I'd love to hear from you. I'm glad I found this group, it's so good to know I'm not alone. Reading our shares, I hear so much pain. I wonder if my experience could help. Forgive me if I sound preachy, that's not my intention at all. Connecting with my higher power changed everything. My therapist suggested I find a group called "Adult Children of Alcoholics". Later I joined CoDependents Anonymous and started working the Steps. The 12 Steps gave me the connection to Spirit, that had been missing in my life. Turning to my higher power (HP) really helps (when I remember!)
I think most people could benefit from actually working the 12 Steps. Step 1 says "We admitted we were powerless over relationships - that our lives had become unmanageable". In my world, your higher power can be anything you cherish, i.e. The Universe, The Cosmos, Any Avatar you trust, Mother Nature, God, Buddha, Jesus, etc. In my world, your higher power can be a Tree and I will respect that.
My HP reminds me that I can ask him/her/it for help. My process did not happen overnight, it was hard sometimes, and sometimes I wanted to give up. Accepting that my depression and anxiety were chronic and recurring made me search for tools that would help me. I'd love to hear something about your process.
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Okay you believe in that, I don't, but PLEASE do not try to convert me saying how your belief is so good, my belief comes from within me, I have reached a complete parity within me, and me alone!
I learned a lonnnnnnnnnng time ago that not everyone is going to believe in what you believe and vice versa.
& There is nothing that I can say that will make anyone believe or not believe.
^ That decision needs to come down to the person themself.
.
Heck.. I even put in my original comment, "For what it's worth, I respect what others believe here". (which to be fair, I shouldn't even "need" to do that)
Finally.. I'm far from perfect, and I'm struggling with life. (I wish I wasn't struggling, but sadly mental health affects everyone)
I learnt a long time ago, about 40 years ago, the same thing, especially in Northern Ireland, the particular area I live in however is still very strong in the belief you MUST believe in one or the other! That is one of the reasons why I am a bit touchy when religion raises it's ugly head!
Nobody is perfect, I am a good example of that, may your 'super human being' [Oxford English Dictionary] go with you!
As there are various name of God.I believe various gods are various roads leading to one destination or as various books written by different authors for same exam. same way all the path of life aim us to teach in various way to become part of God.we need to understand this process.
I identify with your process. Without a power greater than me I’d have no support. My friends can only help so much. But I need more. The strength I have comes from a Universal Spirit.
It can be anything I decide. I choose an unconditional loving spirit who has my back at all times. Even when people, places and events don’t go my way. It’s something that helps me learn about myself and who I am. And it makes the changes in my personality which stand in the way of my helpfulness to others. It enables me to achieve some sanity in this crazy world. And also has a sense of humor.
Yes living during the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland, sorted me out, religions fighting each other, lost confidence in either, so decided to go up the 'middle road', neither! I stuck to my 'path' even belief so strong, my parents could see where I was coming from in 1982! July 2021 was told I have terminal epilepsy PANIC! PANIC! but I theologised my way through, my own belief strengthened, rewrote will, financial layout, house, etc! An old school history teacher, big in the humanist world, died during this time, thought I would delve further, three weeks later😝[wot a load of tosh!] my original beliefs now became stronger, felt more justified, dare I say it as far as that is concerned I'm ready for death, completely accepted it!
ps I have Prostate Cancer in the treatment suite, all the other patients in Jan 2023 could not understand why I was so sickenely cheerful, I could die with Prostate Cancer, what they did not know I could quite easily die via epilepsy, either way I'm quite at ease with myself!
I can lie in bed, trying to get to sleep, I find theologising helps me, especially if it has been a heavy day, my sister has recently been converted to christianity, but if it brings her peace of mind, so be it, but recently she can see just by my general demeanour I am perfectly happy in my belief!
