Comments for Spiritual Questions http://spiritualquestions.org.uk Throwing light on human happiness and the meaning of life by exchanging spiritual questions and comments and by exploring links between Swedenborg's writings, psychology and spiritual healing. Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:41:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Is there really a hell of punishment? by Domenic http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/2011/12/hell-of-punishment/#comment-4435 Domenic Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:41:54 +0000 http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/?p=2756#comment-4435 what i gather from all this, is that heaven and hell is not a place of reward or punishment, but a mental state of mind. what i gather from all this, is that heaven and hell is not a place of reward or punishment, but a mental state of mind.

]]> Comment on Was Swedenborg a mystic? by Domenic http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/2012/01/was-swedenborg-a-mystic/#comment-4424 Domenic Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:28:36 +0000 http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/?p=2796#comment-4424 I'm also referring to the fact that the old testament was ritual, the new testament mystical, and the writings of swedenborg rational, the holy spirit is the rational mind of GOD, that's why I find the word mystic kind of odd, when your dealing with a person like swedenborg. I’m also referring to the fact that the old testament was ritual, the new testament mystical, and the writings of swedenborg rational, the holy spirit is the rational mind of GOD, that’s why I find the word mystic kind of odd, when your dealing with a person like swedenborg.

]]> Comment on Is there evidence of any life after death? by editor http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/2012/02/evidence-of-life-after-death/#comment-4342 editor Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:06:17 +0000 http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/?p=2930#comment-4342 Hi Susan. I would recommend reading "Hello from Heaven" by Bill and Judy Guggenheim. Then you would be able to better assess the credibility of the numerous reports of ADCs they give verbatim from their research. Hi Susan. I would recommend reading “Hello from Heaven” by Bill and Judy Guggenheim. Then you would be able to better assess the credibility of the numerous reports of ADCs they give verbatim from their research.

]]> Comment on Is there evidence of any life after death? by susan wilson http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/2012/02/evidence-of-life-after-death/#comment-4334 susan wilson Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:13:04 +0000 http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/?p=2930#comment-4334 For myself I have no doubts about life after death, but I do wonder about ghosts or apparitions. It would seem that for centuries people have "seen" things/people, and I would really like to have some understanding of these phenomenon. As it stands I can't believe in them, I don't know why. I am definitely intrigued and for some reason very frustrated - because I want to know! For myself I have no doubts about life after death, but I do wonder about ghosts or apparitions. It would seem that for centuries people have “seen” things/people, and I would really like to have some understanding of these phenomenon. As it stands I can’t believe in them, I don’t know why. I am definitely intrigued and for some reason very frustrated – because I want to know!

]]> Comment on Was Swedenborg a mystic? by Michael Stanley http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/2012/01/was-swedenborg-a-mystic/#comment-4290 Michael Stanley Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:54:45 +0000 http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/?p=2796#comment-4290 Domenic, Your response stating that Swedenborg was not a mystic implies that one approaches spiritual matters either rationally OR sensually (i.e. experientially), but not ever both combined. Swedenborg experienced countless transrational and ineffable (i.e. mystical) states, and endeavoured to understand and express them in rational terms so far as possible. Since he clearly had so many mystical experiences which he often declared so difficult to describe, it seems a little odd to say he was not a mystic. And in any case, the terms mystic and mysticism have been defined so very differently by different people, that in the end it comes down to how you choose to define these terms. Some people prefer Swedenborg's often heavily theological and philosophical style, and dislike the vagueness and woolliness of much so-called mystical writing that they are unhappy when Swedenborg is called a mystic. But that he claimed to have frequently experienced the ineffable, and tried to put them into more rational terms, is surely undeniable. Domenic,
Your response stating that Swedenborg was not a mystic implies that one approaches spiritual matters either rationally OR sensually (i.e. experientially), but not ever both combined. Swedenborg experienced countless transrational and ineffable (i.e. mystical) states, and endeavoured to understand and express them in rational terms so far as possible. Since he clearly had so many mystical experiences which he often declared so difficult to describe, it seems a little odd to say he was not a mystic. And in any case, the terms mystic and mysticism have been defined so very differently by different people, that in the end it comes down to how you choose to define these terms.
Some people prefer Swedenborg’s often heavily theological and philosophical style, and dislike the vagueness and woolliness of much so-called mystical writing that they are unhappy when Swedenborg is called a mystic. But that he claimed to have frequently experienced the ineffable, and tried to put them into more rational terms, is surely undeniable.

]]> Comment on Was Swedenborg a mystic? by Domenic http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/2012/01/was-swedenborg-a-mystic/#comment-4263 Domenic Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:16:17 +0000 http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/?p=2796#comment-4263 swedenborg was not a mystic, he approached the spiritual from the rational not from the sensual, he was the final peace of the spiritual puzzle, for anyone that has an inner perception and a rational understanding of God. swedenborg was not a mystic, he approached the spiritual from the rational not from the sensual, he was the final peace of the spiritual puzzle, for anyone that has an inner perception and a rational understanding of God.

