Originally posted by JS357
Is there a place in the human mind for an approach and view toward life that is both spiritual and existential? Or are there incompatibilities? If there are, what do you think they are? Are they due to differences between things that are not essential to either approach?
"Is there a place in the human mind for an approach and view toward life that is both spiritual and existential?"
No. At least I don't think so.
"Or are there incompatibilities?"
Does existence precede essence? Can we dismiss the cause of our existence and focus merely on existence?
"If there are, what do you think they are?"
Man and all that he is was first formed in the mind of God. Our existence, and all that we are, isn't based solely on the material. In fact, the material is a manifestation of the spiritual. Existentialism, as a philosophical system of belief, is primarily concerned with 'how' to live without consideration for the cause of life. By the disregard for the cause of life one is essentially a void searching for meaning in the existence of the material.
"Are they due to differences between things that are not essential to either approach?"
No. The differences are due to what becomes ones' focus when one seeks to discover the truth about ones' existence. Ironically, existentialism's' focus is on ones' own pursuit of meaning and purpose by self realisation, while spirituality, if the truth be known, is focused on the infinite Creator as the source of all knowledge and truth.
Kierkegaard, credited as the 'father of existentialism', is said to have been a Christian, but believed it wasn't possible to know and understand the Christ as the incarnation of God. I think existential thought and spiritual truth are at variance with each other in that the one believes spiritual truth cannot be known and therefore not useful for living, while the other is at the heart of existence altogether, without which life is just a puddle of mud one falls into by mere chance, and ends with no hope of redemption.