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Challenges
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The Usefulness of Spiritual Techniques Spiritual techniques - no matter how 'holy' or effective they claim to be - are unable to neutralize challenges.
This does not mean that these techniques serve no purpose. They usually are first probing attempts to explore the world beyond material limits and are often capable of easing strains the confrontation of challenges may produce.
Yet no formal repetition of mantras, routinely performing religious rituals, the handling of mystic symbols etc. - i.e. the use of activities whose mechanism we do not fully understand - can free us from obstructive themes of life that only dissolve when we confront them in an intelligent way.
The sole accumulation of metal parts, rubber, plastic and gasoline or the arranging of all these components without real technical understanding will never produce a functioning engine. Similarly the mere presence of spiritual or religious components without real comprehension how they work and how effective they are, will never bring freedom from limiting influences.
Even the meticulous but perfunctory observance of instructions received from spiritual or religious leaders can not replace the confrontation of our very own individual challenges - irrespective of the sincerity and devotion with which the leader's teachings are given or followed.
A Deep Belief in Repetition The widespread belief in the effectiveness of spiritual techniques is misleading.
The heart of all such techniques is QUANTITATIVE repetition. Mantras, prayers, yoga postures, rituals, cleansings
