Spiritual Leanings ... From all faiths.

[citybutch]

I am a Christian...

But I am one of those Christians who finds wisdom, faith, understanding, and guidance from many sources... not just Christ.

The word Christianity has, in my very humble opinion, been co-opted by a radical right.

I thought I would start a thread where we can post quotes, sayings, words of wisdom, whatever... from various sources.... that may help us as we navigate life's challenges...

Just a thought... that perhaps in our differences we can find our commonality... even on a spiritual level.

[citybutch]

Sooo....

I thought I would start ... yes, from the Bible. But as I posted tonight in another thread... a thought of love and prayer... I remembered a reading last week from one of my favorite publications:

Pray for Others

I am unified in Spirit with God and with all humanity.

It is impossible to pray for one person without praying for all persons. We are all one in God. Every time one heart is lifted, all hearts are lifted. Every time one life is blessed, all lives are blessed. Entering into the presence of God in the silence, I realize this truth about myself and those I hold in prayer. At the same time, I am reinforcing this truth for all humanity.

As I pray for the protection of a loved one, all persons in danger are enfolded in love and faith. As I affirm the love of God in my heart and rid my mind of all that is unloving, the heart of the world is more loving too. When I feel in tune with life, at peace with myself and the world, I help every confused or restless soul find peace and faith again.And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.--John 12:32

http://www.dailyword.com/dailyword/51874

[citybutch]

Protected

I am strengthened by my foundation of faith.

Even in the midst of a storm, I know God is with me. I affirm, "I am never alone. I am fully protected. I am safe." My faith is strong, because of the foundation I have laid.

When winds were calm, I strengthened my faith with prayer, gratitude and meditation. Like a builder, I laid a foundation of faith deep within myself--and then I built on it.

Putting God's truth into practice daily has strengthened my faith. When a storm or crisis hits, I have an inner knowing that all is well. I have experienced God's loving and peaceful presence. God is with me, and I am always protected.

That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built.--Luke 6:48

http://www.dailyword.com/dailyword/51881

[suebee]

You are not the only one interested my friend! I didn't see this thread yesterday. I'm sure there are lots of members who will join in.

Christianity, like Islam, has suffered from the acts of a minority of extremists. I hope we can look beyond the bad rap these offshoots have given the true meaning of the faith.

I don't call myself Christian, but I was raised in the church, it's part of who I am, and I identify with it in many ways. I think there is wisdom to be taken from every faith and have tried to expose myself to different influences. I'll be looking forward to following and learning from those more schooled in the faith than I.

Thanks for starting the thread.

Sue

[Andrew, Jr.]

Thank you for this thread, Citybutch.

I am Roman Catholic. I find a great deal of comfort in my faith. However, along the way, I have been out of the Church for over 20+ years before walking thru the doors of any Church. I returned when my older sister was dying of cancer.

Now, before all of that, in those 20+ years I began to explore many other faiths and belief systems like Buddism, and such. I don't believe that one religion is better than another. I also believe that we all are interconnected, humananity, animals, earth, nature, and such.

I believe in forgiveness, and an after life. I also believe that there is a heaven and hell. Hell can be anything one imagines it to be. I also believe in karma.

I have an alter in my home. I believe in daily prayer. And I believe in praying for other people.

Namaste,
Andrew

[julieisafemme]

"The Sabbath is a sanctuary in time."

This from Abraham Joshua Heschel from his book "The Sabbath". THis quote guides me everyday. The Sabbath is marked by time on both sides but is outside time. His book talks a lot about this.

Do you know that poem by TS Eliot? Burnt Norton? I don't even pretend to really understand what it is about but this portion caught my imagination in high school and then added to my thoughts on Shabbat.

Is being outside time being in the present? All I know is that on Shabbat when I can unplug and experience the day fully I have felt that shift of being in a timeless place and that helps me daven better. I don't always get there though.

BUIRNT NORTON
(No. 1 of 'Four Quartets')
T.S. Eliot



I

Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future,
And time future contained in time past.
If all time is eternally present
All time is unredeemable.
What might have been is an abstraction
Remaining a perpetual possibility
Only in a world of speculation.
What might have been and what has been
Point to one end, which is always present.
Footfalls echo in the memory
Down the passage which we did not take
Towards the door we never opened
Into the rose-garden. My words echo
Thus, in your mind.

