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Post by insightful1 on Jun 12, 2013 1:08:03 GMT
I have been searching for an open forum site that is broad and based solely on spirituality with open discussions. I have been through some pretty powerful stuff and trying to stay God centered and in touch with my own spirituality can be quite overwhelming. Some of the people I have met on my journeys do not have the same views as me when it comes particularly to Jesus Christ and God, not only do they not share my views but try to push theirs on me. Some of the things I have heard and encountered from some of the people I have met I could not would not post in this forum. So, eventually a girl can begin to feel cornered by the blatant ignorance, with no one to talk to that shares their views and ideas. The basis of my families religious heritage is Protestant but I was baptized as a small child in the Church of God as a christian, once inside the church with a basin of holy water, and then again in the Great Lakes of Michigan. My spirituality has always meant more then anything to me but has boiled down to sometimes a state of anger mostly a state of annoyance. So I guess what I am wondering is if anyone else has connected with this type of mindset and how does one recenter oneself and disconnect from the ignorant flow and back into Gods flow? I have removed myself from their presence for years at a time but what they left me with was emptiness and a feeling of death like no other; since without Christ we are dead. Any advise would be helpful, appreciated and taken.
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sparklekaz
Someone asked me.. What is your religion? I said, "All the paths that lead to the light".
Posts: 3,658
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Post by sparklekaz on Jun 12, 2013 13:22:12 GMT
Hello insightful,
Welcome to The God Light, it is lovely to meet you.
I am so glad that you found your way here to this forum as I know you will appreciate the diversity of it. We are an all faith/spiritual group, where the emphasis is on tolerance, sharing, self growth and empowerment.
Our membership is from all over the world and so we enjoy a wide range of people from different belief groups and cultures. Personally I have found this to be very enriching and informative. I believe intolerance springs from ignorance and by learning about the different spiritual paths of others, it broadens the horizons and brings people together.
How to become more God centred. Well I can only share from my own perspective. I have found that focusing on my own relationship with God, rather then on differences of doctrine to be the way forward. I too have in the past found myself defending my own beliefs and having to cope with others trying to foist their beliefs on to me. I would get quite upset and worked up about it. But I have come to realise, that belief is very personal, and not something that we can 'give' to someone else. It has to be felt in the heart. I don't feel the need to have to defend myself anymore and believe, that whatever makes someone happy or fulfilled, whether it is a belief system I share or not is irrelevant.
I believe we have more in common with others then we think. If people only focus on the differences they will never find a common ground or a way of living together in religious tolerance and peace. The great thing about this group I have found, is that it is possible to have a spiritual debate or discussion without getting into a 'my belief is better then yours, and I'm right and your wrong scenario'. It has just been a mutually satisfying way of sharing about our spiritual paths. We are all different, and people are all at different places in their spiritual growth. We all have to come to an understanding of life and God in our own way and in our own time.
I try to live my life in a good way, being loving and helping others. I believe this is a way of not just talking about spirituality and God, but of living our spirituality. Your relationship with God is personal to you. Focus on that and I think you will start to find some inner peace.
I look forward to reading your posts, and getting to know you better.
Love and light Kaz |
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Post by insightful1 on Jun 12, 2013 17:43:03 GMT
Thank you for your feedback and thoughts. I have been struggling for some time and have made some bad decisions that lead me down the wrong path with he wrong people, I have no doubts that God was with me the whole time but I am feeling unworthy because of my own bad decisions. Maybe ignorant is the wrong word to use for what I am experiencing, more like evil cultist thinking. Immoral acts and pressures that I refuse to succumb to. I guess I just need to know how to shed myself of these evil thoughts. I have meditated on positive thoughts and try to be thankful for my blessing all the while the devils henchmen hounding away. People have tried to convince me that Jesus is evil and nothing is more evil then following a crucifix and that if I do so I will end up the same way. I know this isn't true but (as I learned in Psychology class) is dangerous thinking filled with false dilemmas. I am glad I found this site so that I may get some peace of mind and try to pull myself out of the distorted viewpoint that has tried to take hold of my mind. Thank you again I appreciate your response.
