Spiritual hunger versus fear of running into spiritual baloney

[David Schlussel]

I had a great discussion with Kjer, who suggested this discussion topic, after my yoga class at http://ecstaticdance.org about her spiritual hunger, and the ways she's run into spiritual baloney, and how to discern between the two.

I'll quickly invoke the introduction to a translation of the yoga sutras by Alistair Shearer:
and I (mis)quote: "Yoga is not a belief system, but a set of practices that when undertaken naturally offer you a chance to experience many of the same truths other belief systems ask you to simply believe and have faith in."

I'm left curious about two things:

1) what is your spiritual hunger
2) what's your experience of spiritual baloney

David

[David Schlussel]

Reply by Kjer Sahl 5 hours ago

On the one hand I would like to stay safe. I've had quite a bit of baloney offered to me, some well-meaning and ignorant, some blatantly attempting to further an agenda. It's made me gun-shy, so to speak. However, remaining in safe mode (as on one's computer) is a grey existence, and one I've grown weary of. How does one appropriately plunge into the ocean of spirituality without being eaten by the sharks?

[David Schlussel]

First, to this latest question of yours:

"How does one appropriately plunge into the ocean of spirituality without being eaten by the sharks?"

I'm curious what the sharks are and what the real risks are of exploring. What would being eaten look like? I'm imagining you could get sucked in to some cult.

The metaphor I love when seeking teachers is this:

When they send a satellite towards the moon, many things can happen:
- the satellite can crash into the moon
- the satellite can miss the moon completely
- the satellite can catch the moons gravity and go into orbit
- and sometimes, if shot just right, the satellite can use the moons gravitational pull to slingshot it out deeper into space perhaps towards a further destination

Trust your instincts as to whether they are sharks or not. From meeting you I'd say you've done well so far. The sharks may be swimming, but while they may have scared you from the ocean, I'm wondering if you've really been bitten.

Second, since I just moved the discussion to it's very own forum, my previous message may have crossed paths with yours, and I'd still love to hear more about:

1) what is your spiritual hunger
2) what's your experience of spiritual baloney

I'm hoping this computer experience isn't TOO grey :)

Thanks for writing and bringing this forum ALIVE!