Re: Why I Wrote *The Emperor's New Clothes*


On Jun 26, 2006, at 10:38 AM, Polychrysos wrote:

In other words, reason is *not* sufficient to understand such
questions. This is his clear and unequivocal meaning. Just as it is
that of the tailors.

Dear Brendan-
I run into this kind of conflict between "spiritual" and "rational" or "reason" all the time when dealing with intellectuals, professionals and those with heavy emphasis on academic education. And please I do hope those with extensive college education won't feel offended by this because I'm just as quick to notice my own lack of college education being a problem with understanding the Writings.

What exactly is "spiritual insight" and "reason" or "rational" that makes them mutually exclusive?

I know our physical senses are material but I always thought our rational faculties or our intellects, our mind, was spiritual in nature for there is nothing in nature we can claim as its source. There is a quote about how God has given us the gift of understanding.

I also know of quotes showing how our knowing and loving powers are being manifested in augmentative degrees in our animal, human and divine natures.

Maybe what is meant by spiritual insight is the use of the rational powers and our physical senses being governed by our acquired virtues.

We do have Writings showing us how these powers can be used for spiritual or lower purposes. For example let us take a look at our three natures, each with its own specialized type and degree of knowing power.

Physical- Senses                     perceives only 3 dimensions of physical space
 
Human - Rational Powers :          perceives ony 4 dimensions that we know are fallible because-
              Reasoning     is only accurate when based on absolutely true assumptions.
              Imagination   sees the unreal as readily as the real
              Memory        is very limited in scope (tradition)
              Inspiration   or intuition is often indistinguishable from imagination

Higher - Faith         enables a person to believe in untruth as well as truth. It is
only dependable in the light of Divine Revelation, and what it
see then is still only in terms of its own human concepts

So it is obvious that our lack of education or type of education, our cultural conditioning etc. can also effect our perceptions and understandings. Consider too how our quality of life effects our thinking. In addition personal problems, emotional, addictions, poor diet, etc. also effect our intellect.

However if our purpose is to acquire virtues which lead us to achievement of unity, love, advancing civilization etc. then to me it is realistic to see that all these powers we have, physical, intellectual and higher, are to be devoted to that purpose and thus when we have unity in all three natures and levels of awareness we then will perceive things more realistically and act accordingly. We will find that balance between faith and reason, and its collective bodies of knowledge in science and religion and thus have "spiritual insight" and become more spiritual in our lives.

I do not feel that it is a given that an academically strong person is any more spiritual than a lay person and vice verse for it depends on what purpose we use our education for and how many and degree of virtues we may be able to manifest and utilize our powers for the right purposes. However there has been and still is a attitude on behalf of much of society which reflects in prejudice towards either the academic or lay type education. Many folks who are lay people can mistrust the more educated or conversely give them too much value and vice verse.

In summary then, spiritual insight to me comes from the acquisition of virtues and focusing on our purpose in life.


regards,
doug







.

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