He who is our Grandfather and Father has established a relationship with my people the Sioux. It is our duty to make a rite which should extend this relationship to the different people of different nations. May that which we do here be an example to others!
Through these rites a three-fold peace is established: The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of men when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan Tanka, and that this center is really everywhere. It is within each of us. This is the real Peace, and the others are but reflections of this.
The second peace is that which is made between two individuals. And the third is that which is made between two nations.
But above all, you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is first known that true peace which is within the souls of men.
— Hehaka Sapa (Black Elk), Oglala Lakota Holy Man,
speaking on the Hunkapi (Making of Relatives Ritual).
For followers of "less popular" spiritual path's
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BeatAnxiety07
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:19 am
I really wish I had the authority to delete irrelevant posts in a thread that I created. To everyone:
Lets discuss what those who follow "less popular" spiritual paths follow.
I really like some of those Totltec ideas and I think they help with anxiety. Does anyone have anything else to add? How about some good Buddhist teachings etc... Please add something that is helpful and insightful, not something that is targeted at attacking a different belief; such as Christianity.
Nelly,
I don't hijack Christian threads so do not try to make "deals" with me.
Lets discuss what those who follow "less popular" spiritual paths follow.
I really like some of those Totltec ideas and I think they help with anxiety. Does anyone have anything else to add? How about some good Buddhist teachings etc... Please add something that is helpful and insightful, not something that is targeted at attacking a different belief; such as Christianity.
Nelly,
I don't hijack Christian threads so do not try to make "deals" with me.
_________________________________________
"When you fear that you cannot, let that fear motivate you to prove that you can!"
"When you fear that you cannot, let that fear motivate you to prove that you can!"
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wholegrain
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:02 am
I could have said this myself. I came into this thread with the intention of not mentioning the C word, but then I thought about it, and my "less popular" spiritual path is the spiritual path of someone who started out as a Christian, was deeply unhappy for a long time, and is now wandering and searching with somewhat Christian ideals but an open mind to just about anything. That's a path that is related to Christianity but is much less popular than Christianity itself.Originally posted by luv cats:
Barbg is right in saying that according to the bible and Lutherans, that only "born again" Christians can go to heaven. And I accepted Christ in my life, many, many, many times. Why so many times you ask? Because I always felt like it "should be" more. That I was unhappy because I didn't do it right the first time. Was it anxiety and depression that has made me feel sad? Or is it the rules and the fear of God and sin that added to my anxiety? I am challenging the beliefs I was raised with and I'm struggling with the concepts that are inconsist. There is a truth for ME somewhere and I will find it. Will it include Jesus? Probably. Will it be a limited belief that only if you are born again you will be saved? Probably not.
As for the OTHER spiritualities I am interested in, to bring things back around to the original discussion, I feel highly drawn to Taoism and Quakers. Taoism really is a philosophy, not so much a religion.
Taoism morality focuses on the "Three Jewels of the Tao"- love, moderation, and humility. Taoist pillars of thought, rather than morality, are what I think make it truly unique. Taoist thought focuses on non-action, humanism, spontaneity, and emptiness. Not having opinions, therefore enlightened, at peace.
Taoism has more than one text, but the most influential is the Tao Te Ching. I'll quote a bit of it and let it speak for itself.
When people see things as beautiful,
ugliness is created.
When people see things as good,
evil is created.
Being and non-being produce each other.
Difficult and easy complement each other.
Long and short define each other.
High and low oppose each other.
Fore and aft follow each other.
Therefore the Master
can act without doing anything
and teach without saying a word.
Things come her way and she does not stop them;
things leave and she lets them go.
She has without possessing,
and acts without any expectations.
When her work is done, she take no credit.
That is why it will last forever.
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wholegrain
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:02 am
Oops, posted before I was done!
Quakers are considered a Christian denomination, however the Religious Society of Friends (what the Quaker religion is called) is very, very different than the Christianity most of us know. Quakers believe in a Christian God, and believe that a personal relationship with God is available to each and every one of us without the help of clergy.
