tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post7147201744968824732..comments2024-03-29T10:24:20.171+00:00Comments on Bruce Charlton's Notions: Should Christians have spiritual experiences? What if they don't?Bruce Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-38060629603826551052019-10-09T22:48:23.353+01:002019-10-09T22:48:23.353+01:00Yes I agree.
When I say I’m not endogenous, I me...Yes I agree. <br /><br />When I say I’m not endogenous, I mean I sometimes I feel like a faker. I had the benefit of having a brother just older than me who was very intelligent and endogenous. I always looked up to him, but of course he had quite a lot of trouble in school etc. In our adult years, he’s been quite mentoring to me, and I’ve really benefitted from his insights, and of course I try to think like he does, endogenously. <br /><br />But I know it is not the same for me. I’m coming from the other direction, trying to forget my social concerns, always running the risk of trying to LOOK smart, intelligent, and independent-minded. What I like about interactions as a mother with her children is that the vanity of social concerns is pretty minimal between us, which allows for a more natural exploration of personal insight, just like you describe. Lucindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01834799557675879450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-89393968385912287142019-10-08T21:38:21.468+01:002019-10-08T21:38:21.468+01:00@Lucinda - I think the highest exaltation is (in p...@Lucinda - I think the highest exaltation is (in part) about becoming endogenous - each in our own unique way; and thereby participating in the work of creation. Raising children can, perhaps should, be endogenous too - at times - You know, those unplanned and unpredictable moments of intensity, mind-to-mind contact, shared activity, perfect appreciation (that we remember ever after). <br /><br />Of course, in this mortal life of learning, nobody operates at this endogenous level consistently - presumably because we are meant primarily to learn-from such experiences, rather than (as later) have them as our way-of-life. Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-49684340246571971692019-10-08T14:33:24.364+01:002019-10-08T14:33:24.364+01:00For me, an important thing provided externally is ...For me, an important thing provided externally is something to assess and judge with spiritual eyes. For instance this post feels like something true and important. The other day I was looking something up online, having to do with psychology and relationships, and I clearly felt, “This is garbage and a waste of time.”<br /><br />Many seem to think that non-judgmentalism is the desired highest state of spirituality, and I think there’s something to that since the most spiritual people seem to develop a sort of material detachment, like Tom Bombadil. But ultimately it’s a mistake to think of it in terms of non-judgmentalism. It’s better described in terms you have said, of taking your place as a being among beings, some things having very little to do with you, while other times there is an important synchronicity, miracle, spiritual experience that is vital to recognize and build on. <br /><br />For me, an important inspiration and motivation from others who are more spiritually adept is imagination, opening a view, because I am not endogenous. Lucindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01834799557675879450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-78150432851119714582019-10-08T14:22:04.462+01:002019-10-08T14:22:04.462+01:00My own experience is that one is on a sort of roll...My own experience is that one is on a sort of roller-coaster ride in practicing religion. The wonderful Presence that brings with it joy, peace, knowledge and deep insight fades into memory and then I am left alone once again to deal with the world. The revelation serves to stiffen the spine in living among so much ignorance (much of it my own). The "dry" periods vary in length from days to months but at the end there is (so far) always a new ushering back into that Presence and often a review of what has been experienced and how handled. But always there is a deep and abiding love that deepens faith, gives hope and assurance that, no matter how dark it might seem to be in the end all will be well. <br /><br />And I add that I find that persons who have not experienced these often have faith in a degree that I have not possessed. Those who wait patiently and humbly on Our Father will, I know, receive Him and rejoice. <br /><br />Desert Rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11985993848922650013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-69994778755924848542019-10-08T11:52:45.845+01:002019-10-08T11:52:45.845+01:00@MT -
Yes, everybody is truly different, from et...@MT - <br /><br />Yes, everybody is truly different, from eternity; so there would be no reason to expect that all people would be identical in this respect. But, as Blake Ostler clearly shows in the linked interview; this is something each needs to do for himself. <br /><br />A spiritual adept cannot do it for someone who is not naturally adept. Secondhand is qualitatively inferior to first hand. The most another person can do is provide inspiration or motivation - can (if trusted) show that it is possible. <br /><br />Not to have spiritual experiences is analogous to (and sometimes related to) getting stuck in the adolescence of consciousness. We should reject that spiritual blindness or insensitivity is analogous to being 'grown-up'. Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-88931178949383646812019-10-08T10:52:41.371+01:002019-10-08T10:52:41.371+01:00And of course it may go without saying that some p...And of course it may go without saying that some people are genetically receptive to such things, just as some people are colour-blind, autistic and poor judges of others' emotions, etc. But no reason to give up!Matthew Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10705518098650594541noreply@blogger.com