Saturday, September 8, 2007

A spiritual quandary...


I'm going to be rather frank and open during this post. I'm putting myself out there because I feel like I need to. Keeping with the idea that this blog is essentially a way for me to track my spiritual growth throughout my time here at Drury University, I'm going to let you all in on a big road block I've been running into in my studies.

I need a spiritual axiom. I need an archemedian point from which to springboard myself. I think I may look too seriously into everything I've been studying, but with each new philosophy or religion I learn about, I change my stance on this world. I'm not sure what is right and what is wrong. Right now, I can't really tell up from down. I'm leaning a lot right now towards the ideas of Hinduism. They seem to make a lot of sense to me right now, but when I start studying Taoism or Buddhism, who knows? That's my problem. I'm hesitant to start following one particular path for fear that it's wrong.

Right now I have one archemedian point, one axiom to start comparing things to: loving people. In no philosophy or religion can loving people be wrong. Even atheism, in most cases, views the community as the top priority. Treating the people around me with love and respect seems to be the way to go, but there is no transcendency in that. Should I just stop concerning myself with a faith and just love people? I suppose right now I have no choice but to love those around me and keep my mind open.

5 comments:

Chris Panza said...

At the very least, it seems like you do have an Archimedian point -- you believe that you can always be more than you are (which is a belief in transcendence of a sort), and as a result you believe that your current beliefs should be subjected to a continuing healthy dose of criticism from all sides (the different systems of belief/faith, etc).

Most people do not have such an Archimedian point, and it seems to me a noble one to have.

Anonymous said...

This trail is beautiful, but it's confusing, man. :)

Sheila said...

Mark,
I'm enjoying reading your thoughts on religion for I've had many of the same questions over the years. As bloggers we have a wonderful license to ponder these matters for ourselves and any readers who have a few moments to join us in our journey. I'll be back to see how yours is progressing.

lindsey said...

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend. - Camus

Finally, Camus said something that didn't make me want to jump off a bridge. ;-)

Know that I'm with you on this spiritual journey, and while I know it won't be easy...we'll make it work.

I think you're off to a great start Sparky.

Peter Clothier said...

What a great place to be! In Buddhism, I believe what you're describing is "groundlessness"--a notion that accurately reflects our human condition, as I see it. Blessings, Mark! Make the most of your uncertainty, it will stand you in good stead.