New Members Don't Be Shy Introduce Yourselves

[sparklekaz]

Hello everybody,

A very warm welcome to all our new members. Please don't be shy, come forward and introduce yourselves, let us get to know you a little better.

I think it would also me be nice if our current members, not so new, but been here a while, would come forward and re introduce themselves and share a little with us, your thoughts and interests. What have you been doing with yourselves. What are you currently interested in. I for one would love to know.

Love and light
Kaz

[donq]

Hi Karen,

And hi, everyone.

My (real) name is Monty. I'm an old man from Thailand. I've been here for years. Maybe 4 or 5 years?
I've never gone abroad and have taught myself English. So, let me tell you that my posting here almost 1,000 posts now was something I've never imagined before. Sure, it was not only hard on my part (as a poster) but it was also hard on your part, as a reader, too. lol
When I was a (very) young man I loved philosophy and read all the books I could get. Though that time I was studying for my law degree but I borrowed philosophy books from my university library more than law books. Not to mention tons of them that  I could buy. As you might know that Philosophy (from Greek philosophia) literally means "love of wisdom".
Anyway, after I read so many Philosophy books (both in my language and English) I always felt that there was something missing. Then, I started to read psychology and finally religion (and spiritual) books.  
To make the long short, why I started my spiritual practice, not only read nor "know" about it? Once I went to study more on Bhagavad Gita's philosophy (that time I already had a vast knowledge on Western and Oriental philosophies, psychologies and religions) at some Arsham nearby in my city. I used to go there for months to debate Bhagavad Gita's philosophy with some Indian guys there. One day, a nun (don't really know how to call her) there asked me to do something. She gave me a sring of beads and asked me to started chanting with it after I went home. I said I would do it.
That night I looked at the beads in my hand and asked myself repeatedly, was I supposed to do that? I was a law student, for Christ sake! Besides, my intellect brain told me that it was useless doing that. But I finally decided to do it just because I promised to that nun.
And let me tell you that no matter how much you read or know about spiritual practice, it was nothing if you never really start practicing it. It's like you would never know how yummy ice cream really tastes if you only read about it.
So, I started chanting, then meditation, changing many schools and finally mindfulness.
I've been practicing (Buddhist) mindfulness for more than 35 years now. :-)

P.S. Sorry for any errors and typos. I don't have enough time to check it again.

Cheers from
monty (DonQ)

[sparklekaz]

Hi Monty,

Thank you for sharing your fascinating story. Of course I know you well, we have been friends here for many years haven't we. Most of us, for whom English is their mother tongue, still struggle to find the words to express themselves. You seem to do it effortlessly. Your posts have always been very informative, deep, insightful, touching and at times very humorous. So, to be reminded again, of how you have taught yourself English, that it is not your first language, is amazing. My admiration for you is massive. You are a inspiration to us all.

Long may you continue to keep sharing. I hope you, your Mum and family are well and healthy.

Love and light
Kaz

[hera]

Oh my Gosh, this is so hard and yet so relevant for me. I had a conversation with an old friend last weekend and we were agreed that I am like a tortoise or perhaps a crab - anything that hides itself away and lives behind a shell so to come out and reveal myself is difficult to say the least, but at this time of a new moon in my Ascendant sign Scorpio it feels right to try and be brave and try something different.

I have spent my life exploring and examining different spiritual paths, from the rigid Church of England schooling and upbringing I grew up in, through spiritualism, angel study, evolutionary astrology, buddhism - there are quite a few - and finally today I find myself believing that there is an element of truth in all of these, although I now practice buddist meditation as my chief method of spirituality.

I am intensely different to all of my family who think I am a bit of an oddball with all these 'strange' beliefs and yet my astrological studies show the reason for this and although I find it uncomfortable to be different I have reached an acceptance that this was my choice and it's necessary for my evolutionary growth.

Phew, I hope i'm not going to regret this, I just don't talk about myself lol.

