my spiritual awakening

[Rivet]

Hello.
This is my first post here. I don't know if this will make sense or where to begin. my mind is going a mile a minute. it brings me to tears.
l was raised a Catholic, but my parents forced religion down my throat. They didn't let me find it on my own. I don't blame them. they were doing the best that they could. I slowly stopped going to church when i was on my own. I never really stopped believing in God realy. But the church didn't do anything for me. Sit, stand, kneel, say a bunch of lines, eat some stale bread. It didn't mean much for me. Sometimes I would get some solace or encouragement, but mostly it was just a ritual. I don't blame the church, it was me.
My life has been going pretty good. Make a good living. Can buy most of the stuff I want. Good health. Have some fun. No real problems. Most people would say I was a good person. I was content.
Like I said, I never really stopped believing in God, but I couldn't go back to the Catholic church. It was dead to me. Maybe I should another church.
I found this site and other religious sites and did a lot of reading. I was trying to be open minded. I thought I wanted to stay a Christian. I researched some of the different denominations. Man this was confusing! I was overwhelmed. I believed the teachings and actions of Christ were sound, but I couldn't find the "right" church. They all seemed to conflict with each other. This one believed Jesus was the son of God, born of virgin mary, did miracles, died on cross and rose again. On the other end of the spectrum, this one believed Jesus was just a man who was a great preacher.
I briefly looked at other religions... and then it came to me. I was asking the wrong Question!!! The question is not which religion is right or wrong, whether Jesus was man or son of God, performed miracles or even existed. His message was right. I was all so simple really ... LOVE!!!
Duh! And then it came to me, it filled me. I can't describe it with words. There is no heaven or hell. Our religions just try to. But they fail. Our words cannot describe God. It is more than us. It is a life force, something beyond us, inside us, outside us, around us. It was in me all the time. I was just too dumb to see it. I'm crying right now.
Why is this happening to me? I was doing ok. I wasn't hurting anyone. I was content but not really happy. Just sort of drifting. Maybe I was too comfortable. Maybe that's the problem in this country.
I heard someone talk about Mother Teresa. It was about how the country in which she worked was seen as "poor". She said the people were spiritually rich. The U.S. is materially rich, but spiritually poor. Yes, I get it.
This world is just full of stuff. I am not saying that making a comfortable living is bad, but it can blind us from the Truth!
Our body is just a shell. Nothing anyone can say or do can really hurt you. You are really beyond this world.
I was trying to using my rational mind, reason if you will. But it fails me. Should we give up Science? No, but science couldn't provide me with answers that I sought. I had to open my mind, my heart, my soul.
I don't know what else to say. My mind is bursting. I am about to explode.
No church or religion can satisfy me. I am no great philosopher or poet. Maybe this all mumbo-jumbo. Maybe I am deluding myself. I don't know. Maybe I will feel differently tomorrow and go back to same old same old.

Maybe all I am saying is ... here I am.
:angel:

[ukangel]

First of all Rivet welcome to WS.

I think thats a really interesting post. I think we are all searching for the truth. I too believe that God is really occupying a place more wonderful than we can comprehend. I am going to do something I wouldnt normally do and recommed a book to you.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060931175/qid=1104694282/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/104-8245335-0775918

I am reading it at the moment and it is incredibly interesting and talks about a theroy of interconnectedness.

[xexon]

Hello Rivet.

Don't get too excited just yet. No, you're not awake, but you're stirring, and thats a good sign. I take it that you have had a recent shift of how you see the world?

Everybody has their own account with God. It has nothing to do with how you were raised, or your current beliefs, or how your surroundings affect you. You path really started a long time ago. You are only now becoming aware of it.

Watch it bloom like a flower. And like a flower, it will require a certain amount of care to see it remains healthy. Backsliding is normal. Don't let it overly concern you when it happens.

The real difference between a person who is "awake" and one who still slumbers is that when a waking person falls back asleep, they still know there is something outside themselves, while people who are still spiritually asleep are content in their sleep. They even welcome it.

Welcome the the next level.




x

[Turenne]

Thats a very enjoyable post Rivet.I'm glad you shun the organised religions,as you can see for yourself they have been a failure.Individually you have found happiness,I envy you for that.