Some RSOF churchs hold what are known as unprogrammed meetings- that is their church service. What it means is that the congregation sits and meditates in silence, communicating with God internally, and when one feels that God is calling them to, they share something with the group. Everyone is the preacher, but no one is "preaching", just sharing. I feel this is a more genuine form of communion and worship, and a better way to learn than being yelled at by someone saying the same thing over and over in different words.
The emphasis in the RSOF is on you as an individual. Quakers usually feel very called to their own personal beliefs, like God is telling them specifically how to live their life, and they feel obliged to live it this way. I love this because it's not saying "if you are this religion you will live this way or you will go to hell!". I think that's the problem with mainstream Christianity, and why so many people are unhappy with it. Quakers respect individuality, and acknowledge what I believe to be the truth (to me)- that there is a God and that God has a unique path for every one of us.
Quaker views on the Bible, homosexuality, and everything else vary widely. As a Quaker, you are simply required to look inside yourself and ask God to lead you where to beleive. I LOVE that. When I think about the RSOF, I feel joy inside.
Another spiritual path I have been seeing more and more is a basic humanistic view (being the best person you can be while you're alive), but with emphasis on the "universe". It isn't a religion, or really a clearly defined path, just something I hear a lot of people say, a common way of thinking. People who believe in karma, and believe that everything happens for a reason and their life is being guided, but not by an entity. A poem that I feel pretty accurately captures this faith in the universe is Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. You can read the entire poem here: <A HREF="http://www.desiderata.com" TARGET=_blank>www.desiderata.com</A>
The part of it that is relevant here is this part:
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
Quakers are considered a Christian denomination, however the Religious Society of Friends (what the Quaker religion is called) is very, very different than the Christianity most of us know. Quakers believe in a Christian God, and believe that a personal relationship with God is available to each and every one of us without the help of clergy.
Some RSOF churchs hold what are known as unprogrammed meetings- that is their church service. What it means is that the congregation sits and meditates in silence, communicating with God internally, and when one feels that God is calling them to, they share something with the group. Everyone is the preacher, but no one is "preaching", just sharing. I feel this is a more genuine form of communion and worship, and a better way to learn than being yelled at by someone saying the same thing over and over in different words.
The emphasis in the RSOF is on you as an individual. Quakers usually feel very called to their own personal beliefs, like God is telling them specifically how to live their life, and they feel obliged to live it this way. I love this because it's not saying "if you are this religion you will live this way or you will go to hell!". I think that's the problem with mainstream Christianity, and why so many people are unhappy with it. Quakers respect individuality, and acknowledge what I believe to be the truth (to me)- that there is a God and that God has a unique path for every one of us.
Quaker views on the Bible, homosexuality, and everything else vary widely. As a Quaker, you are simply required to look inside yourself and ask God to lead you where to beleive. I LOVE that. When I think about the RSOF, I feel joy inside.
Another spiritual path I have been seeing more and more is a basic humanistic view (being the best person you can be while you're alive), but with emphasis on the "universe". It isn't a religion, or really a clearly defined path, just something I hear a lot of people say, a common way of thinking. People who believe in karma, and believe that everything happens for a reason and their life is being guided, but not by an entity. A poem that I feel pretty accurately captures this faith in the universe is Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. You can read the entire poem here: <A HREF="http://www.desiderata.com" TARGET=_blank>www.desiderata.com</A>
The part of it that is relevant here is this part:
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
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Mello Nello
- Posts: 299
- Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:00 am
Sounds hypocritical to me. Just my opinion. I think the fact that we are all interested in and reading this thread is a really good sign of tolerance and even interest in other beliefs. This thread was going very well, everyone seemed to be pretty respectful of everyone else, so let's try to keep it going that way.
Beat did start this thread to look at non-Christian beliefs, if I am interpreting it correctly, so that should be respected. He clearly labelled the thread and outlined his intentions in the first post, so it seems like posting Christian beliefs in this particular thread is just picking a fight.
I personally am fascinated by these other beliefs and would like to learn more, so I'm hoping that the last few posts will not make people stop providing information here. Mo is right, we are from all walks of life and this is really cool stuff.
Tara
Beat did start this thread to look at non-Christian beliefs, if I am interpreting it correctly, so that should be respected. He clearly labelled the thread and outlined his intentions in the first post, so it seems like posting Christian beliefs in this particular thread is just picking a fight.
