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Post by FilmFlaneur on Jan 1, 2021 13:06:04 GMT
For centuries gurus have taught that the path to enlightenment involves transcending the self. Now researchers have spotted a problem: spiritual practices that are supposed to shrink the ego are more likely to inflate it. People who take part in meditation and other forms of training designed to place them in touch with the universe and make them less judgmental were found to score very highly in “spiritual superiority”. The study reveals a paradox behind routines that are supposed to help people resist narcissism — they tend to pump up their sense of self-worth.
The examine, revealed within the European Journal of Social Psychology, discovered that individuals who participate in meditation and different types of coaching meant to put them in contact with the universe, and make them much less judgmental, truly felt ‘spiritually superior’ to others.
Practitioners of mindfulness rated their non secular value about 50 per cent greater than odd mortals when requested in the event that they agreed with phrases akin to: ‘The world can be a greater place if others too had the insights that I’ve now.’ They had been additionally more likely to agree that: ‘Due to my schooling and expertise, I’m observant and see issues that others overlook.’
No surprise here; but is it not too much of stretch to move from considerations of mindfulness and meditation to those who think they are blessed, or the superiority claimed through the revelations supposedly acquired through religiosity? ('We are the elect/chosen peoples/those who will be saved' etc).
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Post by moviemouth on Jan 1, 2021 14:40:16 GMT
There is such a thing as looking too much into something.
That has a double meaning in this case.
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Post by mystery on Jan 1, 2021 16:18:48 GMT
Most things turn out to be the opposite of what they claim to be. Christianity is love, Islam is peace, Liberals are tolerant, Conservatives are fiscally responsible, etc. I'm not sure why that is. I suppose it's what they aspire to be, but then they fail and become the opposite.
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Post by Dirty Santa PaulsLaugh on Jan 1, 2021 16:47:01 GMT
Can you post the link? I’m assuming they’re only talking about middle-class westerners buying into new age bullshit, rather than people who seriously practice yoga and meditation.
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Post by FilmFlaneur on Jan 1, 2021 17:05:17 GMT
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Post by Dirty Santa PaulsLaugh on Jan 1, 2021 17:35:01 GMT
I’ve met a lot of folks in the new age movement, and while often whacky, they are not an arrogant lot. Without reading the study and understand their definition of “spiritually smug,” I think folks saying they feel more centered to the universe and the “world would be a better place” attitude is not necessarily egotism. What religion, ideology, fantasy sport, or eater of Hagen Das ice cream does not think this? Anyway, I checked the European Journal of Social Psychology and Roos Vonk hasn’t published there since 1999. I think the Telegraph article might be fibbing.
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Post by FilmFlaneur on Jan 1, 2021 18:06:07 GMT
I’ve met a lot of folks in the new age movement, and while often whacky, they are not an arrogant lot. Without reading the study and understand their definition of “spiritually smug,” I think folks saying they feel more centered to the universe and the “world would be a better place” attitude is not necessarily egotism. What religion, ideology, fantasy sport, or eater of Hagen Das ice cream does not think this? Anyway, I checked the European Journal of Social Psychology and Roos Vonk hasn’t published there since 1999. I think the Telegraph article might be fibbing. If they are then so are The Times- where it appeared on the front page a few days back.
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Post by Dirty Santa PaulsLaugh on Jan 1, 2021 18:21:37 GMT
I’ve met a lot of folks in the new age movement, and while often whacky, they are not an arrogant lot. Without reading the study and understand their definition of “spiritually smug,” I think folks saying they feel more centered to the universe and the “world would be a better place” attitude is not necessarily egotism. What religion, ideology, fantasy sport, or eater of Hagen Das ice cream does not think this? Anyway, I checked the European Journal of Social Psychology and Roos Vonk hasn’t published there since 1999. I think the Telegraph article might be fibbing. If they are then so are The Times- where it appeared on the front page a few days back. Can you post the article? It has a paywall.
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Post by FilmFlaneur on Jan 1, 2021 18:23:52 GMT
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Post by drystyx on Jan 1, 2021 18:41:16 GMT
why don't you take your smug butt and sit it over there, Mr. Smug?
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Post by goz on Jan 1, 2021 20:40:40 GMT
I personally think that anyone who claims 'enlightenment' from any source whatever is fooling themselves.
Animal Farm....'All are enlightened but some are more enlightened than others'.
We all share the human condition in all is vicissitudes, grasping at happiness and meaning where we can find it.
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Post by HeCantStandStill on Jan 1, 2021 20:54:02 GMT
The same thing could be said about about any sort of belief system - religious (or lack of) included.
As long as you keep open minded that different things work for different people then no one thing is better than another.
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Post by goz on Jan 1, 2021 21:00:09 GMT
The same thing could be said about about any sort of belief system - religious (or lack of) included. As long as you keep open minded that different things work for different people then no one thing is better than another. Ahah! That is usually where the problem lies. Prosthelytising, conversion and missionary zeal.