Welcome to WS.

[Simba]

Hello.
This is my first post here. I don't know if this will make sense or where to begin. my mind is going a mile a minute. it brings me to tears.
l was raised a Catholic, but my parents forced religion down my throat. They didn't let me find it on my own. I don't blame them. they were doing the best that they could. I slowly stopped going to church when i was on my own. I never really stopped believing in God realy. But the church didn't do anything for me. Sit, stand, kneel, say a bunch of lines, eat some stale bread. It didn't mean much for me. Sometimes I would get some solace or encouragement, but mostly it was just a ritual. I don't blame the church, it was me.
My life has been going pretty good. Make a good living. Can buy most of the stuff I want. Good health. Have some fun. No real problems. Most people would say I was a good person. I was content.
Like I said, I never really stopped believing in God, but I couldn't go back to the Catholic church. It was dead to me. Maybe I should another church.
I found this site and other religious sites and did a lot of reading. I was trying to be open minded. I thought I wanted to stay a Christian. I researched some of the different denominations. Man this was confusing! I was overwhelmed. I believed the teachings and actions of Christ were sound, but I couldn't find the "right" church. They all seemed to conflict with each other. This one believed Jesus was the son of God, born of virgin mary, did miracles, died on cross and rose again. On the other end of the spectrum, this one believed Jesus was just a man who was a great preacher.
I briefly looked at other religions... and then it came to me. I was asking the wrong Question!!! The question is not which religion is right or wrong, whether Jesus was man or son of God, performed miracles or even existed. His message was right. I was all so simple really ... LOVE!!!
Duh! And then it came to me, it filled me. I can't describe it with words. There is no heaven or hell. Our religions just try to. But they fail. Our words cannot describe God. It is more than us. It is a life force, something beyond us, inside us, outside us, around us. It was in me all the time. I was just too dumb to see it. I'm crying right now.
Why is this happening to me? I was doing ok. I wasn't hurting anyone. I was content but not really happy. Just sort of drifting. Maybe I was too comfortable. Maybe that's the problem in this country.
I heard someone talk about Mother Teresa. It was about how the country in which she worked was seen as "poor". She said the people were spiritually rich. The U.S. is materially rich, but spiritually poor. Yes, I get it.
This world is just full of stuff. I am not saying that making a comfortable living is bad, but it can blind us from the Truth!
Our body is just a shell. Nothing anyone can say or do can really hurt you. You are really beyond this world.
I was trying to using my rational mind, reason if you will. But it fails me. Should we give up Science? No, but science couldn't provide me with answers that I sought. I had to open my mind, my heart, my soul.
I don't know what else to say. My mind is bursting. I am about to explode.
No church or religion can satisfy me. I am no great philosopher or poet. Maybe this all mumbo-jumbo. Maybe I am deluding myself. I don't know. Maybe I will feel differently tomorrow and go back to same old same old.

Maybe all I am saying is ... here I am.
:angel:

Welcome.

As for spirtual walks, they can be fast and furious or slow and foreboding. I prefer fast and furious. Make sure there's some good music as well. We all like to think there is that story just waiting to be wrote about us while we do the most mundane.

*Looks at the package of Jimmy Dean sausage and reads the saying the breakfast king espoused as his credo in life*......Every day you can get up and put your feet on the ground and breath is a good day. Make the most of it.

Live by that and you will sleep just fine, dreaming of pretty women and nice cars. Doubt you'll pee the bed as well on your way to slumber salvation.

[julierep]

Welcome Rivet. I have felt the very same way you feel now. I found my peace in God. I know that He lives. It is an awesome feeling that overwhelms you once you see the truth. Good luck in your journey!!

[Simba]

Welcome Rivet. I have felt the very same way you feel now. I found my peace in God. I know that He lives. It is an awesome feeling that overwhelms you once you see the truth. Good luck in your journey!!

Goodness. Now I feel like a damn heathen.

[historyteach]

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."
G*D bless you on the journey! It's an awesome ride. I too made a quest; a 17 year journey of different religions and different philosophies. My journey continues, but, I have found what works for me.
I wish the same for you!
L'Chaim!
(To Life!)

