Spiritual vs. physical

why do people always say that the spiritual is more important than the physical? i just don't get it. what do people REALLY mean when they say "spiritual", anyway? and when they say "physical" are they referring to the senses in general? if so, i live for the physical rather than the spiritual, and i'm not ashamed of it whatsoever.

I agree, for the most part. I think that people reject the "physical" for the "spiritual" because it gives them a greater sense of worth. It makes them feel superior.

Pleasure is one of, if not the most important thing in my life. I honestly don't understand what is wrong with this. A lot of pleasure is gained from love and friendship. The basic goal of love/friendship is pleasure: for the giver, receiver, or both. Money is not really physical or material...it is really just a symbol. The things you can get with money, on the other hand....
Also, aren't we overlooking the sensory pleasure that can be achieved without owning anything? I'm referring to the physical beauty of nature. Is that too considered less important than spirituality? What defines material/physical, and what defines spiritual?[This message has been edited by hiddenexit77, 08-12-2002]

And furthermore, what about art in all its forms? Poetry, visual art, music, all those indescribably wonderful things? How do they fit in? Is it materialistic to be an avid music listener, for instance?

Everything depends on the physical to exist, including honor, love, logic etc. These "spiritual" things originate in a physical, bodily object: the brain. And a yogi needs a mat to prevent soreness.
Concerning selfishness, we should examine WHY selfishness is considered bad/wrong in the first place. Because, regardless of the motives that drive kindness/generosity, there will always be A SELF, some self, on the receiving end. There must be a self who is experiencing the love. It's hard for me to explain, so I will quote Ambrose Bierce: "Selfish, adj. Devoid of consideration for the selfishness of others." and "Egotist, n. A person of low taste, more interested in himself than in me."