Finding spirituality independent of structured religion

[Anonymous]

The trouble is that nowadays that we are so often encouraged to go without organized religion, and that organized religion is bad.

The only problem is that most seekers seem to find themselves thinking and saying the same things – not because they’re reaching great truths necessarily but because they come under the same subconscious influences. So even disorganized religion – like the New Age – is more structured than people think it is. It’s a big joke really.

Spirituality includes coming together with other spiritually minded people, and a decent ward can provide that. You don’t have to seek alone. Don’t listen to the folk who parrot answers but the ones who try and get their head around the matter in other ways.

So the social side is important too. Sometimes you need to be told harsh truths and seeking alone usually doesn’t deliver that (with some exceptions – in my experience). Where it breaks down is when it becomes the telling of fossilized cliches and control mechanisms – not good.

But the key – like anything else – is get the balance right.

[Anonymous]

Hi MayB,

I can relate with your comments and likewise am trying to find my way (mentally, emotionally & spiritually).

As implied by some, I think the ideal is to take the good from what you’ve learned – whether that is in the church, or not church affiliated…

And to seek to experience God directly, as taught by Jesus… “The kingdom (realm/experience) of God is within you.”

Often your experience of God will be based on what you’ve learned – especially as a child.

This is why Buddha wisely encouraged people to cherish what inspires them from the religious teachings of their youth.

Jesus and Joseph Smith, IMO, began a very different spiritual journey than that which people have warped it into.

Most people tend to not “put off childish things” & instead of taking parables as symbolic lessons, they too often take it literally.

Yet, at the same time, I think that even the most spiritually mature people struggle to deeply resonate without some type of symbol – and often mistake the symbol for that which the symbol represents.

My spiritual edification doesn’t happen at church, besides expressing and receiving love from others (in serving & being served).

My spiritual edification happens more when I take long walks or hikes, do spiritual yoga or meditate/write.

I also agree that no matter what group you go with – the church, new age – even Atheist science groups – they all have some type of “articles of faith” or dogma they blindly accept. Group thought can be good or bad – that’s something we have to discern, individually.

[Anonymous]

Old-Timer wrote:

Quote:

I personally believe that God wouldn’t mind you picturing him/her/them in whatever way is the most beneficial to you.

I believe God “appears” to people in whatever form makes the most sense to them – and, by that, I mean I believe people see God however they are can see God. For example, I absolutely love the concept of Heavenly Parents, so I accept that view.

I like the idea that rather than us being created in His image, we create Him in our imag(ination).

Not that God is make believe but that we understand the incomprehensible by creating an expression of God in our limited understanding. I like the way that Hinduism has 300,000 manifestations of one God.

[Author]

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