[cpwill]

Goodness. Now I feel like a damn heathen......?

[Rivet]

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement.

Don't get too excited just yet. No, you're not awake, but you're stirring, and thats a good sign. I take it that you have had a recent shift of how you see the world?

I am not sure what triggered it. Maybe it was another meaningless xmas season. Spend all this time getting prepared, open all the presents, and then the inevitable empty feeling.

Maybe it was all the suffering on CNN.

Maybe it was just something that had been building up for years and now was a good a time as any to escape.

Anyways I realized that we are all brothers under the sun. What a world would that be if we all really believed it.

I am just beginning my journey now.

[xexon]

Whatever path you are put upon to walk, be aware that there are many around you who will not share your inner vision.

Know when to be silent.




x

[Larani]

Hello.
This is my first post here. I don't know if this will make sense or where to begin. my mind is going a mile a minute. it brings me to tears.
l was raised a Catholic, but my parents forced religion down my throat. They didn't let me find it on my own. I don't blame them. they were doing the best that they could. I slowly stopped going to church when i was on my own. I never really stopped believing in God realy. But the church didn't do anything for me. Sit, stand, kneel, say a bunch of lines, eat some stale bread. It didn't mean much for me. Sometimes I would get some solace or encouragement, but mostly it was just a ritual. I don't blame the church, it was me.
My life has been going pretty good. Make a good living. Can buy most of the stuff I want. Good health. Have some fun. No real problems. Most people would say I was a good person. I was content.
Like I said, I never really stopped believing in God, but I couldn't go back to the Catholic church. It was dead to me. Maybe I should another church.
I found this site and other religious sites and did a lot of reading. I was trying to be open minded. I thought I wanted to stay a Christian. I researched some of the different denominations. Man this was confusing! I was overwhelmed. I believed the teachings and actions of Christ were sound, but I couldn't find the "right" church. They all seemed to conflict with each other. This one believed Jesus was the son of God, born of virgin mary, did miracles, died on cross and rose again. On the other end of the spectrum, this one believed Jesus was just a man who was a great preacher.
I briefly looked at other religions... and then it came to me. I was asking the wrong Question!!! The question is not which religion is right or wrong, whether Jesus was man or son of God, performed miracles or even existed. His message was right. I was all so simple really ... LOVE!!!
Duh! And then it came to me, it filled me. I can't describe it with words. There is no heaven or hell. Our religions just try to. But they fail. Our words cannot describe God. It is more than us. It is a life force, something beyond us, inside us, outside us, around us. It was in me all the time. I was just too dumb to see it. I'm crying right now.
Why is this happening to me? I was doing ok. I wasn't hurting anyone. I was content but not really happy. Just sort of drifting. Maybe I was too comfortable. Maybe that's the problem in this country.
I heard someone talk about Mother Teresa. It was about how the country in which she worked was seen as "poor". She said the people were spiritually rich. The U.S. is materially rich, but spiritually poor. Yes, I get it.
This world is just full of stuff. I am not saying that making a comfortable living is bad, but it can blind us from the Truth!
Our body is just a shell. Nothing anyone can say or do can really hurt you. You are really beyond this world.
I was trying to using my rational mind, reason if you will. But it fails me. Should we give up Science? No, but science couldn't provide me with answers that I sought. I had to open my mind, my heart, my soul.
I don't know what else to say. My mind is bursting. I am about to explode.
No church or religion can satisfy me. I am no great philosopher or poet. Maybe this all mumbo-jumbo. Maybe I am deluding myself. I don't know. Maybe I will feel differently tomorrow and go back to same old same old.

Maybe all I am saying is ... here I am.
:angel:


Rivet tis good to hear you have found heaven. or maybe you look at it as Heaven has found you. Who knows? What I do know is you will begin the change and become a light unto many. Shine bright brother and do not fear for words or what to say. you need be no great philosopher for your heaven will indeed do all that it was meant to do. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. :angel:

[cpwill]

there's a book out there called "God seekers", or something of that nature; you might be interested in it.

whichever you decide; the one thing you must not do is simply ride out the feeling; having recieved a spiritual experience, you have to do something with it, or it will atrophy and you will lose what you have gained.

