One of the pitfalls of living life as an experiment without the "leash" of religious authorities is that we guide the experiment ourselves. We are the mad scientist! That means that my experiences, ego, thoughts etc., define the parameters of the experiment for better or worse.
The limits of my experiences, ego, thoughts etc. can be both positive and negative. The benefit is that I can freely experiment to find the concepts, ideas, and practices that seem to help me observe, understand and live a spiritual life. The negative is that I can become content with less than God has to offer.
The main issue that I see with experimenting with spirituality is that I can endlessly chase my whims. My psychological, emotional, mental and physical predispositions, as well as the experiences I've had, cause me to limit and choose particular spiritual experiences that align with my dispositions. For instance, if I am an intellectual person that has issues with personal relationships I may chose to pursue solitary, intellectual spiritual experiences because that is what I am comfortable with, finding myself satisfied with far less than what God has to offer in the totality of spiritual experience.
For instance, lets say that coming from a non-religious background I am completely satisfied with my experience of going to church every Sunday to fulfill my obligation, ease my guilt and talk to some friends. I have no nagging sense of anything missing in my life, and feel like I am walking with God and leading a "spiritual life". In my opinion, I would be satisfied with far less than God has to offer. Satisfaction is not the same as spirituality, though may be a part of it.
Buddhism teaches that our experience of the world can be understood as ten basic life states called Ten Worlds. I've found this way of understanding life useful in understanding myself and others. In this understanding of the world, tranquility, basically understood as satisfaction, is an experience of calm, peacefulness, and reason. Nothing wrong with that, but each level can also have negative aspects. Tranquility can also lead to laziness, inactivity and passivity. In addition, tranquility is only the fifth level of ten. So if I believe that satisfaction is the goal of life, I have in effect, limited my spiritual experience.
So, what is the solution? I believe that occasionally forcing myself to learn, study and experience spirituality that is outside my limited experiences and understanding may be a healthy way to overcome the danger in the experiment. How else could I know if there are spiritual practices, theories or experiences in this beautifully diverse world that may be helpful in my journey?
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7 comments:
Matt and I have talked about similar things at times.
I think that various insights of people can be of help in the area of psychology or sociology or economics or many other temporal issues. I’ve been told that has been one of the problems with some missionary work. For example thinking that the culture a missionary has gone to has nothing at all wise within it and end up trying to make the culture look like the United States or whatever ends up being counter productive.
But the truth of God’s Law and Gospel is true across all societies. We are sinners in need of the Savior and no meditation or other religious practice (praying an hour a day or reading the Bible, giving to the poor, etc.) brings us one inch closer to God than what Christ has already brought us to.
So if one person likes to spend an hour in prayer, or going out and serving his community or whatever, it is personal preference that is not to be condemned by those that do not. I think that is the point you are driving at and I would agree.
Steve,
You said, "We are sinners in need of the Savior and no meditation or other religious practice (praying an hour a day or reading the Bible, giving to the poor, etc.) brings us one inch closer to God than what Christ has already brought us to."
I guess I've left the realm of Christian Orthodoxy here. I have a hard time believing that the concept of "sinners in need of a savior" sums up the diversity, wonder and mystery of this world. Additionally, I've found that to be pretty reductive understanding of the Bible in general and the gospels in particular. But if it helps you in the journey...go with it!
Perhaps it may be reductive but I think that you'd have to admit that the free forgiveness of sins and the resurrection of Christ from the dead are some of the unique things about Christianity that sets it apart from, and against, other religions.
True Steve, but I think that is what bothers me. The words "apart" and "against" are words of separation. In my fundamentalist Christian experience I was taught to view Christianity in how it was different from other religions, (we had classes on how to evangelize people from other religions etc.) but trying to find the commonalities has been extremely helpful in the journey.
Well, there are some things about myself that I want to be separated from. All the impurities that are so unlike Christ and dishonoring to Him and harmful to those around me. So to me it is a hopeful thing that there is something "against" and "apart" which God has given to save me from myself. I'm not making judgments about others I am more and more glad what He has done that, in the end, will deal with this "wretched man".
I thought we were talking about comparing religions and not necessarily personal salvation/sin, but as I said, if the view seems helpful to your spiritual journey...go with it!
You were right. But then I switched it to how a particular religious system came and deals with some real needs that I have.
To hold that a particular system is different or special does not mean that the one who holds to that belief also thinks he is special but rather it may mean an addmission of need.
I think that your (and also my) experience of fundamental chrisitianity is pretty typical which is a shame. It is a loud and self-important form of christianity. I have found that going to more "traditional" churches tends to have less of that. May not "meet my needs" socially or emotionally but tends to present the Savior more clearly.
And I agree with you that other beliefs systems are not something to be feard. I heard more than one sermon about someone "getting possessed" because they had some relic of another religion in the house. I just don't buy that.
Sets up a whole system of "doing the right thing to please God".
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