The Spiritual Life, The Mundane and Gritty Details

[guest587]

It seems like as we get older certain desires become less interesting, I don't know if it's a consequence of seeking a spiritual life. What does a spiritual life even mean? But I titled this thread the spiritual life because I know members here practice meditation, kriya, and have listened to the guidance of self realized individuals. So I pose a question for the members, and anyone reading, and some separate but related contemplation.

Do you notice, your desires to appease your physical senses becomes less and less? Do you think this is a normal aging experience or is it one that comes about from meditation and kriya yoga?


Separately... I've noticed- some creature habits, I've kind of changed a few of my habits for the better. I still enjoy appeasing the senses with something like frozen fruit- banana's and cherries, almond butter drizzled atop with real honey. The texture of thawing bananas mixed with almond butter is such a delight. And I don't feel bad at all because the ingredients are completely wholesome.

I've been curbing another creature habit- masturbation. I don't think there's anything wrong with it at all, but I do think pornography has taken a turn and attempts to manipulate the psyche of the user. I do think there's plenty to disagree with concerning pornography- but I've talked about this before in a different thread and don't need to get into it.

What I'm seeing is... When I'm tired, the body and mind wants to fall back on creature comforts as a way to shut things off and feel "rewarded and relaxed". And so maybe we go to a quiet place and appease our habitual mind- whatever your indulgence may be. My Fathers and Sisters is drinking. My Mothers is talking on the phone. And not all creature comforts have to be negative.

And what I've noticed is that, in attempts to satisfy a mind that wishes to relax and feel rewarded- an irritability and impatience is produced when something gets in the way. Why should we get irritable? Because we feel tired and believe we should be rewarded? Rewarded how? By satisfying some habit that we sometimes find questionable, other times, regrettable? I guess I've come to see it as selfish thoughts. Nothing wrong with selfish thoughts, and we all deserve some TLC tender love and care... But we should not become irritable because Life would pull us away from pleasing our self in the moment.

Maybe we shouldn't identify the self-numbing as a reward. A quick example I can give is like when my Mom is trying to talk to my Sister or Father when they're watching their show. They get snappy, "I'm watching my show!" Who is right, who is wrong? Or maybe even when you're trying to meditate- or paint, or play music... And someone comes up to ask you a question. "I'm meditating!" Who is right, who is wrong?

When the attitude becomes focused on the self... Hazrat Inayat Khan says this is the source of all life's misery making. When we think about what we're owed, what we're missing, why we need such and such.

Anyways... The spiritual life isn't just out of body experiences, telepathy, clairvoyance, etc. Sometimes its just working on our undesirable behavior and attempting to keep ourselves in a state of harmony within and with the world around us.

So I find, at times, my interest in appeasing the physical senses waning. Other times I recognize the need to appease- and there's an element of renunciation that comes into play. Some other wisdom shared by HIK is that no level of renunciation should be forced. That is not real renunciation. Renunciation comes when we willingly sacrifice- be it a creature comfort, or whatever. If you try to force it, there is typically a rebound effect. I should know, growing up I used to go 110% in whatever direction- forcing and learning, but not always understanding.

And I wonder, is this disinterest in certain bodily appetites just typical aging and maturing process? Or is this a part of the spiritual life?

[mccoy]

And I wonder, is this disinterest in certain bodily appetites just typical aging and maturing process? Or is this a part of the spiritual life?

Probably both! I can tell you though that it may not be just the consequence of aging. I've seen many aging people, my father included, pathetically clinging to their bodily appetites.

[guest587]

Thank you Mccoy for sharing a bit of yourself honestly in your reply. I really appreciate that.

Yes, I think in a way becoming less attached to these mechanical things helps us see a greater picture...

And I hope you don't hold contempt towards your Father for his behaviors.

Wishing you the best ~

[Jitendra Hydonus]

I can relate to what you have said here. I would like to add just a little more to your description. That is after spending much time at spiritual observation and watching others, we find that those who spend little to no time in meditation seldom if ever develop a detached awareness of their own behavior. I see an abundance of blame put on others, for which is mostly a lack of introspection. You mention people for instance watching T.V. and though I see nothing inherently wrong with the boob tube, I do not even have one nor need one. The entertainment around me is so abundant that a i see comedies, movies, tragedies, sitcoms and history unfolding all around me daily.

What does make me irritated is that people in our society have such a low appreciation of meditation that they have no problem 😉 standing nearby when you are meditating and talk incessantly or let their kids come near you and scream. When this happens to me I have become accustomed to cutting my meditation shorter, or finding a better place to practice. I’m sure you have picked up some of my thoughts about this when I’ve continued to reiterate my thoughts about population explosion. There are way too many people on this planet today. It is the cause of violence, anger, irritation, restlessness, lack of housing, food and war. But I feel good about having done my part this life; no more kids to add to the chaos, pollution, traffic jams, lack of housing, food deprivation…and lastly inability to find peace because of constant noise  everywhere.

Yes a lack of sleep, too many planned activities and too much noise and contact with the material world ( specifically the material world associated with people. ) is a major cause of sensory overload which brings the consciousness downward. And yes, we are much different creatures than we were as teenagers with hormone overload.

