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PocketLady



Registered: 01/18/10
Posts: 1,773
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Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it?
#21668844 - 05/12/15 07:56 AM (9 years, 8 days ago) |
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I'm wondering how many people who visit this forum intellectually study spiritual ideas, and how many are actively involved in spiritual practice? Personally I spent a good number of years reading about spiritual ideas, but it was a while before I really started practicing regularly.
Please note, for the purposes of this poll, DO NOT COUNT using psychedelics for either spiritual practice or spiritual study.
Please feel free to comment to explain your answers
-------------------- Love is from the infinite, and will remain until eternity. The seeker of love escapes the chains of birth and death. Tomorrow, when resurrection comes, The heart that is not in love will fail the test. ~ Rumi The day we start giving Love instead of seeking Love, we will have re-written our whole destiny. ~ Swami Chinmayanada Saraswatir
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deff
just love everyone



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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: PocketLady]
#21669068 - 05/12/15 09:16 AM (9 years, 8 days ago) |
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I think ideally study should be done primarily to inform one's practice. I used to study a lot more when I followed a traditional path (Tibetan Buddhism) but now I follow my inner guidance more and study less. Practice is the most important, but can take many forms - some more formal like seated meditation and others less formal like being loving to others in daily situations
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Deviate
newbie
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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: deff]
#21671171 - 05/12/15 06:10 PM (9 years, 7 days ago) |
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I am like you OP, for a while I just studied but did not really practice but these days I study and practice, mostly through prayer and meditation.
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jenflower
Investigative thinking


Registered: 05/12/15
Posts: 228
Loc: USA
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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: Deviate]
#21671752 - 05/12/15 07:49 PM (9 years, 7 days ago) |
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Im starting to think that moving toward my own thoughts on spirituality rather than towards others is good. By 'others' I mean orthodox spiritual practices. Though I wouldn't be where I am spiritually if it weren't for them. Interesting.
-------------------- I really like this
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Cosmopolite
Wannabe Linguist



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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: jenflower]
#21672747 - 05/12/15 11:46 PM (9 years, 7 days ago) |
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I tried yoga a few months ago, i really want to start getting into it.
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Thaj
:-)

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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: jenflower]
#21672768 - 05/12/15 11:51 PM (9 years, 7 days ago) |
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In my opinion, I don't get stuck with books, practices etc that might box me in some ways. I like to feel and admire the nature, universe, sky etc
And be a better person everyday
-------------------- There is no real sin but lessons yet to be learned. ----------------------------------------------------
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Chronic7
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 13,679
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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: PocketLady] 1
#21678919 - 05/14/15 01:25 PM (9 years, 6 days ago) |
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I had to select none of the above, study is very important up to a point, practice is very important up to a point, but only up to a point, because what's the point? Where is the studying and practice supposed to lead?
Spirit is our essential nature, so no-one can put it into practice, no-one can reach it, no-one can attain it, this doesn't mean i don't practice, just that the practice is seeing this until it is competely clear, that there is nowhere to go nothing to do in order to be one with truth
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Thaj
:-)

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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: Chronic7]
#21678982 - 05/14/15 01:43 PM (9 years, 6 days ago) |
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Quote:
The Chronic said: I had to select none of the above, study is very important up to a point, practice is very important up to a point, but only up to a point, because what's the point? Where is the studying and practice supposed to lead?
Spirit is our essential nature, so no-one can put it into practice, no-one can reach it, no-one can attain it, this doesn't mean i don't practice, just that the practice is seeing this until it is competely clear, that there is nowhere to go nothing to do in order to be one with truth
Perfect
-------------------- There is no real sin but lessons yet to be learned. ----------------------------------------------------
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deff
just love everyone



Registered: 05/01/04
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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: Chronic7]
#21679033 - 05/14/15 02:03 PM (9 years, 6 days ago) |
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in my view, if there was truly nothing to do then we wouldn't be here incarnated... instead all of life is spiritual practice - not that we aren't already divine but rather that we can continue to refine our mastery of this level of creation. we can always become greater love and greater wisdom and continue to aid others in all ways
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PocketLady



