[true1]

I think that believing something is true when it is not is a form of insanity. The truth is right in front of you all the time, in the present moment, if you are willing to let go of your ego, the storer of the past and future. but instead many people wish to believe in things just for comfort and are blinded to how beautiful life really is here and now. THe fear of the unknown is so strong in humans that they will believe anything to quell it. If it is not some god, they throw themselves into their work in order to pretend that is all there is. We create so much stress for ourselves just because we live in our imaginations
True spirituality is being open to life all the time. God is not something to believe in it is That Which Is, omnipresent life, creating and recreating all the time; the ultimate miracle. Why do people even want miracles when life is utterly astounding? isn't it astounding that our bodies are constantly sustaining themselves with trillions of cells? isn't it amazing just to be alive? there is nothing there to suffer from, but our imaginations.

[(JD)]

Hi true1. I am responding because I know no one else has, and that "feels bad" to the OP (originating poster.)

I think most don't know what to say.
I did want to share that your post was read by me, and it has made me think!

[thunderbear]

Originally Posted by true1

I think that believing something is true when it is not is a form of insanity. The truth is right in front of you all the time, in the present moment, if you are willing to let go of your ego, the storer of the past and future. but instead many people wish to believe in things just for comfort and are blinded to how beautiful life really is here and now. THe fear of the unknown is so strong in humans that they will believe anything to quell it. If it is not some god, they throw themselves into their work in order to pretend that is all there is. We create so much stress for ourselves just because we live in our imaginations
True spirituality is being open to life all the time. God is not something to believe in it is That Which Is, omnipresent life, creating and recreating all the time; the ultimate miracle. Why do people even want miracles when life is utterly astounding? isn't it astounding that our bodies are constantly sustaining themselves with trillions of cells? isn't it amazing just to be alive? there is nothing there to suffer from, but our imaginations.

Well I disagree but don't we all at some point? lol. But to respond to your first line, just because you can't see it, touch it, hear or smell it, does'nt mean it's not there. Having faith in something is'nt insanity imo anyway. Yes, the fear of the unknown evokes very strong fear in all of us. But that's what faith is for. No matter what your faith is in or who it is in, you know you'll be ok. Life is astounding. Everything on this Earth is astounding.That is a miracle in itself. I do belive there is a higher power. People have to find their own sprituality. Their own belife system. I liked your post. Nice to see a differant POV every now and then

[nowheretorun]

i think these are all great thoughts you all i think whatever we believe in just adding a drop of love to it leads to the place that its all about... some faiths are very light and hope oriented, some include the element of darkness and paint a comparison portrait.. others are less light and more dark i think and then there are those on the complete dark scale....

good faiths support good health imo.... faith is scary at times, like jumping across the abyss and we might slip, stumble, fall, but faith tells us that we will never die (spiritually speaking)... jmho..

[Junerain]

I was out of otcuh with reality for a good twenty years, I was such a sensitive soul and to leave my childhood and my childhood friends was TERRIFYING to me, shrunk into a shell, and lived there only coming out to the truly caring who reached out.........

...And here I am today, living and embracing reality..

I think this is what the poster was trying to express could be wrong..

When on 'sees' reality and all its beauty for the 1st true time, it catches our breath

[Jethro Tull]

Originally Posted by true1

True spirituality is being open to life all the time. God is not something to believe in it is That Which Is, omnipresent life, creating and recreating all the time; the ultimate miracle. Why do people even want miracles when life is utterly astounding? isn't it astounding that our bodies are constantly sustaining themselves with trillions of cells? isn't it amazing just to be alive? there is nothing there to suffer from, but our imaginations.

This was such a profound and thought-provoking post! Just like your other post, I completely agree with you. Reality, life in the present, is so amazing when you truly see how it works; no fantasy even comes close. You are right that our imaginations create fantasies to cope with our death anxiety, and when people do this, they miss out on life in the present, the only thing that can be experienced. People miss out on their lives when they live in their minds, their imaginations.

As for this statement: "God is not something to believe in it is That Which Is, omnipresent life, creating and recreating all the time; the ultimate miracle." I couldn't agree more! The only thing that is omnipresent is life. I was reading a free online book today that also said that God = "that which is," maybe you would like to check it out. I know it says for this forum that religious posts aren't aloud, but this isn't religious; it is reality, truth you can check for yourself based on the evidence. Here is a paragraph from page 23 of The Present (with religion):

That which is: The literal meaning of the word “truth” is “that which is.”
The living truth = that which is.
That which is = the present.
That which is = God.

“GOD” is an ancient word that literally means “That Which Is.” G stands for “that,” O stands for “which” and D stands for “is.” God is “that which is.”

