26 Responses (3 Discussion Threads) to “How Can We Talk About Our Spiritual Experience?”

1. 

   Diane

   1

   19th October 2009

   Hi Evan!
   Great Post!
   I find it easy to talk to many about spirituality who actually practise any form of living in union with God. Most people come from respect and any difference in form of religion or spirtual practice is only leading to a greater understanding and deepening tolerance of differences and also building relationship towards similariteis almost simultaneously at times. But I do agree with you that some of the language and definations become more meaningful when you are in a discussion and actually are accurately on the same page as to the meaing of such virtues as kindness, or love, or peace. I hope you do more posts on this topic, Evan! Thanks! Diane
   • 

     Evan Hadkins

     1.1

     19th October 2009

     Hi Diane, I’m glad you liked the post. I don’t know if I have more to say on this topic, I’ll have a think about it and see.

     It’s great to hear that you are finding it easy to talk about spirituality with others. This is great to hear. Thanks for your comment.
2. 

   Marisol

   2

   20th October 2009

   I really liked this post. It made me think that I recently went through a very hard situation and I knew I’ve always found God in nature, but not until know I have confirmed that I dont feel conected with Him in a temple (or church), I see him in the sky and the mountains, sometimes in the face of humble and honest people. That is my way to connect with Him.
3. 

   Evan Hadkins

   3

   20th October 2009

   Thanks Marisol.

   I usually find God either through intense connection with others or something very introverted – like writing in my journal.

   Thanks for your comment.
4. 

   Kaushik

   4

   22nd October 2009

   Language is very dualistic–and people have their own concepts of spirituality means. I talk about if others ask me and it seems that happens more and more these days. An interesting thing that often happens when I talk about awareness or releasing is that there may be a neutral reaction at the time of the discussion but people will sometimes later, months later, bring it up again.

   Good thing to bring up–thanks.
5. 

   Evan Hadkins

   5

   22nd October 2009

   Hi Kaushik. The dualistic nature of language can be a tricky one I think. My view of unity is that it can be organic – an organism is a unity with differentiated parts.

   I hope we are talking more often about spirituality these days, I think we need to.

   Thanks for your comment. I like your blog by the way.
6. 

   Marie

   6

   22nd October 2009

   Hi, Evan -

   For me, I enjoy learning how others have come to find ways to be in communion with a higher power — that is how I learn ways to better my own relationship with God.

   However, I find it difficult to have that type of conversation when either of us is attached to “converting” the other to our way of seeing things. I find it much more helpful when the ideas are released freely with no attachment to when, how, by whom or if the information is used.

   - Marie (Coming Out of the Trees)
7. 

   Evan Hadkins

   7

   23rd October 2009

   Hi Marie,

   I too enjoy hearing about spiritual practices from others.

   Maybe I’m a bit more into conflict than you. I don’t mind someone trying to convert me to their way of doing things – as long as they are respectful of me and can say why they find their own position so compelling and what it has given them. Also if they are critiquing my position I want it to be an informed critique (I find it stunning how many people will critique Christianity without even having read the Bible, let alone any theology or Church History – needless to say, their criticism is usually mis-directed.) I find the, “That’s just what I think” position very annoying at times (it means the person doesn’t need to be clear at all in what they are saying – sometimes not even being able to say why they prefer their own position, and when their critique of my position is simply inaccurate – well, what is there to say? (nothing I think)).

   My hope is that we can listen to each other deeply about our experience(s). I think it is vital that we listen respectfully and supportively. And then I think we can critique and learn. I really think this has a place.

   I’m conscious that my position on this may be a minority one. Thanks for your comment.
8. 

   isabella mori

   8

   23rd October 2009

   very interesting and important topic! i think it goes beyond spirituality, even. anything in life that is important but not talked about very much lacks the lush nurturance of an easily used language that is supported everywhere it is spoken, and therefore makes it more difficult to deal with all around. an example that comes to mind is how easily bitchiness, competition and fashion are embedded in teenage television. it’s all over, and the word-language is supported by body language and images galore. the topic of eating disorders on the other hand – a topic very much on the mind of many teenage girls – has next to no words and images in comparison to that.
9. 

   Evan Hadkins

   9

   23rd October 2009

   Hi Isabella, a very good point, and a very relevant example. Thanks for your comment.
10. 

    Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk

    10

    24th October 2009

    People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the physical plane will have resonances within our own innermost being and reality….
    –Joseph Campbell in “The Power of Myth”

    I agree with you. For me spirituality is about experience not belief.

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