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Post by HeCantStandStill on Jan 1, 2021 21:07:41 GMT
The same thing could be said about about any sort of belief system - religious (or lack of) included. As long as you keep open minded that different things work for different people then no one thing is better than another. Ahah! That is usually where the problem lies. Prosthelytising, conversion and missionary zeal. Yeah, something along the lines of watching one kid say to another "My minister says that you are going to hell because you don't attend the same church as I do".
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Post by FilmFlaneur on Jan 1, 2021 23:38:20 GMT
The same thing could be said about about any sort of belief system - religious (or lack of) included. As long as you keep open minded that different things work for different people then no one thing is better than another. If one was to extend this to include those who are excessively sanctimonious then, if we see smugness as just another form of vanity, for Christians at least it would be a deadly sin.
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Post by Dirty Santa PaulsLaugh on Jan 2, 2021 0:59:16 GMT
I personally think that anyone who claims 'enlightenment' from any source whatever is fooling themselves. Animal Farm....'All are enlightened but some are more enlightened than others'. We all share the human condition in all is vicissitudes, grasping at happiness and meaning where we can find it. There is enlightenment, however it is an Eastern concept that takes years to achieve if ever. Even then there is a famous saying: Before enlightenment chop wood, carry water; after enlightenment chop wood, carry water. Westerners have no patience for this.
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Post by mystery on Jan 2, 2021 1:55:01 GMT
I personally think that anyone who claims 'enlightenment' from any source whatever is fooling themselves. Animal Farm....'All are enlightened but some are more enlightened than others'. We all share the human condition in all is vicissitudes, grasping at happiness and meaning where we can find it. There is enlightenment, however it is an Eastern concept that takes years to achieve if ever. Even then there is a famous saying: Before enlightenment chop wood, carry water; after enlightenment chop wood, carry water. Westerners have no patience for this. I could be wrong, but I always thought that saying meant that we can't escape from mortal drudgery even if we achieve a higher level of spiritual awareness. We still have to live in this world, and in this flesh. Spirituality isn't an escape from life, but ideally it should help us cope with it better, to gain a greater understanding and acceptance of our place in the universe. If you hoped to spend the rest of your days floating in a state of spiritual nirvana, it's probably not going to happen. We're still mortal, and we still have to live in this world, and life still carries on, just like before. |
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Post by SciFive on Jan 2, 2021 11:56:15 GMT
There is enlightenment, however it is an Eastern concept that takes years to achieve if ever. Even then there is a famous saying: Before enlightenment chop wood, carry water; after enlightenment chop wood, carry water. Westerners have no patience for this. I could be wrong, but I always thought that saying meant that we can't escape from mortal drudgery even if we achieve a higher level of spiritual awareness. We still have to live in this world, and in this flesh. Spirituality isn't an escape from life, but ideally it should help us cope with it better, to gain a greater understanding and acceptance of our place in the universe. If you hoped to spend the rest of your days floating in a state of spiritual nirvana, it's probably not going to happen. We're still mortal, and we still have to live in this world, and life still carries on, just like before. In college, I was in a laundry room once when a guy (also doing laundry) started telling me about this amazing experience he had while living in the wild or something like that. An enlightening incredible experience that was unlike anything I’d ever heard. Then, I realized something. The best part of all this for him was being back in civilization again in a laundry room bragging about it. |
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Post by senan90 on Jan 2, 2021 12:30:05 GMT
I could be wrong, but I always thought that saying meant that we can't escape from mortal drudgery even if we achieve a higher level of spiritual awareness. We still have to live in this world, and in this flesh. Spirituality isn't an escape from life, but ideally it should help us cope with it better, to gain a greater understanding and acceptance of our place in the universe. If you hoped to spend the rest of your days floating in a state of spiritual nirvana, it's probably not going to happen. We're still mortal, and we still have to live in this world, and life still carries on, just like before. In college, I was in a laundry room once when a guy (also doing laundry) started telling me about this amazing experience he had while living in the wild or something like that. An enlightening incredible experience that was unlike anything I’d ever heard. Then, I realized something. The best part of all this for him was being back in civilization again in a laundry room bragging about it. Sounds to me that you should have been happy for him spiritually if you are a spiritual religious person. You sound bitter and jealous.
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Post by SciFive on Jan 2, 2021 13:26:35 GMT
In college, I was in a laundry room once when a guy (also doing laundry) started telling me about this amazing experience he had while living in the wild or something like that. An enlightening incredible experience that was unlike anything I’d ever heard. Then, I realized something. The best part of all this for him was being back in civilization again in a laundry room bragging about it. Sounds to me that you should have been happy for him spiritually if you are a spiritual religious person. You sound bitter and jealous. Why did he leave that life if it was so perfect? He left so he could tell people about it. I was happy for him that he found something that pleased him so much. |
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