Should we let go of our feelings?
in Spirituality ·
I honestly don't know what to make of this lately. It feels like we're all just drifting through these massive shifts without much of a compass. Sometimes I wonder if we're actually making progress, or if we're just running faster on a treadmill that’s going nowhere. It’s a lot to process, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around where we all land. kaže:
You're touching on a few different points here... While that sense of "simple connectivity" is definitely something we all crave, it feels like it only happens in fleeting moments in today's world. It’s hard to find, and even when you do, it varies so much from one person to the next.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of connection lately. It shows up in so many different ways, of course—the bond between a rider and their horse is one thing, then you have marriage, close friendships, or even just being good neighbors. But at its core, when you look at any relationship between two distinct, independent individuals who are actually in sync, the essence remains the same: it’s all about cooperation.
I think we need to talk about how much our society prioritizes stuff over everything else. It feels like we’ve reached a point where being materialistic isn't just common—it's expected. We’re constantly told that if we aren't upgrading our phones or buying the latest gear, we're somehow falling behind. Honestly, it’s exhausting to keep up with. Does anyone else feel like we've lost sight of what actually matters in the pursuit of more? kaže:
It all comes down to individual sensibilities, I suppose, along with a whole host of other variables. But looking at where we stand now, traditional religions—Christianity, primarily—seem to have been pushed into a position where they're viewed as nothing more than an "upgrade," a relic of the past, or perhaps just some formal afterthought to this whole... concept.
Has Capitalism Become Our Religion?
I can mostly just hold onto the "leftovers" to keep things somewhat balanced—acting as a way to stay connected to where we've been and where we're headed.
If McCarahher is actually right, then nobody is truly "outside" of that religion in today's world—or at least, very few people manage to be.
I won't get too bogged down in the specifics of the book itself just yet. The author—who identifies as a Christian—touches on quite a few different themes, including what he calls "left-wing romanticism" as an alternative to the often controversial concept of "Christian socialism."
A key way to measure religion is by what you actually worship. Just because you use money doesn't mean you're serving it.
I think we need to talk about how much we've let our focus shift toward being purely materialistic. It feels like we're constantly chasing the next big thing just to feel some sense of progress, but it's leaving us pretty empty. Is it just me, or has capitalism become our religion? We spend all this energy accumulating stuff, thinking it'll finally make us happy, but it's just a cycle that never actually ends. I'm trying to be more intentional about what matters, but man, it's hard when everything around you is designed to make you want more. kaže:
To me, the ability to "transcend our materialistic reality" feels like one of the defining traits of being human. It’s baked into our DNA. You see it in everything from the first crude stone tools ever shaped to the way we carefully prepare a burial site, or even those ancient cave paintings and the very first words ever spoken. It's just part of who we are.
I’d mostly call it a reshaping of sorts. Though, I’m still a little torn when it comes to the language aspect. It certainly isn't materialistic.
I can't quite make sense of that last message. It looks like there might have been a typo or a bit of a glitch. Could you please clarify what you meant? I'm happy to jump back into the conversation once I know where we're headed! kaže:
Getting stuck in your own head feels like a problem that fluctuates—some days it’s an uphill battle, other days it's just a mild distraction. And honestly, looking at the sheer variety of religions, worldviews, and cultures out there, I don't think all that diversity necessarily leads to a "war of all against all."
I don't see it that way either. It's really just those who have an appetite for conflict who end up fighting.
Lisa Jackson7 said:You're hitting on several different points here... that "basic connectivity" is definitely the goal, but in today's world, it's pretty rare to actually feel that (on an individual level, at least).
It depends on how you see things, and there are definitely other factors at play... traditional religions—specifically Christianity—are basically sitting there as an "upgrade," a "relic," or just a "ceremonial add-on" to this whole thing...
The Wealth of Nations
... and as a "relic," they mostly just maintain a certain balance and act as a reminder of the past (and the future).
If McCarthy is right, then practically nobody is "outside" of this religion in the modern world, or maybe just a tiny handful of people.
I won't get too bogged down in the article/book itself, but the author (who's a Christian) covers a lot of ground, even touching on "left-wing romanticism" instead of—well, maybe a more compromised—"Christian socialism."In my opinion, it's not about transcending material reality so much as getting out of our own heads—accepting that we don't all share one single truth, other than the fact that we're human.
To me, the ability to "transcend material reality" seems like a fundamental part of being human... from the first crudely carved stones and burial sites to cave paintings and the first spoken words...
Being "stuck in our own mental trenches" feels like a problem that fluctuates in difficulty... the existence of various religions, worldviews, and cultures doesn't necessarily lead to a "war of all against all" in my book.
Not sure why you're calling them "cults," but yeah, they definitely overlap... just like transcendence and everyday life do.When religion serves as an orientation...We’re stuck in this endless loop of internal and external enemies—and ideologues absolutely love it because they basically feed off that fear-mongering crap.
Not necessarily...When you look at beliefs that go beyond this earthly plane, there's spirituality—which is different from organized religions that have somehow convinced themselves they're the only gatekeepers to heaven.
Since spirituality isn't something you can just consume on a mass scale, it might actually be totally immune to Mamone and whatever else is out there.
I don't see religiosity and spirituality as opposites... people who claim to be "spiritual but not religious" have just essentially denied the transcendent side of their own faith and shoved it all into the "spirituality" bucket instead.
The rest of the religious stuff is supposedly "covered" by the social contract... I'm skeptical, but hey, whatever floats your boat...
Also, just because some elite or individual consumes spirituality or culture doesn't mean they're safe from Mamone, Caesar, or whoever the hell the current idol is.
If that's the case, then they've simply put it back where it belongs. 😉
Lisa Jackson7 said:If I remember right, both of you live out in the sticks, pretty close to nature...
😁
In a high castle.
🙂