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Post by Newlyn on Apr 5, 2006 10:09:52 GMT -5
I've found that lately I have been struggling with depression. I'm not usually prone to it, but I'm struggling all the same.
I think maybe it is because I am trying to find my way spiritually. Is it possible to try too hard?
I'm frustrated that it hasn't just "come to me".
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Post by KittyLane on Apr 5, 2006 10:58:00 GMT -5
I've found that lately I have been struggling with depression. I'm not usually prone to it, but I'm struggling all the same. I think maybe it is because I am trying to find my way spiritually. Is it possible to try too hard? I'm frustrated that it hasn't just "come to me". i think maybe that in the "trying to hard" you feel that it should "appear" like the divine presence. it was not like that for me. i struggled with my faith for 10 years. i didnt go to church or worship at all, but i concidered myself a "baptist". i realized last year i was not a christian, i really did not believe in what christians did anymore. expecially around here where everyone is a major hypocrite. i started researching and studing what else was out there that might "fit" me better. thats when i picked up my first "pagan book for dummies" and got a general idea of what paganism was all about. i was relieved to find there where people out there who were like me and had the same "inner beliefs". dont be to hard on yourself, and if you are feeling that you are going to go to hell for even thinking like this, believe me we would all be there by now.
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Post by Newlyn on Apr 5, 2006 11:05:17 GMT -5
Thanks. I realized recently that I'm not Christian, either. I can't conform to the doctrine. I tried very hard to, but it never felt right.
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Post by KittyLane on Apr 5, 2006 11:22:09 GMT -5
Thanks. I realized recently that I'm not Christian, either. I can't conform to the doctrine. I tried very hard to, but it never felt right. well then if you need any help please do not hesitate to ask. i just posted some defined info about wicca. take a look, see what you think. it might not be right for you. if not i will make it my personal mission to help you find a path. if that is what you wish.
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Post by Newlyn on Apr 5, 2006 11:22:48 GMT -5
I would love that, EK.
Thank you.
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Post by Senbecc on Apr 5, 2006 11:35:41 GMT -5
Thanks. I realized recently that I'm not Christian, either. I can't conform to the doctrine. I tried very hard to, but it never felt right. So, this is about those Fundies you mentioned on MnM isn't it? You know, just because you lost a debate, and/or just because they say so, doesn't make not a Christian...Or Pagan for that matter. If it's the doctrines your having trouble with then you know those need to be what you let go of first. If you can't conform to something then all it will do is hold you back.
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Post by Newlyn on Apr 5, 2006 11:41:03 GMT -5
Exactly. I'm going to keep working on it.
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Post by moonwind333 on Apr 5, 2006 13:12:01 GMT -5
Exactly. I'm going to keep working on it. Just let yourself be for a while, too. Give yourself permission to relax about it all. IMO, spirituality and religion are two different things. Spirituality is the insides and feeling close to the IS in whatever form your perceive can be something you can do alone at any time. Religion is the outsides, the social gatherings, the people things. If it takes you a while to find the proper people things, just remember you ALWAYS have the inside things.
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Pel
Philosopher
Some are born to move the world
Posts: 216
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Post by Pel on Apr 5, 2006 18:36:10 GMT -5
I remember something my mom and dad once talked to me about. It was when I was looking at all these other religions with wide eyes, wanting to have a sense of each one. That in itself isn't wrong, but I had just moved away from home to go to college and the freedom was kind of intoxicating. Looking back, I see that when I first tasted independence, I wanted more and more, faster and faster. I guess it was some type of emotional gluttony.
Anyway, my parents sat me down and we had a long discussion about a lot of things. It was probably the most informative conversation I've ever had. I realized my parents weren't as uneducated about things as I had thought (being 18 and all).
Well, my dad told me that I shouldn't abandon our Southern Baptist tradition. I first thought he was talking about all the doctrines, but he stopped me before I could make an argument. He said that whenever something happened, something terrible, and the family was in trouble or needed support, it is better if they could all [commune/pray/etc.] in the same way.
It may not have the same effect on others, but something clicked for me. Sometimes religion is best seen as a type of common language. Knowing how to act and react in situations when family (not necessarily by blood) is desperately needed is a great comfort. If I ever need help from my family, I can feel at ease knowing that there aren't needless questions of etiquette. No one has to worry or wonder if they should do this or that. Without those hindrances, it's easier to focus on what needs to be done.
Of course, I'm technically speaking of religious graces and not of pure belief. You must rely on your spirituality to gain guidance for your life, but there are always times when you'll need family. It calms me to know that there is always some comfort I can gain from religion. Despite whatever beliefs I hold, I can always look at Christianity, knowing its edicts, and almost hear my family saying, "we're here as we've always been when we were raising you."
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Post by Senbecc on Apr 5, 2006 18:47:10 GMT -5
Exactly. I'm going to keep working on it. Just let yourself be for a while, too. Give yourself permission to relax about it all. IMO, spirituality and religion are two different things. Spirituality is the insides and feeling close to the IS in whatever form your perceive can be something you can do alone at any time. Religion is the outsides, the social gatherings, the people things. If it takes you a while to find the proper people things, just remember you ALWAYS have the inside things. Agreed, that was quite a confusing bunch of crap on MnM, no-one can blame you for being confused. You were hearing from Pagans, exactly what you'd THOUGHT you'd left with those Fundies... I'm guessing you thought Pagans were a little more open minded?...Well depends on the Pagan. However spirit is all connected to Deity. Do you remember when I told you not to judge the truth of the words, but whether those words come from a place truth? Spirit flows into it's self as the present flows into the future. I've heard it said that religion it's self is something like three blind-men each touching a different part of an elephant. One touches the trunk and says, "It feels like a snake!" Another touches it's leg and says, "It feels like a stump!" Another touches the body and says, "it feels like a rock!" What do all three opinions have in common? They all come from the same "source". What some eclectics, and spiritualists try to do is touch two or more parts of the same "source". Like the elephant, religion all contains elements of truth, no-matter how others might try to twist it.
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Post by Sojrn on Apr 6, 2006 22:06:43 GMT -5
I had a difficult time when I started on the ceremonial path, in letting go of certain core Catholic beliefs. Try meditating on some of the beliefs you are experiencing a "resistance" with. Your internal struggle isn't going to just go away on it's own. Read, research, and practice daily introspective rituals. A lot of the time the "self" will offer you some emotional/intellectual wiggle room to start accepting new beliefs. A great book to guide you along is "The Circle Within" by Dianne Sylvan. It teaches Wiccan spiritual tradition.
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