What are the benefits of being spiritual?

[Dargor]

Originally Posted by shadedragon

Hmm, there are many aspects of spirituality, and depending on what you would like to know, there are different things that will occur or that you'll learn. Some of us have become quite loving and open due to our experiences and the knowledge we have acquired. Some of us have come to terms with ourselves, other of us have gathered a toolbox over time to assist us in whatever situation we happen upon.

One of your posts mentioned here in this thread had spoken on not seeing the world as a reflection of yourself but instead yourself as a reflection of the world you experienced. Both are correct in a way. Your own behaviors are your choice, and they tend to go along with the behaviors you learned through experience, those people treating you that way also learned it through experience and passed it on, you being a reflection of that knowledge and experience your life gave you. The people who respond to that behavior are who you interact with for more than a brief moment, enforcing this, and us reinforcing this to them as well. We notice things that are most like ourselves, and tend to surround us in such. The other parts that we notice are that which we do not understand and/or that which is unlike us. We tend to avoid such things and thus never fully understand either side. An overly friendly stranger to you may seem manipulative, or easily manipulated, you may smile and wave back, but you'll move forward shortly after and will be forgotten oftentimes. What you think, grows.

I myself became overly loving because I found that as I shared that love, I attracted many positive things in my life. When I was overly critical, I allowed myself to be influenced by other critical people, and moslt yinteractwd with them because it was those people I resonated with. When I was in my artistic phase, I would be drawing in public and around others, and those people would step forward from the dark and be curious, allowing an interaction to occur that otherwise would've never happened. While I was researching spirituality initially long ago, some people bumped into my notes. Those unfamiliar, paid no heed and carried on. Those who recognized them, would strike up a conversation.

An old friend of mine used to wear all the things she liked on her buttons on her backpack in college. When we would sit in the cafe, some people would approach and mention one and we'd all have a new friend to chat with about the subject. Those who had no interest in any, moved on, and those who may have had interest in some, may have been to shy to say anything. More often than not though she found many new friendly folk looking for people to talk about those things.

Like going fishing with specified bait to catch certain fish. If people put out just a hook and expect fish to take it, you are more likely to catch things you don't want (twigs/seaweed/random stuff that just catches on the hook. If people throw out a hook with good general bait, they will get something a bit random, the randomness controlled by where you fish. You won't catch a animal activist in a puppy mill except to protest it, you won't find many hunters in vegan meetings.

People's behaviors and who/where/how thet spend their time is similar to a moth to a flame, but what that flame is/what they are drawn to, is determined by that person. People drawn to the same flame will see each other and interact much more than those drawn to other flames. They will build each other up, or tear each other down depending on the flame drawn to.

Hopefully I worded things well enough there to make sense. You don't need to love yourself to explore this subject or gain something from it, but here you can find a way to, if you so choose/want/need.

Also, the subject is diverse enough for anyone imo, though from what I hear from your initial post, you might want to explore manifestation and visualization, and how the law of attraction works. there's a lot to spirituality, take things with a grain of salt and keep an eye out for what you need, the universe will send a lot and will keep on sending so long as you keep asking, just pause when you find what you are looking for to make sure you catch it before it continues on. The more clear you are about what you want, the easier it is to find what you need.

Anyways, sorry for the long post, found myself rambling toward the end and tried to wrap it up xD

Thanks for you reply. I don't even know how and where to get started yet, as I lack any form of guidance. But I'll remember your words and see what I can do. btw don't worry about your post being too long, lol.

[Dargor]

Originally Posted by Greenslade

Okay, to keep it simple it seems as though you're dancing around the real issue. I've looked through some of the answers given and quite honestly, it makes me wonder. Pretty much all of them have been - IMHO - attributed to Spirituality and are not because of. Spirituality doesn't give anybody anything. It might bring something out that you didn't know you had, it might point you in the right direction or you'll find people who can help. But it doesn't give you anything you don't already have or you can't find for yourself.

Attributing Spirituality as being some kind of saviour isn't clever, it's giving away your authenticity.

Be honest with yourself, it's usually the first step in doing something about it. It's been said that religion is for those at are afraid of going to hell and Spirituality is for those that have been there. I would think that more people have turned to Spirituality because of their issues than most would imagine. Me included.

In ways you wouldn't believe, but as Gandhi said, "You have to be the changes you want to see."


The two Journeys are one and the same, and seeing as how you don't like airy-fairy Spirituality there is no Journey. The past is memory and the future is anticipation, now is all that exists. Journey also implies an ending but the only conclusions are the ones we come to. There's a kind of freedom in being able to navigate a number of perspectives.

