Errors of the Spiritual Dimension

This episode concludes our examination of the spiritual dimension by analyzing common errors.   

Error #1: Mistaking the social for the spiritual.  We think the religious service with its liturgy and building or obedience to social norms are the spiritual dimension.  Religious service attendance and doing the good and avoiding the evil should be encouraged.  However, to be complete, it needs to work towards the transcendent good, true, and beautiful along with a relationship with God in the spiritual dimension.  We need to live multi-dimensionally. 

Error #2: An incomplete understanding of the spiritual.  Focusing inordinately on transcendent truths can ruin relationships and promote pride if it is not closely wedded to the virtues especially love and a relationship with God.  Intellectual humility is needed. Remember only God completely knows the truth.  Likewise, focusing on the good without the truth or a relationship with God can lead to either harsh judgmentalism (justice focused) or sappy sentimentalism (focused on a poorly defined and emotionally driven understanding of love).  Love is desiring the good for someone while doing it in a manner consistent with 1st Corinthians 13. 

Error #3: Self-transcendence is the vital means to escape our psychologic dimension and embrace another dimension.  Self-transcendence is the metaphorical vehicle that takes you to another dimension but should not be confused with the destination.  Self-transcendence into the biologic includes yoga, chanting mantras, and breathing-focused techniques while acts into the social include being absorbed by nature, feeling another person’s pain or joy, or an activity where you enter a state of flow (aka engagement).  Being totally focused on the transcendent (the good, the true, the beautiful, and God Himself) is the definition of being in the spiritual dimension. 

References

A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Spirit Filled Life by Pastor Sean Azzaro

Spirituality, religiousness, and mental health: A review of the current scientific evidence by Lucchetti, Koenig, and Granero Lucchetti

How and How Not to be Happy by Professor J. Budziszewski

Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization by Professor Brad Wilcox

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