Does spirituality converge in all traditions?

[RedLine]

It is common to read in books on philosophy and spirituality that all traditions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, atheist practitioners, etc.) experience the same type of mystical experiences and stages, as this is something that is beyond social context. Philosopher Wilber, for example, places special emphasis on this. This is also something that is assumed in the forum. The fact that the label "Spirituality" is applied to everything demonstrates this.

However, if one examines these traditions in detail, we see that this is not the case. Those who come from a Hindu tradition speak of Consciousness without attributing any qualities to it, as a pure witness.In contrast, Buddhism denies that Consciousness is the foundation of reality, and asserts that the experiences of an arahant are objects that arise and disappear without a line of continuity. Mystical Christians and other non-religious mystics, including users of psychedelics such as Leo Gura, attribute qualities to the Absolute, such as Infinity, Beauty, Infinite Intelligence, Goodness, and so on, which is not compatible with the description of Buddhism and Hinduism, either as a neutral witness or stuff arising and passing away.

This is not merely a linguistic distinction (which I know is what you're going to argue), but the spiritual experience they describe is indeed different from one to another. 

The only one that makes a genuine attempt to integrate all experiences is Buddhism, which attributes the experience of the Witness and the experience of God to intermediate stages yet to be deconstructed.

 

 

[Inliytened1]

@RedLine in the end - the Absolute shall never be captured.  We can name it Infinity.  We can name it God. We can name it Love.  But the problem, should there be one, is in the we.  For this, we must turn inwards- to destroy the we. And then, only then, shall it be revealed.  Because it refuses to reveal itself to a we. It cannot - because it cannot be named by a we.   Yes - Buddhism comes close - because it does not attempt to glorify God as another.  For there to be a we, there must be an opposite.  As in, what is not us.  But God is Us.  Is it not?  That is for God to discover  

[RedLine]

1 hour ago, Inliytened1 said:

@RedLine in the end - the Absolute shall never be captured.  

Buddhists deny the Absolute.

[Inliytened1]

1 hour ago, RedLine said:

Buddhists deny the Absolute.

Or perhaps they leave it unsaid and rather speak of no self.  But when you remove the self what else remains? .....

[RedLine]

6 minutes ago, Inliytened1 said:

Or perhaps they leave it unsaid and rather speak of no self.  But when you remove the self what else remains? .....

sensations, thoughts, mental images, colors...

Edited April 29, 2023 by RedLine

[Yimpa]

Dunno if you’ve ever been into Yu-Gi-Oh, but basically these 5 cards on their own are kinda useless. 

But have all 5 in your hand at the same time, and you immediately win the game.

 

[Forza-Spirito]

Why do you think buddism deny the Absolute? Absolute nothingness, absolute void, cessation, dharmakaya is the classic buddist awakening.