You're belief is awesome! And taking care of business is admirable. Like you, I have my own belief about when I die. I hope that I will be pure energy with a lot of other pure energies, and we don't have bodies or belongings or problems because we can't compare each other. We can only feel our vibrations. I think if we can be at peace with our new way of being we will grow in new ways. I think if we panic at the freedom of being a spirit, we will jump back into a body. Have you had the opportunity to read "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis. I highly recommend it for an interesting look at the afterlife (a thin little book). For a fun and new way of seeing heaven, I loved "Can't Wait to Get to Heaven" by Fannie Flagg. I laughed and laughed, and hope that heaven is just like she wrote! Best wishes and Bon Voyage
Getting brain fog at present, combination of PC and diabetes diets, finding it hard too read, coordination not brilliant, but will keep that publication in 'mind' 👍
Hi,Can I jump in here? "The Great Divorce" was a book recommended to me when my mom died. I bought a copy, read a little bit, and put it aside. I appreciate your bringing it up. I'll have to get it out again.
If you mean in our language, no, she doesn't speak. She is my first parrot, and I had to learn she has a language of her own. Over the years we've been together, she's taught me to understand her.
Definitely forming or coming to a personal understanding of the highest power has helped me not feel so alone in the world and helped me feel that my existence is meaningful because it's part of a much larger whole. It's easy to lose sight of that power and therefore I find myself operating as I used to, such as in recent times...but now I feel renewed being reminded that staying connected is an ongoing practice in life, especially due to the state of the world and the forces that work against us.
Without doubt i do believe in a higher power, and without going into details it has saved me twice in unbelievable circumstances, it was like a hand came and held me from falling.
This is a great thread in that people are sharing their beliefs and not judging each other. I think it's great when this can be discussed with respect.
I do not believe in God. I think the person I can relate to on the thread is Adlon57
That's where I have a problem.... fear of your higher power.
But yes, it means you need your higher power to look to for strength. I know your higher power has helped you deal with some very difficult times. I'm glad you have God to help you.
I no longer fear my God. I came to believe in a God of my understanding. An unconditional loving spirit that doesn’t test me. Nor does it discipline me. I pay my own prices for my actions.
I am what is loosely called an agnostic, I believe in a higher being, a god is termed a "super human being", what I believe in does not necessarily have to have a 'human' form!
I believe there is a connection between us all…call it ether, energy or whatever. I don’t think there is a specific “being” but it may feel that way because some people have stronger energy than others. Collectively that would certainly feel like a super power. All over the world humans have developed the same rituals for life, death, coming of age as Joseph Campbell documented. Every language uses mama. We haven’t fully explored our minds. The science of Neuro plasticity which is closely tied to mental health makes me even more curious about this idea
I am uncomfortable with these kind of posts. It is good that U have found a higher power. I am Jewish and believe in one God. I have met people over the years who have tried to convert me in the name of Jesus. It was not a pleasant feeling. There R people on this site who have many types of beliefs and many who do not not believe inna higher power. To me Jesus was a kind and compassionate Jewish man and leader. I do not believe he is the Messiah. I can go on. I think it is more productive that we can support each other on this site regardless of personal beliefs.
The person who posted this has the intention of helping others. Spirituality undoubtedly plays a role in healing and support for a lot of people. This post isn't about trying to convert anyone. It was an invitation for open communication, which you are partaking in.
I do ask God for held but I am the one who is pushing thru working 7 days a week. Also people R posting scripture from the New Testament and New Testament beliefs. That is not what this post is supposed to be about
Don't worry Shnookie, like my health "a one off" there are not of weirdos like me around! I am just trying to post my point of view, which because of my isolation, essentially all of my life, thus very much of an outsider, will naturally be different, that was my story, by where I believe to have found my form of enlightenment, it might of touched familiar fields in many? but nevertheless that is MY story!
Maybe something I have achieved at last, as far as I am concerned, of all the pain and agony I have gone throughout my life, I will be fulfilled in that department anyway, maybe die with a smile on my face?