Registered: 01/18/10
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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: deff]
#21679161 - 05/14/15 02:48 PM (9 years, 6 days ago) |
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You took the words right out of my mouth Deff I do understand where you are coming from Chronic, but the idea of study and practice IMHO is to undo all of the programming that prevents us from permanently realising truth. Just 'cause it's what we are deep down, most of us obviously can't see it in our current state or the world would be a perfect place. So there is clearly still work to be done.
-------------------- Love is from the infinite, and will remain until eternity. The seeker of love escapes the chains of birth and death. Tomorrow, when resurrection comes, The heart that is not in love will fail the test. ~ Rumi The day we start giving Love instead of seeking Love, we will have re-written our whole destiny. ~ Swami Chinmayanada Saraswatir
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deff
just love everyone



Registered: 05/01/04
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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: PocketLady] 1
#21679326 - 05/14/15 03:33 PM (9 years, 6 days ago) |
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i agree in my view, life is a school and there's a continual curriculum so long as we are here
one healer-friend of mine puts it this way on his website:
Quote:
Life is Change ("Peace" found in "No Change" is "Death") The evolutionary "game of life" (on this dimension) is based on duality, where the balance points constantly shift from one polarity to another (and all points in between). As soon as one has established any state of neutrality (an equilibrium or stability in any one position), a new factor is introduced and we are forced to start all over again (this is true for everyone here, with no exception). This change insures that all life is continually tested (pushed stretched and pulled) to evolve, adapt and grow (otherwise life gets dull and boring). Depending on our attitude, this can be fun (or frustrating), but life remains what it is - a juggling act: on the one hand we are ever trying to find and reside in the mysterious and illusive balance points... and on the other hand life keeps dropping new "balls" into our hands.
"Change" is the only constant thing in this universe. We either accept, flow and surrendered to change... or we will be in a constant state of frustration, pain and disappointment. And if we ever reach a pinnacle of feeling "We Have Arrived"... the energy dynamics inherent in life will always shift and this feeling will leave us. This is probably why drugs have such a strong appeal – who wants "feeling good" to ever end? (we love the illusion of “Happily Ever After”). Of course, death is the ultimate release, bringing us out of this "juggling act" (this "game of life")... but what challenge is that? (None). If life maintained a constant state of equilibrium, there would be no dynamism, no excitement, no growth. Knowing of our psychic attachment to our "comfort zone", our Higher Soul Self and God (who is ever working behind the scenes) "conspires" with His Spirit helpers to do everything possible to shift us out of our complacency and stagnation, encouraging us back onto our spiritual evolutionary path.
i think everyone alive is on a spiritual path, every moment is spiritual practice whether we know about spiritual ideas or not, nothing is wasted - every moment is used by Spirit for our growth. by choosing to consciously engage in spiritual practice we can become conscious contributors to our otherwise unconscious growth process of life
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jenflower
Investigative thinking


Registered: 05/12/15
Posts: 228
Loc: USA
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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: deff]
#21680588 - 05/14/15 08:24 PM (9 years, 5 days ago) |
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Though I agree, I know people (we all do) who have no desire to change or grow. Those who are focused on the paycheck and the amount of 'things' they have, so that when they retire, they will have all their things and be able to spend as much money as they want. With no hobbies, no drive, only to get through work. And gain their 'things'. There are even people out there that are hit with opportunity to change their total outlook on life, and dont. They are so concerned with them self and what they own and can buy, that the good of humanity, or any spiritual practice, are void.how do we reach these people?
-------------------- I really like this
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jenflower
Investigative thinking


Registered: 05/12/15
Posts: 228
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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: jenflower]
#21680604 - 05/14/15 08:28 PM (9 years, 5 days ago) |
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I am struggling with this with a close friend, and I'm stuck. I dont know how to reach her. That's how it seems anyway.
-------------------- I really like this
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deff
just love everyone



