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Is spirituality evolving?

Started by hollowviper72 · · 👁 4 views · 119 replies

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Participants hollowviper72AJack Harris3Ryan Wilson2Rebecca Miller2Daniel Martin72Jeffrey Brown6wearyowl29Benjamin Rodriguez2Joseph Davis5Alex Thompson5swiftcobra15steelviper6Morgan Brown38Lisa Cox4mistyskipper15Ronald HayesChloe Price74Brenda Smith9Sophia Parker8Walter Carter2Richard Torres2jademarlin26driftingraven122 …
hollowviper72 hollowviper72 RegularOP
268 messages
joined May 2004
#1 ·
I often see people questioning whether *they* are actually evolving spiritually... but from what I can gather, spirituality itself—as this collective process of spiritual growth for our species—doesn't really show any signs of having significantly advanced throughout all of human history.
The questions haven't changed, and neither have the answers. Sure, the interpretations and solutions have gained a bit more "weight" as each generation has elaborated on them, but if we take a closer look, the core of these teachings remains identical... just a hundred and one variations on the same theme. Does anyone know of any spiritual teachings that are so genuinely innovative and distinct compared to those that came before them that you could easily call them the "Theory of Relativity" of spirituality?

Because, as far as I can tell, humanity is still worshipping the same elemental forces just as we did at the very beginning. It’s just that nowadays, we’ve added a few extra layers to the chain of command in reality.

And if I may push the point a little further, it raises a real question: Can spirituality even "evolve" in the same way science does? You see, science is built upon discovering the unknown world—the universe surrounding us, existing outside of ourselves. But the very essence of spirituality is introspection; therefore, everything there is to be discovered is already right here within us.

Does that mean the advancement of spirituality isn't like the advancement of science—where one person's knowledge is built upon the discoveries of hundreds of others before them—but is instead a path of self-discovery where everyone is forced to start from scratch every single time?

What are your thoughts? Is it possible for spirituality to evolve on a global scale, and if so, do you see any signs of that happening?
A Anonymous Veteran
3.6K messages
joined May 2005
#2 ·
Do you think spirituality can actually evolve on a global scale? And if it can, are there any signs pointing toward that happening right now?

Not really. Spirituality is such a personal, individual journey.

I’m not entirely sure I follow what you mean by that, though. 😕
hollowviper72 hollowviper72 RegularOP
268 messages
joined May 2004
#3 ·
So, I’ve been chewing on this idea lately—whether a society can actually evolve spiritually in a qualitative sense, rather than just a quantitative one. When I talk about quantitative growth, I mean the simple math of it: just having a higher percentage of spiritually conscious people within the population. But qualitative development? That would be something much deeper—a collective, shared drive toward innovation, toward uncovering entirely new, original, and unexplored dimensions of spirituality itself. I’m honestly not sure if something like that is even possible, given how deeply personal and fluid spirituality tends to be, but it feels like such an intriguing concept to wrap one's head around... you know what I mean?
A Anonymous Veteran
3.6K messages
joined May 2005
#4 ·
I reckon we could actually pull that off once we hit critical mass 🙂
Jack Harris3 Jack Harris3 Regular
451 messages
joined Dec 2002
#5 ·
hollowviper72 said:...an increase in the number of spiritually enlightened people within a society,

But honestly, what does it even mean to be "spiritually enlightened"?
Are we talking about people who show up on an online forum and claim they’re doing deep inner work, or what?... 😁
Ryan Wilson2 Ryan Wilson2 Regular
387 messages
joined Dec 2002
#6 ·
Jack Harris3 said:Are we talking about those who join this forum claiming they are actively engaged in spiritual self-improvement, or what?😁

Rest assured, they certainly aren't the ones claiming to do absolutely nothing.
hollowviper72 hollowviper72 RegularOP
268 messages
joined May 2004
#7 ·
Jack Harris3 said:So, what actually defines a "spiritually aware" person?
Is it just people who pop onto forums claiming they're doing "inner work," or what? 😁

Not quite—it’s much simpler than that. It’s about people who feel a genuine, deep-seated need for spiritual fulfillment. Now, some might jump straight to saying "religious people," but I honestly think it's better to just say "spiritual people." After all, showing up to a church service isn't necessarily a guarantee that someone is truly spiritually awake, right?
Rebecca Miller2 Rebecca Miller2 Active Member
114 messages
joined Jan 2008
#8 ·
Spirituality really is a muscle you build... through practice and consistency, just like hitting the gym!😳

Imagination alone isn't enough...🙂
Daniel Martin72 Daniel Martin72 Newcomer
8 messages
joined Sep 2003
#9 ·
That’s a pretty deep question, so let me ramble a bit about how I see things...