I agree with U on perspective. But they R starting to quote passages from Jesus and the New Testament and R discussing things re Christianity and forgetting that there R people heee from different backgrounds
I hear what you are saying. I ignored this post for awhile because I thought that is all it would be. But as I read through the comments most of the people commenting seem more spiritual than specifically quoting from one book or another. It’s actually refreshing. There are always those few of course but they appear to be a minority on this thread.
I understand what you are saying. Perhaps it’s a partial knee jerk reaction from meeting a number of people over the years who tried to convert me from Judaism to Christianity and asking me why I don’t think that Jesus is the Messiah.
yeah, I find that offensive too. I can think of factions in every religion including yours and including the non religious that are offensive though. What if we consider the best of each?
I have had good discussions with Christians and even a catholic priest where I was neither pushed or put down so it is possible. We could still find common ground
ever since I have been on HU since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been an attitude among some of ignorance of minority groups. I’m tired of it. I’m a proud Jew and there Rcertain aspects among certain parts of the Jewish Community that I don’t agree with. However I do not bring this up on HU. I do not want people to think that I’m trying to push my religion upon them.
agreed. There are also times when people have brought up opinions of different groups in the US that aren’t just offensive but border on scary. No, they are scary. Both violate rules. I’ve definitely gotten into arguments. Obviously they don’t respond to complaints consistently or timely. But in this thread most are not as you fear. I don’t think the OP is preaching. Imo the overall conversation is respectful and informative and interesting. So I can ignore those few in order to read other POV. Especially people who are not part of an organized religion.
One thing that could make a difference in our perspective is that I sense that you have maybe questioned but never deviated from Judaism. It isn’t wrong in fact I admire that. There is a whole interesting culture that goes with it. But I rejected Catholicism in 9th grade. I have had a checkered spiritual life and have decided against belonging to any organized religion. I’m speaking for myself but Pew did a study where they quizzed participants on religious facts. Atheists did the best. Maybe that perspective makes a difference in how willing people are to hearing other pov. Interestingly I don’t think of anyone who practices organized religion as part of a minority because there are so many. It’s just that evangelicals and born agains are so loud and tend to be intolerant
Side note… I see patterns…it’s interesting that the Supreme Court is hearing arguments *today* that could impact how this forum works and maybe even end it because of what people post in order to avoid a lawsuit! Probably not but maybe.
I have knowledge of many different religions including varying types of Christianity and Catholicism. I just don’t want to discuss it on HU. And yes my father was a Holocaust survivor and basically my whole family was wiped out during the Holocaust. If anything, this has made me a more empathetic person.
I wasn’t questioning your knowledge. I was presenting a different world views based on different experiences. But if you aren’t interested in anyone else’s perspective I have nothing more to say. In hindsight I guess that was obvious
you are rude and presumptuous. I feel like I am being attacked. I’m interested in many different perspectives. I also have ADHD and can be very sensitive toward certain things.
No need for name calling. I’m sorry you don’t like this thread. I’ve found it stimulating. Take what you need and leave the rest. If you don’t want to discuss the topic, then just keep scrolling.
excuse me she was being presumptuous by saying that I wasn’t interested in different perspectives and in hindsight she thought this was true. I don’t appreciate being called out like that when it is not true.