Do yourself a favour and forget all this Past Life stuff, putting more dust on top isn't going to help. And that kind of Karma is a misconception - who is judging what is good or bad? If you're going to do Past Life then do it properly or not at all, anything else is dangerous.

You have Free Will so while you know yourself enough to say that you wouldn't get yourself into trouble here you are just the same. Or is there no Free Will? You are able to deal with the trouble because here you are trying to find a way out of it. And that's the question you're looking for. The Universe doesn't give us any more than we can handle so before we're getting it we can deal with it. It might not be sunshine and roses but you've got to earn those.

The Universe is a reflection of you, not the other way around and when you resolve your contradictions the Universe won't be contradictory any more.

How do you get out of it, this prolonged dark night of the Soul? How do you start Loving yourself? Where do you find what you need? Or pick another, but make sure it's a good one and it's relevant because if not your answers won't be either.

Well what can I say... I find it hard to agree with a few things you said because of the fact my life looks different than yours and so is my personal experience, but I will try to keep in mind what you said and see what it will do to me when push comes to shove. Either way, thanks for your reply.

[shadedragon]

Originally Posted by SlayerOfLight

Thanks for you reply. I don't even know how and where to get started yet, as I lack any form of guidance. But I'll remember your words and see what I can do. btw don't worry about your post being too long, lol.

I'm glad if anything there was able to help.
Also, in reviewing my half asleep post, where I put what you think, grows I had intended it to be what you feed, grows but couldn't find the words lol, but both are accurate.

If there is something to say on this forum's community is that there are plenty of people here, so if you have questions or know where you want to go just need to find the way, feel free to ask, and those who have answers or help or links will usually swing by.
If you are looking for information on the law of attraction, you can always filter through the section of this forum for it or the manifestation one to find answers, and there's also a number of books on the subject. I enjoyed The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, from what I recall her explanations and applications were solid of how to use law of attraction, and she had a few books in that series I enjoyed, The Magic was my favorite, though like any other book, you have to take from it what you want. The practices in those books worked out quite effectively for me so far when I needed them. I believe The Secret also has a free documentary put out on it but from what I recall was effectively the book, voiced fairly well with some pictures and nice artwork, but it's been a bit too long to confirm that's all that it was/that is was those things precisely. If you don't enjoy those I'm sure there are plenty of other websites or books that contain the information.

As always, take what you read with a grain of salt and best of wishes on your journey.

[shivatar]

Originally Posted by SlayerOfLight

After researching some stuff I came to realise I MAY have had several notable signs of what is called ''spiritual awakening''. However, I don't see the benefits of becomming spiritual. What will I get and how would it help bringing me closer to my dream(s) in life? I don't see how anything would become any better, and I care little about developing special powers like seeing auras and things like that. But above all, I absolutely do NOT want to become some hardcore New Age hippy (no offense meant to any New Agers) who loves everything and everyone for no reason and thinks he is one with this messed up world and it's bunch of loathful inhabitants. Is this really the only kind of spiritual path that is available?

Many people who build their spiritual connection are people who feel they have no choice. It's called the sacred wound. A wound so deep a grievous that a connection to a higher power is the only thing that is enough to restore their will to live. One of the first benefits of spirituality that I noticed was purpose. I felt invincible and immortal, empowered by a force so great that it defies description, and all I wanted to do was help the world with every thing I had. When other people were my purpose I felt on top of the world, when I put my self as my top purpose I fell back to what I consider mundane consciousness. It's still pretty kickass compared to the regular joe, but compared to what I've experienced I feel like I'm a walking shadow. I'm always trying to get back to that place.

Before my spiritual journey began I used to be in pain all the time. Constant pain, dissociation, repression, denial, depression, anger, sadness. It was unbearable. I became detached from my emotions. I burned every relationship I could. Hurt everyone I could.

At some point I just couldn't take it anymore. I didn't want to live anymore, I didn't want to be me. When I turned to spirituality I dove in head first and I got a lot of the best benefits of spirituality right from the beginning.


Now to answer some of your questions.
What will I get and how would it help bringing me closer to my dream(s) in life?

What will you get... Hmmn that is a hard question. Could be a lot of things. One thing I've noticed with spirituality is there are very few gurantees, but in general the more work you put in the more reward you get out.

Some things you could begin to experience.
Long lasting self-love. Emotional freedom, the ability to feel emotions as they arise instead of repress. Emotional regulation, the ability to choose what you want to feel. Mental clarity. If your mind is a lake, the waves (thoughts) will calm and you will be able to see deep deep into your self. With enough mental clarity, a person can look right past their mind and into their own heart, soul, identity. All the way up to the divine self. A change in perspective. A desire to do things differently than you have always been doing them. A desire to improve your life in all forms, relationships, career/job, physical health, mental health, spirituality.

