johnydon22:
Were there much difference between Spiritualism, mysticism and science during the ancient times?

The ancient incorporated spiritualism, mysticism and all round superstition in their quest to understand the world.

besides plaetton don't you think Spiritualism means different things to different minds and cultures?

ecu120:
As a Christian it has helped me a great deal, both physically,spiritually and mentally.

plaetton:


Actually, it's easy to understand ancient man's quests to understand his environment and his place in it.

Therefore, my query is more for the modern humans in this 21st century, especially as always, my African brethren.
We have the long treks of history to teach us that the pursuit of " the spiritual" has given humankind nothing but more ignorance and confusion.

butterfly88:
well true...but they are other countries who have retained their spirituality and have excelled in other stratas immensely..what I mean by this is ..i don't think "spirituality" is the problem with Africa I think the actual problem with Africa is spiritual ignorance,spiritual corruption,hypocrism, fanatism

plaetton:
Yes. A very valid question.

Since the dawn of human life, and up to this day, there has been so much Ado about spirituality.

In fact, spiritual mumbo jumbos occupy a grossly disproportionate part of the African mind in this 21st century.
Why?

Looking back at the last 6,000 yrs recorded human history, what has the pursuit of " the spiritual" ever benefited humankind?

Thousands of so-called prophets, wise men, enlightened souls, gurus, sons , daughters, nephews and nieces of god have come and gone, and in most cases, left their environments worse than they met them.

Aside from hurling humankind from one dark pit right into another, in what ways have the pursuit of the " spiritual" positively advanced the human trek?

C:C Deepsight.

butterfly88:
well true...but they are other countries who have retained their spirituality and have excelled in other stratas immensely..what I mean by this is ..i don't think "spirituality" is the brother with Africa I think the actual problem with Africa is spiritual ignorance,spiritual corruption,hypocrism, fanatism

CAPSLOCKED:





YES, AND THE CHURCH PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN THE PROMULGATION OF CORRUPTION, GREED, HYPOCRISM, AND ALL ROUND IDIOCY.

DeepSight:


What has happened to you? ? ?

It appears you have conflated spirituality with religion. . . .

You know very well that these two things are different.

If not for the pursuit of the spiritual, what purpose and inner meaning can a human being put to life?
Would man not simply exist as a hobbesian beast?

When you look at a human being, what do you see?

When you look at yourself, what do you see?

A meaningless physical agglomeration of darting physical micro-particles which somehow comes together as one, not just to feed itself in physical terms but to even project ideas to change the world. Is this the thing that you believe is a mere beast, nothing more than an intelligent and advanced beast?

Regardless advancement, do you not see a clear - and - improbably too wide gap between the faculties of man and those of other creatures?

How often have you sat before and contemplated the dead body of a close friend or relative? If you have done this, you would understand that there is absolutely nothing to the physical life save the pursuit of, and refinement of our real spiritual existence outside this vehicle called a body.

DeepSight:


What has happened to you? ? ?

It appears you have conflated spirituality with religion. . . .

You know very well that these two things are different.

If not for the pursuit of the spiritual, what purpose and inner meaning can a human being put to life?
Would man not simply exist as a hobbesian beast?

When you look at a human being, what do you see?

When you look at yourself, what do you see?

A meaningless physical agglomeration of darting physical micro-particles which somehow comes together as one, not just to feed itself in physical terms but to even project ideas to change the world. Is this the thing that you believe is a mere beast, nothing more than an intelligent and advanced beast?

Regardless advancement, do you not see a clear - and - improbably too wide gap between the faculties of man and those of other creatures?

How often have you sat before and contemplated the dead body of a close friend or relative? If you have done this, you would understand that there is absolutely nothing to the physical life save the pursuit of, and refinement of our real spiritual existence outside this vehicle called a body.

DeepSight:


What has happened to you? ? ?

hahn:




And why should we indulge in such wishful thinking despite lack of evidence of it's existence?

This life is the only thing that is guaranteed. Here and now. It would be a more profitable venture if we focused on making the best of what we have now in this present time because this is the only thing that is guaranteed. Don't you think?

plaetton:


I beg to disagree sir.

India, for example, arguably the headquarters of spiritual mumbo jumbos, was a poor , pathetic nation overflowing with stark ignorance and mind-numbing poverty until the modern era, when they embraced practical Western education and science.
All the so-called spiritual magic of India didn't advance the people of India in any notable positive way for many millennia. One century of scientific rationalism did.

In Africa today, spiritual mumbo jumbos occupy sooooo much, a greatly disproportionate part of the mind, that there is hardly Any room for scientific rationalism, scientific curiosity.

hahn:


Do you realize that "our real spiritual existence" is subjective?

You believe in one version of the postulation of an afterlife while there are more than 4,200 other versions.

Why is yours any more real than the others?

And why should we indulge in such wishful thinking despite lack of evidence of it's existence?

This life is the only thing that is guaranteed. Here and now. It would be a more profitable venture if we focused on making the best of what we have now in this present time because this is the only thing that is guaranteed. Don't you think?

DeepSight:


Of course it is.



I don't know who told you this. I certainly do not believe this nor have I ever postulated this.

Thus, this is an example of you making assumptions. That's quite sad.

Now, if you could make such a cosmic leap of an assumption on this small matter, how can I take your point of views seriously?

I do not believe that it is. I have never argued so: if anything I have argued the reverse: I have spoken about infinite realities and infinite planes.

Only an unthinking man makes such a statement as this. I don't know how you are able to wake up in the morning and have a look in the mirror and convince yourself your are simply a walking corpse, and edible piece flesh and nothing more. If this is your perception of your being, you are a most unawakened one, my friend. You have yet to come to recognition of any sort.

This is nonsense. I am tired of your puerile assumptions already - who says acknowledging spirituality means one should waste the present time or not use each day to its fullest and make the best of every passing moment? ? ? ?

You think in black and white.

Ishilove:
It haf epp me.

Ishilove:
It haf epp me.

plaetton:


This is an award winner.

Bravo, my friend, bravo.

hahn:


This statement doesn't deserve a reasonable response.

If you are convinced that there is some other life after this without any proof, then you are not even thinking for yourself.

Ciao

hahn:


This statement doesn't deserve a reasonable response.

If you are convinced that there is some other life after this without any proof, then you are not even thinking for yourself.

Ciao

DeepSight:


Only in your blinkered eyes and obsessive mind, my friend: for what he wrote is nothing but gibberish: gibberish in that it contains ridiculous assumptions - there is nothing with regard to believing in and seeking spirituality which suggests that one should not live every day to the fullest and seek out the best of the present life: if anything, a spiritual point of view will encourage one to do this fervently.

DeepSight:

Mr. Hahn,

You should study this image and see if the point strikes you. If it doesn't perhaps later.