Spiritual Quests, Self Discovery, and Other Early Morning Ramblings

[Ghoulish Delight]

I don't really dig the concept of a guru. Afterall, what qualifications does anyone else in this world have over my own experience to understand what the hell is going on? Not to say that I've got it all figured out, but I can't see myself putting that much stock in anyone elses conclusions over my own. We're all working with the same total lack of perspective, after all. So when figuring out what spiritual direction is best for me, and given the choice between everyone else, or myself, I gotta go with myself just because, hey, I'm the only one I know actually exists.

Of course, I do love hearing other's ideas and possibilities, but I don't think I'll ever consider anyone a guru.

[Name]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

So when figuring out what spiritual direction is best for me, and given the choice between everyone else, or myself, I gotta go with myself just because, hey, I'm the only one I know actually exists.

So besides the "I think therefore I am" philosophy, what proof do you have that you really exist?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Name

So besides the "I think therefore I am" philosophy, what proof do you have that you really exist?

That's basically it. Or, to put it another way, my own awareness of my own consciousness is the only thing that differentiates me from anyone else, from my perspective. So that automatically gives me more authority in spiritual guidance for myself.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I don't really dig the concept of a guru. Afterall, what qualifications does anyone else in this world have over my own experience to understand what the hell is going on? Not to say that I've got it all figured out, but I can't see myself putting that much stock in anyone elses conclusions over my own.

Perhaps we have different concepts of a guru. I'm thinking more in the ways of a mentor or guide rather than a parent or dictator. I've met several people in my life that I place in the "guru" category. They always had something to teach me, though they never had a lesson plan, or an agenda. This of course has been my problem with most religion, in that they seem more interested in providing answers than asking interesting questions.

Perhaps most people just want to cut to the chase and have an answer they can live with, but I'm far to curious for that. I prefer the ambiguity of the unanswerabe, and find I'm much more fullfilled when given a question to contemplate, explore possibilities, and laugh at absurdities. I value people that can take me on these journies, and going back to my original post - I think the early pioneers of psychotherapy thought they were engaging in this kind of activity.

Modern Day psychology and psychotherapy seem to also be back to providing answeres, like anti-depressents to the depressed, and much less about what makes a fullfilling life.

Perhaps I should provide an example.

I had a dear friend, Bill who passed away several years ago. Back before I participated on any internet forum, he and his wife would host monthly pot lucks at his house for a "soire." This was sort of a Salon in which each month a topic was thrown out to the dinner guests to discuss. He employeed some of the standard salon protocal, we had a "talking stick" which gave the floor to whoever held it and each person to their time to explain in detail their feelings on a particular subject. The subjects ranged from the serious (political current events) to the absurd (the existence of angels), but was always fascinating. Bill had a knack of inviting people from all walks of life to these things, there was always a rich diversity of opinion. Dinner concluded the discussions, and we all felt closer to one another before the evening was out.

There's not a day on these boards that I don't think of him, and his brilliant idea to bring people together just to satisfy his own curiosity about the world and other people (it was usually his topic ). Bill was definately one of my gurus.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

my own awareness of my own consciousness is the only thing that differentiates me from anyone else, from my perspective. So that automatically gives me more authority in spiritual guidance for myself.

To be sure, only you can make the journey - but there are plenty of guide books out there

[Name]

I really like the people that offer interesting questions to contemplate, and then not care really what the answer is as long as it is a true answer for me. Because they already know what their answer was, and it may or may not be the same as mine. I am in no way a fan of the ready made answer for all.

[Not Afraid]

Here's my philosophy in one sentence:

There is a "Higher Power" and I'm not it.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

To be sure, only you can make the journey - but there are plenty of guide books out there

Most definitely agreed.

Of course, I come from a religious background that encourages questioning far more than most I've observered. Finding your own answers is definitely part of Judaism. Of course, the recommended source material is a little more limited than I prefer, but the basic tenet of self discovery is one reason that, despite my divergence from many of the core beliefs, I still feel a connection to Judaism.

So I am definitely one to take input from wherever I can. I just doubt I will ever find myself being a devotee of any one philosophy. It's always interesting the be presented with a new angle to consider, but I view them as more launching points for my own exploration than something to learn directly from.

[Prudence]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

Religion is typically the resource for spiritual needs, but the institution seems so conformist, presenting answers instead of posing interesting questions. I wonder if this is why so many spiritual alternatives seem to have become popular, such as wicca. But even these seem more heavy on providing answers and less and exploring interesting questions about developing one's self and soul. But maybe I'm wrong about this.

This is the opposite of my experience. Maybe it depends on your particular flavor. However, my experience has been that religion presents an endless series of questions. Amongst them is the most basic question out there: "Why am I here?" Taking Christianity as an example, sometimes the "answer" is given as: "It's all part of God's plan." But that's not an answer. Or, rather, that's not an answer for anyone with an ounce of independent thought.

Sometimes "faith" is misinterpreted as a blind, unquestioning reliance on the "God's plan" idea. As if we are all pawns being moved about by unseen hands.

I don't much cotton to that notion. "God's plan" isn't an answer -- it's just the start to an endless series of further questions. I wonder about them all the time. From the basic -- "should I pick a focus area? IP law? Employment? Tax?" -- to more global -- "what would it take to have world peace? Is it possible to have peace? It is actually even desireable to have world peace?" -- to the way out there -- "If God exists, who made God? Are there other Gods? Are there other realities? What is the nature of time?"

And the only way I know to pursue answers is to live life. Advice is nice, but it has to be evaluated in context; no one can live my life for me.

[Not Afraid]

Religion is Man-Made.
Spirituality is God-Given.