You'll get what you want at the soul level, whatever that may be. More lessons to learn, more pain, perhaps a limited form of heaven (a 3-4 month period where you feel constant bliss better than the best drugs. and believe me, it's real, I've felt it before and I've done a lot of drugs. None compare to the spiritual high. Read some books, it's in there. Read about the indescribable bliss, it's real. (and really rare! it's a prize for the hardest working I believe. I got it after vowing to give my life, it faded when I became attached to my own life again).

Bruh, spiritual powers are pretty awesome. You have no idea how deep the rabbit hole goes. There are powers so awesome and rare that you've never heard of them. The ability to travel to different universes. Sound cool? The ability to meet God. Sound cool?


But above all, I absolutely do NOT want to become some hardcore New Age hippy (no offense meant to any New Agers) who loves everything and everyone for no reason and thinks he is one with this messed up world and it's bunch of loathful inhabitants. Is this really the only kind of spiritual path that is available?

You have no idea of the joy, peace, happiness, serenity, etc, that comes from loving everything and everyone for no reason. Honestly it's like God made a map to heaven and all the directions include "love for no reason".

It's not the only spiritual path available but it's easily one of the best ones.

I once found a way to turn hatred into love. It was a kind of loophole that allowed me to reach very high levels of consciousness while still holding unto my pain and anger.

Eventually it just became too difficult and I fell back down. These days I don't even try with all that complex stuff. Loving for no reason is a lot easier.


I really wish I could have a 1-2 hour conversation with you on this topic because I have a lot of experience and knowledge to share.

[shivatar]

The vow I made.

For a world I hate, who give me nothing I want and everything I don't want, I give my life. I'll use what I have in abundance, anger, and I'll use my anger as fuel and work myself to an early death.

(my thinking something like, "that way my anger doesn't hurt others, and I get to leave earth which is what I want.")

I've analyzed these words for years and some things I've noticed are.

1. 100% Determination. I really meant what I said, I was feeling suicidal at the time and sacrifice for others felt like a win-win. I wouldn't have to worry about hell and eternal damnation, and others would get what they always wanted, me and all my energy.

2. purity of intention. I only wanted to give up honorably, I didn't want anything in return for my sacrifice
I haven't shared this vow with many people because I believe purity of intent is part of what makes it work, so in telling other people what to say and what happens I'm essentially taking away their purity of intent.

3. Use everything. I had to make use of everything I had, including all the anger and pain. If I was a more compassionate and loving person perhaps my vow of service and sacrifice would be more centered on how I can use my compassion to serve the world. Everything must be used, even what's seen as negative or evil by some.


Another important part of purity of intention is the no reason part. (in my vow I sacrifice for a world I hate. It makes no sense, I'm doing something for them but for no reason at all, I'm doing it because it's who I am at the core)

It's like, when we do something for no reason, the only possible answer is we did it because that's who we are.

It's like, when we do something for a reason, or ego attaches to the reason and we identify as the reason. We go to work for money, (the purpose of work is money) and so we identify as greedy. Perhaps we identify as corporate slaves, as workaholics, as providers for our family. We always identify with the purpose. When we do something for no reason (a purposeless act. an act of true altruism. we identify with our divine self.)

Doing a good deed for no reason is to acknowledge that you are divine. When a person realizes that they can step out of the way, they can lower their ego, and they will constantly do acts of goodness, kindness, and divinity, they will experience that state for longer and longer periods of time. they will begin to feel as if they are in heaven.

[baro-san]

Originally Posted by SlayerOfLight

After researching some stuff I came to realise I MAY have had several notable signs of what is called ''spiritual awakening''. However, I don't see the benefits of becomming spiritual. What will I get and how would it help bringing me closer to my dream(s) in life? I don't see how anything would become any better, and I care little about developing special powers like seeing auras and things like that. But above all, I absolutely do NOT want to become some hardcore New Age hippy (no offense meant to any New Agers) who loves everything and everyone for no reason and thinks he is one with this messed up world and it's bunch of loathful inhabitants. Is this really the only kind of spiritual path that is available?

In my opinon, your thinking is Earth-centric. It should be soul-centric. Your earthly life isn't a purpose in itself, it is an experience you needed to have, nothing less, nothing more. If you waste it, you'll do it again and again until you get it, like in Groundhog Day.

Originally Posted by SlayerOfLight

Well what can I say... I find it hard to agree with a few things you said because of the fact my life looks different than yours and so is my personal experience, but I will try to keep in mind what you said and see what it will do to me when push comes to shove. Either way, thanks for your reply.

The way you look at it is different, and all you see is all you look at but there's always something else. Deep down none of us are so far apart after all, you just need to know where to look.

Go ahead, get it all off your chest and have done with it.