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Looking for fulfilling belief system

captainballs

captainballs

Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
9,954
Hi - you could probably classify me as religiously challenged. Like a trillion other people, I grew up going to church, got baptised, and can explain to you why you should believe in Jesus and why he is the way, etc. Of course I don't really believe any of it and quit going to church more than 8 years ago when I was 12. I guess it's always good to be able to talk a good Jesus game just in case I'm ever strapped for cash and feel like sinking really low to get some. ;)

I'm kidding! There's no way I'd ever be strapped for cash!

But seriously, I think it's about time I find some spirituality in my life. I need it, as I think everyone may in some form or another. I don't know where to start, though! I'm fascinated by notions of peace through meditation (I've meditated with a friend before and felt sooooo warm and relaxed afterwards). But I'm looking for a deeper, more expansive spirituality. Basically: I'm searching for a religion that works for me.

I'm scared that Christianity made me a terrible cynic sometimes, but I think I'm growing out of it and ready to move forward. Anyone out there follow any spiritual teachings that might help me fill the hole?
 
those who seek shall find...do some research online...there are a lot of good resources there (but a lot of horseshit as well). I'm sure that you will find what you are looking for...everyone needs a unique spirituality, and I hope you find yours.

Here's a list of a few different ones:

Zen Buddhism
Hinduism
Taoism
Gnosticism
Existentialism
Unitarian Universalism
Nihilism
Wicca/Paganism
Islam
Falun Gong
Hermeticism
Agnosticism

That's about all I can think of at the moment...good luck!
 
You haven't gone to Church in 8 years and dislike Christianity. Do you even know anything about it? Like REALLY know what its about? I find the Bible and Christianity to be the most fulfilling belief system I've studied and its answered so many of my questions. The Church has nothing to do with Christianity by the way, its all in your heart - just like all those other beliefs. Don't dismiss it so easily!
 
oversoul.jpg

http://alexgrey.com
 
i recommend the teachings of ramana maharshi. go here http://www.realization.org/page/topics/ramana.htm

his method is more direct than any other spiritual teachings i know of. i can sum it up for you in a nutshell here but i highly suggest you check it out.


basically he teaches that existence (being) is bliss and eternal and it alone is real with no beginning and no end. that which has a beginning has an end and is unreal (hence the uselessness of seeking temporary pleasures). existence persists during sleep, dream and the waking state. during the waking state the illusory ego arises, identifies with the body and there is duality (the 2nd and 3rd person only arise after the 1st). but you are not the body. if you seek the ego it dissapears (being an illusion) and leaves that which is real. grab hold of what is real and eternal and remain there and the ego will not trouble you anymore. the method he suggests for doing this is called self inquiry. it focuses around the question "who am i?" you know you are not the body, you know you are not the mnd, so what are you but consciousness itself? you ask yourself this question to bring your attention to the "i" thought which then resolves into its source, the real Self which is eternal bliss. this is equivalent to the buddhist idea of loss of individuality equalling nirvana.
 
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You haven't gone to Church in 8 years and dislike Christianity. Do you even know anything about it? Like REALLY know what its about? I find the Bible and Christianity to be the most fulfilling belief system I've studied and its answered so many of my questions. The Church has nothing to do with Christianity by the way, its all in your heart - just like all those other beliefs. Don't dismiss it so easily!
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I know alot about Christianity and I'm familiar with the rhetoric (in your heart, etc.). I still read the Bible, but just Proverbs because it helps me. It's just that I think Jesus was just someone who convinced the hell out of a lot of people that he was the son of god. Sort of like how Osama convinces people that if they fly into buildings they'll meet 70 virgins in heaven waiting to fulfill their every wish. :p
 
I think the only way to find your own spirituality is by looking inside yourself. Stop looking at to the outside for answers and start looking internally. Looking at other religions and spiritual ideas is fine for research, some of them have some great ideas... but always question those ideas with your head and with your heart and see which make the most sense to you. At the end of the day true happiness and spiritual fulfillment is only going to come from within.

ps. nice pic yougene.... looks familiar...hehe
 
I think that all belief systems are unforfilling, better to look within, and develop a deeper connection based on experience, meditation, egoless etc. That is the path the religioous icons tend to point to anyway.
 
You could retreat into post-modernist pessimism...
...
seriously though, I have found buddhism the most effective in communicating what metaphysical truth there is in religion.

ebola
 
CB,
Years ago, I read a book by Tuesday Lobsang Rampa and it increased my spirituality significantly. It began to wain quite a bit and started to get overshadowed by scientific thought over the past several years which, while interesting, hasn't felt very "warm". So, I bought myself a good Rampa collection from ebay and into the second book has found my spirit fire begin to burn again.
He speaks alot of buddhism and hinduism but being neither, doesn't matter. Spirit is spirit.
l2r
 
Void said:
I think that all belief systems are unforfilling, better to look within, and develop a deeper connection based on experience, meditation, egoless etc. That is the path the religioous icons tend to point to anyway.
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this is what ramana mahashi says. his teachings are only for those who need some explanation of how do this.
 
I personally gravitated towards zen buddhism/awareness meditation since I felt it provided the least grist for my logical mind to interfere with. But most of the major religions are popular because they work for some people. In each religion they are a small minority if you ask me... everyone else just gravitates to them to get what the leaders seem to have, not understanding that it there isn't a "thing" you "get."

There's a real problem in the title of your post. Do you really want a set of fixed facts to bind yourself to? Although it will provide short term relief, when you are put to the test you will eventually be forced to admit you are not better off for having limited yourself because it was psychologically easy. Reality is fluid and far greater than the limited human mind. Any truly spiritual path is about self-discovery, looking within, laying oneself bare before god/tao/buddha/krishna/the infinite.

The best thing I can suggest is to do your research and follow the path that your heart calls you on. Don't try to jump at the first thing, you will figure it out eventually Remember that this is a matter of life and death, so you can't really turn away, but also that there's no need to take everything too seriously.
 
Why not try going without a religion. It's not a bad thing to be free of mind, and free of santified morality. Humane actions come much more naturally, and commonly afterwards too. They don't seem forced, or based on some outrageous ideal to me.
 
David said:
Why not try going without a religion.
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There may be many different answers to this question. But, I agree with you. Try to live without religion. Form your "own religion". Don't let other belief systems to dictate what you should belive or not. True belief system relies on your innerself. You have to find a way to access it and make use of it.

About egoless... it can let you see things as they are... you don't need to relay your belief to nothing more than yourself. I don't know if my wording was understandable, but overall...

Take void's advice!
 
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I read a book by Tuesday Lobsang Rampa and it increased my spirituality significantly.
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The third eye?!? I read that and I thought it was one of the most badass books ever written!:D
 
captainballs said:
There's no way I'd ever be strapped for cash!
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How is that? You independently wealthy? Got enough money so you don't need God?

Basically: I'm searching for a religion that works for me.
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That works for you? How so? Christianity makes you uncomfortable or just not convenient enough for you? Do you want a vending machine god? Or one with no spiritual accountability?

I had a similar desire when I was 19 y/o. I looked to belief systems that justified my drug and sex cravings which turned out to be the stupidest 7 years of my life.
 
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