I must admit I feel a little intimidated to post in this forum.

Simply because, I am not Christian. But there are matters which I would love to discuss, more on a spiritual side... I just am afraid of backlash for posting anything like that.

I am loosly wiccan and have been for a very very long time. It is where my heart is.. When I am in the woods alone... I feel the prescence of a higher power. I feel positive energy, life source even.

Perhaps this is just my insecurities for being ridiculed and called rude names, and had rude comments made by people who simply didnt understand the truth about what I practise.

So, I would like your thoughts on this.

I wish you weren't feeling intimidated. I am a Christian, and if you're feeling intimidated that means I may have had a part in that.

I think everyone knows this forum is for all who wish to give and receive support regarding the spiritual aspects of their lives, that includes you. (The problem occurs when discussion of cross beliefs prevails when not requested.)

There is a higher power, just because it means something different to me than it does you, does not negate the existance!

existence?

Please share how you fortify yourself with this belief.

Sky thanks for your insight. I think it is a case of my self esteem being poor, therefore feeling insecure.

I need clarification as to your last question. Do you mean how I fortify myself with my beilefs?

Well I stand by the fact that the higher power created everything we see, and has created so much beauty. I would even go so far as to say that being in something wild like a forest or feild has a very grounding affect. I look at everyday things as miracles, for example, the way the trees turn such pretty colours up here in fall, is that nothing short of a miracle in itself? It is a miracle that we were blessed with our environment and there are so many facinating things in nature that just make me feel....


home? Is the best word I can think of. I practise meditation in the woods often and can honestly say it is one of the few times where I feel safe, protected, and closer to the higher power.

Yes, I feel that way too in the forest. Woods and forests are a bit different for me... how I feel there.

It is a miracle how the trees change their dressings in the autumn. I sense the power of the creator then.

I believe all things have a spirit. It's something from my Cherokee being I'm sure, but it isn't contrary to my Christian beliefs either. I believe man is a greater spirit, capable of doing more with that Spirit within (whereas a flower can't get up and say it's going to visit a neighbor )

In fortifying yourself, do you have to be in nature, specifically, or can you draw from nature through your remembrances of being there? Maybe it gives you energy to move through a task, or motivation to return soon.

Sky this is something I havent worked out yet. Nothing touches me in the same way as when im alone, in nature. I do try to remember times and regain the feeling I feel, but most times my anxiety gets in the way so bad and then I dissociate.

Thats a VERY interesting idea though. Maybe I could take some pictures to remind me, or even a short video of outdoor places I love?

Absolutely! Perhaps a small twig or stone from the area? I use a marble, but you could use something from a favorite place to help you dissociate to that place for a few moments...or to help you ground yourself at difficult times. (At least if you go to that place in your mind, you can always tell someone that Oh, forgive me, I just had a thought about a great place I'd been...

Hi Rainbowzz - I think all spiritual people have a common base deep down. We use different names, but I think we are feeling the same thing. I like this part of your post.
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Rainbowzz said:
Well I stand by the fact that the higher power created everything we see, and has created so much beauty. I would even go so far as to say that being in something wild like a forest or feild has a very grounding affect. I look at everyday things as miracles, for example, the way the trees turn such pretty colours up here in fall, is that nothing short of a miracle in itself? It is a miracle that we were blessed with our environment and there are so many facinating things in nature that just make me feel....

home? Is the best word I can think of. I practise meditation in the woods often and can honestly say it is one of the few times where I feel safe, protected, and closer to the higher power.

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That is very powerful and lovely and I can see it gives you strength. I, like Sky, am Christian. My faith agrees with what you have written and builds on it. I relate to what you have said about the abundant miracles around us. I believe all things testify to me of God - especially in the natural world. Thank you for sharing with me because it only enriches my faith for me and I hope it does so without diminishing yours. We have a lot to share.

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_Sky said:
Absolutely! Perhaps a small twig or stone from the area? I use a marble, but you could use something from a favorite place to help you dissociate to that place for a few moments...or to help you ground yourself at difficult times. (At least if you go to that place in your mind, you can always tell someone that Oh, forgive me, I just had a thought about a great place I'd been...

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Great idea sky! I am going actually go out and gather different things from those areas and put it in a leather pouch around my neck. That way part of it never leaves me.

Winter,

What kind words and such tolerance. I thank you for that, actually thank everyone in this thread for being tolerant.

Yes sharing is wonderful. I love to learn about other religeons. I firmly beileve that every religeon has its truths, and its fallacies. The important thing is we are all really on the same page.. just different names for things but the same basic beileifs

I have to say, that is why I normally avoid this forum -- I feel the same way, like my thoughts are not welcome here because they are not fundamentalist Christianity.

Sadly, it is not just Rainbow and I. I have heard from others who would love to post here but are afraid of the backlash. I embrace everyone's right to his or her own faith, but I don't see too much of that understanding here most of the time.

Just something to think about.

Candy

Hi Rainbowzz,

I can relate to that feeling of uncertainty. I personally don’t practice a specific religion. I’ve always walked on a path where I feel no one religion is better than the other. I too find most of my strength through the Earth and have found that a lot of religions in some way or another do too. I use to not know how to answer the question of what religion I am. But now I simply answer that I’m just a very spiritual person. And I think that’s what this forum is offering... a place for all people of spirituality. At least I hope it is. I admire your strength in bringing this issue up.

~ Bee

P.S. Sky’s idea of bringing a piece of nature home was great advice. I say this from experience. My meditation room has green plants and calming statues. The thing that brings me the most peace though are a few river rocks that take me to that spot I love and feel safe in.

