The spiritual battlefield

a reply to: midicon

I would fancy those unfortunates who can't say Jesus have already bought into the whole religious mindset.

Good you can type Jesus at least. They have bought into evil, has a few tricks but limited in scope.

Anyway, let me ask what the word spiritual means to you.

I don't know if Jesus really lived or not or how exactly close it is to what happened. I don't like how communion is like cannibalisms, drink his blood and eat his flesh. It's not really him being wine and bread. It is good in how it makes me think of him and what he stood for. The sacrifice he made in getting a lot of crap for trying to do the right thing.

How the legacy of these stories have evolved over time and shaped out future has helped build the amazing technology and civilization we have today. When Rome conquered the world they took the bible with them. This guide helped them win the hearts and minds of where they went. From there things continued as the Bible became the #1 Best seller across the ages.

Spiritual is something bigger than us, but we are a part of it.

a reply to: kwaka

I have already explained my position on the word Jesus. Having done that why would I not be able to type it?

I ask you what the word spiritual means to you and you reply, something bigger than us?

That isn't an answer. It's a deflection. It's in the title 'spiritual battlefield', so it's a reasonable question.

Perhaps you don't know but you should at least have some sort of personal view if you are going to use the word.

a reply to: midicon

That isn't an answer. It's a deflection. It's in the title 'spiritual battlefield', so it's a reasonable question.

It is. In that context it is about the fight between good and bad. I know I am not perfect, made mistakes, done dumb and bad stuff in the past. Not as serious as some have gone, but still crossed lines at times. I cannot change the past so just have to live with it. For myself, this is not the kind of person I want to be. So I acknowledge my mistake which is to repent and try not to do that again. Sometimes it easy, sometimes its hard.

With so much still unknown about how life and the universe exactly operates, I don't know all there is about the spirit. I do know it achieve some amazing things at times, good and bad. Is it that tiny spark of awareness or something bigger as out actions ripple away like waves in a pond.

When it comes to my time to die, I want to be able to look back and be satisficed that I done what I could. I know I will not solve every problem, but at least help with a few and make it a bit easier for the next generation. When looking back at the kind of life my ancestors had, it was really tough. Over time things have been gradually improving, a force for good is winning despite all the bad going on. It is a tradition I want to keep going.

I have already explained my position on the word Jesus. Having done that why would I not be able to type it?

Your engagement on the topic comes across as bitter and curious. I don't know you that well and had some questions about how dark it is for you. What kind of mark do you want to leave on this world when it is your time to pass away?

a reply to: kwaka

I am not bitter. I just see all the religious stuff as adding to humanity's problems and being divisive.

You can't define 'spiritual', I knew that from our conversation but thought you might have had a personal view or experience of it.

You used 'spiritual' in the context of good versus bad, that context doesn't work for your title. You only point to earthly battles claiming they are spiritual. So are you saying it's a good versus bad battle? I think that's how all battles are described.

I'm sure the inhabitants of those countries conquered by the Romans were delighted to see them. I wonder how many people the Romans killed. Hey at least they brought the bible! In truth, Paul invented Christianity.

I have my own view on what spirituality is, you don't even have one. There is irony there my friend lol

I'm not in a dark place. I'm in a better place than you given this conversation. Such is the way!

I can't believe that someone would ask me if I could say the word Jesus.

a reply to: midicon

You can't define 'spiritual'

Not clearly when I look within. I cannot define how life started or where the universe actually ends. I know it is bigger than me. The more we look, the deeper it gets.

So are you saying it's a good versus bad battle?

Digging into how 9/11 went the way it did leads to some very dark places. The nature of war is a savage beast. When we cannot be honest about why we kill is a line I am not comfortable with, know it happens.

I'm in a better place than you given this conversation

Care to share what puts you at ease on the topic of spiritual?

a reply to: kwaka

Forgive me. I know I'm coming off snarky but you deflect and sidetrack off into a tangent. I'm kind of more on point, without the anecdotals.
Regarding the spiritual you really gave nothing. You also talk of Jesus and repentance which are religious words. So I would have thought you would have something. I get a Christian vibe but that could be anything from a Witness to a solitary mystic.

I am at ease by not having questions. I was immersed in Jung for a long time where the spirit world is really a subjective affair. Of course Jung saw it as somehow spilling over into reality, which made him something of a mystic.

A poet on here once wrote about finding forgiveness and I replied with a poem which ended with..

And you were never lost
You just thought you were
I am right here beside you
The old friend, the dear friend
Who sits and holds your hand
And questions fall away
Like ghosts
Eternally becoming
Free from forgiveness

You did talk about finding forgiveness!

a reply to: midicon

Regarding the spiritual you really gave nothing... The spirit world is really a subjective affair...

Do you want reports on supernatural events? Things flying around the room, visits to haunted houses, people speaking in lost languages, telepathic knowing, superhuman strength, multiple personalities or having hidden knowledge.

Seen enough strange and heard of a lot more to at least keep my guard up around this one. Not having an objective position does sound like a comfortable place. Only seen a bit of Jung, does better then Sigmund Freud.

