[(JD)]

Regarding your spirituality... I found this earlier today....
not necessary to reply here... but if we keep it totally in personal "I" response we might be ok... but regardless... good questions to ask yourself imo.

1. What do I believe?

2. Why do I believe this?

3. What does this belief do for me?

4. What does this belief guarantee me?

[CANDC]

JD, I really like 1-3 because by examining our beliefs we can actually change them or embrace them.

If I were asked to name another it would be, How can I change my beliefs so I get out of the way of all the Love that surrounds us and enfolds us and allow it to flow through me.

[CopperStar]

I will give it a go.

1. What do I believe?

I believe that there is more to us than our brains and bodies. I don't know what to call it.. spirits, souls, I don't know. I don't care much about words.

2. Why do I believe this?

I believe it due to multiple experiences throughout my life. Surviving something that should have killed me, and the time I spent 'in between'. A psychedelic experience I had on shrooms years ago. Etc. I could write a small novel on those two experiences alone.

3. What does this belief do for me?

I feel that it humbles me in a certain way, to a certain extent. It gave/gives me a sense of priority and what really matters, a sense of direction I had previously lacked.

4. What does this belief guarantee me?

I feel that it doesn't really guarantee me anything. I just feel like I was privileged and honored to have had those experiences.

[Pinem'e]

I am oriented towards these questions:

1. What do I know?

2. Why do I know this?

3. What does this knowledge do for me?

4. What does this knowledge guarantee me?

Make no mistake:
Beliefs guarantee DOUBT and the FEAR that comes from doubt.

I have been there done that with the "beliefs"
Then I grew up and did some investigation.
I tested all things.
I sought truth and God with all my heart.
I was rewarded with knowledge of God, myself and reality in general.

I have love for God, others and myself.
I truly have peace that passes all understanding.
I have no doubts.

It's not, "You will believe the truth and the truth will set you free"

It most definitely is: "YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!"

Thanks for the post (JD)

[Pinem'e]

Evidence of the Almighty's continuing work in progress can be seen all around us if we just look...


*We are the work in progress

God is working on us all,; Everyone

[(JD)]

Yes... but the thread is about what you believe...and hopefully if one answers the questions truthfully, or finds answers he hadn't realized before, he can then change directions for a more satisfying result and journey.

Knowing and believing, while both good, are different... believing is more about trust... what are you trusting and why and what do you expect from it, are you getting anything from that trusting... etc. I can KNOW that a tightrope walker can carry me across a chasm in a chair...but until I believe it and trust him to do so, it means nothing.

[(JD)]

I guess a 5th question might be something along the lines of...

IF you had to choose and that the belief is ALL you would have, and had to stake your life on it.... WOULD YOU? Do you trust what you believe in that much?

[WePow]

JD,

These are wonderful questions to ponder. I thought you might enjoy my answers. Maybe they will bring a smile to you for the day :-)

Wen

1. What do I believe?

A: I believe that I know absolutely nothing about anything. I believe I have insights about all sorts of spiritual ideas. I believe my insights can be food to help others find their own insights. But most of all, I believe that it does not matter at all what I believe; reality is whatever it is regardless of my observation or commentary.

2. Why do I believe this?

A: Experience of life and observation of other life.

3. What does this belief do for me?

A: It frees me from going around in mental and spiritual circles. I get very dizzy when I do that!

4. What does this belief guarantee me?

A: I am guaranteed a spiritually open window which allows life to carry into my soul the many different fragrances of beingness.

[(JD)]

I found these 4 questions on eHarmony, also good and suitable I think for this thread and understanding your spirituality:

Have you….
1) authentically expressed what you want or need?
2) received without guilt or insecurity?
3) given without expectation?
4) acknowledged the things that counted?

[Serzen]

Originally Posted by (JD)

Regarding your spirituality... I found this earlier today....
not necessary to reply here... but if we keep it totally in personal "I" response we might be ok... but regardless... good questions to ask yourself imo.

1. What do I believe?

2. Why do I believe this?

3. What does this belief do for me?

4. What does this belief guarantee me?

1) In zen.
2) Because I want to.
3) Gives me inner peace.
4) Nothing is guaranteed.

[(JD)]

My true intent, as I think the questioner's was as well... is to not only identify what it is "you" hold as a belief, but cause you to think about why ... and whether it is worth it?

If my belief didn't guarantee me something desirable, I personally would look for a belief that would add to my life.

If "you" are satisfied with your belief, now that you've thus identified it, can you make it stronger, and what outcome would you expect from doing so?

I believe in a higher life form, a creative force.
- I do not believe this force to be a god but rather a higher being
- As another being, I do NOT believe this force has a hand in the goings on of things. This force is not a participant. I see the creative spirit in all around me both animate and inanimate.
- I live an ethical life, not to appease this creative force but because it is the right thing to do. Morality has nothing to do with spiritual choice. One can be an ethical and moral person without religion.
- One can be spiritual and not be religious.
- I believe in evolution

Why do I believe this?
- I believe in the principals of science
- I believe there is something higher and beyond that created this universe and I believe this fits in with my belief in science.

What does this belief do for me?
- it gives me comfort in equality.
- it gives me responsibility for what happens in my life
- it gives me responsibility to be a caretaker for this planet

Why do I need a guarantee?
- there are two experiences we cannot avoid; birth and death. I have no belief in an afterlife. What concerns me is the kind of life I live in between.

[(JD)]

Originally Posted by (JD)

Regarding your spirituality... I found this earlier today....
not necessary to reply here... but if we keep it totally in personal "I" response we might be ok... but regardless... good questions to ask yourself imo.

