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Age of a person

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
There are kinds of ages, only one being accurate to determine:
chronological age
physical age
emotional age
intellectual age
spiritual age

I think there is a tendency to overuse the first one, when each person is actually 5 (or more) different ages simultaneously. They could be 20 chronologically, 30 physically due to an unhealthy lifestyle, 5 emotionally by throwing temper tantrums common to a 5 year old, 40 intellectually, because they were given a gift of intelligence, and 10 spiritually, because they're not at all sure about that stuff.

So ... when you're dealing with another person on this planet, which type of age are you aware of, if any? I personally find it useful, because if a 70 year old person has temper tantrums, showing a low emotional age, there is more tolerance. You would be patient with the chronological 5 year old, but not with the 70 year old that has the same emotional age.

Thoughts?
 

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
There are kinds of ages, only one being accurate to determine:
chronological age
physical age
emotional age
intellectual age
spiritual age

I think there is a tendency to overuse the first one, when each person is actually 5 (or more) different ages simultaneously. They could be 20 chronologically, 30 physically due to an unhealthy lifestyle, 5 emotionally by throwing temper tantrums common to a 5 year old, 40 intellectually, because they were given a gift of intelligence, and 10 spiritually, because they're not at all sure about that stuff.

So ... when you're dealing with another person on this planet, which type of age are you aware of, if any? I personally find it useful, because if a 70 year old person has temper tantrums, showing a low emotional age, there is more tolerance. You would be patient with the chronological 5 year old, but not with the 70 year old that has the same emotional age.

Thoughts?
My first thought is that most of these different ages can be at least estimated based on observable behaviors. I'm not sure what you mean by spiritual age, though, and I have no idea how one's spiritual age could possible be measured.
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
My first thought is that most of these different ages can be at least estimated based on observable behaviors. I'm not sure what you mean by spiritual age, though, and I have no idea how one's spiritual age could possible be measured.

Thank you. I concur that observable behaviour (along with words) could be an estimate. Heck, even for chronological age, we often make an estimate, subconsciously. For spiritual age, I think of the word wisdom. I realised not everyone could relate. In some branches of Hinduism, it might also be termed soul age. I see wisdom as somewhat different from both intellect and emotion, although both could be related.
 
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Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
Thank you. I concur that observable behaviour (along with words) could be an estimate. Heck, even for chronological age, we often make an estimate, subconsciously. For spiritual age, I think of the word wisdom. I realised not everyone could relate. In some branches of Hinduism, it might also be termed soul age. I see wisdom as somewhat different from both intellect, although both they could be related.
I see our "soul" age as being in the billions of years. I see spiritual age differently, but I've never really thought about to define it or determine it. Intellectual age has to be tied to intellect; I mean, with the same root, how could that not be the case. A person can have wisdom without it impacting his spiritual age, though. To me (others may not share this perspective, which is okay), one's spiritual age has to do with the degree to which he connects to a higher power. And I'm not sure that can be measured by any means we have available to us.
 

Mister Emu

Emu Extraordinaire
Staff member
Premium Member
To me (others may not share this perspective, which is okay), one's spiritual age has to do with the degree to which he connects to a higher power.
That's interesting, what immediately jumped to me was a sort of spiritual maturity, like the sometimes noticeable cycle of the zeal of new belief, followed by rigid dogmatism, followed by a mellowing to a sublime communion with God and a level of comfortableness about your situation.

But, I can see this angle as well. The degree of connection to the divine.

And I'm not sure that can be measured by any means we have available to us.
I don't think we'll get broad popular agreement about it, but I know that I believe there are hallmarks to someone who is truly in communion with the divine.
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
I see our "soul" age as being in the billions of years. I see spiritual age differently, but I've never really thought about to define it or determine it. Intellectual age has to be tied to intellect; I mean, with the same root, how could that not be the case. A person can have wisdom without it impacting his spiritual age, though. To me (others may not share this perspective, which is okay), one's spiritual age has to do with the degree to which he connects to a higher power. And I'm not sure that can be measured by any means we have available to us.

I think it's measured also partly by observation. The spiritually old cheer people up with their presence, for example. I see humility, morality, and having common sense as being part of it too, and I like your idea of being connected to a higher power. But again, that is hard to tell. Just because someone tells you they're connected doesn't mean they are.

Maybe next time somebody asks my age, I'll respond with, "Which type of age are you asking about?"
 

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
That's interesting, what immediately jumped to me was a sort of spiritual maturity, like the sometimes noticeable cycle of the zeal of new belief, followed by rigid dogmatism, followed by a mellowing to a sublime communion with God and a level of comfortableness about your situation.
I totally think you hit the nail on the head!
 
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