Tìng yǔ tīng xīn (Chinese, 听雨听心)
(Listening to the Rain, Listening to the Heart)
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Spiritual Bankruptcy
The Chinese phrase "Tìng yǔ tīng xīn" beautifully captures a moment of profound reflection, implying a recognition of the emptiness within oneself—a poetic awareness of an emotional or spiritual void.
Recently, my wife and I watched an interview with Ayaan Ali, a speaker and writer who shared her harrowing experience of enduring a decade of severe depression. Her condition was so debilitating that she contemplated ending her life. This period of profound despair continued until a therapist suggested she might be suffering from spiritual bankruptcy. This insight sparked a significant spiritual transformation in Ali, leading to a personal epiphany that dramatically altered her perspective and brought her an enduring sense of happiness.
In a world where Christianity often faces scepticism and ridicule, particularly from atheistic quarters, Ali’s story is a poignant reminder of the limitations of a solely scientific worldview. Atheism and what is sometimes called 'fake science' do not serve as definitive arbiters of personal experiences. Indeed, there are dimensions of human existence, such as conscience and the deep, intricate ways the human psyche communes with God and Christ is yet to fully understand, let alone measure.
(2) Richard Dawkins vs Ayaan Hirsi Ali: The God Debate - YouTube