[citybutch]

Thanks for sharing Andrew. I have a very similar experience. I was in a really tough relationship, my brother was dying of colon cancer... and I was struggling in my career. I had a very difficult time finding my center. I was flying back East once a month to be with my brother and family. A couple things brought me to some level of peace:

Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch was sitting on my Mother's coffee table and I picked it up and never put it down...

My good friend Mary Daly was on the Roseanne Show (talk show) and a bunch of us were there in the Green Room with her and the audience as well... And Mary's words were basically "Get OUT of the Fear"...

And a transformative drive back to San Diego after the taping of that show... I literally had to stop on the side of the highway with what felt like an A-HA moment. I also identify it as a spiritual touch.

My relationship ended shortly after this... My brother died a few months later... But I had my center... somehow I made it through.

By the end of the year I had met the woman who would become my wife, made Comeback of the Year award from my company, among a few other stand out events.

I seek out my spiritual center at many points every day of my life. Although I find guidance from the words of Jesus and the Christ within me... I also draw direction and guidance from many different spiritual traditions.

There is no one path to God....

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

Thank you for this thread, Citybutch.

I am Roman Catholic. I find a great deal of comfort in my faith. However, along the way, I have been out of the Church for over 20+ years before walking thru the doors of any Church. I returned when my older sister was dying of cancer.

Now, before all of that, in those 20+ years I began to explore many other faiths and belief systems like Buddism, and such. I don't believe that one religion is better than another. I also believe that we all are interconnected, humananity, animals, earth, nature, and such.

I believe in forgiveness, and an after life. I also believe that there is a heaven and hell. Hell can be anything one imagines it to be. I also believe in karma.

I have an alter in my home. I believe in daily prayer. And I believe in praying for other people.

Namaste,
Andrew

[gracefaith]

I find this too., journey and not staying in one spot, but actually moving...

Its I who move...

sorry to hear about your sister and cancer...

Many in my family had and has cancer... well when its had then that word is remission... However as cancer has been around me, I hadn't had cancer but for some reason as its around me, it became a norm... Perhaps odd... But it did... Perhaps I've learn the perspective of time...

Um, one thing I've adapt about faiths is taking from them and leaving behind whatever upsets me... In a way I learn not to take it all but only take what benefits me and benefits the ones around me...

I've learn more with this word benefit instead of this word approval...

Um, what are your thoughts about this word benefit and me too., I'm learning more about forgiveness and the benefits in forgiveness?

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

Thank you for this thread, Citybutch.

I am Roman Catholic. I find a great deal of comfort in my faith. However, along the way, I have been out of the Church for over 20+ years before walking thru the doors of any Church. I returned when my older sister was dying of cancer.

Now, before all of that, in those 20+ years I began to explore many other faiths and belief systems like Buddism, and such. I don't believe that one religion is better than another. I also believe that we all are interconnected, humananity, animals, earth, nature, and such.

I believe in forgiveness, and an after life. I also believe that there is a heaven and hell. Hell can be anything one imagines it to be. I also believe in karma.

I have an alter in my home. I believe in daily prayer. And I believe in praying for other people.

Namaste,
Andrew

[gracefaith]

I feel prayer is a sense of connection, an active connection...

I really feel connected with whom I'm praying for and others...

For I'm not separated from anyone...

Even physical death can't separate me from others, as we're all one in Christ's spiritual body who's spiritual eternal life breathing in us...

I feel so connected when praying...

Originally Posted by citybutch

Sooo....

I thought I would start ... yes, from the Bible. But as I posted tonight in another thread... a thought of love and prayer... I remembered a reading last week from one of my favorite publications:

Pray for Others

I am unified in Spirit with God and with all humanity.

It is impossible to pray for one person without praying for all persons. We are all one in God. Every time one heart is lifted, all hearts are lifted. Every time one life is blessed, all lives are blessed. Entering into the presence of God in the silence, I realize this truth about myself and those I hold in prayer. At the same time, I am reinforcing this truth for all humanity.

