Action
Action, as in political, economic, social action aimed at helping the poor, solving injustice, and otherwise making the world a better place, is an outcome of Connection. People who pursue Authentic Spirituality, people who have Connection Experiences, sometimes are moved towards progressive political/economic/social actions.[1]
Syncretic Terms
Notes
Mike Sosteric described the case of Las Casas, a brutal Spanish colonizers who, after a brief Connection Experience, rejected his country's barbarous exploitation of slaves and instead worked politically to end the practice.[2]. Sosteric calls this the Turn to the Left
Elain Howard Ecklund and Elizabeth long conducted a survey of scientists at "top U.S. Universities." One of their findings was that a significant minority (26%) of scientists adopt an Identity Consistent Spirituality, which is a spirituality that does not require blind faith in theistic entities, but that fits in with their empirical and methodological training. They also noted of this group tends towards "other-directed altruistic acts..."[3] a finding consistent with the notion that action is an outcome of Authentic Spirituality/Connection
Xolani Kacela: "Hence, Thurman argues that mystical experience has a divine purpose. Through it, God is preparing us in a spiritual boot camp to do battle, or challenge, the forces within society that ultimately seek to suppress the human spirit of love and unity with God. As Thurman teaches, mystical experience is accompanied by profound feelings of love, the transformative power of the universe. This form of mysticism goes beyond the personal religious experience that many Christians seek. It is more than feel-good expression of faith and belief. Mysticism is a form of religious experience with power and purpose." [4]
"Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me" (Matthew 25.34-36)
Xolani Kacela: "Hence, for Thurman, mysticism for the sake of having a religious experience is insufficient; true mysticism has a fourth component: action. One experiences God inside the self, but appropriates this experience for the transformation of the kingdom"[5]
Footnotes
- ↑ Research is needed to determine how often and under what conditions such action is an outcome.
- ↑ Mike Sosteric. "Mystical Experience and Global Revolution." Athens Journal of Social Sciences 5 3 (2018): 235-55. [1]
- ↑ Ecklund, Elaine Howard, and Elizabeth Long. "Scientists and Spirituality." Sociology of Religion 72 3 (2011): 253-74.
- ↑ Kacela, Xolani. "Being One with the Spirit: Dimensions of a Mystical Experience." The Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling 60 1-2 (2006): 90.
- ↑ Kacela, Xolani. "Being One with the Spirit: Dimensions of a Mystical Experience." The Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling 60 1-2 (2006): 89.