[Mr.BlueOil]

Hey Rivet. Your post is all to familure or should I say close to home.

Aside from the hey Rivet, I have a couple of comments and / or questions for xexon.

Hello Rivet.

Don't get too excited just yet. No, you're not awake, but you're stirring, and thats a good sign. I take it that you have had a recent shift of how you see the world?

Your presumption that he's had a shift is a good one and I like that you asked him about it in the third sentance. However your first two sentances and conclussive statements about someone you know nothing of. You could in fact be correct entirely with them or partially. There is reason for pointing this out.


Everybody has their own account with God. It has nothing to do with how you were raised, or your current beliefs, or how your surroundings affect you. You path really started a long time ago. You are only now becoming aware of it.

Generalizations picked up from Rivets post as he explaned his history of life while growing up. He may infact be influenced still from his life during his upbringing, maybe not by the rules set in place by parents while raising him, but certainly by experiances along the way. What you said in those lines to me looks like nothing more then a way to gain confidance with Rivet and make it appear you know exactly whats going on.



Watch it bloom like a flower. And like a flower, it will require a certain amount of care to see it remains healthy. Backsliding is normal. Don't let it overly concern you when it happens.

These would appear to be more words of wisdom, and in a way they are, it's like saying, "Your on a horse, ride wonderfully, but if you fall off worry not and simply get back in the saddle." In otherwords common knowledge dressed up with a symbol (flower).



The real difference between a person who is "awake" and one who still slumbers is that when a waking person falls back asleep, they still know there is something outside themselves, while people who are still spiritually asleep are content in their sleep. They even welcome it.

Welcome the the next level.


I would have probably said nothing of this post if not for this last statement. Not only is it an answer to a question no one asked, it's completly wrong, (in my point of view). So why make such comments of it, if this is opinion? Simply because this guy's been here for 10 min, you say a few lines like you know his life inside out, be friend him with mild words of wisdom, then tell him flat out the differance between him and everyone else, probably based off your own thoughts, opinions, and beliefs. Then close it up like your bringing him into your world, "Welcome to the next level."

Where do you get off pulling crap like this? Is it from not thinking things out? Or have I missed something? Most of your posts are great, I don't agree with most of them but I agree with the idea behind them being greater then what they seem. But this post made my mouth drop, I might be looking to far into this so lemmie know. This set me off because it looks like a form of manimplation.

That's all I have time for now.

[Rivet]

His assessment that I had a "stirring" or whatever you want to call it, is probably correct. I have calmed down considerably since then.

I think he (and other posters) were just trying to encourage me to explore my spiritual side further.

Some of the words may not make sense now (being awake or not), but someday perhaps they will.

[Mr.BlueOil]

We all have different views on things, sometimes they overlap and views are the same on one point or another, but the origin of our thoughts differ greatly. This does not take away from the fact that two people can share the same conclussion. In my opinion anyway.

When people make statements like this I think it's important to mention that it's the person's opinion, so not to confuse those who read it to think that it's a product of conformed values, weather they believe in the same god, spirit, or lifestyle. Otherwise they can be viewed as one person trying to further their own cause. Not really imputting thought, rather trying to have others impliment thought.

For myself the awakening (if that's what you wish to call it) is the sensation of realization that gives your mind a feeling we tend to lack on a regular basis. Maybe one of the reason's we don't see it to often is the world around us seems to tell us alot more then it askes us, what god is, what science is, both things that seem to be taught in a way of conformed media. This leaves the sensation of self discovery dorment for years. As I'm getting older somethings taught to me years ago that never added up are being pondered over for hope of conclusion. So far I've found that for ever rational explanation of god's existance there is equal rational explanation that their is no such think as god, this simply causes doubt on both sides and leaves me somewhere in the middle. As recently as yesterday I've started to wonder if the value of conformed religious thought is not so much to make sure that everyone is good and works in a positive direction threw their life. But to take the need for thought of the matter weather individual or group, and make it go away. Our minds work faster then a mile a minute, but if we're loading thought in our minds which never come to an absolute conclussion while living then we're wasting our minds away to nothing. So religion is created to give man the conformed assurances of something greater then themselves, so that they can think of more important things that concern those of us that are living, and less of things that may or may not be found in differant plains of existance. Just something I've been thinking about.

xexon hope you didn't take it personally.

