Re: Spiritual transcendence
Submitted by Gerald from New Zealand on July 30 1999 at 06:55:24
In reply to Spiritual transcendence Submitted by Heather on July 29 1999 at 22:45:44
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Dear Heather, Thank you so much for the above. In discussing transcendence I came across the difficulty that I had to learn to understand what the differnt steps were that I had to master. You say that "the Christian doctrine of letting go of worldly desire". Yes, that was the concept that I had grown up with, but that did not make any sense, until after a lot of meditation I suddenly understood that I had to quantify desire as: "I will not be happy until I have ....., a boat, a girlfiend, sex etc etc." It is not necessary to forsake all worldly goods, for the essence of desire has to do with one's spiritual wellbeing. On my own personal quest I had to work through the following issues; security - guilt - fear - anger - desire - expectations - jealousy - inner structures - and lastly sexuality. This took me at least eight years. I see these as basic steps on the path. Most of this I have found back by other spiritual teachers, but one might put more accent on one aspect than another might do. This depends on one's own conditioning that one has to work with. Another comment you make is this: "The disaster that befell the Christian Church was the revival of Aristotle and the development of a mechanistic worldview that could find no room in it for direct contact between God and man". I feel strange about that, as in my eyes the biggest disaster that befell the church was the council of Nicea under the guidence of Constantine, where the orthodox church was established. It was there that they lost the message. Aristotle is not to be blamed. That is like saying science limits the contact with God. I believe that all knowledge enhances the experience of God. Then you say: "...some Christians are beginning to take seriously again the view of the early Church that spiritual transcendence is common and not simply reserved for great saints. Alas, this viewpoint is still in the minority". I am very much of that opinion and I am trying to find people who know this as well. However you give me hope by saying that somewhere out there is a minority! That would mean that I am not alone! Lots of Love, Gerald |