Spirituality within everyday interaction

[Furny]

Hi guys, I have been looking into spirituality as a part of my studies, and I have a few questions that I hope you can offer some feed back on....

I am interested in looking at how people use meditation and prayer as a form of everyday interaction. By this I mean, would I be wrong to think that people get involved in such acts as a form of dealing with many things, in particular those of society? I understand that there is also a great personal significance for meditations and prayers, and I would find it very helpful for any examples or opinions you would like to share with me regards this.

Another topic of interest for me is alternative states of consciousness within religious experiences. Would anyone openly say that they have experienced an altered state of consciousness in the form of a religious or spiritual context? What implications would you believe such experiences held and how did they affect you in a personal, cultural, or social way?

Any feedback for the above areas would be much appreciated. Thank you very much

 

[Digit]

Heya, I can't comment on the alternate state of consciousness, as I don't think I have experienced anything like that, but in regards to prayer for example, any tough decisions, or issues that are bothering me I will offer up to the Lord in prayer. Sometimes I get a clear answer about something, and other times not, or at least not an answer I was expecting anyhow.

So, an example would be if I was unhappy in my job, then I would pray about it. I would be careful saying that people do this as a way of dealing with issues, as, for me at least, this is not true. I delt with issues way before I was a Christian, however by praying about them, I can be assured that my decision which is based on the answer, is the best decision for me, as God wants what is best for me. It took me a while to get to this stage, but it's an essential part of Christian life.

Digit

 

[ebia]

I am interested in looking at how people use meditation and prayer as a form of everyday interaction. By this I mean, would I be wrong to think that people get involved in such acts as a form of dealing with many things, in particular those of society? I understand that there is also a great personal significance for meditations and prayers, and I would find it very helpful for any examples or opinions you would like to share with me regards this.

I don't understand the question.

 

[ralangley]

Hi! I think I understand your question. I think you're trying to understand how spirituality in all its various forms enters into our daily lives.

As a former new ager, I frequently entered into a deliberate state of altered consciousness through mediation, trance-work, etc. When I became a Christian, my experience of all those activities changed. I found I no longer needed them to reach God, God could reach me much more easily through Jesus. However, the experience of transendence is the same. Being blessed by the Holy Spirit, and being in an altered state through mediation feel the same with one key difference. Experiences of the Holy Spirit are intense, but humbling, and you can't help but worship God. Altered states of consciousness through meditation or other means are intense, but self-exhalting. I always felt I was becoming more god-like. In comparing the two, I find more joy and fulfillment in worshiping God. Worshiping myself with all my flaws and ungodly qualities just made me feel empty.

Am I more spiritual now that I am a Christian? No. I was just as spiritual as a new ager. Just as then, I find God in my every day moments. I'm finding God even now. Only now I follow Jesus, and for me, it makes all the difference.

Hope this helps!

 

[Solidlyhere]

If I hear about a friend with Cancer, I will pray for her.
This helps me cope with the news.
I can hand the problem over to God (instead of me).
After all, I am not her Oncologist.
AND, it MIGHT actually help her chances to survive.
Prayer is a powerful tool.

Meditation (for me) was to quiet my racing mind.
I trained myself to sit still, and Let Go of the World for a few minutes.
This allowed me to realize that I can be Calm, even when events want to dictate otherwise.
In its time, it certainly served its purpose.
These days, I use my Faith to break the obsession of worry and frustration.
Let Go and let God calm my Life down.

Altered state of consciousness.
Each time I step into Church, I push myself in another way of thinking.
I am a praise machine.
With years of Practice, I attain this altered state most of the time.
My normal state is living in this Carnal World.
Altered, it is living in the Spiritual World.
It's good to DUMP this World for a few minutes.

 

[Rafael]

Prayer is communication with God, and the Old Testament saints would marvel that the God of this awesome creation cared enough to hear and consider, actually having respect for their prayers and supplications.
Meditation in the Bible is not to find what is within one's self, but to have the word of God become alive within one's life. The words of God are spirit and life to those who would actually hear them. Deep speaks unto the deep, and this is has nothing to do with the power of man to gain other than his ability to bow the knee and humbly submit to God in as much truth as one has to offer.

John 6:63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

 

[talitha]

I am interested in looking at how people use meditation and prayer as a form of everyday interaction. By this I mean, would I be wrong to think that people get involved in such acts as a form of dealing with many things, in particular those of society?

There is a saying that seven days without prayer makes one weak. I would agree with that. The Bible is pretty clear that apart from God we can do no good thing, so we need to "abide" in Him. There is a very good (and old, classic) book on this subject - and it's only 19 pages long as the deskjet prints (it's in public domain, don't worry).The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence. It might be a good thing to read this.... Not all who call themselves Christians, of course, make this kind of living their practice, but I daresay the most joyful do.

Another topic of interest for me is alternative states of consciousness within religious experiences. Would anyone openly say that they have experienced an altered state of consciousness in the form of a religious or spiritual context?

I have - on many occasions. I'm a "charismatic", and as such, I do not attempt to remove emotion and the supernatural from my spiritual experience. It's difficult to choose an example to give you. The first one that came to mind as I read your question was this.......

I was substitute-teaching, and the class I was in was an advanced math course. The kids were self-motivated, and I had nothing really to do, so I was reading and meditating upon a message written by a man whom I recognize as a prophet. As I reflected upon one passage, I had a vision that was super-imposed upon what I saw in the classroom around me, for lack of a better way to describe it. I was seeing two complete realities at the same time. The vision also included some auditory aspects, and I responded emotionally to it. It had an impact on me for quite some time after, because it contained - I believe - a message from God. Hearing from God feeds the believer and fuels the faith.

Another time I was in Mexico, after a street-outreach. A junkie followed us to the hotel, and we prayed for his deliverance and conversion. Long story short, our prayers were more than answered, and what I can only describe as the glory of God fell in the room. For several hours everyone in the room was under a weight of spiritual glory (I don't know how else to describe it) - we could not stand up straight, and it was hard to even move. We were in a state of awe and obescience before God, and it was very pleasing to the soul.

I am not sure how to answer this question:

What implications would you believe such experiences held and how did they affect you in a personal, cultural, or social way?

Could you elaborate on that question, if you want to know more from me?

If not, I suppose that is okay too.

blessings
tal