If there are those who fear my responses, please PM me with a nice PM and you'll see I'm not an ogre but I surely hope it hasn't been me. I do speak firmly about my faith, and moreso when it is attacked. That doesn't mean I don't allow others to have their faith. If you really knew me, you'd know that But I, too, have been rather appalled at what some who present as Christian have said or the way they've said it. Perhaps, and we can't know this...any of us... perhaps some who pop in with discourse are not really Christian, but saying that to give us a bad name? Please realize that true Christians really do love.

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Rainbowzz,

Love to hear this stuff! Don't be afraid. There has been some tension lately but I think we cleared the air. I share in many of your beliefs and feel that there is an energy source that is a power greater than me. I too, can connect with this source much better when I am one with nature.

Tranquility

Rainbowzz,

What a lovely, insightful post and following thread!

I am EXACTLY like you. T even took me to a small strip of woods in therapy to do some work there. Nature means so much to me. See, I used to "escape" into nature. It was not only my solace but it was my safety.

With all the stress in my life right now, I've been wanting to go back to Red River Gorge...me and nature. I'll get there.

The closest I've ever felt to what I consider Heaven was when we stayed in a little bed and breakfast snuggled in the Smokies. To hike, or sometimes just sit in my back yard in the grass brings me a peace, but to be absorbed by nature brings Heaven to me. Does that make sense?

Thank you for this post.

KD

To all of you - Thank you for your words.

Candy, hopefully this post will allow for a greater level of common sharing!

beelieving,

I think you hit it right on the money when you say you are just a very spiritual person. That is very much how I feel.

Your meditation room sounds just lovely!

sky,

in no way was I directing anything to you dearheart. You have shown me tolerance and for that I am thankful.

You have given me faith that It is ok to post here in a sharing manner which is exactly what I was looking for.

KD,

Makes perfect sense to me. I think the closer we are to each of life's little miracles brings us closer to our faith and our spirituality. In nature we see it right in front of our eyes!

That bed and breakfast does sound like heaven!

Hey Winter,
You are not the only Wiccan here. We all have our belives and if we can just learn to be there for eachother when we need help then why should it matter what path we follow. I want to give help and lend a ear and a word of love to all and any who need it.
Blessings to all

i would hope that all would be comfortable posting in this forum. we are not all of the same religion or denomination but that doesn't make us any less spiritual beings. when we really look at things our beliefs are very similar. If you are christian, wiccan, native american.....we all have the same central belief that we were put here to protect all that has been created and to love one another. we are all allowed our beliefs and none should be shunned away.

recluse1

I think the key to this forum should be "sanctuary for SPIRITUAL support".....nowhere does that say Christian support.......that makes this forum open to all in my opinion.

To me, spirit is what is inside of us.......I believe that everyone is made up of physical & spiritual (everything that isn't physical).....& we all have feelings & thoughts & needs with these. I think this forum is set up so we can talk about the spiritual feelings, thoughts, & needs......which makes it available to all.

I think that in an ideal setting, we should be able to post in threads that might not be our exact beliefs.....but that would be only if we don't ATTACK the person who is posting. I think that differing beliefs can combine without attacking....asking questions or providing other ways of thinking......as long as they aren't posted in an ATTACKING presentation.

I spent years working with people of all different spiritual beliefs & even life styles. We were always able to be open with our discussions & never attacked each other. I loved it because it enabled me to understand many other thoughts that I never would have been able to know if I had isolated myself with only those who thought & believed the way I do.

Tolerance doesn't mean that we are going to change our beliefs.....but it does mean that we can respect that others have their beliefs without ATTACKING them....just as we expect to be respected & allowed to have our beliefs without being ATTACKED.

When we believe something passionately, it is sometimes difficult to word our discussions without it sounding like an ATTACK or even having it sound like we are trying to FORCE others to believe the way we do.....even though we may not mean it that way. When we believe something completely, it is impossible to force generic wording. It is like a Lutheran pastor who was asked to give the benediction for a medical school graduation. He was told everything he couldn't say & the words that weren't politically correct.....it came down to the fact that he couldn't say anything that the Luthern beliefs were all about or even pray a Christian/Lutheran prayer.

The problem with that is that he couldn't say what he spiritually believed himself......that in it's own way is taking away the freedom of speech to be able to say the things we truely believe. I think however that when we have to publicly speak a religious presentation that isn't specifically for our specific religious group.....we shouldn't force our beliefs on others. I do however believe that when we are publicly asked about our beliefs, then we should be able to speak out with what we truely believe....not in generalities.....without fear of being attacked....& that goes for all beliefs.....not just Christian beliefs.....that is where I believe true tolerance comes in.

I hope that everyone can feel the freedom to post their spiritual thoughts & needs & that we all can learn how to post out thoughts, support, & true beliefs without attacking others or sounding like we are cramming out beliefs down their throats (no matter what the beliefs) while doing that.

This forum should be here for all because we all have a spiritual part & need support.

Debbie

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recluse1 said:
i would hope that all would be comfortable posting in this forum.
we are not all of the same religion or denomination but that doesn't make us any less spiritual beings.

when we really look at things our beliefs are very similar.

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I agree with Recluse Im not here to judge nor be judged cos of my beliefs . It is my belief that Christianity is not the absolute. we all believe in a higher presence possibly by other names ....

but i also know what i was taught and i shall not be prejudice against no one cos Jesus excepted everyone regardless of color , creed or beliefs


T

No one should feel intimidated to post here! I am both Christian and Buddhist and I am sorry that some of my Christian brothers and sisters may have been rude to you in the past. Just like in all faiths, we have those who don't think before they speak. My God is Love, Peace, and Good. I respect you all and accept you all no matter what your faiths!