[guest587]

Thanks Steve.

I appreciate your reply too. And while we may view procreation from a different vantage point, I sense a peace in your beliefs and your actions that I find agreeable. It tells me that people become too polarized in their views, and can't see that all paths have something to offer.

I am glad you can view the motion picture we call Life with appreciation.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Thanks Steve.

I appreciate your reply too. And while we may view procreation from a different vantage point, I sense a peace in your beliefs and your actions that I find agreeable. It tells me that people become too polarized in their views, and can't see that all paths have something to offer.

I am glad you can view the motion picture we call Life with appreciation.

We have been put in a lower age Eric, the reason we are here when people are creating like a bunch of rats, is a total lack of understanding of what our purpose is here in life; it is not to outdo nature and secure our self a position in life among a rat tribe.

I will be putting more information - as I have for years - on sensory overload, which is a major factor that underlies your/our perceptions in this thread. Although at this point I just want to mention that like every expression of duality we are absorbed with in this current materialistic reality in the lower Dwapara or Bronze Age, one definitive explanation will only exist in a larger context that includes another quite different perspective. So we find that although we are surrounded by too many people, as an example, most of us find that it is also an important factor in our spiritual growth. Why? Because there is also the danger of isolating factors too shelter our skewed view of social interaction.

I would like to think that part of our larger purpose is to be here - here and now - and not in a much higher age is to be harbingers of a new race and enlightened perception - however small that light we emanate may at times appear - we are carrying the torch ahead of our time. And, we must recognize that with gifts and grace we also have a responsibility to maintain a certain quality of expression within all the chaos around us. This is the test of our time and that challenge we face, to stand out with a radiance when there is so much darkness descending on our planet in the short term dip we presently feel around us. We often reach out seeking some solace in our journey with others we have attracted to fulfill this our small mission in our development.

[mccoy]

...

And I hope you don't hold contempt towards your Father for his behaviors.

Wishing you the best ~

Ah, yes, that sounded harsh, but I really have no contempt, just realistic views of his state of evolution. His clinging to base instinct in old age is typical of people who refuse in a way the inevitable decline of old age. Identifying youth with sexual activity.

My observations have not a judgemental purpose, they rather serve to remind myself not to fall into that attitude.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

...

And I hope you don't hold contempt towards your Father for his behaviors.

Wishing you the best ~

Ah, yes, that sounded harsh, but I really have no contempt, just realistic views of his state of evolution. His clinging to base instinct in old age is typical of people who refuse in a way the inevitable decline of old age. Identifying youth with sexual activity.

My observations have not a judgemental purpose, they rather serve to remind myself not to fall into that attitude.

I found for me that practice of Kriya, meditation and service to others, helped in taking away an obsessive and morbid mind that could only direct my energies to resolution and distracting myself from my main purpose in life.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

It seems like as we get older certain desires become less interesting, I don't know if it's a consequence of seeking a spiritual life. What does a spiritual life even mean? But I titled this thread the spiritual life because I know members here practice meditation, kriya, and have listened to the guidance of self realized individuals. So I pose a question for the members, and anyone reading, and some separate but related contemplation.

Do you notice, your desires to appease your physical senses becomes less and less? Do you think this is a normal aging experience or is it one that comes about from meditation and kriya yoga?


Separately... I've noticed- some creature habits, I've kind of changed a few of my habits for the better. I still enjoy appeasing the senses with something like frozen fruit- banana's and cherries, almond butter drizzled atop with real honey. The texture of thawing bananas mixed with almond butter is such a delight. And I don't feel bad at all because the ingredients are completely wholesome.

I've been curbing another creature habit- masturbation. I don't think there's anything wrong with it at all, but I do think pornography has taken a turn and attempts to manipulate the psyche of the user. I do think there's plenty to disagree with concerning pornography- but I've talked about this before in a different thread and don't need to get into it.

What I'm seeing is... When I'm tired, the body and mind wants to fall back on creature comforts as a way to shut things off and feel "rewarded and relaxed". And so maybe we go to a quiet place and appease our habitual mind- whatever your indulgence may be. My Fathers and Sisters is drinking. My Mothers is talking on the phone. And not all creature comforts have to be negative.

And what I've noticed is that, in attempts to satisfy a mind that wishes to relax and feel rewarded- an irritability and impatience is produced when something gets in the way. Why should we get irritable? Because we feel tired and believe we should be rewarded? Rewarded how? By satisfying some habit that we sometimes find questionable, other times, regrettable? I guess I've come to see it as selfish thoughts. Nothing wrong with selfish thoughts, and we all deserve some TLC tender love and care... But we should not become irritable because Life would pull us away from pleasing our self in the moment.

Maybe we shouldn't identify the self-numbing as a reward. A quick example I can give is like when my Mom is trying to talk to my Sister or Father when they're watching their show. They get snappy, "I'm watching my show!" Who is right, who is wrong? Or maybe even when you're trying to meditate- or paint, or play music... And someone comes up to ask you a question. "I'm meditating!" Who is right, who is wrong?

