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Levels Of Spirituality - Page 3

One of the difficulties with talking about this kind of subject is different perceptions of what spirituality is. Some might equate it with emotion, others with service, yet others with knowledge.

Obviously there are different levels of spirituality (and everything else) though I am not sure how it can be determined from our own natural perceptions alone. I do not believe that action alone (the easiest thing to see in others) is always a good measuring stick (or if we should be measuring in the first place!).

I have heard some good definitions over time of spirituality: "the power to act in the realm of the spirit", "our relationship with Heavenly Father as compared to our relationship with ourselves (emotional) and others (social)", "access to the mind of Christ"...

I think, in my opinion, we use the word in both a narrow and general way. I did not always believe it, but - in the narrow sense - I believe spirituality is only a PART of that which we need to become (see last definition above especially).

However, in the general sense the word can be used to indicate our general readiness to receive all that God hath - or how close we are to godliness. Though you might want to use the word godliness

Now, that understood, can levels of spirituality be discerned by our common awareness?

Someone said something in my last Sunday School lesson which I have always believed but never heard so succinctly put. Said she: When all is said and done, God is more interested in what we have become than what we have done.

Now, I appreciate doing and becoming are inseparably connected, but it puts the emphasis on what we are, the reason for doing, the purpose for doing - To become as He is.

In mortal terms what we "are" can best be determined within ourselves by our attitude and insight, our desires and attractions.

Here are some things which, to me, indicate true spirituality:

* an absence of genuine pride (enmity to God and man)
* a constant feeling of gratitude to God and for life
* a desire to do things which are good
* a desire to learn truth (in all subjects) - not a desire just to learn itself
* a love of agency, of liberty and a desire for it to be enjoyed by all
* a total absence of an unforgiving heart (toward ourselves and others)

As we never know exactly what a person brought with them from the Pre-existence, and as we never know where they started from in this life in any area of spirituality or anything connected thereto, it makes it darn difficult to discern levels of spirituality.

For example, someone achieving 30% home teaching at a certain point in their life might be more spiritual than someone achieving a much higher percentage simply because their circumstances are different. The former may be the more valiant but outward measurements may not indicate that.

As I've got older I've come to believe that spirituality (in the broad sense), perhaps we might use the word righteousness, is about being balanced. The most righteous acts can be taken to excess. Pursuing spirituality (in the narrow sense) may make us so two-dimensional, so negligent of other attributes, that we do not gain that rounded and whole character to take with us into the next world - indeed, we may find out spirituality is not spirituality at all but our own idea of what we thought it was.

There may be times in our life when taking time out for a holiday or leisure may be FAR more important than going to the Temple. Why? Because we need to grow in all areas of life. It seems a paradox (like many things in the gospel) but moderation in all things seems to often be the means to the extreme of Exaltation. There are times when we sprint perhaps, but most of life balance.

Some people grow in certain areas and new things become important to their spiritual growth.

I don't think we can judge, we can glimpse throught the Spirit if that is given us, but we should encourage all and not judge. Perhaps the thing which keeps the less spiritual (or active) inclined to stay that way is the judgement of others, criticising them rather than encouraging them.

Perhaps the only question we should be asking is: How do I get to the next level of spirituality?


Dubhdara.

Spirituality Levels

Dubhdara, in some of the things you have said I agree and others not. First of all action is the yard stick in my opinion. A person's action actually reveals their thoughts and heart. How do I know that? Lets take two people preparing for baptism (same date). Think about it... can one have prepared themselves so much for baptism but not be baptized on the designated day and yet be more spiritual than the other who may not have been as dilignet in the discussion or preparation but choose to follow God by baptism? The Lord gives us an excellent example of how we measure... remember the 10 virgins? No one is saying that the five without oil may not have been attuned, may not have known God's will, but because they failed to actually do the do they were left outside or in other words the road to hell is paved with good intentions with emphasis on 'GOOD'. Notice that the five without oil could NOT share the oil they had prepared.

Not by 'common' awareness BUT by the same Spirit which knows ALL things and discernment. What did the Lord say concerning this... 'By their fruit you will know them. Fruit is something that needs to be seen and tasted, not hidden and obscured. Joseph Smith at certain times in deep prayer told some of the Brethren which had made their election sure. This means it can be done. During our lifetime our level of spirituality is measured... that is why we have interviews, recommends, etc. These are to give us a 'sample' of how we are doing or in other words are we at a level of readiness to enter God's Kingdom? How we pass goes in line with an earlier discussion about A, B, C, etc.

Yes, I agree with these as some of the measuring sticks... and notice how all of them require some kind of action.

I agree with that to a point, but that is not a true measuring stick since along with visits comes attitude... or in other words, what effort was made? Even if you can't visit, did you inform someone to help you or did you just sit back and say 'I can't'? Again, this is what in my opinion shows spirituality... shows how much a brother has love... action. In other words... if our companion does not show up, if we had not money to travel is it the fault of those to whom we were ordained to home teach? The Lord gave an excellent example of this with the woman and two mites... the rich man performed an action the same as the old woman, but what was the difference... one did it with her heart - she gave all she hath... that is a very different action from the rich man. See thequote from our Prophet below (bottom of this message).

Well what did the Lord say... with what you measure so too you will be measured. Thus if we preach one thing and do another we indeed condemn ourselves.

The only question? To me this is not a question of how... but when... we already know how, the Lord has told us to follow Him, he has shown us the way and what to do... BUT it is when we choose to do it... when do we choose to follow him with exactness as the obedient 2000 in the Book of Mormon.... when do we get this Mighty Change of Heart as has been emphasized... when we have made our Salvation and election sure.

