Originally posted by tony885:
It's a great question. A tough one to me because I was raised with my Christian faith and have never known what it's like to be without it. I'm 42 and it's been my one true constant throughout my life. But, I don't know that anyone can tell another person how to have a personal relationship with Jesus. It's just that, personal. I don't imagine a therapist would be helpful because many in the medical/scientific community have a 'God complex' of their own to deal with. I think it has to come from within. Prayer is the best place to start. But you have to have an open mind. You have to let go of the doubt (I know, easier said than done) and open up your heart, mind and soul to what He has to say. What he says to you will be unique and different from what he says to anyone else who prays to Him. Don't try to put Him in a box. I don't believe God operates that way. We have to 'listen' to what He's saying and how He's directing us. You follow it literally where it leads you. Faith isn't foreign to you since you've come to this forum and maybe even purchased the program. But you'll find that faith isn't a science. There's no multi-step, repeatable process that worked for one person and will work for you. Each believer's journey is unique. I wish you well in your journey, where ever it takes you.
How do I live with Jesus by my side?
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It's a great question. A tough one to me because I was raised with my Christian faith and have never known what it's like to be without it. I'm 42 and it's been my one true constant throughout my life. But, I don't know that anyone can tell another person how to have a personal relationship with Jesus. It's just that, personal. I don't imagine a therapist would be helpful because many in the medical/scientific community have a 'God complex' of their own to deal with. I think it has to come from within. Prayer is the best place to start. But you have to have an open mind. You have to let go of the doubt (I know, easier said than done) and open up your heart, mind and soul to what He has to say. What he says to you will be unique and different from what he says to anyone else who prays to Him. Don't try to put Him in a box. I don't believe God operates that way. We have to 'listen' to what He's saying and how He's directing us. You follow it literally where it leads you. Faith isn't foreign to you since you've come to this forum and maybe even purchased the program. But you'll find that faith isn't a science. There's no multi-step, repeatable process that worked for one person and will work for you. Each believer's journey is unique. I wish you well in your journey, where ever it takes you.
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Monitor- if this thread is too long please edit it iof you do that. thanks. FG.
HI D, Just one more perspective on this issue. I am going through kind of hte same thing right now with the bent that I had a real connection to Jesus when I was a kid and tossed it in late adolescence. I now identify myself as a uddhist but to me there are many levels of meaning of hte figure Jesus- the historical man who reached a pretty high leel of enlightenment but was stil a minor Hebrew prophet in his day. Then there is the mythic figure and Godhead that has been created and worshipped as the Christian church grew and especially as it was adopted by the Roman Empire. Then there is the Christ Consciuosness that we can all aspire ot and that Jesus Christ achieved. I think all of these elements interrelated and depend on each other for a in order to practice the Christian religion. Here is a concept- Jesus is a particular manifestation of a universal concept which is for someone not just to have a God of the Center, (might be getting a little obcure here) or A path or Way such as GOd hte Father or the Buddhist Middle Way path, but someone to walk beside you on that path an look out for you in a personal way. I call that a GOd of the Heart.When I pray ot God the Father it is centering and cooling ot me. When I pray ot Jesus I feel my prayers in my heart in a warming soothing comforting way like someone is holding up he sky forme, and I feel like doing the sme thing for others- you know what I mean?I The buddists have Kuan Yin who is called "she who hears the cries of the world" and is a manifestation of the energies of compassion and mercy. In statues she has 10,000 eyes to see anyoe who needs help and as many arms to offer the aid. THis kind of Being whether based on a real historical person like Jesus or as a kind of symbol ot focus ones feelings like Kuan Yin the God of he heart helps a us avoid the Repetition Compulsion. THe Rep Comp is the energy where we repeat hte same patterns adn actions over and over as if he universe and us too were not constantly in a process of change, transition, creation and destruction- (sorry aobut run on sentence) in hte mistaken belief that by repeating an action we will achieve a different result and undo an action we took that hurt us in the past and we think we are stuck on-whether because we want to avoid having to eat our own bitterness(as the Chinese phrase goes) and or because its hard or hurts really be here right now. I also associate Jesus wiht he Buddhist practice of loving kindness which Lucinda might tap into under "Being your own best friend adn using respectful and compassionate self talk" and letting yordelf like yourself even if means giving up het illusion of control over anything but your own actions. And accepting growht and change- and yourself just as you are right now since by definition you are always totally ok.
