Conversations with a sceptic (10): Attributes of Spirit

 Q:

Courage, honesty, malice, fear, happiness etc are natural and normal human aspects which can are readily experienced and can be demonstrated by most, if not all.

A:

You say they are natural and normal human aspects. Well, so are the higher states of consciousness called "spiritual" states. They are accessible to anyone and there's nothing elitist about them.

How do you measure courage? How do you quantify happiness? How much does fear weight? 

You can't define them in those terms, but you can see their effects...a man saves someone from a burning house (evidence of courage); a woman is in love and can't stop smiling (evidence of happiness); a girl jumps every time she sees a worm (evidence of fear).

What are the attributes (evidence) of a spiritual nature?

Compassion, Self-Realization, being able to love unconditionally, a deep sense for justice, humility, forgiveness....

Sure, everybody has these qualities to a certain degree (or should work to develop them), but it takes a great person to truly "live" these attributes 100% of the time. When you meet such a person, you'll know there's something special about them.

And that's where you can find the evidence you seek. Will it be enough? Probably not, but that's all you'll get.