Now I get it...How to feel the Spirit.

[_Amore]

I live by this wise statement:

Feelings of transcendence are simply that—feelings—and, as such, have no capacity to reveal truths about a world external to the people who have them.

― Russell Blackford

"This is the greatest paradox: emotions cannot be trusted; but it is they that tell us the greatest truths." -Don Herold

[_Amore]

You're shifting ground now, equating intuition and spirit.
In what material way can one differentiate between ones intuition based on experience and actions based on the spirits promotings?

Please don't say trial and error because that would just relegate your claim of spiritual prompting to the level of nothing more than drawing the target where the arrow has landed.

Maybe you're just frustrated with attempts to justify decisions based on blind faith. Such frustration is understandable. I'm just explaining that all have faith & live by "trial & error" whether consciously or subconsciously. The more aware one is of one's subjectivity, the more potential for living with conscious intention - intuitively & logically.

I don't see significant difference between intuition and spiritual insight, but I do differentiate between logical and intrapersonal & existential intelligences. Trying to identify and logically explain intuition and spiritual percepion is like attempting to measure liquids with a ruler. Is the soul within the limits of the body, or more?

One on a philosophy forum gave a close (but still incomplete) explanation of soul...

"The soul is a metaphor for a measure of our Being in being greater than the sum of its parts. It denotes our empathy with the cosmos. Its what moves inside when you hear music and what creates it. It's an inference which derives from the mystery of consciousness and how the inorganic can flow into and create a spiritual being. It is in a sense the flashpoint of consciousness able to coerce what is deemed sacred from the well of creation and recreate it in ourselves. The soul is everything which expands our Being beyond what physically confines it."

[_Bazooka]

I think you've made my point.
That people differentiate spiritual influence by using arbitrary and self affirming methodology.

[_GrandMoffTarkin]

I live by this wise statement:

Feelings of transcendence are simply that—feelings—and, as such, have no capacity to reveal truths about a world external to the people who have them.

― Russell Blackford

"This is the greatest paradox: emotions cannot be trusted; but it is they that tell us the greatest truths." -Don Herold

Truths about ourselves perhaps, not about a world external to ourselves.

[_Amore]

I think you've made my point.
That people differentiate spiritual influence by using arbitrary and self affirming methodology.

Yes, I think we were partially making the same point, but from different angles.
Do you realize that everybody (including "logical" atheists) cannot help but "differentiate influences by using arbitrary and self affirming methodology"?

We all cannot help but think in subjectively limited ways - so it makes sense to have our subjectivity work FOR us (& those in our influence) rather than against us.
The placebo effect (metaphysics) is undeniably an influential factor in healing. Yet, scientist seem to give up before they even start studying the details of how it works, because they don't even understand basic subjectivity.

How to feel the spirit - is to meditate. How to meditate varies with each person...
Some do yoga and chant "Om" and others go fishing.
Whatever unique way you choose to transcend and improve your conscious, transcendental meditation proves to be helpful...

Dr. Oz on Transcendental Meditation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH9aMyumprc

[_Amore]

"This is the greatest paradox: emotions cannot be trusted; but it is they that tell us the greatest truths." -Don Herold

Truths about ourselves perhaps, not about a world external to ourselves.

Is it possible to relate with the external world WITHOUT having it filtered through ourselves?

[_subgenius]

I think you've made my point.
That people differentiate spiritual influence by using arbitrary and self affirming methodology.

I believe you are"thinking" wrong. Arbitrary and self affirming? Not sure how you can reason that as being possible.
Ironically, if it were true, you would be exhibiting here and thus merit the same consideration.

[_subgenius]

Okay, change my word 'material' for 'clearly identifiable'

My prophecy for your deflection had come to pass.
And again, your inability to discern (whether by material or identity) does not invalidate the point.

[_Bazooka]

I think you've made my point.
That people differentiate spiritual influence by using arbitrary and self affirming methodology.

I believe you are"thinking" wrong. Arbitrary and self affirming? Not sure how you can reason that as being possible.
Ironically, if it were true, you would be exhibiting here and thus merit the same consideration.

You believe wrong.
Unless an until there's a reliable and consistent criteria for diffentiating between the spirit and a self generated sensation, it will remain arbitrary and self affirming.

[_subgenius]

arbitrary and self affirming.

again. .. if it is affirmed by the self then it cannot possibly be arbitrary. ... Arbitrary requires no, nor provides any, affirmation.