I don't think I can give you anything in a spiritual sense. If you have the will, acting under the authority of Jesus has helped some. The armor of god is a good start when confronting the evil out there:

Belt of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Shoes of Peace
Shield of Faith
Helmet of Salvation
Sword of the Spirit

a reply to: midicon

I get a Christian vibe but that could be anything from a Witness to a solitary mystic.

Started of Catholic, meet some Mormons, Witness and a few others along the way. I would call myself more solitary simple. Don't want to get too deep into all the details, basic idea looks cool.

a reply to: midicon

Why would I want reports of supernatural events?

The spirit world is really a subjective affair.

When some of these forces have a physical effect, it becomes objective for me. If you just want to write it off as some glitch, your call. In trying to get a clearer picture of what the spiritual fully is, it a part of the puzzle.

Not even a personal opinion yet you bandy it about and offer spiritual advice?

This does come across as disingenuous. I know I am dumb on it, but would not say nothing. Spirit is what motivates us.

I'm thinking Jehova's Witness might sum you up. Shallow.

I am still in the kiddy end of the pool while they are diving in the deep end. Some of them anyway. Feels more like a battlefield medic dealing with the trauma as best I can. I ain't no priest. Those black pills suck, really bad.

a reply to: kwaka

If you are dumb on something perhaps it would be best not to offer advice.

I am not writing anything off. I asked some questions and got no reply.

Anyway I'll leave your thread now.

Thanks for the conversation.

a reply to: midicon

If you are dumb on something perhaps it would be best not to offer advice.

I have been asking for advice as well, trying to deny my own ignorance. Thank you for your contribution.

The spiritual battlefield is a real part of life.

Deception and derailment can turn discussions into shallow, confrontational conflicts.
When one person projects anger and insecurities, it's crucial to recognize their intentions. At that point, it's no longer a productive exchange, but a one-sided drain.

a reply to: MindsTrappedBeyond

Thanks for you support in this thread. Debate and discussion can be challenging at times, takes some effort as perspectives and ideas clash. I know what it is like to have anger and insecurities. It has taken me a while to keep things civil and respectful, not always easy. ATS has done well aiming for this.

It does feel like an interrogation at times and that is ok, we are all trying to overcome our ignorance here.

a reply to: midicon

You can't define 'spiritual'

It is a good question for this thread. Feels like you have already read a library full of books on it and still not satisficed.

Our spirit is what drives us and makes us unique. Some climb mountains, some build cities, some throw a ball to new levels of amazing. It has keep us alive through all the struggles of life and look for a better way. Some have a good spirit, look after their neighbors, try to do the right thing. Others are bad spirits, cause trouble, take advantage, exploit weakness.

Then we have team spirit, all part of a common community working on something. Sports has been a good one for showing this as we express our competitive behavior. With Russia kicked out of the international sports scene for sometime, this competitive nature has surfaced on the battlefield. Competition is a vital part of genetic evolution and looking for a better, stronger and more capable way. It is a part of the algorithm of genetic evolution and environment adaptability. Aliens are on the suspect list for some factors in this process over the ages.

Then the godly spirit, part of a much bigger team that spans the universe. God has been a good one to throw everything we don't know in and hopefully everything will be alright. Somehow we made it this far so keep going. How I think of god has grown, changed and adapted over time. The more I learn, the deeper it gets in all kinds of directions with no clear path in how it all links up. The trail Jesus left is a good start, you could do worst.

So the term spiritual is how the force of self determination is directed and blends with the greater community.

a reply to: kwaka

It was a good question, given the title and least for once you have tried to answer it. I wonder why you didn't just do that from the outset. That hesitance made me doubt your sincerity and perhaps was indicative of something else.

If there is such a thing as a 'spiritual battle' then for me it's an internal one. That's why I asked you where this battle was taking place.
I probably have read a library of books on it over the years but I assure you I am satisfied. It's like forgiveness. You have sought it but you haven't found it yet. I could say I found it but in reality, it found me.

I mentioned Jung really because somehow his internal world has all the qualities of the 'spiritual' world. In one sense we could say it has a dynamic all of its own. I am not Jungian though. This internal world can give rise to all of those things like possession, stigmata etc, and it's really why God and angels only appear in dreams.

My best explanation is that Gods, angels, demons and all we can envision (and some that we can't) all rise from the collective unconscious. It is a scary magical place with transformative powers that somehow defies explanation.

When I say forgiveness found me, what I'm saying is that God once touched me.

a reply to: kwaka

The deep, dark, ugly goes deep. Been fighting since we where bacteria.

To truly remember that far back is astounding. J/K ☺ your soul remembers who's cooking the soup and added all the ingredients.

Belief systems are controlled by impulses that steer a certain line of thinking and behaving.

Are those impulses coming from within us, or in public school curriculum?

The best way to find out is to first find solitude on a high mountain and discover serenity in isolation.

Come home tell your friends and nobody believe your spiritual journey you had a conversation with God.

Only matters that you remember the talk high on a mountaintop in isolation from worldly impulses.

a reply to: loveguy

What did God say to you?

a reply to: midicon
He said I don't need to isolate myself or hike up a big mountain to be able to carry on everyday conversations with him.

a reply to: loveguy

Brilliant! I like that lol.

Although what would an everyday conversation with God be like I wonder?