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SoulWeaver

Senior Member
Oct 25, 2014
4,889
2,534
113
There's this book I've ran into this morning, "Cutting through spiritual materialism" man looks like it's a really good book... From a review:

"Spiritual materialism means making use of spirituality to gratify the desires of ego. On the grossest level, it can be like in the old song, "So Long It's Been Good to Know You," where the preacher talks to his flock about the coming of the end of this world, and then takes up a big collection and disappears with it. It can be traveling around the world, collecting the statues and icons of all the different spiritual traditions, and then displaying them in one's home to show off to the neighbors how culturally sophisticated and religiously open-minded we are. Or it can be even more subtle in the sense that we do not gain any overt benefit from our spiritual practice at all, but we merely collect spiritual credentials in order to demonstrate to ourselves, "See, I am a good person" or "See, I am a wise person." "I have helped so many people! I am always on the giving end of things, and I am proud to realize it!"

The problem with spiritual materialism is that we cheat ourselves with it; we try to profit from it, but we lose as a result. Maybe we feel wonderful about having earned an important sounding credential within our church; we have now become one of those people who walk around with a VIP button on their lapel. Maybe there is nothing wrong with the button, but if we mistake it for genuine spiritual accomplishment and stop working on our own hearts and minds as a result, then we have truly done ourselves a disservice..."

Coffee? :coffee:
 

Beez

Senior Member
Nov 27, 2017
463
83
28
Hello! (Just sayin'.)

Back after a long absence and trying to find where I belong.
 

Beez

Senior Member
Nov 27, 2017
463
83
28
But seriously, I am not sure where to go. We are (or should I write "I am") having a serious (to me) family problem, and while I really don't want to talk about it, I need advice from others -- especially others who are believers. It has potential for disintegrating my family further. So I am looking for a place here that may be able to help.
 
R

Ruby123

Guest
But seriously, I am not sure where to go. We are (or should I write "I am") having a serious (to me) family problem, and while I really don't want to talk about it, I need advice from others -- especially others who are believers. It has potential for disintegrating my family further. So I am looking for a place here that may be able to help.
Oh I am sorry to hear that. You could write in the ladies forum, family forum or prayer requests forum. Write as many details that you are comfortable in sharing. I hope your family problem resolves and improves swiftly. Ladies forum can only be viewed by other ladies if you feel more comfortable.
 

Beez

Senior Member
Nov 27, 2017
463
83
28
Oh I am sorry to hear that. You could write in the ladies forum, family forum or prayer requests forum. Write as many details that you are comfortable in sharing. I hope your family problem resolves and improves swiftly. Ladies forum can only be viewed by other ladies if you feel more comfortable.
Fantastic! Thank you so much for giving me a head start!! That is appreciated. :) I think I will try the family forum first but if that does not work out, I will try the ladies'. Again, Thank You!
 

SoulWeaver

Senior Member
Oct 25, 2014
4,889
2,534
113
Were you ever harped at about being irrational? Most likely, it was not about you. You might or might not be irrational; but it's really about the person who told you this, they are actually talking to themselves, "look at you; you are the rational one among these people". Or, were you unjustly judged as lukewarm if you didn't share someone's view? It's really about the other person, because they have self convincing homework to do, that they themselves are not lukewarm. And they keep talking about it to others because they don't believe it. Lately I've been trying to internalize that point, what people tell us may or may not be accurate, but usually has nothing to do with us. People are really talking with themselves most of the time, when you think about it. :) If you know people who are actually talking with you, cherish them.