No, feelings won't do. If feelings turn you on, do drugs or get religious. Rationalism needs to verifiably bring external benefit.

I couldn't disagree more. Since becoming a rationalist my repertoire of feelings has measurably improved. I'm now capable of being delighted by things that wouldn't have interested me a few months ago. In certain situations I used to feel an overwhelming, paralyzing fear that rationality has cured me of. This is a huge verifiable, external benefit for me.

Since becoming a rationalist, my job performance has improved, and I spend twice as much time (yes, I've kept track) doing the things I've always wanted to, but was previously kept from doing by akrasia or poor time management. I don't know if that's as "awesome" as a martial art, but I definitely consider it a WIN.

If anyone's interested, the four major influences on my rationalism are Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, Moshe Feldenkrais's writing on body awareness, P.J. Eby's mind hacking techniques, and OB/LW.