spirituality for females?

[Luthor Rex]

edit: maybe "wisdom tradition" would be a better word than "spirituality"

For the more contemplative guys on here:

I've noticed over the years that when it comes to spirituality, it seems to be an almost exclusively male pursuit. Over the years I've met a few women who were mildly interested in spirituality, but largely it was a sexual-focused spirituality.

Is there a spirituality for women? Does anyone know of a women who ever cultivated that part of themselves?

Oh and just to be clear, when I say spirituality I don't mean ghots and power-crystals. I mean things like Socrates, the Stoics, the early church fathers, buddhist philosophy, taoist philosophy -- those kinds of things that involve an inner cultivation but not focusing on the supernatural.

 

[Phyzzle]

You mean philosophy for females.

No. Purely a male pursuit. Young men sometimes have a spurt at groping for the "OMG ultimate philosophical system that explains everything!" Women have always considered that silly. Like you consider celebrity gossip silly. Just two different points of view.

 

[Obsidian]

yeah, except accurate philosophy can actually be useful

The Great One has something to say about this issue:

There is something I call the "Richard II Disease". In Shakespeare's play, Richard II, the king (Richard II) was a weak man who, also, became a weak king. His throne was taken which began the War of the Roses...

Richard II did not *grasp* poetry. Rather, it grasped him. Being so overawed by poetry, he was lost in it and, indeed, romanticized by it. In fact, practically everything overawed Richard II in the play. To him, he was 'over-awed' by the crown. Any king who remains 'over-awed' by his own throne is going to become a weak king.

...The 'Richard II Disease' is probably the chief culprit afflicting Christianity and the force behind this so-called "feminization" of religion. Real men look at religion with attempts to understand and rationalize it. The Richard IIs look at religion with only one purpose: to be overawed by it. So the focus becomes on a fantastical display of flowery language, a potpourii of feelings, and a bouquet of feminine contexts. Christianity used be presented as "The Truth" which, today, it no longer does and keeps attempting to rely on 'awe' (but awe of Truth and the awe of Richard II is very different)

The study of logic and absolutes doesn't appeal very much to females. They care about emotion.

Moreover, theology doesn't interest them. Women prefer to look at religion as a way of "helping people" and improving society. Feminine religion is all about relationships, not about morals or eternal truths.

 

[Luthor Rex]

You mean philosophy for females.

I was thinking about using that word, but I get the impression that I don't mean the same thing when I use that word vs. how most people mean it.

My impression is that most poeple think of philosophy as "pie in the sky". Whereas I think of the more literal 'love of wisdom'.

But... yeah, that...

Moreover, theology doesn't interest them. Women prefer to look at religion as a way of "helping people" and improving society. Feminine religion is all about relationships, not about morals or eternal truths.

I know I listed religions, but just to be clear I was refering to the wisdom-traditions inside of those religions and not the religions themselves.

 

[( . )( . )]

I mean things like Socrates, the Stoics, the early church fathers, buddhist philosophy, taoist philosophy

No, I dont believe so.

 

[Last Man Standing]

Because we are made of the same essence, then we both have spirituality. We both are beyond the physical realm and experience that which is "outside" our physical boundaries.

We reflect on our inner selves to gain insight into the outside, the unknown - but we do so to varying degrees!!

The male being predominantly mathematically, logically minded are genetically wired to solve for the unknown, and thus we are more prone to reflect on philosophical, spiritual puzzles that are yet unsolved! Some of us go to the extremes and are labeled "nerds" - meaning an expert in one area at the expense of social adaptation to the norm.

Women are philosophical, spiritual beings but men have been ordained to be the leaders in this area! This is why when men lack in the reasoning faculty they are looked upon unfavorably by others, but when women lack in this area they are forgiven - why? Because our differing natures require that we perform at that level which is naturally given to us - to do otherwise is considered lacking and unfavorable!

 

[Luthor Rex]

I thought you got banned????

 

[Last Man Standing]

I thought you got banned????

Why would anyone ban me - for being the paragon of manhood? I did nothing wrong!

 

[penkitten]

i don't understand the question.

 

[Obsidian]

Women are philosophical, spiritual beings but men have been ordained to be the leaders in this area!

Lastman makes a very good point. Many men who analyze this question, including Pook, make complaints about females similar to what I posted. The quote above, however, represents a far more positive, useful outlook.

 

[reset]

I think on average, spirituality for women IS the feeling stuff, psychics, tarot cards, past lives, astrology.... usually something based on emotions, destiny.

But there are plenty of intelligent women who do think about larger subjects. Not as common as men perhaps, but they are out there.

 

[Phyzzle]

Can anyone imagine three women sitting down and discussing the nature of existence for an hour?

 

[penkitten]

Can anyone imagine three women sitting down and discussing the nature of existence for an hour?

yes, i have.
and heres a word from our sponsor:

http://www.thebricktestament.com/epistles_of_paul/instructions_for_women/1co11_04.html

 

[Luthor Rex]

i don't understand the question.

LOL! Please tell me this is a joke! Thank you, that was so funny, I couldn't stop laughing!!!

Oh wait.. you were serious... oh damn...

*sigh*

 

[Luthor Rex]

You mean philosophy for females.

Yes that is a good way to say it... I mentioned Socrates and the Stoics and Buddhism as examples because they all addressed questions like:

How should we live our lives?
How do we acheive the good life?
What is happiness?
How do we acheive happiness?
How should we deal with misfortune?

... those kinds of things.

I did notice about the Tarot thing, as though that were somehome 'spritual'. Cripes, "the Matrix" was more spiritual than that crystal waving New Age crap...

*sigh* again...

 

[Phyzzle]

Odd site

http://www.thebricktestament.com/david_vs_saul/david_mutilates_200_gets_married/1s18_27a.html

 

[penkitten]

LOL! Please tell me this is a joke! Thank you, that was so funny, I couldn't stop laughing!!!

Oh wait.. you were serious... oh damn...

*sigh*

yes i was kidding. lighten up