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sparklekaz
Someone asked me.. What is your religion? I said, "All the paths that lead to the light".
Posts: 3,658
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Post by sparklekaz on Jun 12, 2013 18:43:23 GMT
Dear Insightful,
As we grow up, it is natural to experiment and to be easily influenced by other stronger personalities. Part of maturity is finding the courage to stop or refuse to carry on interacting with people whose beliefs and behaviours do not feel right to us. I truly believe, that no life experience is wasted, or a mistake, if we learn something from it. From what you have said, you knew it was not right for you in the end, it went against your own inner moral compass. Even if you are still searching for answers, and trying to find a way of being that feels just right for you, you now know, what isn't right for you'! You also had the courage to stand up for yourself I'm guessing, and say sorry but this isn't right for me and went your own way.
I am so glad you are keeping positive. We all experience negative, troubling thoughts from time to time. The important thing is not to ignore them. Simply acknowledge them and move onto something else more positive. When we resist something, we become afraid of it. Being afraid, is something that grows in the mind, and can often distort how we view life. By giving something too much attention we give it power over us. So, in acknowledging the power of thought, carry on as you are, living a positive and healthy life.
I have also found, helping others really satisfying. There is nothing nicer, then giving of your time and company to help other people, without expecting anything in return. Helping others, gives you a warm feeling inside and for me is a way of expressing unconditional love. It is a very spiritual quality. It also makes you feel as if you are doing something good, rather then feeling bad about yourself, for something that is in the past. It also makes me realise how bad some people have it, and still manage to stay positive, I find that very humbling and a inspiration.
Keep yourself busy. Get out into the fresh air and take relaxing walks. Meditate in nature as well as at home. Look for the beauty that surrounds you, and the good in people, rather then the bad. You will find, that this will become second nature to you in time, and I am sure you will feel much happier. God can be found anywhere. He is in nature, he is in the spontaneous acts of kindness, he is children's laughter, and most of all God can be found wherever people treat each other with love.
Love and light Kaz |
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Post by ventura23 on Jan 31, 2014 1:24:12 GMT
Dear Insightful,
As we grow up, it is natural to experiment and to be easily influenced by other stronger personalities. Part of maturity is finding the courage to stop or refuse to carry on interacting with people whose beliefs and behaviours do not feel right to us. I truly believe, that no life experience is wasted, or a mistake, if we learn something from it. From what you have said, you knew it was not right for you in the end, it went against your own inner moral compass. Even if you are still searching for answers, and trying to find a way of being that feels just right for you, you now know, what isn't right for you'! You also had the courage to stand up for yourself I'm guessing, and say sorry but this isn't right for me and went your own way.
I am so glad you are keeping positive. We all experience negative, troubling thoughts from time to time. The important thing is not to ignore them. Simply acknowledge them and move onto something else more positive. When we resist something, we become afraid of it. Being afraid, is something that grows in the mind, and can often distort how we view life. By giving something too much attention we give it power over us. So, in acknowledging the power of thought, carry on as you are, living a positive and healthy life.
I have also found, helping others really satisfying. There is nothing nicer, then giving of your time and company to help other people, without expecting anything in return. Helping others, gives you a warm feeling inside and for me is a way of expressing unconditional love. It is a very spiritual quality. It also makes you feel as if you are doing something good, rather then feeling bad about yourself, for something that is in the past. It also makes me realise how bad some people have it, and still manage to stay positive, I find that very humbling and a inspiration.
Keep yourself busy. Get out into the fresh air and take relaxing walks. Meditate in nature as well as at home. Look for the beauty that surrounds you, and the good in people, rather then the bad. You will find, that this will become second nature to you in time, and I am sure you will feel much happier. God can be found anywhere. He is in nature, he is in the spontaneous acts of kindness, he is children's laughter, and most of all God can be found wherever people treat each other with love.
Love and light Kaz |
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