Spiritual Thoughts from an Atheist

What kind of spiritual thoughts do you get from an atheist? Read on to find out. But first let's take a quick look at what atheist spirituality is.

The basic sense or urge that makes us spiritual beings is found in not only religious people or believers in gods, but also in many of those who do not believe in a supreme being. We wonder at the universe, know that there are mysteries beyond every mystery. We share the sense of wonder that a mystic or a child has. And we see the need to live from something beyond the ego-self or created-self that is the cause of so much of our suffering. Of course, in the case of the latter we are more likely to call this the "higher self" rather than the voice of God within us.

Some Spiritual Thoughts

We must evolve daily to live fully. You could not do what you do if you still were who you were at two-years-old, right? Why do we think that we can stop evolving at some point, and still be ready to face an ever-changing world? You must be prepared to change in every moment, to meet the challenges and joys that arise in new forms day-to-day and even minute-to-minute.

What we don't want is produced by what we want. We want life to be a certain way, and then reality happens, as it always does, and it is not exactly what we imagined, so we don't want it. It doesn't fit the picture we have in mind. The result? We pull out the big lie: This isn't how it's supposed to be!

If there is a "supposed to be," why would our version be the one out of six billion that was the correct one? What arrogance!

There is a poor man who is hungry, yet he is happy. There is a rich man who has all the money, medical care, food, and friends he needs, yet is unhappy. This is a true story repeated all over the world. Of course among the rich you will find those who are miserable and those who have peace of mind, and the same among the poor.

But the fact that a poor and hungry man can have more peace of mind and contentment and happiness than a man with everything the world has to offer - that is a profound lesson for anyone who pays attention. When we see it clearly, we can no longer believe that the physical things of life are the only basis of happiness, or that having more of them will automatically lead to more peace of mind. We have to ask ourselves, "What is important?"

Have we ever changed something by not wanting it? What does it do to encourage this feeling of resistance that we have to the parts of reality we don't like?

Who Is in Charge?

If we pay attention, we can see that there are many "voices" in our minds. There are ideas and thoughts that tell us we need to be afraid of this or that, or chase after some object or goal. We too easily assume that these many internal dialogs are our own. But is it your "self" talking? What about the stupid ideas and images that pass through each of our minds every day? Do we take these to be important to who we are?

What you think of as your self is not your self. It is only those things, ideas, images and voices you choose to identify with. Once you see this clearly, you realize that you have been regularly handing over control of your life to parts of you that are not looking out for your true self interest. Fearful thoughts, for example, warn you that bad things will happen if you pursue your dreams. They will use impeccable logic, if that is what is required.

This is a hijacking of your powerful abilities by actors who are not you.

The definition of technology: The specific methods, materials, and devices used to solve practical problems.

If used properly then, spirituality is the ultimate technology. It is the means by which we accomplish all things of highest value, and more importantly, the means by which we discover what is truly valuable.

For more spiritual thoughts, see the page Spiritual Quotes.