Is Spirituality Practical? Is it Helpful?

[bellemeadows]

I see a lot of debating about this or that in spirituality. My Q to you is, how has spirituality been a practical focus in your life?

I ask this Q because so many people believe it is airy faery, some far off experience reserved for the Buddha, or Jesus, or the Pope, or whoever. There is a kind of a common thought that mystics are some wierd guys that go live in caves, shave their heads and wear strange clothing, chanting odd things.

The logical extension of this perspective is that it is not practical or helpful in the real world.

Is that true for you? Has spirituality been a practical focus in your life? How has it been practical for you? What real-life gains has it brought to you?

Please weigh in on this Q. There is no wrong or right answer -- and if your reply is no, it has not been / is not practical, please share that info as well. I'm very interested, and I know others out there will be interested as well.

Blessings from Belle,

[dave marshall]

Hi,

it depends what you what you mean by spirituality but to generalise it has been a resounding succes in my life.

Dave

[nightdiamond]

Hi bellemeadows,

You asked an interesting question because I have read examples of sayings that it is impossible for someone living in a house in a city and enjoying modern convience to ever achieve enlightment. And this was someone from india who lived and meditated basically in caves.

From what I've read alot of people living today are saying they've had out of body experiences, can remote view things, spoke with guides, seen past lives ect... so it seems that they are able to accomplish some of the same things that a said "enlightend" guru or teacher can accomplish.

I like to think of spirituality as a tool that can help one experience and understand things science can not help you with.

[Ecce Homo]

Originally Posted by dave marshall

Hi,

it depends what you what you mean by spirituality but to generalise it has been a resounding succes in my life.

Dave

I agree with Dave. It all depends on what you mean by spirituality.

[bellemeadows]

Hmmmm -- for this Q, please assume that the bolded definition below is the right one. . . .

spir·it·u·al –adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or consisting of spirit; incorporeal.
2. of or pertaining to the spirit or soul, as distinguished from the physical nature: a spiritual approach to life.
3. closely akin in interests, attitude, outlook, etc.: the professor's spiritual heir in linguistics.
4. of or pertaining to spirits or to spiritualists; supernatural or spiritualistic.
5. characterized by or suggesting predominance of the spirit; ethereal or delicately refined: She is more of a spiritual type than her rowdy brother.
6. of or pertaining to the spirit as the seat of the moral or religious nature.
7. of or pertaining to sacred things or matters; religious; devotional; sacred.
8. of or belonging to the church; ecclesiastical: lords spiritual and temporal.
9. of or relating to the mind or intellect.
–noun 10. a spiritual or religious song: authentic folk spirituals.
11. spirituals, affairs of the church.
12. a spiritual thing or matter.

Hope that helps. Belle,

[jawillie]

For me it is very practical!

I do not sit cross-legged on the flooring saying "ohm" all day. That would not work in my life.

I am close to god-source, though. I get closer all the time.

I am not living in a dream world. I am not lying to myself. I am not floating around, oblivious to the world around me. I simply see it differently than I did before and than a lot of those around me see it.

I work. I have responsibilities. I have friends. My clients like me. I am close to my family. I am not shutting life out to "be spiritual." I AM spiritual in my life.

For me it has been a deep, inner transformation. When I say "I am grateful for life" I am not "just" saying that... I feel it with every fiber of my being! There was a time I would say it and not feel anything. Now I say it and feel great love flow through me.

Spirituality is such a deeply personal thing. How do you express the change that goes on deep in your soul so someone on the outside can even begin to comprehend it? They see the world through their filters and your description is lost in their own fog of thoughts. They can't begin to understand.

But, yes, it is VERY practical in my life.

I am starting a new business that is on it's way to being very successful (plus my current business is flourishing). I am public-speaking, I am talking to lawyers and government officials about our business. I am meeting potential employees and clients. I am starting networking groups in my city. I am doing it all by being close to god-source. That's pretty practical if you ask me.

[DayInTheLife]

Spirituality is soooo broad, encompassing everything from behavior therapy to made-up magic spells to abusive cults. But I would say most 'spiritual' practices are based on either: a) profound wisdom, or b) disastrous misinterpretations of profound wisdom.

My 'spiritual' practices consist of regular formal meditation, and carrying a mindful, present attitude with me throughout the day.

Real changes in my life:

• I am much less shy, less afraid of people
• I am seldom stressed out or miserable
• The undesirable events in my life have much less effect on me
• The desirable events in my life are much more gratifying
• I feel much less need to 'escape' with drugs or other distractions
• I have more friends and romantic relationships
• I am comfortable in almost every situation
• I never feel dread when I wake up in the morning
• I have been able to offer clear and (judging by feedback) helpful advice to others
• I am always looking forward to the rest of my life

[Rhythman]

Ideas and thoughts are no longer mistaken for reality. Attention is focused on what is happening NOW. Nothing airy-fairy about it.