Spirituality, at its core, is really just a way of living—it’s about how you perceive that connection between God and us humans. Now, if you start talking about the actual theory behind how God and man relate? Well, that’s where theology steps in.

Back in the Middle Ages, people were incredibly spiritual by default. Their faith wasn't some hobby; it was the whole point of their existence. But back then, theology was pretty basic—kind of simplistic, honestly. They viewed Heaven and Hell as literal, physical places you could basically map out.

Fast forward to today, and we’re living in a period of massive spiritual poverty, even though our modern theology is way more sophisticated. It explains things in a much more logical, digestible way than they ever could have imagined back then.

Here’s what I think is the kicker: theology is vital as the theoretical framework, and it naturally evolves alongside science, civilization, and everything else we learn. But personal spirituality? That’s an individual thing. It’s about how you personally view the world and your own unique relationship with God. Since the Christian God is a person, He requires a personal connection.

We live in a world of extremes now. You've got traditional believers slowly fading into the background, and society is splitting into three camps: those who have had a genuine metaphysical experience—you know, they actually met God—those who will fight tooth and nail to prove that such experiences are impossible, and then there's the vast majority of people who are just sitting there watching TV.

🙄
hollowviper72 hollowviper72 RegularOP
268 messages
joined May 2004
#10 ·
Rebecca Miller2 said:Basically, spirituality GROWS... through practice and discipline—much like how one would approach... 'bodybuilding'!😳

Purely daydreaming just won't cut it...🙂

Now, hold on—I wasn't aware that an entire society could go out and hit the gym to build muscle.
But where’s the proof? It’s all well and good to say "spirituality develops," but you have to back that up—otherwise, it’s just one of those baseless claims, similar to when Joe first asked, "Is there a God?" and Hal simply grunted, "Yeah."
The point is, we are discussing something here that actually leaves behind tangible, material footprints.
Rebecca Miller2 Rebecca Miller2 Active Member
114 messages
joined Jan 2008
#11 ·
hollowviper72 said:Essentially, we're debating something that actually leaves behind physical traces.


But do those "physical traces" really define spiritual paths?😕

Or does the spirit dictate our physical state?

Spirituality evolves. Every founder of the world's major religions confirms this. It’s evident in the journey of every great spiritual leader throughout history!

So, just some food for thought... stay mindful...☕
hollowviper72 hollowviper72 RegularOP
268 messages
joined May 2004
#12 ·
So, do "material footprints" actually mark spiritual paths?

Not exactly—rather, they mark the consequences those spiritual paths leave on society, and vice versa.

Spirituality evolves. Every founder of the world's major religions explicitly confirms this. It’s evident in the journey of every great spiritual figure... throughout history!

Yet, if we look at two great spiritual leaders who lived ages apart, we see their journeys are strikingly similar—they often end up saying the exact same things. Now, personally, they might have reached unprecedented heights of spirituality, but when you put the concept of spirituality itself under a microscope, it hasn't moved an inch. That’s really the question here: does spirituality, as a global phenomenon, suffer from its own version of *repetitio ad nauseam*?

Furthermore, just because the founders of religions say something doesn't make it automatically true. How should I put this... let's try analyzing actual results for a change, instead of just piles of words. Unfortunately, even theology often devolves into endless debates over who said what and what they supposedly meant to imply...

Daniel Martin72 mentioned something quite fascinating—that the nature of spiritual teachings shifts alongside how humans perceive the world around them. I've been chewing on that thought too. For instance, back in the Stone Age, it was perfectly normal to worship lightning as a direct manifestation of the divine. Today, obviously, that isn't the case. Or is it? If lightning strikes someone standing out in an open field, we all know how an atheist would interpret it: Bad Luck. But how would a spiritual person view it? Karma? A pissed-off divinity? In that scenario, wouldn't it suggest that people are still, in essence, worshipping material manifestations of the divine? In other words, can we truly claim that spiritual people today don't believe there is a "Wizard of Oz" behind the curtain of the material world—some divine will governing everything, including the lightning? If that's the case, then spirituality hasn't changed at all. All that has evolved is the vocabulary and the complexity of the ideas. The core remains identical.
Jeffrey Brown6 Jeffrey Brown6 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Sep 2003
#13 ·
What kind of development are we actually talking about here?
Is it personal growth or something on a global scale?

