Spirituality 2009

[Malthus]

I think we should apply the Wu Wei philosophy to the financial crisis 

Heh, I'd like to get all Han Fei Tzu on some of those investment types ... 

[Martinus]

My hotel this weekend had a Gideon's Bible and a "Gideon's Buddhist book". I started reading the latter - kinda interesting, since I know nothing of Buddhism. I thought about stealing it so that I could finish reading it, but realized that would be wrong.

Not that I'm gonna convert or anything. It's just interesting to see the parallels and differences with Christianity.

The Tao kicks Buddha's ass.

The Tao that kicks Buddha's ass is not the Tao.

[Malthus]

My hotel this weekend had a Gideon's Bible and a "Gideon's Buddhist book". I started reading the latter - kinda interesting, since I know nothing of Buddhism. I thought about stealing it so that I could finish reading it, but realized that would be wrong.

Not that I'm gonna convert or anything. It's just interesting to see the parallels and differences with Christianity.

The Tao kicks Buddha's ass.

The Tao that kicks Buddha's ass is not the Tao.

[Darth Wagtaros]

My hotel this weekend had a Gideon's Bible and a "Gideon's Buddhist book". I started reading the latter - kinda interesting, since I know nothing of Buddhism. I thought about stealing it so that I could finish reading it, but realized that would be wrong.

Not that I'm gonna convert or anything. It's just interesting to see the parallels and differences with Christianity.

The Tao kicks Buddha's ass.

The Tao that kicks Buddha's ass is not the Tao.

Touche. 

[DontSayBanana]

No god, no church, no problem.

[DGuller]

I'm an atheist and see no need for all that spirituality stuff, thank God.

[merithyn]

What it suggests to me is the existance of a philosophy or activity which in effect directs a person's attention away from their own ego, and towards contemplation of something outside of themself.

This is my interpretation, as well.

[merithyn]

Hello there.

The Unitarian churches near us tend toward a fairly Christian view rather than an individualistic one. They're open to everyone, but still hold Christ to be the savior, etc. I'd rather stay out of the Biblical religions entirely, if I can manage that.

[Caliga]

  That's strange.  I knew there were some conservative Unitarian congregations but would have expected them to be confined to parts of New England.

[Valmy]

The Unitarian churches near us tend toward a fairly Christian view rather than an individualistic one. They're open to everyone, but still hold Christ to be the savior, etc. I'd rather stay out of the Biblical religions entirely, if I can manage that.

The Savior?  And not a teacher or spiritual leader?  Wow Unitarian philosophy fail.

The whole point of Unitarianism is rejection of the Trinity...which is right and good since the Trinity is irrational and absurd.

[merithyn]

That's strange.  I knew there were some conservative Unitarian congregations but would have expected them to be confined to parts of New England.

We're just this side of the Bible Belt. I was amazed at just how Christian this entire area was/is. Honestly, it's a bit frightening.

[Valmy]

Most of the people I've met who describe themselves as being spiritual or interested in such matters have invariably proven have three or more of these characteristics : - self-obssessed, narcissistic, shotaway and/or lacking any critical reasoning skills. 

Since the whole point of spirituality is to become aware of things outside yourself perhaps they are interested in it because they are trying to stop being so self-obsessed?

Also critical reasoning skills are pretty essential for exploring spiritual things since the amoung to bullshit out there can easily lead the foolish astray.

[Neil]

The whole point of Unitarianism is rejection of the Trinity...which is right and good since the Trinity is irrational and absurd.

Wrong.  The whole point of Unitarianism is to bend with the wind, and then bend some more.  By standing for nothing, they become nothing.

[Darth Wagtaros]

The whole point of Unitarianism is rejection of the Trinity...which is right and good since the Trinity is irrational and absurd.

Wrong.  The whole point of Unitarianism is to bend with the wind, and then bend some more.  By standing for nothing, they become nothing.

So dating one is likely to lead to some interesting positions?

[BuddhaRhubarb]

That sounds cool, actually. Women reclaiming their spirituality is what the organized religion has always feared - you are like a coven.

Except that none of us believe in "magic". That kind of puts a damper on the whole coven thing. Which is too bad. I'd like to be a witch. 

I know several witches. None of them are all that "magical" :p