[NotElleWoods]

no matter what you believe.
Do you ever think that the more time and effort you put into it, the more your mental "problems" should just vanish? And yet they dont, so you think something is even more wrong with you and you blame the universe.

Or is it just me.....

[Skeezyks]

Well... I wouldn't go so far as to suggest it's just you. But I don't expect my mental health problems, or any other problems for that matter, to vanish regardless of how much effort I put into anything... spiritual or otherwise. I also don't blame the universe. My personal opinion is I'm too insignificant in the whole scheme of things for the universe to give a fig about one way or the other... assuming it's even capable of doing so...

[seeker33]

I can totally relate. Spirituality has been a huge source of anxiety for me. And I've invested a massive amount of time, effort and emotions into it.
However, I don't blame the universe, There may be aliens but I don't believe the universe is somehow alive as some abstract entity.
Spirituality is both a symptom and cause of trauma for me.

[Mopey]

Still, seems to me something amazing is behind the world of living things, including ourselves. I mean, you can nurture a plant or an animal, but can any of us really CREATE one? I mean, have you ever seen a picture of a toucan, for example? Talk about out there.....

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry, NotElleWoods You're definitely not alone in this, as this thread has already shown. And yes, sometimes it does feel like like the universe is out there to get us. But we have to keep fighting. We deserve a better future. We deserve to be happy. I agree with Mopey, life can be beautiful. I'm so sorry you're going through all of this, please don't give up. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this

[saidso]

When you look at all the people around who have been injured or who don't have what they need - spirituality doesn't change that. It doesn't substitute for anaesthetics, good healthcare, or love. Spiritual people still hurt, scream, get sick and die.

I'm working with the vague sense that spirituality means having a mental picture that is bigger than our individual suffering. "Thank you!" We have all these amazing processes going on in our bodies just to keep us alive this moment. We can see the stars and the wider universe. I can connect to other people who KNOW for sure that there is something binding them bigger than their egos.

Therapy is like a microscope trained on an individual person's emotions. Spirituality to me means the deepest, biggest connection possible to other people or to the natural world. F** it seeds keep growing to make food for me, even when I'm in despair - that kind of thing.

I just find seeds growing and having food and being able to digest it kind-of amazing I haven't yet got the deep connection to other people sussed!

[Fuzzybear]

[WishfulThinker66]

I actually do believe that Spirituality can improve our mental well being. NOTE however, there is a stark contrast between Spirituality and Religion. Spirituality is not about doing it right according to someone else's dogma, rules, and ideologies dictating how to practice their Spirituality. Rather it is more personal whether it be how you practice, where you practice, and the particular beliefs that you yourself have come to adhere to while on your own personal discovery. I have been my most healthiest emotionally at those times in my life my connection to whatever you may call the Creative Force is at its greatest. I have been most depressed when I seem to have lost such a connection. I guess it is whatever you choose to deem it to be.

[88Butterfly88]

I can relate to this.