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Ask HN: What is your spiritual practice?

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Re: Ask HN: What is your spiritual practice?

#631

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Raised Christian, became an atheist, then evaluated a bunch of religions for myself. Found Christianity to be the most historically and spiritually compelling but still didn’t believe. After feeling hollow and aimless for years I re-evaluated things, read about Jesus love for me. Really meditated on His perfect life, sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection. He died for me, in my place. It became personal. When I rea…

I've never understood what part of the crucifixion was a sacrifice. Jesus is literally a god. He knew he would end up on the cross before he even took on human form. He could have left at any time. He can return any time he wants. And how can his death on the cross be actually considered a death? If he was dead, are we to understand that for those few days there was no god overlooking all of creation? It seems to me…

Warning, I'm not a specialist in this. My only qualifications is that Christianity has made me happy and I have read and listened a lot.

> I've never understood what part of the crucifixion was a sacrifice. Jesus is literally a god. He knew he would end up on the cross before he even took on human form.

All the more agony. (See also below.)

> He could have left at any time.

Yep, but as far as I understand then it wouldn't have been valid. As far as I understand it seems he knew he had one chance.

My best explanation is he went to create a way for us and it wouldn't have been much worth if he did it in "cheat mode"?

> He can return any time he wants.

See above.

> And how can his death on the cross be actually considered a death?

True God and true human. According to the sources we have he suffered badly.

> If he was dead, are we to understand that for those few days there was no god overlooking all of creation?

According to the common translations Jesus prayed to God and speaks of himself as something else than God.

I'm not very knowledgeable in theoretical theology but this isn't controversial at all to most people who consider themselves Christian I think.

Also death is just the death of the body.

Re: Ask HN: What is your spiritual practice?

#632

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Strong atheism of the sort you profess is religious in my opinion. It may or may not be spiritual, depending on its flavour. You don't sound like a God hating atheist (which is definitely spiritual).

There is, frankly, no such thing as a "god hating atheist". Those two notions are incompatible. Consider, for example, how little you (probably) care about fairies. Are you a fairy hating afairist? You may find an Atheist that says something like "If god does exist, it's a dick". but that's not really hating god but rather pointing out the silliness of believing in a supernatural all powerful being that is good which…

A little off topic, but it's mesmerizing to me to see hordes of intelligent people, completely renouncing to reason and talking to imaginary entities.

Re: Ask HN: What is your spiritual practice?

#633

Throughout my day, I pray in three steps. First, gratitude, expressing my thanks for all that I have to be grateful for, all the gifts and blessings I've received. Second, asking for forgiveness for regrettable actions, which, if I look closely, I can always find, small or large. Third, I ask for help. I generally don't ask for specific things, but talk about general areas or people I want to help. I try make sure th…

I notice you didn’t mention any diety. Who or what are you praying to?

Re: Ask HN: What is your spiritual practice?

#634

Anyone have experience with psychedelic spirituality?

They have been my gateway to spirituality, whatever than means. I approach them the same way a Christian would approach Easter or Christmas or any other ritual. They are indeed a ritual which "happened to happen" to me. They are sacred under the only definition of sacred that I'm 100% comfortable with: that which keeps on giving regardless of how many times you have interfaced with it.

Re: Ask HN: What is your spiritual practice?

#636
Hey this is a great question, I would love to add my day to day practice, I am currently a missionary in New Zealand (from the USA):

Preface: I was raised a Christian and even continued to go to church long after doubting and even reversing my beliefs in God. I then, later on in life, realized I had made a grievous error and my current life is a result of a path through Stoicism, Humanism and ultimately Hedonism. My story on how I came out of darkness into light is another one and feel free to email/message me if you want (www.titusblair.com)...

Now for the day-to-day bit:

After Waking Up:

I normally wake up in the morning and I am tempted to read email, read the web etc. My goal is always to read or listen to the Bible, particularly the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke + Acts, John) and when I am successful at this my day tends to be better, more focused, less stress.

Before Breakfast:

A few years ago I took to hear Jesus words that He is the bread of life and decided to never eat until I read the Gospels with my family. I have found this to be a great time with family discussing topics of morality, nature of evil, heaven, hell, and most importantly the reason we are here on this planet.

After Breakfast:

My wife home schools our children and this is when I set out to go share the Good News of Jesus. Granted it's not an exact science since God is always working in my life and I never know who I will meet or what will happen but I have a mindset of "What will God have me do today?" and this is quite exciting for me.

I believe my core purpose as a missionary is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world and do this through the LOVE demonstrated by God. I focus on the fact that Jesus was a real person and ultimately the issue boils down to did He rise from the dead or not, and this is where I try to focus my attention, on his death and resurrection and also his teachings and life.

So recently I have ran some Facebook ads to find those who are struggling or have needs or have friends who have needs. I have been able to go and help them through God's providence for me and my family and demonstrate God's love for them.

I do not require anything from the, for example attend a church, give money, give a commitment, etc. I simply extend to them the opportunity to learn about Jesus if they are interested.

My ultimate goal as missionary here in New Zealand is to share the love of God with everyone and that love is Jesus Christ, his life, his teaching, his death and ultimately his resurrection and eternal life and purpose for living on this planet.