]]> Comment on Are you going with the flow? by editor http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/2011/06/going-with-the-flow-2/#comment-4214 editor Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:01:57 +0000 http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/?p=2018#comment-4214 Hi Adri. Thank you for writing. I am assuming you are asking about the 'one way love' concept. I am attracted to the ideal of offering kindness to people without expecting reward and without being judgmental. I know I often fail in doing this. I don't think this ideal contradicts obliging others to face up to the consequences of their actions and I guess this means making judgments about behaviour. It is unacceptable to burgle my home. Judge the act but don't jump to conclusions about the character of the perpetrator. Hard I know. Regards Stephen Hi Adri. Thank you for writing. I am assuming you are asking about the ‘one way love’ concept. I am attracted to the ideal of offering kindness to people without expecting reward and without being judgmental. I know I often fail in doing this. I don’t think this ideal contradicts obliging others to face up to the consequences of their actions and I guess this means making judgments about behaviour. It is unacceptable to burgle my home. Judge the act but don’t jump to conclusions about the character of the perpetrator. Hard I know. Regards Stephen

]]> Comment on Home by Adri Braam http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/#comment-4207 Adri Braam Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:27:45 +0000 http://yewtree10.wordpress.com/?page_id=2#comment-4207 Just a very short comment. Ed, why talk about Love and Light while Swedenborg talks about Love and Wisdom and compares them to the sun's warmth and light? Just a very short comment. Ed, why talk about Love and Light while Swedenborg talks about Love and Wisdom and compares them to the sun’s warmth and light?

]]> Comment on Home by Adri Braam http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/#comment-4205 Adri Braam Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:13:16 +0000 http://yewtree10.wordpress.com/?page_id=2#comment-4205 Change the world or change or view? Have you ever stepped into a gym? How would you descibe the atmosphere there? :) This world is not meant for our comfort or pleasure, we are here to build and develop our spirit. Sometimes that can stink. Muscles are not built without resistance, love is not developed without temptations. We can't have water, or even power washers, without also tsunamies. Change the world or change or view?
Have you ever stepped into a gym? How would you descibe the atmosphere there? :)
This world is not meant for our comfort or pleasure, we are here to build and develop our spirit. Sometimes that can stink. Muscles are not built without resistance, love is not developed without temptations.
We can’t have water, or even power washers, without also tsunamies.

]]> Comment on Are you going with the flow? by Adri Braam http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/2011/06/going-with-the-flow-2/#comment-4204 Adri Braam Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:00:11 +0000 http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/?p=2018#comment-4204 Hi Stephen, I find it difficult to respond to this approach to life from a Swedenborgian perspective (a member of the Olivet New Church in Toronto Can.) This almost seems the ideal, while on the other side it seems like sitting in the basement watching television all day.. or sitting in a canoe but not going anywhere. Is this regarded as growing spiritually? What is your take on this? Regards Adri Grace Sabarus from Indonesia is posting an idea on TED.com and the question is: What if there's no consequences associated with choosing and making decision? And this is one of her first comments: "..We are currently implementing a newly found community system by our top community leaders. It's "one way love" concept. It means, we are offering love to anyone in the community without expecting reward and without judging mistakes. All we are required to practice forgiveness when someone hurts the other, practice encouragement when they fail showing good behavior or thinking and practice understanding to choose bad choices. We don't apply any consequences, no judgment and nobody has made mistakes for there's no measurement for mistakes. We have been applying this for 6 month now. It was very very had in the first place. Now it's about to shape. This is the place I want to be all the time. The "one way love" have flourished into unconditional acceptance. The unconditional acceptance makes bad people turn to be much better person. When nobody judge, bad people turns to have nothing to defend. So, they choose to do good as example set by others. Our community concept of "one way love" has been adopted by communities in Brazil and we would love to travel and live for a year or two wherever the world want us to bring this concept into.." Hi Stephen,
I find it difficult to respond to this approach to life from a Swedenborgian perspective (a member of the Olivet New Church in Toronto Can.)
This almost seems the ideal, while on the other side it seems like sitting in the basement watching television all day.. or sitting in a canoe but not going anywhere. Is this regarded as growing spiritually? What is your take on this?
Regards
Adri

Grace Sabarus from Indonesia is posting an idea on TED.com and the question is:
What if there’s no consequences associated with choosing and making decision?

And this is one of her first comments:
“..We are currently implementing a newly found community system by our top community leaders. It’s “one way love” concept. It means, we are offering love to anyone in the community without expecting reward and without judging mistakes. All we are required to practice forgiveness when someone hurts the other, practice encouragement when they fail showing good behavior or thinking and practice understanding to choose bad choices. We don’t apply any consequences, no judgment and nobody has made mistakes for there’s no measurement for mistakes.

We have been applying this for 6 month now. It was very very had in the first place. Now it’s about to shape. This is the place I want to be all the time. The “one way love” have flourished into unconditional acceptance. The unconditional acceptance makes bad people turn to be much better person. When nobody judge, bad people turns to have nothing to defend. So, they choose to do good as example set by others.

Our community concept of “one way love” has been adopted by communities in Brazil and we would love to travel and live for a year or two wherever the world want us to bring this concept into..”

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