What is spirituality?

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This clip is a great prelude to this thread, IMHO:

 

Zakat

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Spirituality to me is whatever pertains to growing the spirit rather than the body.

It may mean having the ability to wait for your sustenance instead of you having to go look for it as in

Food for thought?
 

Zakat

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What does this say? Although, it's beautifully written, regardless.
Thank you although my bad for editing to insert this passport into the next life wording.

It is basically a proof that you've lead your life according to god's will if you manage to make it your last utterance at the moment of death when its angel comes to squeeze one's heart.
 
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A Freeman

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The name of this category/sub-forum is "Religion and Spirituality".

They should mean the same thing, as the word religion means "bonded obligation to God", and spirituality is understanding that we are in fact, spiritual-Beings (Souls) that are temporarily having a human experience (incarnated inside these human bodies), to learn to do God's Will.

However, in light of how the word "religion" has been twisted into referring to the myriad of corporate fictional organized religions/sects/cults, etc., the two have become polar opposites, as organized religion destroys true spirituality (and vice versa).
 
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Might be a bit challenging to do with all that's going on, but it is a good reminder, nonetheless:


"5 Ways to Maintain Spiritual Wellness Over the Holidays
1. Stay Physically Healthy
Christmas is mostly about parties and social gatherings, which means you may over-indulge during holiday festivities. Additionally, the cold weather can also make you feel lazy. If you find yourself continually skipping your workout and gaining extra weight, try to remember that you spiritual wellness is connected to your physical wellness. To fight back against holiday excess, try to do yoga or take a simple walk around your neighborhood.
2. Use Your Time to Reflect
While holidays inundate people with never-ending activities, remember you can also use this time for yourself. If you’re in need of solitude, learn how to say no to a party. Then, find a peaceful place, have some rest, and do a self-awareness test. You can also try to use this time to read influential books on spirituality. As the end of the year approaches, it’s helpful to reflect on how you have spent the year and think of ways to improve in the new year.
3. Be Appreciative
All sorts of things happen during the holidays, both good and bad. You have to learn how to deal with it all and decide for yourself how to respond. Instead of dwelling in any misery you may be feeling, appreciate the good things around you and move on from the bad memories. Giving love will make your heart warmer. In return, it brightens the receiver’s day.
4. Go on a Nature Trip
Let’s admit it, as much as we love spending time with families, this is a very stressful season. Instead of working hard to clean the house and cramming a bunch of people together, why don’t you go somewhere new? Immerse yourself in nature over the holidays and make beautiful memories with your family. Having a good view of nature actually improves your blood flow that helps in boosting both your physical and spiritual health, making this an all-around better option to traditional holiday travel.
5. Keep a Positive Attitude
As much as you enjoy the company of your loved ones, there will always be anxiety there. Whether it’s caused by a toxic relative or the remembrance of unhappy memories, family time can bring up some of the worst emotions. To counter this, learn how to set your boundaries and take control of holiday situations. Additionally, try to keep your thoughts positive and teach yourself to demonstrate understanding in every situation."

(source)
 

A Freeman

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From:

1. “The toughest battle you’ll ever fight in your life is the battle within yourself*.” Anonymous
2. “Some of the greatest battles will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul.” Ezra Taft Benson
3. “The hardest battle you will ever have to fight is between who you are now and who you want to be.” Anonymous
4. “All of the truly important battles are waged within the self.” Sheldon B. Kopp
5. “The greatest battle you ever have to win is the battle within yourself.” Eli Soriano


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*the battle between the spirit/soul and the flesh/human and its ego (the "self")
 
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A Freeman

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The above quotes may seem original, but they are all derivative of Scripture.

Matthew 10:37-38
10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter (or anyone or anything) more than me is not worthy of me.
10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth Him that sent me.
10:41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

Mark 8:34-35
8:34 And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny his "Self", and take up his cross, and follow me.
8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Luke 9:23-27
9:23 And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Luke 14:26-27
14:26 If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own (human) life also, he can NOT be my disciple.
14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, can NOT be my disciple.

