Blurts & Spasms

In answer to Quora question "In respect to religion, spirituality, money and ultimately, life's success, what do you think is the answer?"

Thank you for the A2A Jody Sigmund.

I have spent many years pondering exactly this question, and have come to my own conclusions, which may only apply to me, and which certainly continue to evolve...but I will provide a snapshot of where I have arrived so far, and perhaps that will add something to this conversation.

I do not believe "the answer" can be easily simplified. If I did, I might say it was "love" or "*agape*," but that doesn't really explain all the nuances; it requires further elaboration and definition. So instead I will offer what I intuit to be the primary components of "the answer," though they too require additional discussion and, perhaps more importantly, direct experience to completely grok.

- A felt experience of compassionate affection for self, others and everything that is; a love-consciousness that is operationalized in thoughts, emotions and actions from moment-to-moment.

- Developing an inward awareness - a listening from stillness - that cuts through all the noise to the causal essences of things within and without.

- A reflexive humility and acquiescence if will that learns to let go rather than hold on (i.e. the opposite of willfulness), so that joy and contentment are always easily available.

- A holistic, multidimensional understanding of complex dynamics that invites a neutral holding space for reflection and analysis; in other words, a neutral field of consciousness that permits all variables to peacefully coexist (i.e. is "multidialectical"). There is tension in such a space, but it is a tranquil tension.

- An ever increasing detachment from property ownership and acquisitiveness - and even the concepts of property ownership and acquisitiveness.

- A guiding desire to reciprocate the wonderful gift the Universe has granted by actualizing the greatest good for the greatest number for the greatest duration (i.e. pursuing the good of All).

- Harmonized nourishment of all dimensions of being: creative, social, intellectual, physical, sexual, purpose, legacy, identity, community, spirituality, integrity and so on.

All of these involve a level of self-discipline, to be sure, as well as continued vigilance. They are like exercising muscles to become strong - but this strength runs deeper and radiates outwards and, as an unselfconscious consequence, becomes both a potentially blessing and healing, and potentially disruptive and challenging, presence in the lives of everyone around us.

My 2 cents.