(February 6, 2014 at 4:53 pm)whateverist Wrote: Yeah, I have no trouble appropriating the word "sacred" from religion but I have no use for "spirituality". Of course it is descriptive of certain behaviors.
In general I see "spirituality" as the pursuit of something beyond our animal nature. It is a desire to regard life from a "Martian perspective" and to rise above the mundane. To my mind spirituality is essentially escapist toward matters of the heart and flesh.
It's a method to reduce suffering, and overcome physical hinderances or pain, and stay calm in the face of danger.
I survived a severe car accident last year, granulated my wrist, and have a nice 5" scar to prove it. The accident wasn't my fault, and I was forced off the road and left to die.
Long story short, I no longer fear death the way I once did, and the "Martian Perspective" really helped in the week trussed before surgery on my wrist (moving it was not a good feeling), when the pins and stitches were pulled, and in therapy after.
It's good to be able to place your self outside the animal, sometimes.