Anyway, it helps to have a practice if you want ot incorporate something into your life. FOr me for years it was meditation, now its Tai CHi which in a way is more of the same. It could be as simple as reading the Sermon on hte Mount or another piece that connects you what you want ot incorporate inot your life. or praying or doing yoga wiht a sacred intent, or practicing mercy wiht your kids for ten minutes every day wiht real intent of following in Jesus footsteps right there ( though it will probably) screw you up if you try ot fill his shoes. What really counts for me is that it puts me here now, takes me in the direction of an intent towards myself and others that I value that it creates a sense of connection ot sometihng bigger than my usual ego focus and that it helps and works in the realistic constraints of my life and those of hte people around me. And what counts more than anyting in a practice is consistency and regularity over time rather than the weekend warrior thing. But I think anything that helps today, whether it becomes a regular practice or not is an extra good thing. Man it sure is good to me to see all hte responeses ot your question Dogggiet, especially from guys talking about their faith. Happy New Year to All, and to all a good night.
Peace.
FoxG
HI D, Just one more perspective on this issue. I am going through kind of hte same thing right now with the bent that I had a real connection to Jesus when I was a kid and tossed it in late adolescence. I now identify myself as a uddhist but to me there are many levels of meaning of hte figure Jesus- the historical man who reached a pretty high leel of enlightenment but was stil a minor Hebrew prophet in his day. Then there is the mythic figure and Godhead that has been created and worshipped as the Christian church grew and especially as it was adopted by the Roman Empire. Then there is the Christ Consciuosness that we can all aspire ot and that Jesus Christ achieved. I think all of these elements interrelated and depend on each other for a in order to practice the Christian religion. Here is a concept- Jesus is a particular manifestation of a universal concept which is for someone not just to have a God of the Center, (might be getting a little obcure here) or A path or Way such as GOd hte Father or the Buddhist Middle Way path, but someone to walk beside you on that path an look out for you in a personal way. I call that a GOd of the Heart.When I pray ot God the Father it is centering and cooling ot me. When I pray ot Jesus I feel my prayers in my heart in a warming soothing comforting way like someone is holding up he sky forme, and I feel like doing the sme thing for others- you know what I mean?I The buddists have Kuan Yin who is called "she who hears the cries of the world" and is a manifestation of the energies of compassion and mercy. In statues she has 10,000 eyes to see anyoe who needs help and as many arms to offer the aid. THis kind of Being whether based on a real historical person like Jesus or as a kind of symbol ot focus ones feelings like Kuan Yin the God of he heart helps a us avoid the Repetition Compulsion. THe Rep Comp is the energy where we repeat hte same patterns adn actions over and over as if he universe and us too were not constantly in a process of change, transition, creation and destruction- (sorry aobut run on sentence) in hte mistaken belief that by repeating an action we will achieve a different result and undo an action we took that hurt us in the past and we think we are stuck on-whether because we want to avoid having to eat our own bitterness(as the Chinese phrase goes) and or because its hard or hurts really be here right now. I also associate Jesus wiht he Buddhist practice of loving kindness which Lucinda might tap into under "Being your own best friend adn using respectful and compassionate self talk" and letting yordelf like yourself even if means giving up het illusion of control over anything but your own actions. And accepting growht and change- and yourself just as you are right now since by definition you are always totally ok.
Anyway, it helps to have a practice if you want ot incorporate something into your life. FOr me for years it was meditation, now its Tai CHi which in a way is more of the same. It could be as simple as reading the Sermon on hte Mount or another piece that connects you what you want ot incorporate inot your life. or praying or doing yoga wiht a sacred intent, or practicing mercy wiht your kids for ten minutes every day wiht real intent of following in Jesus footsteps right there ( though it will probably) screw you up if you try ot fill his shoes. What really counts for me is that it puts me here now, takes me in the direction of an intent towards myself and others that I value that it creates a sense of connection ot sometihng bigger than my usual ego focus and that it helps and works in the realistic constraints of my life and those of hte people around me. And what counts more than anyting in a practice is consistency and regularity over time rather than the weekend warrior thing. But I think anything that helps today, whether it becomes a regular practice or not is an extra good thing. Man it sure is good to me to see all hte responeses ot your question Dogggiet, especially from guys talking about their faith. Happy New Year to All, and to all a good night.
Peace.
FoxG
Jesus will never forsake you. He's talking, but we are usually not listening. Sometimes his answer is not what we are wanting to hear. Most of the time we do what we want, the way we want without consulting hime first. Usually we beg for help after we have made a mess of things. And sometimes no answer to prayer is the answer.
Martisue
Martisue