I personally am fascinated by these other beliefs and would like to learn more, so I'm hoping that the last few posts will not make people stop providing information here. Mo is right, we are from all walks of life and this is really cool stuff.
Tara
"If nothing ever changed...there would be no Butterflies." Author unknown
Just for the record, I am not trying to sabatoge this thread. I am truly interested in non-Christian beliefs because I find more comfort in them. Somehow though I have to find the answers to my questions to bridge the beliefs I was raised with and the beliefs of what I'm learning about. This thread will help me see other spiritual paths and maybe even help me find the answers to my own questions.
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~*schnauzermom*~
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2005 9:24 pm
Here is my take 
...
If you follow a religion or beleif and hold it near and dear, it is HIGHLY unlikely anyone will change your mind. But at the same time, PLEASE hear the others out as THEY also hold what they beleive in near and dear to their hearts, and THAT is THEIR beleifs.
There are also others out there that NEED something, and those may learn and find something here that will fulfill them, REGARDLESS of what that may be.
Tolerance is key. Allow others to speak. What another person beleives does not have to be YOUR truth. You know what your truth is in your heart and THAT works for you. Respect the others persons ideas and beleifs as you also have ideas and beleifs you would not want ridiculed or be talked about negatively. You do not need to subscribe to another persons belief system. I do not think anyone is looking to convert anyone, and if you are not looking to be converted into another beleif, then you have nothing to fear. If you are looking for something, I hope that the people that are willing to share can help you find the peace and comfort you seek.
This is a great thread as it offers insight on various religion, beleifs, spirituality, etc, etc for those interested or curious about others beleifs. There also may be common ideas and such that intertwine beleifs too. We ALL may learn something, reading, listening or learning does not require anyone to change their life.
...If you follow a religion or beleif and hold it near and dear, it is HIGHLY unlikely anyone will change your mind. But at the same time, PLEASE hear the others out as THEY also hold what they beleive in near and dear to their hearts, and THAT is THEIR beleifs.
There are also others out there that NEED something, and those may learn and find something here that will fulfill them, REGARDLESS of what that may be.
Tolerance is key. Allow others to speak. What another person beleives does not have to be YOUR truth. You know what your truth is in your heart and THAT works for you. Respect the others persons ideas and beleifs as you also have ideas and beleifs you would not want ridiculed or be talked about negatively. You do not need to subscribe to another persons belief system. I do not think anyone is looking to convert anyone, and if you are not looking to be converted into another beleif, then you have nothing to fear. If you are looking for something, I hope that the people that are willing to share can help you find the peace and comfort you seek.
This is a great thread as it offers insight on various religion, beleifs, spirituality, etc, etc for those interested or curious about others beleifs. There also may be common ideas and such that intertwine beleifs too. We ALL may learn something, reading, listening or learning does not require anyone to change their life.
"Afterall, everybody only hears what he understands." by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I'm refering to Non-Religious, Athiest, Agnostic, New Age, Taoist, Buddist, Wiccan, Other Eastern paths, and many other "less-popular" types.
These are all religions. Why not let Christions state there ideas also? Everyone has a oppionion, by shutting them up doesn't work does it. That is not fair. You can't shut a believer up. Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
I am willing and I do study any thing that will bring out the best in me and help me be a better person, thats cool, I am learning a lot from other stuff,but it all agrees with the fruits of the spirit, love, joy peace,long suffering, gentelness and kindness and such like which there is no law agenst, but I believe that the only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ because He is the only one who can and did pay the price for all of humanity. So what if you don't agree with that. That doesn't affect me. You just can't shut up a Jesus freek, thats all
Glen
These are all religions. Why not let Christions state there ideas also? Everyone has a oppionion, by shutting them up doesn't work does it. That is not fair. You can't shut a believer up. Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
I am willing and I do study any thing that will bring out the best in me and help me be a better person, thats cool, I am learning a lot from other stuff,but it all agrees with the fruits of the spirit, love, joy peace,long suffering, gentelness and kindness and such like which there is no law agenst, but I believe that the only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ because He is the only one who can and did pay the price for all of humanity. So what if you don't agree with that. That doesn't affect me. You just can't shut up a Jesus freek, thats all
Glen