[Posted 24 Dec. 2008, 10.19pm, by Stephen Pirie]
Overview
When seeking answers to questions about spirit, or indeed any aspect of life, we can apply some basic principles to see the error or inadequacy of various belief-systems.
In regards to "higher-powers", or God, or any such perceived independent authoritative spiritual entities, it is a simple matter to extend spiritual beliefs to their "maximum", to reveal the inadequacy of the base belief (in that an idea or belief that is absurd in the extreme, remains a "little absurd" in the "less extreme" circumstances of everyday life).
For example, let's assume we have a higher spiritual power guiding our behaviours. Let's maximize that idea, such that we have total, complete guidance to the extent that we don't have any choice (total, complete guidance means we'd be on "automatic" without any conscious ability to choose, or experience "free will"). Clearly a "God" that has control over us (in the extreme) would be a nonsense situation. So then what is the reality? The Truth?
Life involves an unending paradox of free-will and constraint (bounded by the systems -- families, communities, nations, universe -- within which we live); of infinite possibility and limited actuality; of individuality and 'togetherness', of One and All.
We sense the validity of this paradox, and it's profound relevance to our lives:
"First comes paradox! ... A paradox does not make sense to our rational minds. A paradox captivates a surplus of meaning that cannot be contained with the structure of rational discourse. For an adult spirituality of our time this is a crucial issue. Adults today are rarely satisfied with compelling rational explanations; there is a "surplus of meaning" that transcends rationality, yet to mature adults it feels essential in our search for deeper meaning. The ability to embrace paradox is central to this sense of maturity."1
The remainder of this post is on substack "Is there a spiritual higher-power guiding me?"
See also
- Simple Tools for Clarity, Understanding and Betterment
- Key Principles of Life, for Life
- The adult faith of letting go
- Consider some stuff
- Congruent solutions to Zeno's Paradoxes
- The Evolution of the human psyche
- 1. Diarmuid O'Murchu, Adult Faith: Growing in Wisdom and Understanding, Orbis Books, New York, 2010.
