Spirituality

How do you think spirituality plays into Albert Camus’ "The Stranger"?

Considering Mersault’s clear nihilistic view towards life, do you think he ever even wonders about whether there is a God? Do you see spirituality in other parts of the book?

The Stranger, The Outsider, (L’Étranger) (1942), by Albert Camus, is one of the most famous French novels of the twentieth century and is among the best literary expositions of the absurdity of human existence in an indifferent universe. Philosophically, it is an existential novel, despite Camus not considering himself an existentialist. The Stranger is Meursault, an alienated, anomic French man who kills a native Arab man in French Algiers. At his trial for murder, the prosecution describes him as a remorseless killer; he is convicted and awaits execution. In prison, Meursault accepts his fate, because it is his only true option; neither suicide, nor faith in God are options once he fully grasps the absurdity of the world in which he lives. The story occurs in Algiers, before the Second World War, a locale from Camus’s life.

http://www.bookrags.com/The_Stranger_%28…

http://www.bookrags.com/notes/str/

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/stranger/

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monk…

http://www.gradesaver.com/ClassicNotes/T…

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barr…

What sort of club could I create in school that has to do with religion or spirituality?

I like the topic of religion and spirituality and was wondering whether anyone has any ideas for me and if its even a good idea. someone already has a ‘free-thinkers’ club in my school which looks at things from a transcendentalist point of view. I want a club but something that won’t cause any conflict and can be rewarding.

A Freethinker’s club that’s transcendentalist? Wow, I can hardly think of anything that agrees less with free thought.

Anyway, to your question:

If you want to avoid conflict, you’ve chosen a subject remarkably inimical to your goal. If you make a Christian club, your Christians will do theological battle against themselves. If you make a more universally religious club, all of your religions will contend against all the others.

The only avenue for success I see is to make a club that discusses religion’s place in history and social science from a completely rationalist perspective—that is, the members don’t believe in the supernatural, just study those who do.

Otherwise, you’re inviting the conflict you want to avoid.

Is it a shame that there isn’t a Yahoo Questions category for religion and spirituality?

One where questions of religion and spirituality are actually asked and answered, instead of the same old tired sarcastic arguments lobbed back and forth.

Not that I don’t enjoy a bit of sarcasm every now & then.

Huh? There IS a "questions" category in R&S. The form and manner of the questions and answers are fairly liberal, subject to "Community Guidelines" and/or Yahoo "Terms of Service."

If you’re tired of the "same old tired sarcastic arguments lobbed back and forth," then I suggest that you cancel your account and find something else to do. Leave the rest of us alone to be as sarcastic as we want to be – theist and non-theist alike.

How do you define Spirituality? What does it mean to you if you don’t believe in God?

Spirituality is not Religion, so if you are an atheist and consider yourself spiritual, please tell me your views on it. NOT to argue, just wondering your opinion.

Well, I’m a Buddhist, and we have no concept of god. We generally seek enlightenment from within.

Do you think spirituality can provide complete philosophy of religion OR?

Do you think religion can provide complete philosophy of spirituality? OR anthing you want to add to help enlighten all of us?

Thanks so much for answering. Peace, Love and Blessings!

Philosophy is the beginning of religion and spirituality is the
flowering of religion.

What is spirituality and how is it different from religion?

I often hear people in recovery and rehab say they believe in spirituality but not religion. Isn’t religion spiritual? Why for instance is spirituality encouraged but religion is not?

Religion is dogma. Spirituality is the essence around which dogma grows. Dogma creates an us versus them mentality whereas spirituality unites around common beliefs and understandings

Spirituality Information – The Blind Man And The Elephant

“I want to clarify one important thing to you today” said my spiritual master…

“Dont confuse information with knowledge . What you see and hear everyday in the television,newspapers,or in chatting with your friends, colleagues and family members is information, opinions and perhaps even facts. But knowledge is something totally different. It is complete in itself. He went on to say ….

“Ordinary minds feed on Information. Extraordinary ones have thirst for Knowledge. Knowledge helps you gain mastery over life and allows you to completely dominate your own thinking process . Knowledge allows the greater force within you to manifest itself while Information forces the lower self within you to make merry. Knowledge triggers Big Time Ideas in You and faciliates immediate action while Information makes you sit at the fence and talk about the proceedings happening in the middle. I say to you this moment ,right now to step into the middle and watch the magic of life unfold for you. “

He then read to me one of the greatest poems….

John Godfrey Saxe’s version of The Blind Men and The Elephant

It was six men of Indostan To learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation Might satisfy his mind.

The First approached the Elephant, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: “God bless me! but the Elephant Is very like a wall!”

The Second, feeling of the tusk Cried, “Ho! what have we here, So very round and smooth and sharp? To me `tis mighty clear This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a spear!”

The Third approached the animal, And happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up he spake: “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a snake!”

The Fourth reached out an eager hand, And felt about the knee: “What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain,” quoth he; “‘Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a tree!”

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: “E’en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can, This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a fan!”

The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Than, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope. “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a rope!”

And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong!

Moral: So oft in theologic wars, The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant Not one of them has seen!

Vishwriter
http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/spirituality-information-the-blind-man-and-the-elephant-139117.html

What Sounds Enhance Your Feelings of Spirituality?

Are there any particular sounds that enhance your feelings of spirituality? What about specific pieces of music? Thanks for your thoughts!

Quietness.

Are the nature sound recordings music belonging to the New Age spirituality?

Question: I am listening to nature sound recordings on CDs : birdsong, river sound, ocean waves sound, sound of the rain forest while I try to think to nothing and relax. Does that mean I am practicing yoga?

Answer: No, it means you are listening to new age music

Is this true? Am I listening to music belonging to the New Age spirituality? If so, tell me, because I don’t like New Age spirituality. Please respect my likes and dislikes.

*sigh*

No, nature sounds are not "New Age". They’re NATURE SOUNDS. Nature sounds aren’t affiliated with a particular spiritual path.

If you enjoy it, it’s perfectly harmless and you shouldn’t worry any more about it.

What is spirituality, spirit, all other forms of the word?

Is it just a cover up for being religious. Cause religion tends to have a negative connotation attached to it. So tell me, what exactly is a spirit? Is it tangible, or feelings, something you feel? If so, that’s just neurological processes. Humans are just animals, with higher intelligence. Do only humans have spirits? Just tell me what a spirit is, and spirituality, what it means to be spiritual.

Spirituality as defined by the wisdom of Kabbalah is acquiring the quality of bestowal. Right now human beings function according to the quality of reception for themselves and only for themselves. As soon as a person reverses this quality and starts to give instead of receive that person starts to live and feel the spiritual world. I’m not talking about giving money, or anything material, i’m talking about the intention with which a person functions on a daily bases. A person who has achieved spirituality is in intention of bestowal at all times. There are very few souls in history of our world that have achieved spirituality, Adam, Abraham, the ARI, Baal HaSulam to name a few. These people are called Kabbalists. The interesting thing about humanity today is that we are being pushed towards a global spiritual awareness and existence. All of humanity must attain the quality of bestowal in order to continue to exist.

There is a great, free online class that starts next week that goes into a lot of detail about what it means to be spiritual, and what spirituality really is: http://www.kabbalah.info/course/lc/?utm_source=yahooanswers&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=lc-spring-2010

I hope that is helpful.