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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: jenflower] 1
#21680676 - 05/14/15 08:41 PM (9 years, 5 days ago) |
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I would say that even people who are showing no inclination towards spirituality or positive personal change will still be 'pushed' and 'inspired' by the universe through various events in their life. life has a way of making sure we eventually change if it is in our highest good to - i think we are continually pushed in certain directions until eventually we follow the guidance and go with it. for some this could require such an intensity as a serious medical condition or something along those lines, if the message is ignored over and over at a lower intensity.
that said, i don't think it's our position to be the instigator of change in another's life. we don't see their life path from a higher spiritual perspective so we really don't know if what we think would help them would actually be of benefit. perhaps now is just not the time for that person to change in that way - but maybe at a later date it will happen. I think the best thing we can do is be a positive example of the benefits of our own lifestyle choices. you could bring it up in conversation too, though if she isn't interested then I really wouldn't push it. just wish her the best and have faith that her life is being guided by the powers that be.
if you happen to be going to a spiritual event, like a teaching or something, then you could always ask her if she would like to go with you. but again, people change only when, if, and to what degree they themselves want to (or are eventually pushed by life circumstances). i think when we get into a spiritual life there's a tendency to want to see others in it too, but we really don't know what's best for another person. you could perhaps pray that whatever is in her highest good for her that way will manifest, if you are inclined to prayer
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once in a lifetime
sun child



Registered: 02/12/15
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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: deff]
#21680743 - 05/14/15 08:57 PM (9 years, 5 days ago) |
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All is love.
-------------------- Innocent, Oldfield & Hegerland Julia Delaney, Bothy Band Rasta Girl, Sister Carol Genesis, Jorma K I Wish You Peace, Lawrence Laughing Do Your Thing, Moondog large . . music garden . . veryall peace them hiStarhouse - main Time Traveler's Guide
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Chronic7
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 13,679
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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: deff]
#21681551 - 05/15/15 01:51 AM (9 years, 5 days ago) |
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Quote:
deff said: in my view, if there was truly nothing to do then we wouldn't be here incarnated... instead all of life is spiritual practice - not that we aren't already divine but rather that we can continue to refine our mastery of this level of creation. we can always become greater love and greater wisdom and continue to aid others in all ways 
Seeing there is 'nothing to do' doesn't discount any of that deff, it's not like i think 'theres nothing to do, nowhere to go' then just use it as an excuse to lay in bed all day!
It's more that for spirituality, for awareness, for actual true freedom and peace, there is nothing to do, nowhere to go, so that one comes into alignment with ones true nature as it is
I don't feel that someone who truly realizes and embodys the great love that is ever present awareness will ignore those suffering, perhaps the way for some to 'refine mastery/becoming greater love/widsom' etc... is thoroughly seeing that to find what they are seeking there is nowhere to go
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Edited by Chronic7 (05/15/15 01:58 AM)
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deff
just love everyone



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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: Chronic7]
#21682207 - 05/15/15 09:01 AM (9 years, 5 days ago) |
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i agree i just feel that if one takes the idea there is no where to go and nothing to do as a truth for all levels of life then it becomes a limitation to growth. in realizing the absolute it is important, but that doesn't discredit the ongoing evolution of the more relative side of one's being 
one spiritual master that i like says that even after enlightenment there is still continual growth, evolution and expansion. that even god is continually expanding through us as greater and greater love, that there is no end to expansion and refinement. this seems to make sense to me - so long as we are embodied here i feel there is a very valid purpose for it, still an ongoing curriculum 
btw i'd be interested to hear how the mescaline trip turns out for you
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Chronic7
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 13,679
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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: deff]
#21682277 - 05/15/15 09:19 AM (9 years, 5 days ago) |
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I'll be sure to let you know
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Kickle
Wanderer


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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: deff]
#21682283 - 05/15/15 09:20 AM (9 years, 5 days ago) |
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Does that mean suffering is increasingly expanding too then? 
What is love expanding towards IYO? What is the purpose or goal of love expansion? Doesn't the idea of love as a changing and evolving thing tie it right into dependency, impermanence, and duality?
-------------------- Why shouldn't the truth be stranger than fiction? Fiction, after all, has to make sense. -- Mark Twain
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deff
just love everyone



Registered: 05/01/04
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Re: Poll: Do you study spirituality or practice it? [Re: Kickle]
#21682314 - 05/15/15 09:33 AM (9 years, 5 days ago) |
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i don't think suffering is expanding - i think things generally move more and more into love over time and less into suffering, but i could be wrong 
and i really don't have answers to where love is heading or why. but i know the experience of love is often it's own value/benefit. so an experience of ever expanding vast cosmic love would probably be pretty neat 
as for changing love being impermanent - i don't think that necessarily follows that anything that changes as a whole is impermanent. if something is continually expanding, it follows that it will never diminish or exhaust, rather keep expanding - but who knows how things work on the cosmic level (certainly i don't) so we can just go by hunches based off our experience of life here on earth
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