Spiritual materialism

Spiritual materialism is an attachment to the spiritual path as a solid accomplishment or possesion. Some people think it is the hardest to overcome. The imagery that is used is that of Golden Chains, and you love your golden chains because they're so beautiful and shiny. But you're not free. You're just trapped in a bigger and better trap. The point of spiritual practice is to become free, not to build a trap that may have the appeariance of a mansion but is still a prison. Ego is is constantly attempting to acguire and apply the teachings of spirituality for it's own benefit. We become skillful actors, and play deaf and dumb to the real meaning of the teachings, we find some comfort in pretending to follow the path.

Originally posted by buckky
Spiritual materialism is an attachment to the spiritual path as a solid accomplishment or possesion. Some people think it is the hardest to overcome. The imagery that is used is that of Golden Chains, and you love your golden chains because they're so beautiful and shiny. But you're not free. You're just trapped in a bigger and better trap. The point of spiri ...[text shortened]... to the real meaning of the teachings, we find some comfort in pretending to follow the path.

rec'd.

Originally posted by buckky
Spiritual materialism is an attachment to the spiritual path as a solid accomplishment or possesion. Some people think it is the hardest to overcome. The imagery that is used is that of Golden Chains, and you love your golden chains because they're so beautiful and shiny. But you're not free. You're just trapped in a bigger and better trap. The point of spiri ...[text shortened]... to the real meaning of the teachings, we find some comfort in pretending to follow the path.

Yes, at this stage people's dharma's must be dealt with one by one, each case individually.
For some a 'new golden chain', is just what is required, for others not.

Originally posted by buckky
Spiritual materialism is an attachment to the spiritual path as a solid accomplishment or possesion. Some people think it is the hardest to overcome. The imagery that is used is that of Golden Chains, and you love your golden chains because they're so beautiful and shiny. But you're not free. You're just trapped in a bigger and better trap. The point of spiri to the real meaning of the teachings, we find some comfort in pretending to follow the path.

Exactly true....................

But real spiritualiy demand the the student to follow and practice the 4 pillars of religious life namely

1. no meat eating.

2. no illicit sex.

3. no gambling and speculation.

4. no intoxication or drugs.

When these so called spiritualist with their golden chains are presented with these 4 pillars as the basic requirements to begin their spiritual life................you cannot see them for the dust of their heels when they run away and hide.

And these 4 pillars are only the beginning - which without you have no spiritual life.

Originally posted by Dasa
Exactly true....................

But real spiritualiy demand the the student to follow and practice the 4 pillars of religious life namely

1. no meat eating.

2. no illicit sex.

3. no gambling and speculation.

4. no intoxication or drugs.

When these so called spiritualist with their golden chains are presented with these 4 pillars as the basic ...[text shortened]... hide.

And these 4 pillars are only the beginning - which without you have no spiritual life.

Do you think 4 is enough?

Originally posted by Dasa
Exactly true....................

But real spiritualiy demand the the student to follow and practice the 4 pillars of religious life namely

1. no meat eating.

2. no illicit sex.

3. no gambling and speculation.

4. no intoxication or drugs.

When these so called spiritualist with their golden chains are presented with these 4 pillars as the basic ...[text shortened]... hide.

And these 4 pillars are only the beginning - which without you have no spiritual life.

So you could 'murder a child' and that would not be required as a 'pillar'?

Originally posted by Dasa
1. no meat eating.

2. no illicit sex.

3. no gambling and speculation.

4. no intoxication or drugs.

1. I don't think there is anything wrong with eating meat in terms of spirituality. I understand that you do and I respect your choice.

2. Sex, as far as I am concerned and in my own personal experience, is undoubtedly more of a spiritual thing than it is a physical thing. As humans we have this capacity and I reckon this sets us apart from the non-human inhabitants of the Earth. You have talked about your "distaste" for sex. I understand that this is in accordance with your beliefs and I respect your choice. However, you have great difficulty using words with their conventional meanings, so I have no interest in debating the definition of "illicit" with you.

3. I don't gamble. I don't borrow money. I don't see how either really have any spiritual connotations. One of the reasons I am not interested in religions and religionists' claims is because I see them all as codified speculation and wielded as alleged 'authority". I understand that you need to submit to an "authority" and I respect your choice to feel certain and "perfect" in your speculations.

4. I drink a little beer from time to time. I don't think there is any "spiritual" dimension to whether we drink beer or don't drink beer.

All four of the 'tenets' for "true spirituality" just sound like rules set to maintain a certain social order. You use the word "true" subjectively. I understand these four "rules" however, and I fully understand that you choose to obey them, and I respect your choice.

Originally posted by karoly aczel
Do you think 4 is enough?

Definitely not and this why I said its only the beginning.

Vedanta then goes on to explain in detail what is then required to advance in spiritual understanding giving many more instructions for guidance.

The 4 pillars are just the very basic requirements to begin with.

Originally posted by Dasa
2. no illicit sex.

What do you classify as illicit sex?

Originally posted by Dasa
Definitely not and this why I said its only the beginning.

Vedanta then goes on to explain in detail what is then required to advance in spiritual understanding giving many more instructions for guidance.

The 4 pillars are just the very basic requirements to begin with.

I would've thought not murduring another human a much greater "plillar" than not eating meat.

Originally posted by buckky
Spiritual materialism is an attachment to the spiritual path as a solid accomplishment or possesion. Some people think it is the hardest to overcome. The imagery that is used is that of Golden Chains, and you love your golden chains because they're so beautiful and shiny. But you're not free. You're just trapped in a bigger and better trap. The point of spiri ...[text shortened]... to the real meaning of the teachings, we find some comfort in pretending to follow the path.

Excellent,buckky ! You are very right there ! Any attachment--whether to good thoughts and deeds or to bad deeds or thoughts--will mean entrapment of the Soul. We must deliberate rid ourselves of all of our attachements if we are ever to be free.

Originally posted by rvsakhadeo
Excellent,buckky ! You are very right there ! Any attachment--whether to good thoughts and deeds or to bad deeds or thoughts--will mean entrapment of the Soul. We must deliberate rid ourselves of all of our attachements if we are ever to be free.

You would be even freer, if you killed yourself. That would guarantee that you would have no attachment to things of this world. But who wants that sort of freedom?

Why do you want to be free?

Originally posted by twhitehead
You would be even freer, if you killed yourself. That would guarantee that you would have no attachment to things of this world. But who wants that sort of freedom?

Why do you want to be free?

Why would you want to be in chains ? The contraction that is within all minds needs to be released for true freedom to be had.

Originally posted by buckky
Why would you want to be in chains ? The contraction that is within all minds needs to be released for true freedom to be had.

I ask again, why do you want this freedom. You seem to take it as a given that everybody wants it, but I really don't get it.

I don't feel like I am in chains. Do you?

Originally posted by divegeester
What do you classify as illicit sex?

Sex outside of marriage is illicit sex ...........and when married only sex for procreation.

Persons who have not raised their consciousness will have difficulty maintaining this requirement so one must become serious in their spiritual life.

Jesus said we cannot serve two masters.

Without being a serious student love of God will not develop.