I am a child of an alcoholic home and chose an alcoholic as a husband, thus following the sick pattern I grew up with. A while back a therapist recommended I try Al-anon which is a 12 Step program that really helped me. So yes, I agree. These programs are beneficial. I always had a sense of God in my life. A special warm presence. I have faith and support from that and the people within those groups. I have attended the ACA meetings (adult children of alcoholics), too. Very healing. No one ever tries to convert anyone. We all accept and respect each other. It’s a gentle practice. Same with my church. All are welcome and no one is judged. I feel the joy in the music and peace in the prayer❤️🙏🏼🕊️
This is such a great topic! I’ve been thinking about a Higher Power for several months now as part of a 12 step program I belong to. In the program, I’m invited to find a higher power greater than myself (and of my understanding). My higher power is changing and growing in the last 3 1/2 months. At first, I didn’t have one at all, then I was using mindfulness as a higher power, and that helped me find some peace in the present moment. My mindfulness idea sort of expanded when I read the following on mindful.org: “Isn’t it amazing that there’s air to breathe, a body to take it in, and a mind to watch it?” For some reason, that passage struck me as a holy trinity: 1) the breath, 2) the body, 3) and the mind. I should say I’m not religious or a Christian, but I found myself stealing their deities and personifying the breath, body, and mind: my breath became like the Holy Spirit (given from a loving God and surrounding me and connecting me to everything), my mind became a reflection of God, (a universal divine and loving creator who is conscious in every living creature). I even have the beginnings of a body connection to Jesus, but I’ll spare the details. Anyhow, I now feel like I have three personified forces to guide me, protect me, and love me. I actually communicate with all three throughout the day. It probably sounds strange, but it’s working for me, so I thought I’d share. I love reading about everyone’s higher powers! Again, such a great topic!
I use the 12 steps on my Depression. I am powerless over my Depression and it makes my life unmanageable. I believe in a power greater than my sick mind. My thoughts are so awful and hateful towards me. They are not my higher power. Meditation quiets my thoughts and I pray a lot. I draw from multiple Spiritual sources. Zen, Taoism, Hinduism, etc.
I believe in YHVH & Yeshua Messiah, who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6). I also believe Christ when He said , "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day,' (John 6:44), so i don't try to force my beliefs on anyone else.
I also believe many current & ancient peoples worshipped the same God, due to the stories that were passed down (multiple peoples had flood stories, resurrection stories, etc, etc etc). There are so many varying beliefs just between Christians, that it's hard for me to believe that only those who believe a specific way in this age will have eternal life (i believe there will be a time, where those who didn't believe in Christ will have a chance in the 1000 years that Christ reigns, written about by John in Revelation, to be clear). Also, i try to read from Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic using the linear bible, & strong's concordance (haven't yet committed to learning the languages, but i plan to eventually), to get a proper understanding of what these men & the original texts actually say,
I have beliefs about the Word of God that aren't popular (no rapture, no eternal burning, no man made laws, etc etc), but if anyone believes different than i do, that's not something i look down on them for. We each have a specific relationship with a higher power, even if it's a different higher power, & i respect that. We can relate more than many of us realize. I often think that's because we have a longing for God that was created within us, & we fill it with different things, but a spiritual relationship with a higher power is the only thing that fits that hole.
We also are all responsible for our own actions, so i don't try to tell people how they should behave. If anyone shows interest, i will certainly share what i believe, but i may not have it right, either, so i try to stay humble, & not pretend like i have all the answers (however, I'm not apologetic for what i do believe, myself). I know what works for me. I was stubborn my whole life, & i know how little what others said mattered to me. I had to have my own experiences & seek my own answers, & i know most others are the same. I think i would have arrived here even if no person spoke of Christ to me. I think often it has to do, like SO MANY other things, with how we were raised, & things that happened when we were children, but also our life experiences, as to what we end up believing when we're adults,
In Alcoholics Anonymous, we are told to look for "the God of our understanding". Some members have grown up with punitive higher powers with a heavy emphasis on damnation and burning in hell, so they're turned off by any mention of God. Many learn that "If the God you know doesn't work for you, fire him! Find the God you want to have in your life." For many newcomers this will be the collective love, support and power of their AA group. G.o.d. = Group of Drunks! My personal conception is a Creative Intelligence that flows through the entire universe. "I am part of God. God is part of me." I do not talk about the will of God, but about the way of God.
