What are the spiritual aspects of being alive?

[mia]

I think of this place as minds coming together. The internet is good for that. Wish I could add more.

[Mariana]

1. First, let's agree on a defintion of "spiritual aspect".

Spiritual is one of those words that can mean very different things to different people.

What do you mean by "spiritual aspect"?

[mia]

3. I would like to define it in non-religious terms, but don't know how.

Mind/body?
Sensory/intuitive?

What do you know about this?

[Mariana]

12. I don't know either.

I don't believe there is such a thing as soul or spirit that exists separately from the physical body and brain. It could be an interesting idea to consider, but first I have to know what it is I'm considering. Does that make sense?

Being alive is what organisms do, right up until the moment they stop doing it and die.

[guillaumeb]

2. Recommended.

[MineralMan]

4. The word, to me, is undefined.

Spirits seem to be some sort of non-physical phenomena. So, I tend to reject the idea of spirituality based on that linguistic connection.

I'd rather have a humanistic term in its place that identifies the connection between humans and other creatures and nature itself. I simply cannot discuss the concepts of spiritual things. A different word is needed for clarity, I think.

Naturalism, perhaps.

[mia]

5. Naturalism.

Don't know much about it, except that, intuitively, it must have something to do with a connection to observable nature. Thinking of this is astounding all by itself.

[MineralMan]

7. I don't know, but a new word is needed.

For me, at least, it is.

[Heddi]

6. the point of being alive is to live and to reproduce. THat's really it

What we do beyond that is of our own making, imo.

I choose to do what I can to make the planet a betterish place. I'm not perfect, and I don't claim to be. I make the best decisions I can with the info I have at hand. I'm an RN, as is my husband, so we're out there helping people. We're child free by about 90% choice and 10% probably nature but we've never really tried it out for sure so we're not polluting the planet with unsustainable mouths. Our patients are the forgotten ones, and I do what I can to make my impact on their lives meaningful.

But that's not any reason for me being here. That's not why nature put me here. I'm here because of egg + sperm, which is why any of us are here. No different from a virus -- to propagate and further the genetic code. I've attached my own meaning to my purpose but in the end, when the sun dies and we're engulfed it won't make a tinker's damn worth of difference.

[mia]

8. In the end, that's the best that we can all do.

Thank you for your reply.

[trotsky]

9. What are the things that bring "spiritual" enjoyment?

Everyone's going to have different things, but what are the most common? Probably sex and eating. Tends to reinforce what Heddi said above!

[mia]

10. Yes, "Everyone's going to have different things...."

Yesterday it was the sound of my grandson chattering away about his day at school. He suddenly asked: "Mema, do you think I talk to much?" I told him that I loved hearing his voice.

The joy that he brings to my life is a spiritual experience.


Here's an interesting essay on the subject:

The Varieties of Transcendent Experience

http://www.philosophyforlife.org/the-varieties-of-transcendent-experience/

[trotsky]

14. Enjoying one's social group and family.

Also tied to the perpetuation of life.

[marylandblue]

11. I would use the term "existential"

What are the things that bring meaning and purpose to your life and help you find your place in Existence or Being.

[nil desperandum]

13. Interesting

concept, for me I think in terms of what makes us what we are...basically atoms being driven into larger forms to create the necessary tissues to bring us to life.

Matter doesn't disappear, so technically what we are made of never really disappears it merely takes on other forms. The stuff of life being that matter configured for the moment as our self.

How does that matter interact with the universe? When our brain dissipates into other forms of matter does any of what we were remain in that matter as it becomes something else?

I don't often think spiritually but as I've commented elsewhere when I'm sailing these days and the sun sets on the ocean and it's on fire from the oranges and yellows of the sun sparkling on the water I think of how are we all connected to this matter, these atoms the core of what makes us, well us...

I can see how some prefer a spiritual aspect to those contemplations, it makes for a more comforting parameter than a mere joke of cosmic chemistry as a basis for existence.