"The challenge which faces every member of the Church is to take the next
step, to accept that responsibility to which he is called, even though he
does not feel equal to it, and to do so in faith with the full expectation
that the Lord will light the way before him."

(Gordon B. Hinckley, "We Walk by Faith," Ensign, May 2002, 73.)

Levels Of Spirituality Studies Doctrine Mormon

JB,

We may be straining at gnats here. Our views are no doubt similar but viewed from different angles - fine details and nuances are rarely shared.

You are quite right, of course doing is essential but God did not create us to do, but to become. WE do need to do in order to become - but the vision, the desire, must be to become and not simply to do. One could argue that the purpose of becoming like God is then to DO, but this is to do things that bring about the perfection of those we love.

In the end, what we do will not save anyone but ourselves though it may provide blessings and a great influence on others so that they will then be more likely to do that which will perfect them.

My concern with an over-emphasis on such things as obedience, goals, and tangible measuring sticks is not that they are wrong (because they are not) but that they alone, when untempered by a higher (or at least comparable) dose of encouragement and spirituality and fellowship, can be counterproductive.

I think the Lord is telling us here that he expects things of us that He has not given commandments about - that we should learn the principles and act upon them by the volition of our own free will.

True, if we keep the commandments we will be on the right path because we will be worthy to receive the Spirit and thus be guided - but the commandments are based on principles or keys that unlock doors they are a means to an end. We will not become gods simply by comprehending the concept of obedience, but of knowing and understanding the whys and wherefores...we may not understand all those in this life, but if we take the attitude of doing without becoming, of acting without understanding, of knowing without feeling, we will be not attain the minds of gods...we are not machines. Machines can be obedient. Lesser intelligences are (it would seem) utterly obedient. We must be obedient because of who we are not because we have the capacity to do it.

If we truly love Him we will follow the Lord, but obedience is a part of it and not the whole; that's why "spirituality" cannot be accurately and finitely measured by doing. Perhaps this is the real challenge of leaders in the Church: to observe the doing and discern the heart.

This is a deep and many-levelled subject and hard to speak about without writing a great deal more, but I think that might just obscure things more. We all, myself included, certainly need to do more - let's just make sure we do so in the context of the whole of our perfection and not some isolated part of it.

Dubhdara.

Page 3 Spirituality Levels

Your view comes from your school of learning and experiences and so does mine, and communication on an interface such as this makes it hard to determine what we are really referring to. I am not really sure about your emphasis to be honest, but it is your view and I respect it.

Spirituality Levels

I really appreciate this post because I oftentimes get discouraged when I go to church and the majority of the congregation does not pay attention or participate during meetings. As a new member, I thrive in the Gospel and I'm so grateful that I've found it. It's very apparent to me that many members of the church take their knowledge for granted. They have not truly been converted. It's all too common, in my opinion. People get bored with the church or get caught up in the joking about the church. The church seems to have it's own "ways of the world" within itself, like those you have previously mentioned. One of the things that bothers me most is people making fun of others because they are "too spiritual." One of my best friends is just an amazingly responsible and caring person and she's going to be an awesome mother. But my other friends get intimidated by her and don't want to be around her because of her personality and because she stays so close to the Spirit.

There's a lot of pride in the church, unfortunately, and many people have gotten into comfort zones. If you're comfortable, you're probably not doing all that you can, from what I've found. If you're really trying to progress and you're putting the effort in, you're going to push yourself to be more than you are.

I think the key phrase to remember is: "to whom much is given, much is expected." I've tried to remember that in my daily life, and it helps me hold myself to a higher level of expectation.

Levels Of Spirituality

Moo, you bring up excellent points and you truly understand the purpose of this thread. You may also wish to look at this one: Click Here

Levels Spirituality - Page 3

I read all the messages on this thread and I'm very grateful because I have learnt a lot. I agree with Moo, and also Nighthawk's excellent points about levels of spirituality.
Last Sunday in Testimony meeting I was very distress, particularly because I look forward to hear the testimonies, most of them were based in anything else but Jesus Christ and his Gospel. A strong feeling came to me and said 'Get up and share your testimony!', I followed the voice who told me that and I shared my testimony about my feelings about my Saviour Jesus Christ. I also said that they have never hear me to say 'I love you all' not because I don't love them but because I haven't reach that stage of spirituality as yet, I haven't get to know each one of them personally and serve them. I also said that words and words...but when you truly love someone you do things for them.
I was very frustrating hearing people standing up and tell the congregation that they love them and then you can never get them to do anything when you need them . Yes, I felt impelled to said how I really feel.
Levels of Spirituality have to do with personal choices, some members just do not want to move to another level because it will cause too much 'work' and they are comfortable where they are....you see...I feel those members cannot see beyond this earthly life, all they can see is power, callings and what they can get...yes, Priestcraft is what I'm talking about and lots of pride.
When you try to do the right things in the Church, some people say 'You think you know everything!', and it is because your good works are lightening their dark ones. Now, don't take me wrong, I'm not saying I know everything, I'm farrrrr away from it but to show you that sometimes the only company that keeps you going is the Spirit. The Levels of Spirituality of somebody are determined by every day actions, by the smallest acts of charity, is not measured by how much you know, who you know, what position you hold or what your last name is but about how much you have forgotten about yourself and serve others.

Levels Spirituality Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 3

"The truly converted do more than just forsake the enticements of the
world. They love God and their fellowmen. Their minds and hearts are
centered on the Savior's atoning sacrifice. . . . By choosing to be in His
kingdom, we separate--not isolate--ourselves from the world."

(Robert D. Hales, "The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 8)