Joys and Trials of Religion meme
6 Comments | August 18, 2007 at 9:55 pm by mahud
Filed under Sprituality
eirsinitiate from Birch Grove has memed me.
Rules
- You have to use your own belief system for the meme. No fair using someone else’s to make a joke or satire. Being humorous about your own religion is encouraged!
- You have to have at least one joy and one trial. More are encouraged. And no, they don’t have to be equal in length, but please be honest.
- You have to tag at least one other person. More are appreciated!
- Please post these rules!
Joys
For a long time I believed knowledge was the key to my Christian beliefs. I’m sure many Christian would dispute that, but it was the way it looked to me. The need to have a correct understanding of godhead and the plan of salvation to avoid eternal damnation.
My belief that doctrinal knowledge is no longer key to my spirituality, it has enabled me to except that all religious paths are valid, and has been a great help to me in leaving the faith of Christianity (a rather slow process that has taken me around 5 or so years).
I believe that we all are all unique individuals at different stages of spirituality, that can change with and beyond our current life time, probably through reincarnation in this reality or a possible limitless of realities.
This helps me to understand people (whether actively spiritual or not, or ignorant or in denial of spirituality). I respect everyone regardless of where they are at in their current life cycle.
This belief stems from my study of Buddhism, that we are all have different needs that need to be met (through many lifetimes) before Nirvana can be attained, except I don’t believe that the extinction of the no-self. I believe that the self is an important and valid part of our existence. Everyone is where they are at for a reason, and It helps me understand my fellow human beings, without judging them. Including outspoken Christian Fundamentalists.
Since coming to terms with everything about it takes the dark paranoiac edge of reality. No longer am I living with a lost world destined to hell, just people at different stages of their life/s.
Trials
I like the Arthurian legend concerning the knights of the round table who separately begin their quest for the grail by entering a forest were the is no path and the trees are thickest. This is where I am at the moment. I’m following an unknown series paths, with no idea where they are going to lead me. But this really is part of life that all go through. There are no right and wrong paths, exactly, but without some kind of guide we must brave the journey alone.
Currently I’m looking for a guide to help me through the forest of life journeys. I’m practicing meditation that’s kind of hard for me. My mind is constantly serging with thoughts, problems, anxieties, and it’s not easy to relax and direct my meditations into a place of peace. Meditation is something that I feel will benefit me a great deal (also help with my SA), and so I’m just going the have to work at it.
