Social Anxiety Support

Aurora · 02-28-2009, 11:52 PM

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StrangeSpirit · 03-01-2009, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora

How does one go from being an athiest to believing in something?

I consider my self a spiritual atheist. I don't buy into any specific religion, but I'm open to many possibilities and ideas. Just do some research and see if you find anything that appeals to you. Don't feel like you have to conform to any one religion, explore, learn, and try to find your own path.

caithiggs · 03-01-2009, 10:28 AM

I think if you're a second generation atheist it's different than an atheist who is straight up atheist for reasons they've come to. It's just like any second generation religious person, do they really know what they believe in? Everyone has to come to it themselves.

My parents are buddhist, and I'm not at all, I have grown into my own interests, and lean more toward western ideas, even though eastern spiritual ideas are probably there underlying my beliefs, I still feel more drawn to western stuff (which is weird, because it's normally the opposite for people these days, eastern religions are so intriging to the west right now). But I think it all comes down to the same. I think the subconscious is a pretty universal idea across the board.

It is good that you have found this. And yes, meditation is really something we should all discover in some way or another, that's what I think. Even just yoga is so good for people.

I think I've always been pretty spiritual, but I don't ever show it, and don't have the inclination to attempt joining a religion at all. I don't like organized religions, because anything with groups of people will always leave me left out. But there is something about connecting with your own self when you're not around other people that's pretty magical.

Parnatian · 03-01-2009, 11:23 AM

"How does one go from being an atheist to believing in something?"

Dear Aurora,

If for you "atheism" was a belief to: not believe, then you have always had a belief system. It shouldn't be all that hard to switch to some other form. It's like changing pictures on our jail cell wall. We haven't really gone anywhere.

This leads me to question: why believe anything? Do we have to believe that the Sun gently warms our face when we stand bathing in the beauty of a sunrise? No; it just is; it's real. It's a free and precious gift to us with no need of forethought or belief. In fact, the less we think (beliefs are just thoughts) about it, the more joyous and naked the experience of sunrise is. When we stand deeply silent in the new days warmth and light, there is no real separation. We are the expression of sunrise. We are the cool-warmth. We are the pink-orange glow upon deepest blue. We are the life and universe in which it all dances.

Likewise, I suggest not to believe. Do not make up a mind generated story about what is Divine. Or let someone else's belief system or religion influence you. Instead trust that the universe will reveal to you its secrets - as it already is doing. Just be silent and without thought with it. Meet life at your inner depths; where that same familiar cool-warmth glows and vibrates. Let it silently teach you and show you the Reality at your core. Be still.

The way is simple. Leave all confusion and beliefs at the door. Just witness. Just silently feel and watch...like you would the sunrise.

p

Canadian Brotha · 03-01-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangeSpirit

I consider my self a spiritual atheist. I don't buy into any specific religion, but I'm open to many possibilities and ideas. Just do some research and see if you find anything that appeals to you. Don't feel like you have to conform to any one religion, explore, learn, and try to find your own path.

I would call myself a spiritual agnostic, but I agree it's better to be open about spirituality, learn what you can from various sources

Quote:

Originally Posted by caithiggs

It is good that you have found this. And yes, meditation is really something we should all discover in some way or another, that's what I think. Even just yoga is so good for people.

I think I've always been pretty spiritual, but I don't ever show it, and don't have the inclination to attempt joining a religion at all. I don't like organized religions, because anything with groups of people will always leave me left out. But there is something about connecting with your own self when you're not around other people that's pretty magical.

I agree, there is something special about self-discovery through meditation. Organized religion places much to many restrictions on spirituality, something which I feel is meant to be free flowing. I don't mean to discount the significance of ritual(s) in saying that though

screwjack · 03-02-2009, 04:09 AM

I'm not sure what hypnotism has to do with spirituality?

I've never heard it connected to any type of religion. You can meditate and practice hypnosis simply for the sake of relaxing yourself/to help your SA and not get into religion or spirituality at all if you so choose.

You can also practice buddhism in general as an atheist, you can simply choose to believe that anything supernatural are metaphors. Most of us tend to lean toward agnostic though.

But if you are curious about getting into something start researching and reading as much as you can about different religions/spiritual paths then listen to your gut, find what works best for you.

Aurora · 03-02-2009, 04:58 AM

Thankyou, all great replies and has given me some thought.

Quote:

Originally Posted by screwjack

I'm not sure what hypnotism has to do with spirituality?

I've never heard it connected to any type of religion. You can meditate and practice hypnosis simply for the sake of relaxing yourself/to help your SA and not get into religion or spirituality at all if you so choose.

You can also practice buddhism in general as an atheist, you can simply choose to believe that anything supernatural are metaphors. Most of us tend to lean toward agnostic though.

But if you are curious about getting into something start researching and reading as much as you can about different religions/spiritual paths then listen to your gut, find what works best for you.

Im sorry im just a lil confused. I meant to say that starting with hypnosis opened my mind to other possibilities and beliefs. I know it has not much to do with religion, although I think some religions practice hypnotism? It just opened my mind to my inner self and spirituality.

So I started learning about meditation and my own spirituality.