Honestly, I see people asking this all the time. But if you look at any successor in modern times, they’re all grappling with the exact same thing—just with a bit more life experience or maybe some heavy cognitive baggage under their belts. Spirituality isn't a straight line; it's more like a spiral. We circle back through the same territories, either ascending to a higher level or just spiraling downward in stages. To me, spirituality is basically just the philosophy of the soul.
Daniel Martin72 Daniel Martin72 Newcomer
8 messages
joined Sep 2003
#14 ·
Gaudrath said:In other words, can we actually claim that spiritual people today don't believe there's a "Wizard of Oz" behind the curtain of this material world—some divine will running the whole show, even down to the lightning strikes? If that’s the case, then spirituality hasn't really changed at all. All that's shifted is the vocabulary and how complicated the ideas get. But the core? It stays exactly the same.

Personally, I’m a firm believer that things in life unfold with a certain kind of dramatic necessity—you know, in the most interesting way possible. To me, that means God isn't some distant, unreachable figure watching from a mile away; instead, He's constantly looking out for every single one of us, trying to point us toward the right path, provided we're actually willing to listen. God wants us to be partners in this, and if we play along, nothing happens to us by mere accident or in some "wrong" way.

The whole lightning thing is basically the litmus test for spirituality—do we see it as a meaningful message or just another plot twist in our life story, or do we just write it off as bad luck? I don't mess around with gambling, mostly because it feels like cheating—like I'm trying to take a shortcut when God is already looking after me every single day and every step of the way. It's the same deal with lightning; I'd have to view it as a pretty significant, if not slightly blunt, signal. But most people? They're busy chasing jackpots and shaking in their boots when the thunder rolls.

I really think the essence of spirituality remains unchanged—it's simply about understanding that connection between God and us.
wearyowl29 wearyowl29 Regular
715 messages
joined Feb 2014
#15 ·
Gaudrath said:I see people constantly questioning whether they’re actually making any progress on their spiritual journey. It's everywhere! But honestly? From what I can gather, spirituality itself—as this whole concept of a being evolving spiritually—doesn't seem to have shown any real signs of significant advancement throughout the entire history of mankind. We just seem to be spinning our wheels in the same place!
The questions haven't changed, and honestly, neither have the answers. Sure, the interpretations and solutions have gained a bit more "weight" over time—mostly because every generation loves to add its own little layer of elaboration to what’s already been said. But if you step back and take a real look at it, the core of these teachings remains exactly the same. It’s really just 101 variations on the exact same theme! That got me thinking, though. Do any of you know of any spiritual teachings that are actually groundbreaking? I mean, something so radically innovative and different from everything that came before it that you could practically call it the "Spiritual Theory of Relativity"?

Honestly, from where I’m sitting, it looks like people are still bowing down to the elemental forces just like they did at the dawn of time. It’s the same old story! The only real difference? Now we’ve got a few extra layers added to the chain of command in reality. It's like we've added more management to the universe!

Let me riff on this for a second, because it really gets me thinking. A question keeps popping up in my head: can you actually "develop" spirituality the same way you develop scientific knowledge? Think about science for a moment. It’s all about the hunt, right? You’re out there trying to map the unknown, peering through telescopes or smashing particles together to understand the massive universe that exists outside of us. It’s an outward expedition. But spirituality feels different. To me, the whole point is introspection. It's looking inward. So, if that's the case, isn't everything we're trying to "discover" already tucked away inside us? It’s like searching for a lost key, only to realize you've been holding it in your hand the entire time!

So, does that mean spiritual growth isn't quite like scientific progress? You know, where one person's breakthrough is really just standing on the shoulders of hundreds of researchers who came before them? It feels more like a journey of self-discovery, doesn't it? A path where you’re forced to start from scratch every single time. It’s a bit wild to think about!

What do you all think? Is it actually possible for spirituality to evolve on a global scale? And if you believe it can, are you seeing any signs that we're heading that way?

