certain spiritual experiences. I am as much a student as everyone else. Just like I am learning pearls of wisdom from you :-) Everyone is my teacher, I humbly accede. Namaste Evelyn I’ve recently started reading your blog posts. I find them thought-provoking. Thanks!

On my site, I share about my spiritual experiences. They are real to me. I choose to honor them for how they have helped me make paradigm shifts. However, I see them for what they are. They are only true to me alone. I cannot convince others about the experiences that have happened to me. My interest is only in telling my readers to go explore and validate their own truths.

I’ve also been taking Kundalini Yoga lessons; but I do not tell others that the Kundalini energy has been awakened in me. It has not happened. However, my friends who have experienced it, shared with me in their excitement. I am happy for them. At the same time, they do go back to their normal life; but I believe, they tread in greater light. I wouldn’t call them enlightened, just because they have got some Kundalini awakening! It is a spiritual journey, no doubt and not a one or two time experience.

I’m constantly mindful that I do not act special just because I have got certain spiritual experiences. I am as much a student as everyone else. Just like I am learning pearls of wisdom from you :-) Everyone is my teacher, I humbly accede.

Namaste
Evelyn

]]> By: Xyle101 http://www.allconsidering.com/2008/spiritual-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-138 Xyle101 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:02:25 +0000 http://www.allconsidering.com/?p=220#comment-138 You have a great blog over here! Please accept my compliments and wishes for your happiness and success! I love to reading some blogs specially when it comes to spiritual experience I have seen some great testimonials here http://www.psychicguild.com/experience.php about some spiritual experience You have a great blog over here!
Please accept my compliments and wishes for your happiness and success!
I love to reading some blogs specially when it comes to spiritual experience
I have seen some great testimonials here http://www.psychicguild.com/experience.php about some spiritual experience

]]> By: Harmony http://www.allconsidering.com/2008/spiritual-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-137 Harmony Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:02:49 +0000 http://www.allconsidering.com/?p=220#comment-137 Hi Spirituality, Your post is chocked full of ideas. So, I'd just like to comment on a couple things you posted. I don’t think the experience should be held on to too much. I don’t think that someone who has had such experiences should be put on a pedestal, nor do I feel that they are something to brag about. I think if someone has a 'spiritual' experience that transforms them in some way, it'd be really hard not to hold on to it. For those of us who are seekers of truth and knowledge, it may be the validity we need to continue our search. For me, it was a turning point in my life and I will always give it the highest value over all other experiences. But, should one brag or put persons who've had such experiences on a pedestal? No, I agree with you there. I don't think spiritual experiences are rare and I think humility would come into play there. As for someone having a spiritual experience, like Kundalini, and going back into a self-centered life, I believe is quite normal. I wouldn't necessarily question those claiming a one time or intermittent experience as not having experienced them at all. It takes a dedicated and willing person to live a spiritually filled life. But, not all who have had one-time spiritual experiences do the 'work' to achieve consistent experiences. Just my 2 dinar... :) Harmony Hi Spirituality,

Your post is chocked full of ideas. So, I’d just like to comment on a couple things you posted.

I don’t think the experience should be held on to too much. I don’t think that someone who has had such experiences should be put on a pedestal, nor do I feel that they are something to brag about.

I think if someone has a ’spiritual’ experience that transforms them in some way, it’d be really hard not to hold on to it. For those of us who are seekers of truth and knowledge, it may be the validity we need to continue our search. For me, it was a turning point in my life and I will always give it the highest value over all other experiences. But, should one brag or put persons who’ve had such experiences on a pedestal? No, I agree with you there. I don’t think spiritual experiences are rare and I think humility would come into play there.

As for someone having a spiritual experience, like Kundalini, and going back into a self-centered life, I believe is quite normal. I wouldn’t necessarily question those claiming a one time or intermittent experience as not having experienced them at all. It takes a dedicated and willing person to live a spiritually filled life. But, not all who have had one-time spiritual experiences do the ‘work’ to achieve consistent experiences.

Just my 2 dinar… :)
Harmony

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