Spiritual Reality Therapy deals with the belief in the
existence of spirits, ghosts, gods, angels and other claimed spiritual entities. The
reality is that spiritual entities exist solely in our imagination.
Therapy is required when people cannot understand this. When a child has a serious
relationship with an imaginary character, a psychiatrist is employed to help the child. Likewise, adults who share their lives with gods or spirits are just as
delusionary as a child with an imaginary friend and are equally in need of psychiayric
help. Let me illustrate how spirits are a creation of the human mind.
Language evolved as a means of communication between humans. Words,
the basic elements of language, were developed by our ancestors and many of these words in
one form or another are still in use today, while new words are constantly entering our
linguistic data base. However, many of the words we use carry some untruth and
since we use words in order to communicate our experiences, much is lost or distorted in
the process. The untruths go unnoticed.
We also create concepts or abstract ideas by using these flawed words. We layer these
abstract ideas one upon the other (concept upon concept) and then give them a name, such
as "God". This leaves us attempting to discuss and communicate these concepts
while the untruths continue to go unnoticed.
Spiritual entities were conceived by humans who languaged them into existence while
attempting to relate their thoughts and experiences. First we invented tribal spirits,
then gods; and then the specter of the of the single god (the concept of monotheism or
my-god's-better-than-your-god) reared its ugly head. The only
documentation or backup paper to support the existence of these spiritual entities (e.g.
the Bible, the Koran, etc.) was written by man using words invented by man.
When the concept of spiritual entities such as gods is examined by rationalists, their
existence within the physical realm cannot be demonstrated. This leads people who are
still convinced that spirits truly exist to at least concede that they exist only within a
spiritual realm. In other words, in their imaginations.
Two other man-made concepts are reincarnation and life after death. Both of these concepts
imply that "spirits" can live on after their physical "hosts" have
been destroyed. (This is analogous to a software package running and working while
installed on a PC that is being used as a boat anchor.) Since spirits can only live in the
imagination, it is evident that they must die when the imagination dies.
Here is a simple test to determine whether or not you are living a
life consistent with reality:
- Do you believe in a god or gods and that your god(s) can have a direct influence
in your life?
- Do you pray to god or gods believing that possibly your prayers will be
answered?
- Do you believe that when you die your "soul" will continue to live on
in some fashion?
- Do you believe that a god or gods are watching over you --perhaps caring for
you?
- Do you think that a god can punish, will punish, has punished, or is punishing
you for something you did or did not do?
- Do you feel the need to confess any perceived wrong-doings to someone that you
think is a representative of your god?
- Do you believe your actions during your life will be judged when you die and
this judgment will determine the fate of "your eternity"?
- Are you convinced that you have been visited by a ghost, god or angel?
If you answer "yes" to any of the preceeding questions, then you
should seek the help of a Spiritual Reality Therapist. Once you free yourself of the
irrationality of the concept of "gods" or "spirits", you will feel
more pride and ownership of your mind, and real responsibility for your decisions and
actions if life.
We are told that we should strive to be healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Does this mean that we should also follow a spiritual path? I can go along with
that, but only if following a spiritual path means making a conscious effort to grow
towards personal integrity.
Finally, with respect to our place in the universe, our lives are insignificant and
meaningless in that we matter only to ourselves and the living entities with whom we
inter-relate. If you have failed this "reality check", then maybe Spiritual
Reality Therapy can help you make the most of your life -- your only life.
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