That’s some solid food for thought, Gau.
I bet everyone’s probably sitting there wondering exactly where they stand right now. You know, what stage or level of development they've actually reached on their spiritual journey. Personally, I feel like we shouldn't even be talking about "stages"—it's really more about true maturity. It makes you stop and think: where do the rest of us actually fit in? What level is our collective spirituality truly operating on?

A community of individuals isn't just some simple math equation where you add up all the parts to get a total. It’s much more complex than that! You can't just tally up people like they're items on a grocery list at Target and expect to understand the whole picture. There's a certain magic in the way we connect—it's an entirely different beast altogether.
When we talk about the spirituality of a community, let’s be honest—we’re really just talking about the spiritual health of the individuals within it. It always comes back to that! I was chatting with a friend over coffee in Seattle the other day about this exact thing, and it hit me: you can't have a soulful collective if the people making up that group aren't finding their own inner peace first. It’s all about the individual heart!
Every bit of growth is essentially a continuous process governed by its own set of rules. But here’s where things get interesting. In science, everything is built on rigid frameworks—you have specific values and strict criteria to test if a theory actually holds water. It's all about that constant verification of the paradigm. Spirituality, though? That’s a whole different ballgame! It doesn't just rely on some abstract checklist. For me, the ultimate test isn't found in a lab; it's found in reality itself. It’s lived. It’s not just a collection of "techniques" you pick up like a hobby, but rather a complete way of being. We’re talking about an entire ecosystem of thoughts, actions, and how we move through the world. It’s life itself acting as the validator!
A scientist doesn't always get to "live" their research—sometimes life just gets in the way, or the data simply won't cooperate. But a spiritually mature, truly self-aware person? They live their faith every single day. It’s built into their very DNA.
There’s a massive, vital distinction to be made here regarding why you just can't lump all individual spirituality into one single bucket. You hit the nail on the head when you brought up introspection, but I really want to add my own personal experience to the mix. Now, I'll be the first to admit that sometimes what I've gone through defies any kind of logical explanation—it's hard to wrap your head around rationally—but let me tell you, it is absolutely, undeniably real.
Science just can't wrap its head around the raw, personal experience of being alive. It’s one of those things that simply defies logic. You know? There’s no way to take a gut feeling or a sudden moment of pure clarity and squeeze it into some neat, rational little box or a spreadsheet. Honestly, once you realize that, you stop looking for an explanation altogether. I remember sitting on my porch in Seattle last autumn, watching the fog roll in, and feeling this overwhelming sense of peace—it wasn't something I could measure with a sensor, but it was real. Once you accept that some things are just meant to be felt rather than calculated, life gets a whole lot simpler!

How does collective spirituality—if we can even call it that without oversimplifying things—actually impact the big picture on a global scale?

The whole process of growing spiritually demands everything you’ve got. It requires the entire person. Trying to be "spiritual" in little fragments—just picking and choosing the parts that feel convenient, useful, or fun—is a bit of a trap, isn't it? It’s easy to cherry-pick the bits we like while completely ignoring the fact that this is supposed to be a total overhaul of our state of being and consciousness. Real, visible results only show up when you embrace the fullness of it. If we intentionally distance ourselves from the harder truths—mostly because we lack the grit or the willpower to face them head-on—we aren't actually growing. We're just playing pretend.
If you ask me, the biggest thing standing in our way—the real heavy hitter that guts our strength and keeps us stuck—is our own ego and vanity. It’s such a massive roadblock! Honestly, if we don't get a handle on that prideful side of ourselves, we're never going to truly evolve as whole beings. I was reading this fascinating piece the other day about personal growth, and it hit me: how can we ever change if we're too busy being obsessed with our own image? It's tough, but it's true!

We really shouldn't overlook the fact that when we start broadcasting different perspectives—whether it's just one individual or an entire group—it shifts the whole landscape. It changes everything! If we could actually get more diverse ideas out there, what people call the "spirit of the times" would finally start reflecting something much higher quality than what we’re seeing right now. Honestly, look at the world today. It feels like a constant, exhausting cycle of competition and unrest. There's so much aggression, greed, and exploitation everywhere you turn. And don't even get me started on the lack of empathy for those who are suffering. We’ve lost that sense of solidarity and basic tolerance. But I truly believe if we change the conversation, we can change the culture. It's all connected!

