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There are many people these days that have rightfully rejected organized religion but are still in search for some kind of spirituality and/or transcendence. Sometimes, these people take the idea of a spiritual journey literally. This week, the Washington Post’s “On Faith” topic deals with such adventure: Eat, pray, travel?
In the memoir Eat, Pray, Love, writer Elizabeth Gilbert gives up her entire way of life to spend a year traveling the world, finding spiritual enlightenment along the way. Julia Roberts, who plays Gilbert's character in the movie version out this week, apparently found enlightenment of her own through the role, revealing that she has become a practicing Hindu. As Joan Ball asks in a Guest Voices post, "Is it possible to live a life of deep, transformational faith without dropping everything and hitting the road?" In your tradition, what is the aim of the spiritual journey?
While I have not read Elizabeth Gilbert’s book and I have no desire to advertise for the movie based on the book (which I have not seen), I still think the topic of a spiritual journey is a relevant one.
For some reason, many people seem to think that places are magical and that if they stand in just the right spot they will transcend their routine lives and gain some sort of divine knowledge and/or wisdom. The fact is that knowledge comes from vigorous study, experimentation, observation, and critical thinking. Wisdom comes from self-examination and the application of what we have learned through the knowledge that we have gained. We can’t cheat the process by traveling to mystical places or claiming divine knowledge/wisdom without being able to demonstrate such things.
Socrates was said to be the wisest person because he was able to admit that he didn’t have knowledge or wisdom, but was able to demonstrate that others were not as knowledgeable as they claimed and that the unexamined life was not worth living.
People don’t need to spend time in deserts, caves, or mountain tops to find meaning in life; they simply need to live their lives. There is an old Buddhist saying that the only Zen one finds at the top of a mountain is the Zen one takes with them. Instead of looking for mean through some sort of magical transcendent/spiritual experience or journey, one ought to look in themselves and at the natural world around them. Live life and observe the universe.
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On Faith: Is the Pope above the law?
On Faith: What is heaven like?
On Faith: Disbelief in the pulpit
On Faith: Catholic Church’s attempt to blackmail Washington fails
On Faith: Is proselytizing overseas religious freedom or coercion?
On Faith: Should religion have a role be in U.S. foreign affairs?
On Faith: Should the president be a religious figure?
On Faith: Does God allow Haiti to suffer?
On Faith: Media biased against Christians?
On Faith: Free speech vs. God
On Faith: Religion’s Impact 2009
On Faith: Climate change a moral issue?
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Comments
Amazing! As scary as it can be at times, I am just soooo glad that I am not trapped forever within the confines of my own mind.
Brilliant and amazing man. Wish there were more like him.
There are all kinds of ways to experience transcendence. Some do it in their daily lives. Some people doing it by traveling the world. Some people do it in a cave. It can happen anywhere. I was in my apartment meditating the first time it happened to me.
Today, all the Norse Gods and all the Greek Gods and all the Roman Gods are commonly known as mythology. Within a hundred years Jesus will be recognized as mythology. Don't do it your way, do it Yahweh.
Astrophysisist's are similar to gods without the guilt trip, the fear nor the sorrow. Polytheism has evolved into a multi-verse mentality and apparently god is a figment of our imagination. We just don't have enough information to conclude otherwise. The concept god is in trouble. Mark Twain will clarify the confusion in November.
Traveling can provide much-needed change of perspective.
Like many other Americans, Mr Rosch, you seem content to wallow in the same old (intellectual) rut you've been in for most of your life. Try seeing the world and honestly listening to others, if Examiner will ever pay you enough to get out the door.
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