I have a small home church where we focus on the model of the early church in Acts 2:42-47

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

The focus is to love others the way Jesus loved us, He gave everything so that we could be right with God in how we live and love, and He lived it out himself.

A part of "church" is after we finish we go out and show God's love to the local community. Whether thats through encouraging cards we hand out, gift cards to those working hard to take care of themselves and others or praying and singing and bringing joy and light to those around us. I have found this to be the most fulfilling thing I have ever done! I have had successful startups, mobile apps, etc. but nothing has been as amazing as focusing on the souls of people.

After going out and talking to people, serving people I will go back home and spend time with family as they finish home schooling. I will always feel like there is more I can do and more I can love others and this drives me for the next day. I consider my mission to extend a hand of love in those who are drowning in depression, darkness, and despair because I used to be there myself! Only when I looked to Jesus, grabbed His hand and He pulled me out then told me to go and do the same to others did I truly become whole and at peace.

At the end of the day I will try (many times without success lol) to listen to or watch the Gospels to be reminded of how amazing God is and I will also pray.

I hope this helps explain a bit about my day-to-day but I have found with God there is not exact day to day, only a struggle to love others more, to love and live like Jesus and when I do this I find it to be amazing, because then I find I walk closer to God and that is a journey I would hope everyone will take.

For those who have made comments about the "religion" of Christianity I would encourage you to take another look at Jesus. I find most I talk to have an issue with the "church/religion of Christianity" but few have issues with the life, teachings and sacrifice of Jesus. When people say they fell away from church/religion I simply ask "but why did you stop following Jesus" and I discover they never truly knew who Jesus was...

I want to conclude with telling you that from my own experience that God loves you, He showed you how to LIVE and LOVE in His Son Jesus Christ all you have to do is follow Jesus.

1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin..."

God Bless You!

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at hello@titusblair.com

Re: Ask HN: What is your spiritual practice?

#637
post #388

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It certainly doesnt mean believing in nothing.

One can “believe in nothing” and still have “spiritual” experiences, for example the experience of observing a beautiful sunset… or perhaps the feeling we get when acknowledging that we are made from stars and will one day return to them. You can argue that this isn’t true spirituality, but I think the way neurons fire during it is the same way a spiritual person’s neurons fire when having their own moments.

This is the meat puppet definition of humanity. We are not the meat puppet.

The experience happens outside of the meat puppet.

It is your belief in the reality of your body and your mind that prevents you from realizing the full potential of those “spiritual” experiences.

Those experiences will have little impact if the belief in them is lacking.

It is not that those experiences are more real, it is that they are no less real than what you call reality.

Re: Ask HN: What is your spiritual practice?

#638

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Raised Christian, became an atheist, then evaluated a bunch of religions for myself. Found Christianity to be the most historically and spiritually compelling but still didn’t believe. After feeling hollow and aimless for years I re-evaluated things, read about Jesus love for me. Really meditated on His perfect life, sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection. He died for me, in my place. It became personal. When I rea…

I've never understood what part of the crucifixion was a sacrifice. Jesus is literally a god. He knew he would end up on the cross before he even took on human form. He could have left at any time. He can return any time he wants. And how can his death on the cross be actually considered a death? If he was dead, are we to understand that for those few days there was no god overlooking all of creation? It seems to me…

God created Time and does not experience it as we do. There is a school of thought that says that, for God, all times are _now_ -- there is no difference between past, present or future. All are equally "present" to Him.

In this frame, the Crucifixion is happening _now_. Jesus, as a man, is suffering and dying at this very moment. As humans experience time, He always will be.

It seems to me that, for any entity, this eternal experience is a very significant sacrifice.

Re: Ask HN: What is your spiritual practice?

#639
post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Care to elaborate on the transformation? I'd love to hear more!

Of course. :) Zen meditation (as I practice) is one of the deeper ways of practice, and helps one to reflect and dig deeper into one's emotions and being. As a person who read early, and immediately started to tinker with computers and electronics, I was the different kid who bullied a lot, and it deformed me in a lot of ways. I was short tempered, introverted, scared and scarred without any self-esteem and self-wort…

Thanks for sharing!

Re: Ask HN: What is your spiritual practice?

#640
post #588

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've never understood what part of the crucifixion was a sacrifice. Jesus is literally a god. He knew he would end up on the cross before he even took on human form. He could have left at any time. He can return any time he wants. And how can his death on the cross be actually considered a death? If he was dead, are we to understand that for those few days there was no god overlooking all of creation? It seems to me…

> He knew he would end up on the cross before he even took on human form. He could have left at any time. He can return any time he wants. Is any of this actually a part of Christian canon? It's not clear to me that by describing Jesus as "God", we're meant to understand that he's omniscient (is Yahweh/"The Father" God even omniscient in Christian canon?) or omnipotent with respect to his human form.

> is Yahweh/"The Father" God even omniscient in Christian canon?

I think it is canon in all abrahamic religions, based on the fact that there's a ton of literature around how omniscience relates to free will (Boetius, Aquinas, Calvin etc).

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