1. What do I believe?

2. Why do I believe this?

3. What does this belief do for me?

4. What does this belief guarantee me?

I've reposted the OP for this reason....

For those age 15 -25 the number one cause of death is suicide. When I hear this, my heart aches....it was very difficult for me to exit those years intact, myself. So this is the connection... IF that is where you are going, IF that is how you are thinking, then what you believe in is failing you.

When you think you've tried everything... even if you think you've tried God... I urge you to try what I believe in... because He hasn't failed...He hasn't failed me even in the shadow of death. He guarantees to be with me, and also eternal life.... pure love and understanding, and strength in spite of bullies and hardships and even purely hateful people.

When all else has failed, try believing in something ---someone---else. Don't give up.

[the sad queen]

thank you for this post they are good questions we should ask to ourselves

1. What do I believe?
I believe in the power which created us, God.
and that i must be born for a reason and give something to this life.

2. Why do I believe this?
not only spiritual, but i feel God signs guiding me in certain things for a reason.
and believing that i got reason to be born make me continue living no matter what.

3. What does this belief do for me?
even if i still get depressed, have mental problems, God save me and i feel him assuring me everything will be fine, i did wish to die once by anyway but i felt something whisper to me that its not my time yet and something waiting for me.

4. What does this belief guarantee me?
better thing that will appear on right time

[Aviza]

I love this and am going to share because you never know who it may touch.

1. What do I believe? I believe God created us, he loves us, and because of his love for us "His children", he sent us Jesus to save our souls.

2. Why do I believe this? Because I feel God's peace and love throughout my life. When I was a child, and the 2 boys decided not rape me after I prayed to God for help. When I, as adult and cried out to God that I couldn't live the rest of my life hearing and responding to voices (despite taking prescribed meds for 6 months). The voices stopped. I continued meds for many years, until finances forced me to quit and moodiness I have, but He has healed the voices. I have many many many more ways God has heard my cries for help, and answered my calls. But those are the clearest examples I could share.

3. What does this belief do for me?It fills me with an inner peace, no matter what turmoil encircles my life. It fills me with a knowing that all will be ok. It assures me that God Loves me, little ol' me despite all the horrible awful things I've done in my life, why? Because I have repented, begged, and pleaded for his forgiveness with every ounce of sincerity I have.

4. What does this belief guarantee me?[/QUOTE]Enteral life, but still I must not take this for granted. I must do whatever I can to keep his Commandments, and life by His Laws.

[vas10026]

1. What do I believe? Treating others how I want to be treated & positive thinking.

2. Why do I believe this? It seems very humane, rational & interesting lol.

3. What does this belief do for me? It helps to raise my self esteem because when I help others it really boosts my confidence.

4. What does this belief guarantee me? It guarantees me to be a better person the next day than I was the day before

[Teddy Bear]

Glad to know people ask these questions. Thank you for sharing them. Keep up the good work

[(JD)]

While I do not support this other site, nor agree with nearly anything there... it has a "belief-o-matic" survey that after you answer questions regarding what or how you believe, it will tell you with which faith you most closely align. For those struggling to see if they lean one way or another regarding religion, it may help end some confusion...that is the only reason I post it here. Then, you might be able to more ably reply to the thread's "4 questions to ask yourself".

Belief-O-Matic | What Do I Believe | Faith Quiz | What's My Religion | Spiritual Beliefs Quiz | What Religion Am I - Beliefnet.com

[yagr]

Originally Posted by (JD)

Regarding your spirituality... I found this earlier today....
not necessary to reply here... but if we keep it totally in personal "I" response we might be ok... but regardless... good questions to ask yourself imo.

I am quite confident that there are not better questions to ask oneself. A quick aside before I continue: I've found that

Sensations lead to thoughts;
Thoughts lead to feelings;
Feelings lead to beliefs;
Beliefs lead to behaviors.

Worth considering where beliefs come from and what they lead to.

Originally Posted by (JD)

1. What do I believe?

I could write a book on this. Oh wait, I have. But let's see if I can distill it into a few paragraphs.

That which can be called the 'I' has three parts. The higher, lower and middle selves. The middle self is the what we typically consider 'me' or our waking consciousness. The lower self consists primarily of the limbic system and functions as an intermediary between the middle and higher selves, i.e. you must come to me as a child. It is connected to the higher self like cars in a train: higher-lower-middle.

The higher self is connected to every sentient beings lower self and is what connects us all. Like individual clouds are all part of the sky, and if the wind blows just right - every cloud in the world could come together and form one cloud. Our higher selves are one and we are the cells of the body.

Originally Posted by (JD)

2. Why do I believe this?

A half-century of study and experience tempered with Suzuki's delightful title, Zen mind: Beginner mind.

Originally Posted by (JD)

3. What does this belief do for me?

Gives me a foundation upon which to grow and proceed.

Originally Posted by (JD)

4. What does this belief guarantee me?

Nothing.

Interesting link. Yet most do not align with any religion just a spirituality.

[(JD)]

Well that site is better than the one that supposes to tell you what religion TO BE.... it told me I am Muslim! (No kidding...) I suspect it is part of the internet promotion for Islam.

[mugwort2]

In the LORD
because I feel its right
Inner peaceful feeling
I'd rather be safe then sorry

[Mr.Arch-Vile]

I might be to far out with this.

1. We are the dream within the womb of creation.

2. I do not recall what it was like to be a developing fetus.

3. This belief belief does for me a hope that all things end and begin at the same time.

4. That all creation is enteral.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[sabby]

Unfortunately this thread has morphed into discussing religion and will now be closed.