I believe in God and find Him everywhere. I am not into organized religion as t the moment although I was raised Catholic and became a Muslim years ago… now I am much more of a spiritual person and I respect all others’ beliefs
I have come to the conclusion that we are really spiritual beings here on earth having a human experience and that the way we tap into our spiritualness is through unconditional love - it is what unites us with each other and all other life forms on this earth and we are part of the infinite energy of unconditional love. To me "God" is unconditional love. I also believe that religion is really just institutionalized spirituality which has has been used for some good but mostly to control and manipulate people and condemn and judge others that don't believe as they do and is really based on fear of others and the unknown and an attempt by man to anthropromorphise the unknown because of his inherent limitations. I also think the whole idea of "original sin" is total bullshit and if there truly is a god of higher power the last thing it would want is to keep us small and co-dependent on it. The reality is that as humans we have free-will and the ability think for ourselves and the ability to tap into universal spirituality at will once we become aware of and cultivate it.
Hi,One thing you write her strikes me, and that your view of organized religion. I grew up Catholic and in that religion it says things like you don't have life within you unless you take communion every Sunday. It also says that the way to get your sins forgiven is by going to confession.
I now go to a Lutheran church that doesn't give communion every Sunday and where the belief is that our sins our forgiven every single Sunday and by grace alone.
The point in mentioning this is that I was horrified and highly confused when I first started attending the Lutheran church.
While I have respect for both denominations, it is confusing to have this discrepancy.
I'm not surprised that it was confusing to you, I felt the same way when I developed friendships with people who didn't go to church and were not "believers" and they were living fulfilling rewarding life's without all the fearful programming of religion. I read a number of years ago that the majority of people in therapy for mental issues had come from a religious or fundamental background and I believe that it is true. Religion teaches us to be subserviant and to not have any pride or sense of our own wholeness and self which undermines our self-worth and ability to validate ourselves, so no wonder that so many of us have mental health issues. Unfortunately religion also teaches us to fear life and I think that is utterly absurd. I think the true teachings of all the great spiritual teachers including Buddha, Ghandi and Jesus are really about unconditional love of ourselves, all beings and others and life itself and it's through unconditional love that we are able to tap into the greater eternal wisdom and spirit of the divine. As a kid I was shamed and verbally/physically abused for showing any sign of being proud of myself or trying to stand up for myself and I think my experience was quite common.especially for those of us unfortunately growing up in "religious" households. In general I think people make two big mistakes, one is confusing religion and spirituality and they are not the same and the other bigger mistake is taking the bible literally. I hope you are doing well.
I am a believer in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I am studying my Bible and trying to be a better person every day. I have so many faults, and I am not worthy of the love he gives me, but God calls out to all of us. Not just those that are perfect, or free from sin. He loves every single one of us. He is a God of love, he’s a God of forgiveness, he’s a God of hope, he’s of god of healing, and we are never too far gone to receive his grace! I have personally felt his presence, I have personally seen his miracles, and I feel so bad for anyone who has ever had a negative experience with someone who claims to be a child of God! God teaches us to love, and if we’re walking, like Jesus, then, the only thing you should really experience from a fellow Christian is love. Christians are still human, and they still make mistakes. The more well-versed they are in the word of God, the less they are offended by people, and by the world, and the more that they expressed love to everyone, even those who speak against them I am so happy for anyone who finds a way to cope with the terrible things of this world, and the way that people treat other people. I am sorry if you’ve ever had a negative experience. I do not judge anyone for what they’ve ever done, who they love, where they come from, who they choose to worship, the language, they speak, the color of their skin, their up, bringing, their relatives, mistakes that they’ve made, or anything else. I don’t feel like I’m always right, I don’t try to shove my beliefs down anyone’s throat, but deep down, I do wish that everyone can feel the peace and the joy and the love that having a personal relationship with God has given me. I am sending you, prayers, and love. I am happy that you found your peace. If anyone ever wants to know how I found mine, I’m more than happy to share that too.
Absolutely. My Higher Power is God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I was raised agnostic, so this truly was a personal choice at age 24 or so. Today, I'm way older, but a recovering alcoholic. My HP keeps me sober and sane since I also have anxiety and depression. I also come from a not-so-hot childhood with an absent father and mentally ill mother. He is healing me from that too! And, of course I know he saved me through His sacrifice from all of my sins---past present and future. Hope this is helpful, and may God bless all who read this with peace!
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