Galatians 2:20 My "Self" is crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I (the "Self"), but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Sura 6:162. Say: "Truly, my prayer and my (daily) service of "Self" sacrifice (Luke 9:23; 14:26-27), my life (of selflessness) and my death (to "Self"), are (all) for "I AM", the Cherisher of the Worlds:

Sura 92:18-21
92:18. Those who spend their wealth for increase in "self"-purification,
92:19. And have in their minds no favour to anyone for which a reward is expected in return,
92:20. But only the desire to seek for the Countenance of their Lord Most High;
92:21. And soon will they attain (complete) satisfaction.

The crucifixion of the "self" is the destruction of ALL selfishness within, i.e. serving the creature (human) instead of serving the Creator (doing God's Will).

Unless someone truly realizes that they are NOT the human they are temporarily incarnated inside of, the latter of which has to eat, sleep and has human family members, and believes they must achieve some worldly standard of what a "good" life is and are constantly imagining how they can manipulate and control others for their own selfish gain, it is impossible to serve our Creator and DO His Will (John 3:3-7).

This is the battle each of us MUST face and win, with our Creator's Love, Guidance and Help.
 

DesertRose

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"Military power wins battles, but spiritual power wins wars. "

- General George Catlett Marshall
Their material and numbers do not matter when the Creator is with you.
The end is for the believers, God willing.

"And Allah made this a sign of victory and reassurance to your hearts. Victory comes only from Allah. Surely Allah is Almighty, All-Wise."
8:10 Quran
 
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A Freeman

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Ephesians 6:10-18
6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with Truth, and having on the Breastplate of Righteousness;
6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
6:16 Above all, taking the Shield of Faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
6:17 And take the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is The Word of God:
6:18 Praying constantly (without ceasing) with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all holy people;

Isaiah 2:1-4
2:1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, [that] the mountain of the "I AM"'s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the "I AM", to the House of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His Ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the "I AM" from Jerusalem.
2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Note: "mountain" is a Biblical code word for government (spiritual wickedness in high places), just as the "waters" and the "seas" are a code word for the people (Rev. 17:15)

Isaiah 17:12-13
17:12 Woe to the multitude of many people, [which] make a noise like the noise of the "seas"; and to the rushing of nations, [that] make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
17:13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but [God] shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the Fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this "mountain" (government), Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the "sea" (people); it shall be done.
 

Flarepath

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If somebody is "spiritual" it means they're open-minded and wondering if there are bigger things out there, and are intrigued by deep bible verses like these..:)
ALIEN VISITOR - Jesus said "I am not of this world" (John 8:23)
MOTHERSHIP -"Praise to the Lord, to him who rides the ancient skies above,
whose power is in the skies." (Psalm 68:33-34)
RADIATION SHIELDING- God said "When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by" (Exodus 33:22)
GENESIS PROJECT -"God made the worlds.." (Hebrews 11:3 KJV)
ORBITAL TRAJECTORY - "God sits on the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22)
WARP DRIVE - "God rides upon a swift cloud" (Isaiah 19:1)
CLOAKING DEVICE - "God goes by me but I see him not" (Job 9:10)
TIME DILATION - "With God a thousand years are as one day" (2 Peter 3:8)
SCOUT SHIP- "I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north, the center of the fire looked like glowing metal" (Ezekiel 1:4)

STARGATE- Jesus said "Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."(Matt 7:13)
How about it Spock?

"Fascinating"

st-spockeyebrow2.jpg
 

DesertRose

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"Military power wins battles, but spiritual power wins wars. "
"Those to whom hypocrites said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allah , and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs."3:173

"It is but Satan who instills [into you] fear of his allies: so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [truly] believers." 3:175

"............and never will Allāh give the disbelievers over the believers a way [to overcome them]." 4:141
 

A Freeman

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The difficulty is all those in the sects believe that they are "believers", which keeps them divided and allows Lucifer/Satan/Iblis to continue to easily use them against one another (divide and conquer).

See: Suras 3:103-105, 6:159, 11:17, 13:36, 15:9-11, 15:90-91, 19:37, 21:92-93, 23:52-53, 30:30-33, 38:1-2, 42:13-14, 43:64-67, 49:10.

Sura 6:159. As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, thou must have nothing whatsoever to do with it, even in the least: their affair is with “I AM”: in the end He will tell them the truth of all that they did.