As I pray for the protection of a loved one, all persons in danger are enfolded in love and faith. As I affirm the love of God in my heart and rid my mind of all that is unloving, the heart of the world is more loving too. When I feel in tune with life, at peace with myself and the world, I help every confused or restless soul find peace and faith again.And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.--John 12:32

http://www.dailyword.com/dailyword/51874

[citybutch]

Grace

With God, I co-create my world with grace and ease.

My tasks at home may range from picking up toys to caring for loved ones. My duties at work may vary from the trivial to the essential. No matter my day's activities, with God as my partner, I accomplish them all with grace and ease.

Relationships can present a challenge at times, but today, I speak directly and lovingly with grace and ease. Any rifts of the past or concerns about the future diminish in importance as I hold positive expectations for the interactions of this day.

Every decision, every choice, every relationship brings a gift or opportunity. I gratefully accept each one. With God as my partner, I co-create my world with grace and ease.

Grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.
--Psalm 45:2

http://www.dailyword.com/

[mariamma]

Originally Posted by citybutch

Pray for Others

I am unified in Spirit with God and with all humanity.

It is impossible to pray for one person without praying for all persons. We are all one in God. Every time one heart is lifted, all hearts are lifted. Every time one life is blessed, all lives are blessed. Entering into the presence of God in the silence, I realize this truth about myself and those I hold in prayer. At the same time, I am reinforcing this truth for all humanity.

As I pray for the protection of a loved one, all persons in danger are enfolded in love and faith. As I affirm the love of God in my heart and rid my mind of all that is unloving, the heart of the world is more loving too. When I feel in tune with life, at peace with myself and the world, I help every confused or restless soul find peace and faith again.And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.--John 12:32

http://www.dailyword.com/dailyword/51874

I am a Pagan, on the Shamanic path and feel very much as you do. I see in others this practice, of accepting others where they are and I see the other behaviors. Where people have to convert others to their view in order to feel validated?? feel like they're right???
I don't get that need. I do talk too much at events and people don't get that behavior trait. Point it, we're all where we are in life. We are all on a path in life whether we like it or not. It's nice to see others who feel similarly. The honest thing to do in these cases is to reach for what we have in common and all the big religions have the same things in common (one Unifying God/Creator/Source, good actors, bad actors, spirits, people, animals, upper world and lower world, the major point....be a good human, etc.)
Thanks for the thread

[gracefaith]

I allow God teach me is my quote...

I love this quote cause this is where I find my spiritual food.

Um, I'm still figuring this out how to go about this writing here...

Um, I'm so glad you began this spiritual thread cause I really feel God's peace here, I really feel God's peace flow through me even now as I'm writing this, I'm so energies in God's power, in God's light, God is a true high for me... I feel God's high right now., so peaceful...

Thank you so much for beginning a spiritual thread...

I love allowing God teach me, cause I can rest then and learn...

Also as I allow God teach me I feel God's flame in my spirit in my chest area... I call God's flame fire of life...

Anyways, when I feel God's flame I feel so much purpose beyond my understanding...

Oh, years back, in my despair when I ask God what happen, it was then I felt God's burn and then, God began teaching me what happen.

my free will I allow God teach me in my midst of it all, and even this I allow God teach me how to allow God teach me, um, its a continue thing for me, to learn and relearn and oh and the renewing of my mind from God,

its like two things are going on, my thoughts and God's thoughts, as God renews my thoughts, but this is through my allowing...

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for beginning this spiritual thread... Thank you...

GraceFaith...

Originally Posted by citybutch

I am a Christian...

But I am one of those Christians who finds wisdom, faith, understanding, and guidance from many sources... not just Christ.

The word Christianity has, in my very humble opinion, been co-opted by a radical right.

I thought I would start a thread where we can post quotes, sayings, words of wisdom, whatever... from various sources.... that may help us as we navigate life's challenges...

Just a thought... that perhaps in our differences we can find our commonality... even on a spiritual level.

