Become What thou Art! (ritual, salvation, mission, preacher, pagan)

[Laila]

Can any human being really live life to their FULL POTENTIAL? You can live well and make the most out of life but you could have the potential to succeed in many fields, wouldn't you just burn out if you tried your full potential at everything?

[Laila]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Although the question is off topic in this thread, I would agree with you Laila, that being more religious does not equate to being more spiritual. In fact, I think that some forms of religiousity are actually escapes from spirituality.

Sorry Sunstone I was just referring to what PureX wrote.

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by Laila

Can any human being really live life to their FULL POTENTIAL? You can live well and make the most out of life but you could have the potential to succeed in many fields, wouldn't you just burn out if you tried your full potential at everything?

So far as I understand it, living life to your full potential does not mean perfection, but instead means doing your best. Your best is seldom perfect.

[Laila]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

So far as I understand it, living life to your full potential does not mean perfection, but instead means doing your best. Your best is seldom perfect.

I agree, potential doesn't mean perfection. However, is it really possible to give your personal best to all that you do?
What if it is something you don't do. Surely that doesn't mean it is not possible for you to have potential in that particular area? Potential that you may never realise. I suppose giving your best is what you strive to do but how feasible is it to do all the time?

[Random]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

It seems to me that much of society is lined up against people "being true to themselves" or "becoming what they are".

Yes, whether religious, irreligious or anti-religious, the new conformity is yet another variation on the age old theme of personal fulfillment and truth against self-sacrifice and worldly gain. It is said you cannot have both, so choose which side you're on...

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Can a person who is not true to themselves have a genuinely spiritual life?

No. Truth, Reality or God, whatever you want to call it, reveals itself to each and every person individually. But again, you have a choice as to whether you accept it or not...

[autonomous1one1]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Become What thou Art! It seems to me that much of society is lined up against people "being true to themselves" or "becoming what they are".?

There already are quite a few good answers to your questions. They all seem to be correct from the different perspectives of the responders. My perspective comes from the thread subject "Become What thou Art." 'Become' has an element of being-ahead-of-itself or shooting for something in the future, while 'what thou art' is in the present, what already exists. That self-contradiction takes me to only one place, becoming towards the realization of one's divinity already within. Lilithu gave us the answer of 'what we art,' our true Self, in another thread. She wrote, "I am not a god. I am God, as is everyone else." So, that is the perspective used in my answers below.

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Are there other challenges than these to being true to yourself, to becoming what you are??

The greatest challenges in my opinion would be to develop within, to stay focused and enjoy but control the many distractions.

Originally Posted by Sunstone

How important is it to be true to yourself, to become what you are??

Very important.

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Why is it important??

To avoid creating barriers and separation within ourselves, and from and within others. Such separation would have to be overcome to 'become what we art.' Remain true to the end to reach the end.

Originally Posted by Sunstone

How likely is it that you will actually realize your full potential as a person in today's society??

If one remains focussed, this can be very likely because we have much, much more available than ever before. For example, this internet, these forums, and this thread are incredible.

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Can a person who is not true to themselves have a genuinely spiritual life?

This is a trick question, right Sunstone? lol. Let me answer it this way, if one wishes to overcome not having been true to themselves in the past, they can be successful and could develop a genuinely spiritual life. But if one remains untrue to themselves they will likely separate from others and their self, their true Self and God, and thus, would not likely develop the genuinely spiritual life.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

How important is it to be true to yourself, to become what you are?

In my opinion, it is the single most important thing we can strive for. Integrity is at the top of my list of noble virtues. My boss paid me an incredibly high compliment just yesterday. She said, "You know, there are very few people who are as true to their inner compass as you are." I don't know how true that is. Because it's so important to me, I do try. But I know I fail a lot of the time, too.

Can a person who is not true to themselves have a genuinely spiritual life?

Nope. It's impossible, in my opinion.

[Shadow Wolf]

How important is it to be true to yourself, to become what you are?

Why is it important?

In my sociology class, the book and teacher seemed to put an imphasis on people conforming to society norms, and that everyone should do it. And that people who refuse to conform to these standards have problems. I would rather die than live like the other people my age, especially acting like them because people expect you to conform so everyone is alike and easily catagorized.

I believe being yourself is a very important goal in life.