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Posted on Aug 20, 2008 2:10 AM
I haven¿t read the book yet, so forgive me if I ask an unnecessary question or say things that are not applicable to this specific book.. What actually keeps me by now away from all these books are two things:
First comes the notion of God and or other spiritual beings. I am an atheist and feel somehow offended when my entire life¿s purpose is related to God (this is the spiritual name I will stick with for now). In my view lies spirituality in our human ability to be in relationship with each other in a supportive and non-hurtful way. These are spiritual moments, to see someone truly in all of his/her glory, pain, joy, anxiousness, etc. The mere ability to connect with other human beings without false pretense, judgment, or separation gives me the feeling of a ¿spiritual awakening¿. Often the feeling of being listened to and understood or the ability to truly listen to someone in conversation can lead to this elated state of mind. Talk about God, Ego mind, Ego state, consciousness, etc. clouds in my view something very simple and this is humanness. In order to achieve this connection we can use far more down to earth tools instead of religious wisdoms, rules, or meditation practices. All this can sometimes lead away from the real life application of being able to relate to another human being.
This use of specified vocabulary falls into the second category of things that I find difficult about books that are written to awaken myself to the purpose of life. Such words (Ego, Inner Child, Ego mind, Oneness, Jesus, God, Buddha, Allah, beingness) create sometimes an entirely new vocabulary that is suddenly used by all insiders and alienates entire groups of people. It also seems to create some form of follower-ship that is separated from the world. I just think of some groups I have attended and we eventually spoke in terms that sounded similar to sect like talk.
So, my question is now, is this a book that is different to all the others or does it basically have the same message with new vocabulary?
What are your thoughts on the connection of spirituality and atheism?
First comes the notion of God and or other spiritual beings. I am an atheist and feel somehow offended when my entire life¿s purpose is related to God (this is the spiritual name I will stick with for now). In my view lies spirituality in our human ability to be in relationship with each other in a supportive and non-hurtful way. These are spiritual moments, to see someone truly in all of his/her glory, pain, joy, anxiousness, etc. The mere ability to connect with other human beings without false pretense, judgment, or separation gives me the feeling of a ¿spiritual awakening¿. Often the feeling of being listened to and understood or the ability to truly listen to someone in conversation can lead to this elated state of mind. Talk about God, Ego mind, Ego state, consciousness, etc. clouds in my view something very simple and this is humanness. In order to achieve this connection we can use far more down to earth tools instead of religious wisdoms, rules, or meditation practices. All this can sometimes lead away from the real life application of being able to relate to another human being.
This use of specified vocabulary falls into the second category of things that I find difficult about books that are written to awaken myself to the purpose of life. Such words (Ego, Inner Child, Ego mind, Oneness, Jesus, God, Buddha, Allah, beingness) create sometimes an entirely new vocabulary that is suddenly used by all insiders and alienates entire groups of people. It also seems to create some form of follower-ship that is separated from the world. I just think of some groups I have attended and we eventually spoke in terms that sounded similar to sect like talk.
So, my question is now, is this a book that is different to all the others or does it basically have the same message with new vocabulary?
What are your thoughts on the connection of spirituality and atheism?
Now that one deserves the Gold Medal!!!!
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