EXTREMELY Practical indeed.

Rhythman

[Ecce Homo]

Originally Posted by bellemeadows

Hope that helps. Belle,

Yes it does help and yes it is practical. Very much so!

[bellemeadows]

Well, since I began this Q, I need to weigh in on it.

Yes, it has been more practical in my life than anything else. Yes, I've learned other skills. Yes, I work, I live in the 'real' world. I must say that any and all success I have had in the world, I attribute to my spirituality. When I let my ego lead on my journey, it led me to more frustration than anything else. However, when I let go, and began consciously maintaining a contact with that aspect of myself that is more than ego, and contemplated the completeness of God, things changed in my worldly experience. Sometimes miraculously so.

As for the need to go live in a cave, and chant ommmm all the time. Perhaps in other cultures that works. In my culture, I've needed to find the ommmm inside of my normal workday, and family experience. I think it is actually more challenging, but it is, IMHO, definately doable.

The birth of so many potential paths to the experience of oneness, in our culture right now, provides sooooo many opportunities to find that connection. The free exchange of information without sensorship has disabled the religious majority from hiding the other views from us -- for that I truly thank God. Even 100 years ago there were witchcraft laws on the books in England. Even 50 years ago, so much of this information that is available now would be deemed highly threatening to those in power.

Bridle our ability to investigate alternative viewpoints on spirituality, and you hold people back from real exploration of what spirituality means to them. From a mainstream perspective, that is good. Because folks who live spiritually just aren't very much like cattle; they have their own opinions and perspectives, and do not subscribe to typically mainstream theologies.

Ohhhh, got long-winded again. Sorry. Nutshell answer; nothing has been MORE practical from an earthly perspective than my spiritual investigation and growth. Blessings from Belle,

[Mato Kinze]

For me, connecting to my Spirit Guides, Allies and Benefactor has had remarkable practical repercussions.

My income has increased by almost $10,000 every year since I started on my Path. I am more focused on who I am and what I want. I am more connected to my family and friends. My ability to concentrate on tasks, resolve issues and connect with people has improved remarkably. My relationships with my wife and children are stronger.

In short, there is not one single aspect of my life that has not been positively impacted by my taking the Red Road. So, YEAH... for me at least, Spirituality has been very "practical."

[PerDev]

PEOPLE SAYS - If you are not spiritual, you are handicape - How true it is ?..

[Jennihul]

I think for people to achieve a certain level of spirituality, some removal of distraction is necessary and becomes an inevitably natural choice.

Buddha and Jesus achieved a state that made material longings obsolete for them.

But normal people can be spiritual and have the trappings of a normal modern life and still find a practicality in their spirituality.

Easily the most practical side effect of one's spirituality is in getting along with other folks.

Secondly, the world will always be a better place when people are feeling loving goodness and oneness as opposed to feeling sadness, shame, negativity, hatred, fear, dread and isolation.

Thirdly and my most favorite side effect is that I believe our collective level of spirituality will save our lives in about 3.5 years.

Jennifer

[bellemeadows]

Originally Posted by Jennihul

I think for people to achieve a certain level of spirituality, some removal of distraction is necessary and becomes an inevitably natural choice.

Buddha and Jesus achieved a state that made material longings obsolete for them.

But normal people can be spiritual and have the trappings of a normal modern life and still find a practicality in their spirituality.

Easily the most practical side effect of one's spirituality is in getting along with other folks.

Secondly, the world will always be a better place when people are feeling loving goodness and oneness as opposed to feeling sadness, shame, negativity, hatred, fear, dread and isolation.

Thirdly and my most favorite side effect is that I believe our collective level of spirituality will save our lives in about 3.5 years.

Jennifer

Ohhhhh, 3.5 years -- could you tell me more about that? That sounds very interesting.

Blessings from Belle,

[Jennihul]

Just google 2012...you will have a year's worth of 'interesting' reading.

Jennifer

[Sreece]

Hey Guys,

Spirituality can be very impractical. In fact, I am just emerging from a 5 year journey through the dark night of the soul and overcoming major financial, health and personal life challenges. All as a result of starting on my Spiritual journey. So it has not been a 'practical' path for me. However, I know that in emerging through the other side of this journey, I will be coming to act more through my soul and less through my ego. I will be more in the flow and able to realise my true life purpose.

A fantastic book that has helped me on this journey is ' Am I Going Mad' by Marlyse Carroll. Given that going through a Spiritual awakening is not always angels and roses, this book helped me to make sense of what was happening and helped me to hold on through the depths of grief and despair as I separated from ego.

Another great book that can help with the 2012 stuff is the Flower Of Life books by Drunvelo Melchizedek that can help to prepare us all for the changes of 2012 (if the earth changes do not happen before).

In love, light and blessings.