The Age of Aquarius is officially upon us! You can see the shifts happening everywhere, though I'll admit they feel incredibly slow right now. As long as the institutional gatekeepers of the old guard cling desperately to the gears that keep their systems running, any shift in our collective spiritual consciousness
is going to be sluggish. It’s being delayed, sure, but it isn't being erased. It's still coming!
I always say that a crisis doesn't have to mean a collapse. Think of it more as a deep shakeup—a chance for the human spirit to finally rise up and meet the massive challenges ahead of us.
Jack Harris3 Jack Harris3 Regular
451 messages
joined Dec 2002
#16 ·
If I ever get there, it’ll just be one of those things that happens along the way... definitely not some frantic, desperate chase after enlightenment 😁, but honestly, tell me—what even is spirituality? And who gets to decide someone’s spiritual path? What kind of yardstick are they using? Who can actually judge their own progress, let alone anyone else's?
Just a bunch of fluffy nonsense, if you ask me.
Back in the sixties, everyone was tripping on LSD, and now in the two-thousands, it’s all about this whole spirituality thing... 🙂
Ryan Wilson2 Ryan Wilson2 Regular
387 messages
joined Dec 2002
#17 ·
Jack Harris3 said:If I ever happen to achieve it—and that is a significant "if"—it will simply be a byproduct of living my life. I have absolutely no interest in some frantic, desperate pursuit of enlightenment. Why would anyone spend their existence chasing a shadow? If it happens, it happens, but I refuse to make a spectacle of myself by hunting it down. 😁

Alright, alright... I’ve finally come to the realization that you aren't doing a single thing. 😁

Jack Harris3 said:But tell me this: what even qualifies as "spirituality" in the first place? Who exactly is tasked with determining someone else's spiritual development? By what criteria are we supposed to measure such an abstract concept? And more importantly, who possesses the authority to accurately judge their own spiritual progress, let alone attempt to assess that of another person?

How am I even supposed to explain this to you when your entire worldview is built around an idol who acts like a literal buoy—just drifting wherever the current takes them, completely incapable of steering toward a destination or actually doing anything to reach a goal?
Jack Harris3 Jack Harris3 Regular
451 messages
joined Dec 2002
#18 ·
Ryan Wilson2 said:Alright, alright... I get it. You aren't doing anything at all. 😁

But should you be?
I mean, work isn't what makes a person... 🙂
How am I supposed to explain it when your hero is just a buoy, drifting wherever the current takes it, doing absolutely nothing to steer toward where they actually want to go?

Hmm... It’s tough dealing with people like you and your endless wishes. 😁 You're never satisfied.
What's wrong with being a buoy? It floats and enjoys the ride. 😁
At least it doesn't sink... 🙂

And do you even know where you're trying to go? Have you ever actually been there? Do you know what's waiting for you, or if you'll even like it once you arrive?
Baffy, you're just chasing some kind of illusion... 😁🙂
Ryan Wilson2 Ryan Wilson2 Regular
387 messages
joined Dec 2002
#19 ·
Jack Harris3 said:And should it?
Work didn't create man, after all...

No, no... we are brought into this world by birth.

Jack Harris3 said:What’s wrong with floating? Floating is bliss. 😁
But it doesn't move you forward...

I never suggested there was anything lacking, but how does one explain the necessity of an oar or a gasoline engine to someone who is content just drifting?

Jack Harris3 said:Do you actually know where you want to go? Have you been there before to know what awaits you and whether you'll even enjoy it?
Baffy, you're just chasing the illusion of purpose... 😁🙂

It is pure curiosity that drives me.
For a man stripped of his goals and his illusions, nothing remains but the void.
Benjamin Rodriguez2 Benjamin Rodriguez2 Member
44 messages
joined Jun 2008
#20 ·
If a guy doesn't have any goals left, or even just some decent illusions to cling to, he might as well just end it all.

I mean, living without a goal? You can maybe scrape by with that, but once you lose your illusions, you're pretty much cooked 😁

anyway, I'm the new kid on the block here, so if anyone could point me toward a decent thread or two about spirituality—you know, like actual Spirituality, what does that even mean in this place—that'd be great. Just trying to get a handle on the basic concepts 😁 😕

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