[true1]

yes god is That WHich is, it is not seperate, it is immanent and transcendent at the same time. it is not creating everything, everything is the creator and the created at the same time. Thunderbear said that there is a higher power, and that is true, but it is not a seperate entity, it is the constant creation of life, the inherent intelligence in all that exists. everything knows how to exist in relation to everything else. that is how evolution happened for example, it adapted. so it is like a higher power, becuase it is in complete control of us, but we are it at the same time.
Jethro, i will check out "the present' and tell you what I think.

[true1]

hi jethro,
i started "the present" last night and it rings true for me the whole time i read it. it is straightforward and honest. it also helps people see what is necessary to change in this time, especially since we are in a period where we need to change our we could do a lot of damage. I also believe that spiritual evolution, and higher consciousness is the next step for humanity.

[VickiesPath]

In reading all of the posts, there are a few things that stand out to me.

I like the original post which points out that "life is utterly astounding". This is a wonderful observation. It's one of the things that the hippies used to focus on (yes, I'm dating myself, and NO, dating myself is not the same as masterb**t***n) ....... being "high on life" was a mantra of the '60's.

Believing in something that is meaningful and will bring a better life in the future is basic to survival. Watch the movie Castaway. It was one of the things that Tom Hanks had to have to last four years on that island.

Sociologists and anthropologists tell us that spirituality is basic to the human psyche. One can either fill that need with an expansive theory of a higher being with logical parameters or can fill it with disbelief in a greater power supported by logical parameters.

My personal experience: Before I first received professional treatment for mental illness, when I was deep in the abyss of depression contemplating a way to make it end, a voice inside of me kept saying to me, "Vickie, life is not supposed to be this hard. Keep hanging on. It will change."

I don't know what that voice was. I have a good idea, tho. It has never failed me.

[Michah]

Hi True,

My path has led me to the distinction between imagination and truth.......

Truth is ugly, raw and terrifying.........and the truth is only available from within.......

My truth has brought me closer to spirit.......and spirit closer to me........and I have experienced.......FREEDOM....

Thanks for bringing this up........

In stillness,

Michah

[VickiesPath]

Originally Posted by Michah

Hi True,

My path has led me to the distinction between imagination and truth.......

Truth is ugly, raw and terrifying.........and the truth is only available from within.......

My truth has brought me closer to spirit.......and spirit closer to me........and I have experienced.......FREEDOM....

Thanks for bringing this up........

In stillness,

Michah

I am so happy that you have found freedom!

One thing I didn't mention, but had planned to mention, in my post was that I have found that truth is always relative to whomever it is related. Everyone's truth is different. My parent's truth was that I was unattractive, fat, and mentally off. I was basically unacceptable as their daughter.

It was with help from my T that I learned that their truth was NOT my truth and probably wasn't anyone else's truth, either.

[true1]

Originally Posted by Michah

Hi True,

My path has led me to the distinction between imagination and truth.......

Truth is ugly, raw and terrifying.........and the truth is only available from within.......

My truth has brought me closer to spirit.......and spirit closer to me........and I have experienced.......FREEDOM....

Thanks for bringing this up........

In stillness,

Michah

Indeed, I have found the same. Truth is not necessarily always something that you want it to be, but you have to face it unless you want to keep playing mind games with yourself. And you can never get stillness and peace from playing mind games. It just goes in a circle. One of the most profound truths is knowing that you will die one day. You really grow up and see life in its totality, the day you accept you will die and there is no escape; no mental or physical escape. Facing reality can be frightening, but it is also the only thing that brings true peace when confronted.

[Michah]

Originally Posted by Vickie in Phoenix

I am so happy that you have found freedom!

One thing I didn't mention, but had planned to mention, in my post was that I have found that truth is always relative to whomever it is related. Everyone's truth is different. My parent's truth was that I was unattractive, fat, and mentally off. I was basically unacceptable as their daughter.

It was with help from my T that I learned that their truth was NOT my truth and probably wasn't anyone else's truth, either.

Oh yes, Vicki.......I agree........"my truth" is not anyone elses.......it takes time to find my truth without others........

I am glad that, in time, we can move past the truth that others impose on us........One of my truths was that I could be an engineer for NASA and my parents would still expect more.......

Finding my truth, means that others expectations........mean nothing........for they are not loving UNCONDITIONALLY.........and that is another of my truths........to love and love and love To break the bonds of what I was brought up with.......

Good on you babe.......glad to see that you know your beauty and total acceptance of self........even on the days it is not evident......we strive to love.......it lightens me to see others finding their truth........we shall do it together!!!!

Much stillness......

Michah

[Michah]

Originally Posted by true1

Indeed, I have found the same. Truth is not necessarily always something that you want it to be, but you have to face it unless you want to keep playing mind games with yourself. And you can never get stillness and peace from playing mind games. It just goes in a circle. One of the most profound truths is knowing that you will die one day. You really grow up and see life in its totality, the day you accept you will die and there is no escape; no mental or physical escape. Facing reality can be frightening, but it is also the only thing that brings true peace when confronted.