When the attitude becomes focused on the self... Hazrat Inayat Khan says this is the source of all life's misery making. When we think about what we're owed, what we're missing, why we need such and such.

Anyways... The spiritual life isn't just out of body experiences, telepathy, clairvoyance, etc. Sometimes its just working on our undesirable behavior and attempting to keep ourselves in a state of harmony within and with the world around us.

So I find, at times, my interest in appeasing the physical senses waning. Other times I recognize the need to appease- and there's an element of renunciation that comes into play. Some other wisdom shared by HIK is that no level of renunciation should be forced. That is not real renunciation. Renunciation comes when we willingly sacrifice- be it a creature comfort, or whatever. If you try to force it, there is typically a rebound effect. I should know, growing up I used to go 110% in whatever direction- forcing and learning, but not always understanding.

And I wonder, is this disinterest in certain bodily appetites just typical aging and maturing process? Or is this a part of the spiritual life?

I like your original thread  here Eric and the comments Hazrat Khan made. I’ve noticed the changes you mention also. Yet at times I still feel the stimulation of physical warmth from a relationship of some sort. It even seems to help me in some spiritual activities, such as fasting and energizing. Perhaps an occasional activation of the sacral chakra is needed under the delusion of maya to inspire needed exercise, that may not be a factor in complete enlightenment.. the activation of for instance the dorsal or 💜 heart chakra, seems to supersede all need for the lower chakras, and their expression and desire for experience.

On a different note I found this statement of particular interest to me personally;
When the attitude becomes focused on the self... “ Inayat Khan says this is the source of all life's misery making. When we think about what we're owed, what we're missing, why we need such and such.”

[Jitendra Hydonus]

It seems like as we get older certain desires become less interesting, I don't know if it's a consequence of seeking a spiritual life. What does a spiritual life even mean? But I titled this thread the spiritual life because I know members here practice meditation, kriya, and have listened to the guidance of self realized individuals. So I pose a question for the members, and anyone reading, and some separate but related contemplation.

Do you notice, your desires to appease your physical senses becomes less and less? Do you think this is a normal aging experience or is it one that comes about from meditation and kriya yoga?


I've been curbing another creature habit- masturbation. I don't think there's anything wrong with it at all, but I do think pornography has taken a turn and attempts to manipulate the psyche of the user. I do think there's plenty to disagree with concerning pornography- but I've talked about this before in a different thread and don't need to get into it.

What I'm seeing is... When I'm tired, the body and mind wants to fall back on creature comforts as a way to shut things off and feel "rewarded and relaxed". And so maybe we go to a quiet place and appease our habitual mind- whatever your indulgence may be. My Fathers and Sisters is drinking. My Mothers is talking on the phone. And not all creature comforts have to be negative.

And what I've noticed is that, in attempts to satisfy a mind that wishes to relax and feel rewarded- an irritability and impatience is produced when something gets in the way. Why should we get irritable? Because we feel tired and believe we should be rewarded? Rewarded how? By satisfying some habit that we sometimes find questionable, other times, regrettable? I guess I've come to see it as selfish thoughts. Nothing wrong with selfish thoughts, and we all deserve some TLC tender love and care... But we should not become irritable because Life would pull us away from pleasing our self in the moment.

Maybe we shouldn't identify the self-numbing as a reward. A quick example I can give is like when my Mom is trying to talk to my Sister or Father when they're watching their show. They get snappy, "I'm watching my show!" Who is right, who is wrong? Or maybe even when you're trying to meditate- or paint, or play music... And someone comes up to ask you a question. "I'm meditating!" Who is right, who is wrong?

When the attitude becomes focused on the self... Hazrat Inayat Khan says this is the source of all life's misery making. When we think about what we're owed, what we're missing, why we need such and such.

Anyways... The spiritual life isn't just out of body experiences, telepathy, clairvoyance, etc. Sometimes its just working on our undesirable behavior and attempting to keep ourselves in a state of harmony within and with the world around us.

So I find, at times, my interest in appeasing the physical senses waning. Other times I recognize the need to appease- and there's an element of renunciation that comes into play. Some other wisdom shared by HIK is that no level of renunciation should be forced. That is not real renunciation. Renunciation comes when we willingly sacrifice- be it a creature comfort, or whatever. If you try to force it, there is typically a rebound effect. I should know, growing up I used to go 110% in whatever direction- forcing and learning, but not always understanding.

And I wonder, is this disinterest in certain bodily appetites just typical aging and maturing process? Or is this a part of the spiritual life?

Added to what has already been said is the conflict that often occurs when attempting to satisfy desires. We are just not able to satisfy all our desires as new ones are added daily. So we seek a way to circumvent them over the years. We find ways to limit desires and to extinguish them rather than nurturing them. This  may have nothing to do with age, since we may even had more control over certain behaviors and desires when we were younger than even presently.

I find myself recognizing how important environment is in the appeasement and awareness of desires. And what experiences we have associated with desire, due to our behaviors, when we encounter resistance to our desires from outside factors and people. Many times we have to let others around us go, because our desires conflict with theirs and we are not able to satisfy their desires in a way that suits them.