Spirituality,Christianity,Mindfulness

Geomy

What're your thoughts on Spirituality and Mindfulness outside or inclusive of the Christian relm ?

I know priests who read more John Donoghue books than the Biblical books

I also know of a priest who loves Rumis quotes,and is a bit of a father trendy when it comes to new age spirituality etc

Is that wrong,will he burn in HELL :S

Levito

Geomy wrote: »

What're your thoughts on Spirituality and Mindfulness outside or inclusive of the Christian relm ?

I know priests who read more John Donoghue books than the Biblical books

I also know of a priest who loves Rumis quotes,and is a bit of a father trendy when it comes to new age spirituality etc

Is that wrong,will he burn in HELL :S

Caution is advised in separating spirituality from Religion. According to Christ, the most evil being that exists is pure spirit. Spirituality is his Religion. Catholicism for example, is very materialistic because matter is good, God created it.

I would also question the motives for those wanting to move away from Religion, and into spirituality. Most of the time it's to evade that - oh so uncomfortable - moral law

maguffin

Levito wrote: »

Caution is advised in separating spirituality from Religion. According to Christ, the most evil being that exists is pure spirit. Spirituality is his Religion. Catholicism for example, is very materialistic because matter is good, God created it.

I would also question the motives for those wanting to move away from Religion, and into spirituality. Most of the time it's to evade that - oh so uncomfortable - moral law

'Mindfullness' is simply paying attention to what you are doing 'NOW', be it your daily life activities or praying, or just sitting and being quiet. There is nothing intrinsically anti-christian or evil about Mindfullness....it's what the majority of christians do when in 'thoughtful' prayer when on religious retreat.

Words translatable as 'spirituality' first began to arise in the 5th century and only entered common use toward the end of the Middle Ages.
The term "spirituality" is derived from the Latin spiritualitas and the Biblical "roeach/pneuma". It means to be put in motion, to be a living person, and being driven. In a Bibilical context it means being animated by God. Spirituality means to be driven by the Holy Spirit, as opposed to a life which rejects this influence.

In the 11th century this meaning changes. Spirituality denotes then the mental aspect of life, as opposed to the material and sensual aspects of life. Spirituality represents "the ecclesiastical sphere of light against the dark world of matery".

In the 13th century "spirituality" acquired a social and psychological meaning. Socially it denoted the territory of the clergy: "The ecclesiastical against the temporary possessions, the ecclesiastical against the secular authority, the clerical class against the secular class".
Psychologically it denoted the realm of the inner life: "The purity of motives, affections, intentions, inner dispositions, the psychology of the spiritual life, the analysis of the feelings".
Early and modern meaning

In the 17th and 18th century it denoted: A spiritual man is one who is Christian 'more abundantly and deeper than others'

Catholic spirituality is the spiritual practice of living out a personal act of faith (fides qua creditur) following the acceptance of faith (fides quae creditur). Although all Catholics are expected to pray together at Mass, there are many different forms of spirituality and private prayer which have developed over the centuries.
Each of the major religous orders of the Catholic Church and other lay groupings have their own unique spirituality - its own way of approaching God in prayer and in living out the Gospel.

So...where's all this evil in Spirituality???

Spirituality means something different to everyone. For some, it's about participating in organized religion: going to church, synagogue, a mosque, etc. For others, it's more personal: Some people get in touch with their spiritual side through private prayer, yoga, meditation, quiet reflection, or even long walks.

Levito

maguffin wrote: »

'Mindfullness' is simply paying attention to what you are doing 'NOW', be it your daily life activities or praying, or just sitting and being quiet. There is nothing intrinsically anti-christian or evil about Mindfullness....it's what the majority of christians do when in 'thoughtful' prayer when on religious retreat.

Words translatable as 'spirituality' first began to arise in the 5th century and only entered common use toward the end of the Middle Ages.
The term "spirituality" is derived from the Latin spiritualitas and the Biblical "roeach/pneuma". It means to be put in motion, to be a living person, and being driven. In a Bibilical context it means being animated by God. Spirituality means to be driven by the Holy Spirit, as opposed to a life which rejects this influence.

In the 11th century this meaning changes. Spirituality denotes then the mental aspect of life, as opposed to the material and sensual aspects of life. Spirituality represents "the ecclesiastical sphere of light against the dark world of matery".

In the 13th century "spirituality" acquired a social and psychological meaning. Socially it denoted the territory of the clergy: "The ecclesiastical against the temporary possessions, the ecclesiastical against the secular authority, the clerical class against the secular class".
Psychologically it denoted the realm of the inner life: "The purity of motives, affections, intentions, inner dispositions, the psychology of the spiritual life, the analysis of the feelings".
Early and modern meaning

In the 17th and 18th century it denoted: A spiritual man is one who is Christian 'more abundantly and deeper than others'

Catholic spirituality is the spiritual practice of living out a personal act of faith (fides qua creditur) following the acceptance of faith (fides quae creditur). Although all Catholics are expected to pray together at Mass, there are many different forms of spirituality and private prayer which have developed over the centuries.
Each of the major religous orders of the Catholic Church and other lay groupings have their own unique spirituality - its own way of approaching God in prayer and in living out the Gospel.

So...where's all this evil in Spirituality???

Spirituality means something different to everyone. For some, it's about participating in organized religion: going to church, synagogue, a mosque, etc. For others, it's more personal: Some people get in touch with their spiritual side through private prayer, yoga, meditation, quiet reflection, or even long walks.

I said spirituality separate from Religion is dangerous, I didn't actually say it was evil. Those are your words. Spirituality goes with Catholicism great, no problems there. That is as long as you're talking about the Holy spirit.

He asked 'What're your thoughts on Spirituality and Mindfulness outside or inclusive of the Christian relm'.

I was just advising the bloke, no need for a history lesson.

maguffin

Levito wrote: »

I said spirituality separate from Religion is dangerous, I didn't actually say it was evil. Those are your words. Spirituality goes with Catholicism great, no problems there. That is as long as you're talking about the Holy spirit.

He asked 'What're your thoughts on Spirituality and Mindfulness outside or inclusive of the Christian relm'.

I was just advising the bloke, no need for a history lesson.

Sometimes a 'history' lesson is required to define and clarify what is being discussed, and was being offered, in a similar sense to your's, as advice on this matter.
With regard to the use of the word 'evil'...that reference came from your text ("According to Christ, the most evil being that exists is pure spirit"), I simply asked where was this evil.

Evil comes from the minds of men, not spirituality.