[Glenn]

Ever since I was a baby StoneButch I had, as you call,"spiritual leanings" (if I said this publicly say only 2-3 hundred years ago, I would've probably been burned at the stake). So I became facinated in my teens, with LSD and mahajuana, magic mushrooms, and peyote, hashish, because it was easily accessible by my "spiritual" group of "friends", and also known, as a first "rite of passage" for certain enlightened common youth of the day. I thought gettin high, was gettin closer to my Higher Self and the Master of Myself, and the entire Universe(what Swami Ram Dass called "knocking on the backdoor of heaven"). I wanted to be "drunk with the Spirit." To make a long story short, I sure did find what I was looking for in a Honky Tonk Angel! Y'alll may not believe this, but everytime that regular looking old woman touched me, I felt the greatest high imaginable! I've seen her make a group of grown men cry with joy when they visited her..she was truly a Honky Tonk Angel. Unfortunately we'd all come down from this "high", and I never knew where she lived.There are more people in this world who have these gifts. In India, it takes devotee's years of meditation and breathing excersizes to get to Samadhi or Bliss willfully and summon it whenever they please. I believe this is one way to world peace

[Andrew, Jr.]

Gracefaith,

Thank you for your post. I too keep my eyes on the Lord. "My eyes are ever fixed on the Lord, for He releases my feet from the snare. O look at me and be merciful, for I am wretched and alone." Ezekiel 36:23-26

Then I think of the psalm that we sing in Mass - "If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts."

[citybutch]

Say not in grief that she is no more
but say in thankfulness that she was
A death is not the extinguishing of a light,
but the putting out of the lamp
because the dawn has come.

- Rabindranath Tagore

[citybutch]

Harmony

I am one in Spirit with all people.

We are all connected by an invisible thread of Spirit that binds us as children of God. As we sing in a popular hymn: "We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord." If I am feeling out of harmony with the people in my life or perceive injustice or unfairness in the situations around me, I remember that we are all one in the spirit of God.

Looking beyond outer differences, I remember I am spiritually connected to every individual--from my neighbors, family and friends, to people of all nations around the world. I focus on the values that bind us together--such as harmony, cooperation and love. We are one in the spirit of God and the Spirit transcends any differences.

You are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind.--Philippians 1:27

http://www.dailyword.com/

[gracefaith]

That's awesome Andrew me and you keep our eyes on the Lord... Yes yes yes...

however there's times I don't have my eyes on the Lord and I really feel it in my spirit... However I'm learning... Learning how to keep my eyes on the Lord...

Um, as strange as this may seem; but let me run this across you ok...

(first I must let you know, at times I struggle with communication ok, I'm improving a lot so maybe its not noticeable...)

ok, um, there's times I have needs yet I'll dismiss my needs in order to align to someone else's idea of what they think is right.

In this I've been learning from God, that I need to align not on someone's so call what is right but actually align on doing what direction I was planning on and doing that direction onto God...

I wonder if this sounds so confusing... But this group is about spiritual learning and well this is the latest thing I've been learning...

Let me see if I can sum this up...

for you see, I have difficulties directing myself as I tend to be a people pleaser, or shall I say very passive...

anyways, I've been learning lately in order for me to do the area that I'm week in which is directing myself in a decision, I can't lean on if it looks good or right in anybodies eyes, but instead, to go lean on doing it onto God...

What happens is I'll get my eyes off of God and onto how others feels as a reverence for my direction.

so this I'm learning is in-spite how my own mind trips me up through analyzing how others feels, I'm doing a direction onto God and its ok to be look upon as wrong or bad, as I do it onto God,

ok do you see what I mean how its difficult for me to communicate?

if non of this makes sense; um, I guess maybe it'll take me time to find words;

to do onto God and not serve others emotions, but go in a direction onto God while other emotions happens while I do nothing about other emotions, but just do onto God my direction plan.

when I do nothing about other emotions, it allows me not having other emotions as my false god.

for when I do for others emotions I then no longer do onto God but I have my eyes off of God and have my eyes on others emotions...

this is what I'm learning... Lately...

I tend to want to make everyone happy and this in it self traps me to have my eyes off of God and onto other emotions...

