Hooked

I've been deliberating on an idea I came up with awile ago. I am utterly out of touch with my spirituality. About 3-4 years ago, after no exploration since my birth, I tried to be a real minimalistic, liberal christian. Basically I'd pray almost every night and I'd try to eliminate 'goddamn' from my vocabulary. Tried to go to church a couple times a month, too. I was at it for about a year, but then I let that side of me go because I couldn't find any proof of anything and it didn't really help me out, at all.

If I graphed my general outlook on life for the past 5 years it would be a slow but marked decline with the occasional happy spike. Now, I've tried blaming many things,(all the time knowing it's me)but recently, I've cited my lack of spirituality as a contributor. I want to begin to study Buddhism, but either because of laziness or lack of necessity, I've avoided it. I won't say my life is that bad, but I seem to be doing ok without having a spiritual side. So what is the point? That is my question.

I am pretty sure that a spiritual person definately doesn't feel as alone as a non-spiritual person, but a few replies that support that opinion could help get the proverbial ball rolling. Also, those of you who are sprititually enlightened, does that side of you ever get let down? I don't care if you're Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Luciferian, or something of your own design, I want to hear it. Sorry this is a bit long.
Thanks

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The never-ending quest to find a reason to smile...

kiWikkid

i find that people fill any voids they feel, with religion or drugs, but for me drugs have had more of an impact/influence than religion. i think it stems from our disconnection with nature and that somehow drugs seem to reconnect us. these days, by drugs i mean MJ! for the best spiritual kick, sit on a mountain, or on the rocks with pounding waves, or walk in a forest, with a big dooby.

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THE BLUNCH BLACK OF BLOTRE BLAME

supermarket :)

*MY OPINION*

you are a warrior just like everyone else in this life.

If you are anything like me, you occasionaly ponder how humans got on this planet, or you feel different or secluded from the world. Or maybe you realized some things that you cant explain. Maybe you had a religious experience from psycho-active chemicals?

These are all things that eventually lead someone to a spiritual path. What are subconscious realizes, that we dont always realize is that there is something, like said in the matrix, that exists beyond our world that we are aware (or semi-aware of) that we dont fully understand.

To many people, spirituality is the quest to understand this.

Three main purposes of spirituality:

1. Health of the soul
2. Happiness or Contentless with oneself, and the world
3. the understanding, or want to understand of the world beyond our average.


Some people strive for all 3, some people strive for just one. Some people are extremely spiritual, or claim to be, but have no idea what spirituality really is. Some people are highly spiritual and dont realize they are.

Anyway, the best path is one found by yourself, and guided by masters, teachers, or just the world around you.


With that said, if you need someone to point you in the right direction, just ask. I'll leave you with a link, and a book suggestion to get you started on your spiritual path.


link: <a href="http://www.thegreatillusion .com" target="_blank"> The Great Illusion</a>

Book: Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman


Enjoy life

Bruceltura

Perhaps you may find some insight(no guarantees ) in my personal viewpoint.

Spirituality is not something you find in designated places or from certain people eg. religious communities. It a something that you start with nothing and as you grow up, you develop your own spirituality. Its a very personal and unique thing that only YOU own and only because YOU aquired it yourself.

I am still rather young and am still early in this ongoing process but I do know this: This place, where my life began, is infinitely full of beauty...in places, people, experiences, human expression, science,...simply everywhere. All it takes is to look. And I believe that that is what spirituality really is...just opening your eyes to life.

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"Don't hail me
An don't idolize the ink
Or I've failed in my attentions
can you find the missing link
Your only validation is in living your own life
Vicarious existence is a fucking waste of time
So I send this song to the offended
I said what I meant and I've never pretended
As so many others do intending just to please
If I damned your point of view
could you turn the other cheek" Guns n fuckin Roses - Dont Damn Me

Hooked

Thanks for your replies, folks.

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The never-ending quest to find a reason to smile...

HerbalAssassin

This is what I say, man.

Do not try and force a religion into yourself. This is wrong and opressive to your already downpressed spirit.

Sit, smoke some ganja, and meditate. Know what you want out of life, and try and figure out JAH (God). Know what kind of being He is, and what exactly you are in connection to him.

This may take a couple meditation sessions. Just keep an open mind and open spirit. Try and gain life in your 'spiritually dead' state.

Peace man, I will pray for you.

JAH bless you Idren, Selah...

Ras John

Rastafari One Love Peace Iver Nation Spring Hope Iternal
InI praise JAH Rastafari
Selassie blesseth.

screeb

It's all in the mind,
everything is just made up of bundles of energy.Ask a physicist.

Fantus

[quote]Originally posted by Hooked:
[ I won't say my life is that bad, but I seem to be doing ok without having a spiritual side. So what is the point? That is my question.

<hr></blockquote>


I went through a similar quest about 10 years ago, I took a long hard look and my beliefs and spirituality. I was turned off religion and the church very young (roman catholic background). I tried to honestly look for a spirtitual side.

I didn't find one, at least I didn't find one that could be catagorized into a religion/God.
I have many very strong beliefs....Does that make me spiritual?

I don't know if a spiritual quest could ever succeed. I has to be a gut feeling or awakening, something you already have or something that you discover in your self. It's something that you will happen upon and it will just make sense right away.

I think if you truly needed a spiritual side in your life you would find one, because it would be a void that needs to be filled. If you have to ask if there is a point in looking you probably don't need to be looking in the first place.

Just my 0.02$

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"Time's fun when you're having flies." - Kermit the Frog