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Philosophy 101
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Spiritual guidance... really necessary?
| Philosophy 101 |
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Spiritual guidance... really necessary? |
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Kitherion Member
since 2006-08-01
Posts 181Johannesburg |
I know this may seem a bit... well... but anyway. If God gave humans free will, what then is the point of offering spiritual guidance? I understand the whole argument about opening a door doesn't mean that you have to walk through it, but doesn't opening the door influence your likely chioce anyway? "Our Father who art in Heaven... Hallowed be thy name..." |
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oceanvu2 Senior Member
since 2007-02-24
Posts 1066Santa Monica, California, USA |
Hi Kith! The explication of your question is a sequence of non-sequitors, but I think I understand what you are asking: Do you need a teacher? From your Christian point of view, you're missing a big beat. Jesus was a teacher. He had students. Still has them today. No matter where one is coming from, everyone needs teachers, and it's a life long process. It's how insight and information is passed on. And, when you learn something of value, you can share it. That is, teach. It is youthful arrogance (this is not derogatory or personal, youths are arrogant, that's part of their job) to presume that because you have free will, you either know it all already or can make it up as you go. Here's the tough part: It's important to choose your teachers carefully. Use your sniff test. If it smells like fish, it's probably fishy. Be open to what comes along. I found a life-coach who was stocking shelves in my favorite grocery store. Be aware also, that, as teachers hope, you can outgrow them and move on. Spiritual guidance is a process, not an event. Opening a door is just opening a door, and, if you're not a sheep, it doesn't have to influence anything. Use your head and evaluate, evaluate! Don't get caught up in anybody's notions until you find some that work in the world. It may seem a bit contradictoy, but it is possible to be open and discriminating at the same time. In fact, that's about all we got going for us. Best, Jim  |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
It is called help. |
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rwood Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793Tennessee |
One’s spirituality needs to be fed just like any other mental/emotional/or physical aspect of human life. I don’t usually need someone to make me eat, and hearty. Partaking of spiritual guidance, to me, philosophically, helps me to grow as a person in my own beliefs, principles, and matters of the heart. So I seek guidance and accept it upon my own foundations: meaning that I don’t completely rely-blindly-on any one person or any one thing to keep me healthy. There are many avenues of spiritual enrichment besides just having a guide or a guru or appointed teacher. Fellowship is most basic. Family. Charitable work or missionary work is very humbling and rewarding. Even art & music can be spiritually fulfilling and uplifting, and a ministry. Having free will seems most logical since each person has a different gift to share, in my eyes, with each being independent and apart from every other. It makes sense that each person also accepts outside influence, accordingly. What has an affect on me may not affect another person on the planet, or I may just be another grain among the countless others who shore a thought. But, if we quit seeking and asking then finding and receiving is moot, no? |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Not necessary. Sometimes helpful and sometimes not. Google this: "If you meet the buddha on the road, kill him." And much love and luck to you...just asking the question is kind of like a radio signal. Somebody's bound to show up. |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
Kith, wouldn't you rather be human than automaton? Then you understand the joy of having a will that is (at least somewhat) free. Wouldn't life be miserable without guides of all kinds, parents, teachers, friends, those who really love you? Then you understand the joy of having guidance and help. There's no reason the Theological aspect of the question should be any different. Stephen. |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
And how would you go anywhere if you didn't spiritually guide yourself? Would your feet move you by themselves? |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Actually, yes. They would. At least according to the documentary I watched last night--the instinct to walk precedes crawling. Some babies never crawl. But, as I watched demonstrated last night, even a two week old baby, when given support, will make walking motions. The legs move forward and the feet uncurl to grasp the ground. (I'm not deliberately trying to be a pain in your arse, either, Ess. *shrug* It's just something I thought I could share.) |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
Serenity I would say that is spiritual (and physical) guidance in its youngestness. It just isn't developed to a very artificial or intellectually articulate stage yet. |
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Kitherion Member
since 2006-08-01
Posts 181Johannesburg |
I'm inclined to agree with Serenity in this one, becasue to equate everything to spiritual guidance seems a tad unnecesarry. Just becuse you need help, doesn't mean that spiritual guidance is necessary, it just (As ocean said - another I'm agreeing with ) means that you may need the sort of mundane help that everyone needs. I'm just curious though, as to how mundane guidance can be termed spiritual?"Our Father who art in Heaven... Hallowed be thy name..." |
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Kitherion Member
since 2006-08-01
Posts 181Johannesburg |
Oh, and to answer you ess, as serenity said, the ability to walk becomes autonomous... as in istictual... as in no longer needed to be thought about Just a little thought.... or a seemingly little thought. You m,ust remember that the cerebellum, contains the balance needed, and the primary motor cortex (in the parietal lobe) will, fine tune things so to speak. Some children don't need to be taught to walk, some just do it themselves. This instinct (as Serenity said... once again ) is not taught, but rather genetically inherited. Thus, yes, your feet would move without you thinking about it.P.S: Ocean, I wouldn't classify myself as Christian, rather as.... hmmmm, someone who likes to sit on a fence and watch which side is winning  "Our Father who art in Heaven... Hallowed be thy name..." |
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