[Buddha-l] "Spiritual"

[Joy Vriens]

Eric wrote,

>> I think most would agree that crossword puzzles and 
>> chess problems are mental exercises.  Are they also 
>> spiritual exercises? 

>It will be quite a challenge to explain the subtle semiotic differences 
>between 'spiritual' and 'mental'. ;-) 

We will have to wait for the results of the high amplitude gamma wave EEG for crossword puzzles. If they somehow match those of generating compassion and other non-referential exercices, then I guess we can call them spiritual on a scientific basis. And coming to think of it, I think we should have first run a laboratory test on Zen swordsmanship to see whether it really qualifies as non-referentiel (purely a matter between a sword and a chopped off head), before writing books like Zen at war.    

Joy