Newguest Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary
Very real thing
Hi
The inner, or spiritual, life is a very real thing. Two people may become
spiritually awakened, and through it may desire to live a nobler and
higher life. One may be successful while the other may after a hard fight
go back to his old life. The reason is that the former keeps alive the
flame of his inner life, while the latter allows it to go out. The former
perseveres with real prayer and directing his thoughts to God, raising
them continually to higher and better things; while the latter neglects his
praying, does not persevere in the control of his thoughts, so that his
spiritual life withers away and becomes dead through lack of
nourishment.
I'm wondering what the "real thing" means. Does it mean "authentic", "serious", something else?
The inner, or spiritual, life is a very real thing. Two people may become
spiritually awakened, and through it may desire to live a nobler and
higher life. One may be successful while the other may after a hard fight
go back to his old life. The reason is that the former keeps alive the
flame of his inner life, while the latter allows it to go out. The former
perseveres with real prayer and directing his thoughts to God, raising
them continually to higher and better things; while the latter neglects his
praying, does not persevere in the control of his thoughts, so that his
spiritual life withers away and becomes dead through lack of
nourishment.
I'm wondering what the "real thing" means. Does it mean "authentic", "serious", something else?
Top answer
I read it as saying that it exists. The author is arguing with people that don't think "inner life" exists/is real.
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I read it as saying that it exists. The author is arguing with people that don't think "inner life" exists/is real.
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