When I wonder if someone is not happy I go crazy and want to fix it... This keeps my eyes off of God and onto a false god called emotions...

so I'm a baby in this learning and stumbling all over; but for me to keep my eyes onto God, I'll allow God teach me in the midst of the two things happening; any pulls that pulls me towards a false god called others emotions, while in the midst allowing God teach me how to continue my direction doing onto God;

its as if to be in it yes while allowing God teach me how; yes; be in it and allow God teach me;

not to run from but be in it, and allow;

yes yes yes...

allow; I feel God's peace as I'm in it, I'm in it, the pull... I won't run; but instead allow God teach me how...

how to do it onto God a direction yes,

any typing error please then interpret it in your mind to how it should be. Cause this is a long post I wrote...

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

Gracefaith,

Thank you for your post. I too keep my eyes on the Lord. "My eyes are ever fixed on the Lord, for He releases my feet from the snare. O look at me and be merciful, for I am wretched and alone." Ezekiel 36:23-26

Then I think of the psalm that we sing in Mass - "If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts."

[Andrew, Jr.]

Dear Grace,

Let me start by stating I appreciate your posts. I enjoy them.

One of the questions you asked me is about my life from what I gather. I look at my life like this. I would love for everyone to get along, and to be a part of our whole community as 1. However, there are people who have different personalities, and different cultures/regions/religions/identities that separate us. Again, we don't know what the masterplan is that God has for us, individually or as a whole.

There is a huge difference between being sensitive, taking things personally and defending one's honor vs gossip. It is risky letting people into your life. But God tells us to love each other, help each other, take care of each other, and grow with each other. Over time you learn who is trustworthy and who is not. Who is this or that, and they know the same of you. Same with God. Are you a spectator for God and working on the sidelines? OR a disciple for God?

Now my house is built on a firm foundation. It isn't built on sand or dirt. The rains will come, and the floods have come. Winds, tornados, winter storms, heat, and on and on. I believe that most people want to do what is right, but deciding to do what is right is hard for them. They want to be a part of a click. That power of emotion is so great. The rock of my foundation comes from God. Pure and simple. I pray, I used to fast, before I was diabetic. I go to Mass. I read/listen to God's Word (Bible). But I also read/listen to other religious beliefs. There is more to God than just one religion. God is in nature. God is in each one of us. We are all children of our creator. To be treasured and loved.

I hope this answers some of your questions.

Namaste,
Andrew

[Kenna]

Originally Posted by citybutch

I am a Christian...

But I am one of those Christians who finds wisdom, faith, understanding, and guidance from many sources... not just Christ.

The word Christianity has, in my very humble opinion, been co-opted by a radical right.

I thought I would start a thread where we can post quotes, sayings, words of wisdom, whatever... from various sources.... that may help us as we navigate life's challenges...

Just a thought... that perhaps in our differences we can find our commonality... even on a spiritual level.

1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.


I had forgotten about that verse, to quote it word for word... being raised in the Dunkard Brethren Church, I should have had this committed to memory...I remembered the concept, but not the words... I am recently reminded, in a good way, how much I have lived my life by those words, and how my life was shaped by it's teachings...

[Deborah*]

My spirituality is complicated...

I was born jewish but I don't practice except for some of the holidays. However, I am starting to observe shabbat on friday nights.
I have guilt because I don't have children. My being gay with no children doesn't go over very well at an orthodox synagogue where I used to attend. Although it's more accepted at the conservative one I used to be a member of, I tend to stay away.

I am a spiritualist because I inherited my ability to see those on the other side of life.

I refuse to associate with the MCC (gay friendly church, I don't believe in Jesus).
The MCC church where I live treated me harshly when I was trying to get help for a stone butch/ftm youth who I was mentoring (he became nationally known due to a court case involving his having sex with some girls.. parents thought he was a boy. Up against felony charge). He was in Advocate and Out magazines.

God? Sometimes I wonder if there is a god at all, because of what happened with the Holocaust.

I am somewhat curious about buddhism.
I suppose my spirituality is a mixed bag!

Deborah