Absolutely, True........absolutely.......

In your usernames sake.......

Michah

[Shoe]

Great post true1. We must read the same books.
Thomas Merton said he had a flash of insight when he was reading some French enlightenment philosopher who wrote that God is not a being but God is being.
Cultivating mindfulness has really helped me to stay present. I like to take this opportunity to recommend the book entitled The Mindful Way Through Depression. One of the best investments I ever made.
~ Shoe

[true1]

Originally Posted by Shoe

Great post true1. We must read the same books.
Thomas Merton said he had a flash of insight when he was reading some French enlightenment philosopher who wrote that God is not a being but God is being.
Cultivating mindfulness has really helped me to stay present. I like to take this opportunity to recommend the book entitled The Mindful Way Through Depression. One of the best investments I ever made.
~ Shoe

HI Michah and Shoe,
i have read many books over the years. Some of it is great, some of it is a bit phony. I am really getting into the book that Jethro recommended. the "present" entry on www.thetruthcontest.com. It is really simply written and we are used to trusting authorities, but honestly it is one of the best books i have ever read even though it is not any work of art. It is just to the point. It says the truth.
God is being, I liked how you said that shoe. It is not even necessary to call it anything, but we need to use words just to convey its enormity. We need to see the difference between truth and imagination as Michah said, so that we can be directly with BEING/GOD, or else we are just feeding our minds or egos.

[Michah]

True,

One of my favourites......so thought I would share......I am a believer..

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be”Taoist Proverb

One of my striving truths.....

Take care on your journey.......to the truth

Michah

[Jethro Tull]

Originally Posted by true1

i have read many books over the years. Some of it is great, some of it is a bit phony. I am really getting into the book that Jethro recommended. the "present" entry on www.thetruthcontest.com. It is really simply written and we are used to trusting authorities, but honestly it is one of the best books i have ever read even though it is not any work of art. It is just to the point. It says the truth.

I feel the exact same way my friend. I found this book and I was astonished, because it doesn't use flowery language, and it is very to the point. I think you described it perfectly. We are used to trusting authorities and gurus, when we really have to be a light unto ourselves. This book gives me a lot of things I can just check for myself. I am glad you are enjoying it.

[(JD)]

I believe we may all have our own truths about some things, but that there is One Absolute Truth, and that is God.

I doubt someone can truly, fully, heal without knowing the Higher Power has a part in it, and acknowledging whatever part that is.

[Malady156]

This one has no trouble with truth.
It has a great deal of trouble with arrogant judgmental jerks who want to issue some misguided proclamation as to the contents of your soul or heart and the meaning of your being and then pronounce that truth when it actually constitutes falsehood, and misuse the name of God to try to shove that down your throat to get the poison INSIDE you where it can wreak WRACK AND RUIN ...

But truth? Nah. Moriah and REAL truth bes old buddies, and go WAY back.

[Rapunzel]

Faith is a hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

For some of us, spirituality, even belief in God, is essential to mental health. It is how healing occurs.

If you do not know what I know, it doesn't mean that what I know isn't true. It only means that it isn't something that you know.

[notz]

wow
..........

[(JD)]

I also believe that the act of comparison between people is a big negative. When it comes to spirituality the only comparison is with God, imo, and not between people.

One often finds trouble when comparing, in most areas and not just spirituality. (I've mentioned this in other forums too.) In fact, comparing is a major issue in mental health, and much work is done in therapy learning the skill of being who one is without comparing oneself to another.

[nowheretorun]

i like this _Sky comparison is one way we allow our ego's to assume control of our God centered nature.. there will always be someone greater or lesser than ourselves so we should only compete against ourselves and compare where we (ourself) are, where we are going, as individuals on the path to loving ourselves, others, while trying to be more in attunement with our own sense of God, the all loving, all caring being that we ourself imagine him/her/it to be (i think someone may have already said this but i wanted you to know that your words spoke to me)

[Hunny]

This topic, is one I was so hoping would be addressed, for me, when I first came to PC. Does that mean I can go home now? lol.

I struggle with my faith, spirituality and truth in terms of mental illness and all of the inneundos, judgements and criticisms, not only from others but in my own mind.

Thanks everyone for keeping it so relationally honouring! You all being part of creation are helping me be restored to myself and my belief in my higher power, gently and without controlling.

Respectfully,
Hunny

Originally Posted by nowheretorun

i like this _Sky comparison is one way we allow our ego's to assume control of our God centered nature.. there will always be someone greater or lesser than ourselves so we should only compete against ourselves and compare where we (ourself) are, where we are going, as individuals on the path to loving ourselves, others, while trying to be more in attunement with our own sense of God, the all loving, all caring being that we ourself imagine him/her/it to be (i think someone may have already said this but i wanted you to know that your words spoke to me)