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We live in a world of senses. Relayed to us from organs designed for external stimuli, we see, we hear, we touch, we taste, and we smell. Internally however, we also have sensations, feelings, and these are not so clearly demonstrated by external ports of stimuli interaction. We feel love, we feel sad, we feel anxious, we feel happy, we feel scared, we feel hurried, we feel bored, we feel nervous, we feel close, we feel right, we feel wrong. Typically relegated to sensations of the heart, in truth the mighty pump that keeps us alive does not play a role in housing these sensations, most of which originate from chemical processes in the brain and triggered responses in the body. Such is the machinery of our bodies.

So why is it so difficult for the world to believe that spiritual experiences are real. Why is it so difficult to believe that a being far more advanced than any of our tools of perception can't stimulate the pathways of our discernable perception, whether they be memories, dreams, communicate guiding directive information, inspirational understandings, etc. etc.

I recently saw a program showing a radical new treatment for depression. The doctors hard wired a specific section of the person's brain to a device they could use to deliver an electrical impulse. While doctors were trying to find the correct pleasure point on the brain they stimulated various parts of the brain. The person undergoing the procedure of necessity was alert and awake. In response to the stimuli the person exhibited and reported different experiences. Certain points of stimulation elicited memories while others triggered at times very strong feelings and sensations.

Why is it so incredulous to believe that a perfect, all-knowing, all-powerful being can stimulate our perception in a similar non-invasive way such as to communicate information? Are we so myopic as a people to relegate perceptive feelings of consequence only as we are aware of the stimuli? We don't live that way. Who doesn't jump out of the way of danger when they hear something coming at them though they don't know exactly what it is? Who doesn't search out for food when they feel hungry though most don't consciously make themselves aware to the sensation? Why is it that when it comes to enlightenment, revelation, or spiritual matters we act completely different? Can it be that because we, as a people, are so inept at distinguishing and understanding spiritual manifestations and promptings, that we choose to disregard the topic altogether? Or could it be that we would rather live in a world without such things because the implication would mean we would have to behave and live differently?

Are we afraid of the work required in discerning what is of our own manufacturing and what is not?

The patient who was the subject of the earlier cited program really did feel sad and then happy, that was all her, meaning that it all transpired within the systems inherent to her body. However, the initiator or cause of those feelings was not her. The doctors were the source of the initial stimuli. To discern between what was of her making, and what wasn't, I suspect would have taken her some time to resolve, though it could be done. After all, she is aware of the train of her own thoughts and the status of her feelings. She could thereby realize when something imposed its arrival upon her system and then being aware she could make a clear judgement as to whether she made it happen.

Spiritual discernment is a similar endeavor. Much like learning to see and hear, anyone can become adept. Think of it as hearing, but in a different way. When you hear something you are aware that some stimulus, external to your pattern of thoughts and/or feelings has registered and thereby you perceive it. When you are grossly focused on an endeavor you may still have the stimulus present but you never become aware of it due to your state of mind, you never hear it. Likewise we can be spiritually deaf. For spiritual perception to result, one must be open to communication. One must realize their state of mind, as well as the impressions distinguishing themselves upon the stage of the mind, and the canvass of our feelings.

"A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon. . . . And thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus." - Joseph Smith

Believing God to be Love and giver of all that is good. I find no other better definition of spirituality than this:

"Every noble impulse, every unselfish expression of love, every brave suffering for the right; every surrender of self to something higher than self; every loyalty to an ideal; every unselfish devotion to principle; every helpfulness to humanity; every act of self control; every fine courage of the soul, undefeated by pretense or policy; but by being, doing, and living of good for the very good's sake - that is spirituality." - David O. McKay

I believe that the inspiration within all men for things of a better nature are born of revelation given from a kind and loving God irrespective of whether the recipient recognizes the stimuli as coming from such. Our devotion to apply unto those impulses shows the nature and disposition of what and who we choose to be.

As a consequence of the general misunderstanding and inability to discern communication of a spiritual nature, many people try to trick others. They claim revelation when there is none. They push obedience to commandments of their own making, and a host of other deceptive practices. However, just because people do these things, it does not mean that personal spiritual revelation does not exist. It also does not mean that we should not follow true inspiration and revelation. What it means is that we must become familiar with the proper means by which we can discern truth and error.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." - James 1:5-6, Bible

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is." - Moroni 10:4-6, Book of Mormon

I like truth because in knowing truth I am free to determine the consequences of my actions, and there are consequences to all our actions. It is comforting to know that I don't have to trust anyone blindly to lead me unto truth and its attendant consequences. It is comforting to know that I can talk to someone who knows everything. And it is comforting to know that outside of doing all I can do to help myself, He does communicate to us. If we'll just....

Listen.