SPIRITUALITY - TRUTH OR QUACKERY?
The following excerpt is from the self help
psychology book, Be Your Own Therapist.
Spirituality is defined as "life and consciousness away from
the body" (Oxford 1980, s.v. "spirituality"). This definition
can be useful, for it neither implies nor denies the presence of
some organized religion. Is there life or consciousness away
from our bodies? If so, what is it? Can we experience some of
it without being commanded to "take it on faith?"
Popular literature recently has been full of discussions of
such matters, from out-of-body experiences to near-death
experiences to past lives regression therapy. Is this all
hocus-pocus or is there truth among the many claims?
| Spirit is the real and eternal. Matter is...temporal..... Mary Baker Eddy
|
You may believe that we are just our bodies and that our
consciousness dies with our bodies. Such a belief causes
distress (life at all costs is one major area of distress caused
by such a belief). There are many opportunities in today's world
to experience something different. One possibility for a
different experience is to seek some OBE (out-of-body
experience) by studying Monroe's Journeys Out of The Body, a
classic work about OBEs. To play with projecting your
consciousness elsewhere, you can try the spoon-bending mentioned
later in this chapter. Or talk with someone who has had a
near-death experience (you have heard about it - the tunnel, the
white light and looking back at the body). You could also try to
reach your past lives' experience via hypnosis, also described
later in this chapter. The above are just some of the current
opportunities for direct experience of your spirituality. Are
you afraid of such direct experience? Most find such experiences
fun.
Next Excerpt 
| "This is a safe universe" is an unpopular but VERY DESIRABLE belief that can work wonders for one's peace of mind. Definitely NOT crazy at all. |
More Excerpts This Chapter
WAS THIS CHAPTER BANNED IN BOSTON?
GOLDEN RETRIEVER MAGIC
SPIRITUALITY - TRUTH OR QUACKERY?
SPIRITUALITY IS NOT RELIGION
WHEN DOES RANDOM CHANCE BECOME A FRAUD?
EARTH SCHOOL
HAPPIER CHOICES
TWO HAPPIER BELIEF SYSTEMS
ONE-TIME-AROUND VS. REINCARNATION
PAST LIVES THERAPY
ASTROLOGY
THIS IS A SAFE UNIVERSE
I GET EXACTLY WHAT I NEED
WHAT ABOUT BEING A VICTIM?
SUMMARY OF BELIEFS HAPPY AND UNHAPPY
This Chapter's Quiz
Book Table of Contents
Psychology of Sex Education - Psychological Sexual Health Care
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