With a certain cd I listened to, the person talked about god and how we can interpret 'god' however we choose.. and I started thinking, maybe god is a metaphor for simply 'being' or 'life', I made my own interpretations. I didnt shut myself off as I would have before when god was mentioned.

Im interested in religion but Id rather make my own interpretations.

Is that being agnostic?

screwjack · 03-02-2009, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora

Thankyou, all great replies and has given me some thought.

Im sorry im just a lil confused. I meant to say that starting with hypnosis opened my mind to other possibilities and beliefs. I know it has not much to do with religion, although I think some religions practice hypnotism? It just opened my mind to my inner self and spirituality.

So I started learning about meditation and my own spirituality.

With a certain cd I listened to, the person talked about god and how we can interpret 'god' however we choose.. and I started thinking, maybe god is a metaphor for simply 'being' or 'life', I made my own interpretations. I didnt shut myself off as I would have before when god was mentioned.

Im interested in religion but Id rather make my own interpretations.

Is that being agnostic?

I've never heard of any religions/spiritualities that practice hypnotism but I suppose that's getting a big pedantic as you could say that going into trances and praying is a type of hypnotism. Don't worry about it I was just confused by your statement.

Nah agnostic means you believe we can't know one way or another (or in the case of some buddhist that it's irrelevant to think about as it leads away from enlightenment)

What you're talking about is called pantheism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism

Aurora · 03-03-2009, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screwjack

What you're talking about is called pantheism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism

Wow I think that comes very close to my beliefs. I had never heard of pantheism before.

Hmm Id just like to say, I see my original post does not make sense to me what so ever. lol.

Im feeling alot more clear headed today. lol.

I think I should not post random thoughts when still feeling side effects of zoloft.

Still, there was a point to my madness in there. You've all given me something to think about. So thankyou.

caithiggs · 03-03-2009, 05:37 AM

I thought your original post made sense. Am I crazy? Lol.

02-28-2009, 11:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Aurora Status: SAS Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia. Gender: Female Age: 24 Posts: 850	Sub Concious and Spirituality? * __________________ I tell you everything that is really nothing, and nothing of what is everything, do not be fooled by what I am saying. Please listen carefully and try to hear what I am not saying. ~ Charles C. Finn

03-01-2009, 11:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
Parnatian Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 31	"How does one go from being an atheist to believing in something?" Dear Aurora, If for you "atheism" was a belief to: not believe, then you have always had a belief system. It shouldn't be all that hard to switch to some other form. It's like changing pictures on our jail cell wall. We haven't really gone anywhere. This leads me to question: why believe anything? Do we have to believe that the Sun gently warms our face when we stand bathing in the beauty of a sunrise? No; it just is; it's real. It's a free and precious gift to us with no need of forethought or belief. In fact, the less we think (beliefs are just thoughts) about it, the more joyous and naked the experience of sunrise is. When we stand deeply silent in the new days warmth and light, there is no real separation. We are the expression of sunrise. We are the cool-warmth. We are the pink-orange glow upon deepest blue. We are the life and universe in which it all dances. Likewise, I suggest not to believe. Do not make up a mind generated story about what is Divine. Or let someone else's belief system or religion influence you. Instead trust that the universe will reveal to you its secrets - as it already is doing. Just be silent and without thought with it. Meet life at your inner depths; where that same familiar cool-warmth glows and vibrates. Let it silently teach you and show you the Reality at your core. Be still. The way is simple. Leave all confusion and beliefs at the door. Just witness. Just silently feel and watch...like you would the sunrise. p __________________ We are not what we believe.

03-01-2009, 10:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
caithiggs Status: n00b Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: no trace Gender: Female Posts: 221	I think if you're a second generation atheist it's different than an atheist who is straight up atheist for reasons they've come to. It's just like any second generation religious person, do they really know what they believe in? Everyone has to come to it themselves. My parents are buddhist, and I'm not at all, I have grown into my own interests, and lean more toward western ideas, even though eastern spiritual ideas are probably there underlying my beliefs, I still feel more drawn to western stuff (which is weird, because it's normally the opposite for people these days, eastern religions are so intriging to the west right now). But I think it all comes down to the same. I think the subconscious is a pretty universal idea across the board. It is good that you have found this. And yes, meditation is really something we should all discover in some way or another, that's what I think. Even just yoga is so good for people. I think I've always been pretty spiritual, but I don't ever show it, and don't have the inclination to attempt joining a religion at all. I don't like organized religions, because anything with groups of people will always leave me left out. But there is something about connecting with your own self when you're not around other people that's pretty magical.

03-02-2009, 04:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
screwjack Status: SAS Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pacific NW Gender: Male Posts: 986	I'm not sure what hypnotism has to do with spirituality? I've never heard it connected to any type of religion. You can meditate and practice hypnosis simply for the sake of relaxing yourself/to help your SA and not get into religion or spirituality at all if you so choose. You can also practice buddhism in general as an atheist, you can simply choose to believe that anything supernatural are metaphors. Most of us tend to lean toward agnostic though. But if you are curious about getting into something start researching and reading as much as you can about different religions/spiritual paths then listen to your gut, find what works best for you.

03-03-2009, 05:37 AM	#10 (permalink)
caithiggs Status: n00b Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: no trace Gender: Female Posts: 221	I thought your original post made sense. Am I crazy? Lol.