[gruntal]

Around 1985 I heard a lecture on the Great Pyramid by Gene Scot that convinced me there was something "occult" out there. I joined AMORC i.e. Rosicrucians for awhile. About 3 years ago I was disabled but still able to go out and discovered a women in a nearby town giving lectures of metaphysics so I attended. Some of that was amazing but some of it was less successful.

Sometimes you wonder if anyone realizes the work you put in to things. How can resentment and ecstasy be so close?

Recently I discovered Frater Tom and Rosicrucian Paths on AOL. Except he quit that and went over to Second Life and established an on-line lodge there. It is struggling but I think it is worthwhile. I finally set up a permanent Sanctum in my home where I can study and meditate and do my personal card readings.

Secrets I can not divulge but parts of my life were revealed to me so I now know things and connections. But it is still very much looking on things from a third person perspective.

I am still unable to do "parlor tricks". I was predicted to be clairvoyant but it hasn't happened yet. I seem to be able to understand complex spiritual concepts. But that isn't the same as being able to do then.

I do not come from a spiritual race. It does not come naturally. Why me? I was told my race made decisions ages ago and I apparently made mine that went "against the grain". Now I pay the price.

At least I know what to expect - it will not be easy ...

[sparklekaz]

Hi everyone,

About me. I have been a member of this forum since October 2006. I was living in rural Wales, and had been developing on my own as a healer. And decided to attune to Reiki, as it was the closest thing I could find to the healing practice I had been naturally doing by myself for a few years prior. I loved its Spiritual ethos, and felt it was the missing element I had been searching for. Coming to understand that channeling healing energy ran hand in hand with a commitment to personal and spiritual growth. Where I lived there were no Reiki groups and no one to share with. Finding an online group seemed the best alternative to resolving this problem for me.

Here with this group, I found the friendship, support I was looking for. One of the best things about this space that I have loved, is the variety of beliefs and interests its members have. I have learnt so much about the culture, beliefs and lives of people from all over the world. It has been a wonderful space for me to learn and develop with other like-minded people. Somewhere to articulate my thoughts and beliefs. Looking back to my very first posts and interactions here, I find it amazing to see how much I have changed, and hopefully grown.

I believe in God, but do not consider myself to be religious. Believing that there is wisdom and beauty in all spiritual beliefs. I was brought up as a Catholic, and though I am no longer a practicing one. However, I am forever grateful for the spiritual foundation instilled within me by my birth faith. As I have said I am a Reiki Practicioner, I am also an avid reader, particularly anything to do with healing - and personal development. I have particularly found Buddhism to be helpful in this area. A belief path I am very drawn too. I am also interested in mediumship, crystals, and a variety of other alternative therapies. I have also been interested in dream symbolism and their interpretation. Something I have gone on to do here for our members on our dream interpretation board. So if any of you have a dream or a question about your dreams that you need help with, please feel free to post. Its been a bit quiet on there for some time.

Well that is me. I look forward to hearing everyone else's stories.

Love and light
Kaz

[aceofcups]

I have been a student of esoteric spirituality for many years.    The spiritual path is a struggle to overcome karmic patterns of our ego both brought in with us from other incarnations and new ones we may create in this life ( unconsciously or consciously).   Spiritual life is about consciously creating positive physical, emotional, mental and spiritual forces and to be a instrument for those higher forces and Beings to work through oneself in the service and compassion for others and humanity.  Being on this path for almost 50 years now, I have traveled through many roads and interests.   Being a member of different esoteric schools and honoring the highest in all spiritual teaching, psychological and esoteric parts of religions both West and East.    My life path has lead me to live in and help run spiritual communities for 25-30 years of my life - with interests in meditation, spiritual healing ( Therapeutic Touch and Reiki) and some of the symbolic connections and uses and insights of Astrology, Spiritual Psychology, Tarot symbolism and Kabbalah, Numerology, Alchemy etc. etc.   Other life interests has been into being a creative artist in many different avenues.   But overall my life has been trying as best I can to bring the higher spiritual energy into all areas of my life and relationships.  With age and deeper spiritual commitments over time  I have learned or tried to bring meditative and spiritual discernment into all my life’s choices.

I love sharing what I have learned.

peace to all
aceofcups