Sura 11:17. Can they be (like) those who accept a Clear (Sign) from their Lord, and whom a witness from Himself doth teach, as did the Book of Moses (the Torah) before it,- a guide and a mercy? They believe therein but those of the Sects that reject it,- the Fire will be their promised meeting-place. Be not then in doubt thereon: for it is the Truth from thy Lord: yet many among men do not believe!

Sura 13:36. Those to whom We have given the Book rejoice at what hath been revealed unto thee: but there are among the sects those who reject a part thereof. Say: "I am commanded to worship "I AM", and not to join partners (or wives - Jeremiah 44:19-29 - God does NOT procreate) with Him. Unto Him do I call, and unto Him is my return."

Sura 23:52-53
23:52. And verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other).
23:53. But people have cut off their affair (of Unity), between them, INTO SECTS: each party rejoices in that which is with itself.

It matters not what one calls themselves (based on their cult-ural/sectarian/denominational belief); what matters is DOING God's Will in every moment of every day, which begins with living by His Perfect Law of Liberty.

IF we were all UNITED in doing that, there would be no Israelis, nor any Palestinians, nor any Americans, Russians, Ukrainians, nor any Jews, Christians, Muslims, etc.

And there would be no more war.

Going to war against God is what got us sent here, to this maximum security prison planet reform school for the criminally insane.

Learning to turn the fight INWARD, against the "self", and in doing so eliminate the potential for division and conflict, is the only way out of the hell we've created by our own selfishness. THAT is the true "Jihad" (Holy War).
 
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Flarepath

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The difficulty is all those in the sects believe that they are "believers", which keeps them divided and allows Lucifer/Satan/Iblis to continue to easily use them against one another (divide and conquer)..
Yeah all religions have their oddball splinter groups, cults, sects and factions, hence Jesus's warning--

rel-Jesus-teacher.jpg
 

A Freeman

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Yeah all religions have their oddball splinter groups, cults, sects and factions, hence Jesus's warning--

View attachment 99091
And sadly, 2000 years after Christ spoke those words through the mouth of Jesus, very, very few are learning anything from Christ, nor even know who He is (the eldest/firstborn Son of God), instead preferring to adhere to "the traditions of men", which make the Commandments of God (His Law) of no effect.

Keeping The Law, as we all promised to do, is the ONLY Way to eliminate sin, which is why Christ came to Earth (1 John 3:4-10). All sin is evil/unlawful, i.e. criminal. How Satan has been able to con billions into believing we will be rewarded for being criminals if we just say we "believe" or attend one of his religious places of business (church, synagogue, mosque, etc.), defies all reason and common-sense.

So we can either learn from Christ and His Example how to obey God and DO His Will, or we can continue to serve the "self" and its master/teacher: Satan.
 

DesertRose

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"The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honor the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.
It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others — even our enemies — is a denial of our common humanity.
We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. "
"Compassion is aptly summed up in the Golden Rule, which asks us to look into our own hearts, discover what gives us pain, and then refuse, under any circumstance whatsoever, to inflict that pain on anybody else. Compassion can be defined, therefore, as an attitude of principled, consistent altruism.
Karen Armstrong
 

A Freeman

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The principle of compassion/golden rule is a part of Father's Infinite Love and His Law, which all of us should be learning.

Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the "I AM".

That's why Father sent His Christ, in the body of Jesus, 2000 years ago, to reiterate this critically important Commandment, given to us -- like all of the Commandments -- for our individual and collective benefit.

Mark 12:29-31
12:29 And Jesus answered him, The First of all the Commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength and serve Him ONLY: this [is] the first COMMANDment.
12:31 And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other COMMANDment greater than these.

Sura 4:36-38
4:36. Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: for God loveth not the arrogant, the conceited;-
4:37. (Nor) those who are niggardly or enjoin niggardliness on others, or hide the bounties which God hath bestowed on them; for We have prepared, for those who resist Faith, a punishment that steeps them in contempt;-
4:38. Nor those who spend of their substance, to be seen of men, but have no faith in God and The Last Day: if any take the Evil One for their intimate, what a dreadful intimate he is!

If everyone truly understood this fundamental spiritual truth, there would be no corporate fictional organized religion of any kind, which is a multi-trillion dollar industry that divides us against one another and promotes hatred, selfishness, further division and war.
 
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