[xexon]

I convert nobody, nor do I proseletize.

However, because of my own journey inward, I recognize some of the same scenary he is now seeing.

My point of view is not very common in society. Some people find it refreshing after a lfetime of organized religion and the cardboard cutout dogma that comes from it.

My words do not come from a book, they come from me.

People have the option to listen to them, or not. If you wish to turn away, I wish you well nonetheless.



x

[Mr.BlueOil]

xexon that's what I find so weird.

I recognize his words as being similar to my own history. However that was about 12 years ago. My point of view in not common any where, some of the points I've made have been seen as senceable and agree'd with. But the 'journey' I'm on, no longer has ups and downs, lefts or rights. It's more like a motion that either speeds up or slows down. It would at this time seem to me that I have found myself and know where I stand, logically I wish I had others to share this with, but have yet to find anyone with the same thought pattern.

The fact that we both have similarities in our past to what Rivet posted appears now to me as simply two thinkers trying to make a positive influence towards Rivet's post by incorporating our lives with his.

So in fact where we are now is a product of where we've been, how we were raised, and the influences we produced ourselves or have had others produce for / with us along the way.

Which kinda goes against what you posted as a reply.

P.S. Did you understand how I saw that post as possibly being manipulative?

[xexon]

There are certain elements of my own journey which I choose not to make public. To be simple, I think less and feel more.

I'm a very intuitive person, where you appear to me as more of a thinker. You must weigh things more than someone like myself. We each arrive at our destinations, but by different means. Its not than one is better than the other, to me, they are the same. But the quest for spiritual light is a very individual journey. No two are the same. The best we can do is compare notes on what we wish to share. I am contrained by the path I follow in revealing much about my own journey, whereas you are not. So feel free to share what you wish, as I am interested in all who seek.

Manipulative. Its not the first I've heard that. I can only answer by saying that what I know about the inner workings of people, and their vulerabilities, is something I take very seriously. I would never take advantage of that.

I help where I can, and I'm pretty silent otherwise.




x

[Craig]

whichever you decide; the one thing you must not do is simply ride out the feeling; having recieved a spiritual experience, you have to do something with it, or it will atrophy and you will lose what you have gained.

I once had a moment that I thought was spiritual in nature- however, I realized later that I was deluding myself in thinking so, since there was nothing extraordinary nor even unusual about the event.

[julierep]

I once had a moment that I thought was spiritual in nature- however, I realized later that I was deluding myself in thinking so, since there was nothing extraordinary nor even unusual about the event.

Maybe you did have a spiritual awakening but you didnt act on it. Ive had those too, only the last time I did act on it and found out it was extraordinary!! ;)

[xexon]

The mind must be made to behave before you can travel a spiritual path. The reason being, is that the mind can talk you into or out of anything. You won't be able to tell the difference.

The mind itself cannot travel the spiritual realms. Therefore, it has a hard time with any kind activity outside of itself. You may indeed have had spiritual moment, but the mind will dismiss it as illusion because it cannot see any evidence that it happened. Because of the etheric nature of "spirit", it doesn't leave behind any evidence.

But in the "back" of the mind, a seed of doubt has been planted. It will grow, but not without the mind running a great deal of interference. It cannot allow any competition over it's control of you.

You are not your mind. It is only a tool, to be used in this physical world. Your spirit, your "true self" is tied together with the mind. You have to learn how to untie the knot. When you do, you'll find that the mind has no use beyond this world.

The mind can only think. It cannot feel.

Thats what I meant when I said I think less and feel more.




x

[RevensGhost]

i happy tosee peoples of god jehovah are here on this site

[Entz]

RevensGhost... I thought that from Rivet's post that he is agnostic.. and a liberal at that ("we are all brothers" ). I saw some people on TV having "revelations" and "visions" of Jesus and Jehova during church services. They looked like some one gave them a dose of nerve gas. I certainly don't want to have a revelation like that. I just came to my realization after learning reading and thinking. Sure I was happy to finally know what to believe and why, but I didn't go shouting eurika on the streets, know what I mean?
*PS spell check is your friend