A spiritual manifesto.

[sophiaserpentia]

We the members of the human race demand spiritual teachings that:

1. Direct us towards compassionate action.
2. Nurture our psyches and spirits.
3. Heal the rifts within and between us.
4. Challenge us to think.
5. Push us to confront that which is unethical.
6. Exemplify that which is noble about humanity.
7. Can withstand the scrutiny of reason and experience.
8. Drive us from complacency and guide us as we become more than we already are.

Comments

[archanglrobriel.livejournal.com]

Amen and Amen.

[tkeana.livejournal.com]

What do you think of Conversations with God and A Course in Miracles?

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

I've only read a little bit of Conversations With God. It seemed to have some good stuff, but I thought that the author attributed a tone to God that "speaks down to you" and that kind of put me off a little. Maybe I haven't read enough to judge it fairly.

A Course in Miracles has a lot of stuff that really resonates with me -- it is fairly close to Gnosticism actually -- but what I can't agree with in it is the idea that material reality is purely a dream or illusion. That just doesn't match my experience. Also I get the sense that a lot of ACIMers have a tendency to praise Helen Shucman (sp?) a little too highly.

Just my thoughts. Don't let my impressions sway you if those materials have been helpful to you. Not everything works for everybody (which is one of the hidden pitfalls in my demands).

[alobar.livejournal.com]

Seems to me that the act of labeling something as a "spiritual teaching" is in itself not a good idea because many will start claiming the teaching is "from" someone or someplace other than just some good ideas from one or more (very fallible) human(s). The problem (imo) with spirituality is that humans say some teaching speaks the word of God & demand all of it be accepted literally. If you or I say some things which are good ideqas & they propagate, there is a chance humanity might be positively effected. But if somewheres along the line one of us gets labeled as a prophet from God, then all our stupid half-baked ideas get propagated too, and that just destroys any possible good our greeat ideas might have.

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

I agree completely! Heartily, in spades. Very good point.