Where to find spiritual advice

Does anyone know of a source where I can get NEUTRAL spiritual advice or guidance?
Please don't recommend anyone who tries to convert people or who tries to prove atheism is right. I need a neutral person or resource that would help me find my own answers.

I have Already read and studied many religions, even taken a few uni courses about comparative religion and critical analysis of religion, as well as anthropology of religion. Intellectual study isn't helpful for my personal spirituality at all.

Naturally, I have read some sacred texts and prayed.

I need something or someone like a NEUTRAL "spiritual therapy".

It's terrible that we are not allowed to discuss anything on this forum :-((( can anyone help me and recommend something that would help me?

I'm sorry you're struggling, seeker33 I hope you'll find what you're looking for

Thank you, MickeyCheeky.

I know I'm perhaps being annoying with this topic. I keep complaining about something that seems to be clear or unimportant to everyone else. I really have no idea where to look for help or support. This is causing me real pain. My T isn't the right person to talk about this. She isn't really knowledgeable in this area and whenever we talk I either have to explain basic definitions (wasting time) or she tries to push me into atheism or new age.


I'm more oriented towards mystical Christianity but in an unorthodox way and I'm not too sure about that, either I'm not even allowed to talk about it here!


It got worse again now when Christmas is coming and I have to listen to carols and such... when my mum is going to spend it in hospital getting chemotherapy...


I'm sorry for bothering everyone with this struggle.

You're not bothering anyone, seeker33. Please keep sharing and venting here. We'll listen to what you have to say. We care about you. Sending many hugs

Seeker33, I used to have schizoaffective symptoms. I believed the devil was in me and Jesus was his brother. I was way messed up with fear and psychosis. This was 20 years ago. I prayed a lot but felt like nobody who cared was listening. Totally felt lost.

Today I'm still on lithium for my mood swings but my doctor and I have reduced my Abilify from 30mg to 5mg. I feel whole, my mind is clear and I am not scared anymore. And further, I know the truth about life. I'm back to normal, with a better view on my spirituality than ever.

And I'll tell you, I don't know what I can say and what I can't say here on the forum. But I imagine I can't say much, or else this whole message may get edited/deleted. Your name is "seeker", and that's such an honest name for what you are doing. You're seeking the truth. God will honor that, believe me. Pray to God for his revelation of who he is. He loves you, He knows you, He is drawing you near to him.

I'm living proof that God heals. God bless!!

Thank you for presenting this as a proposition of something that exists. The idea of "neutral spirituality" does exists. I believe it to be an internal understanding. Having sought guidance through spirituality in different places, I have found most teachings to be one-sided and/or bias. Although, all have inspired thought through different modes of gaining and circulating energy, they often are most interested in converting to a singular way of thinking.

-My belief is that Intellectual and Spiritual gain may happen concurrently, and also may evolve within any individual over time. There are parameters to what extent I can understand my own beliefs, but objectively, I have found my own spirituality within the teaching of others through meditation, prayer, faith, worship, and texts. With focus, concentration and a sense of inner peace, practicing spiritually has become very fulfilling

But how can I trust in spirituality? I need a kind of spiritually that is personal (ie Christian) however I don't trust God at all. At the same time while practising mindfulness is cool and feels good, it doesn't have any deeper meaning to me. It's just a psychological tool, no spiritual meaning in it for me.
I need to have a real faith or belief, but everything causes me massive stress and anxiety and OCD.

I am sorry you are questioning your spirituality>? I struggle with understanding my own too. Trusting God is not the same as understanding the existence of God, and learning to trust. As with anything, the more something is practiced, the more that is gained. Maybe try a different setting, time of day, or technique. I can't take it when watching someone try the same thing over and over again and expect different results. Not saying that is what you are doing, but am reminded of why I shake my responsibilities and regress into OCD tendencies. Thank you for the reminder. I will continue to practice mindfulness

Have you read - An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor?

I think Sam Harris has books and podcasts on this. Check them out.

Thank you for your tips. I'll mainly check Brown Taylor, because I'm not interested in atheism. However thank you for suggesting Harris anyway, I've read him in the past and it was interesting.

But I need to have some spirituality that would make me feel safe.

I'm completely alone and no one understands the struggle I have with this. There's no one I can talk to. Not even my T. There's no place on the internet either....
It's even worse around this stupid Christmas time.

I need a spirituality that would make me feel safe and secure. I find atheism depressing and I can't stand new age practices. I'm scared of it due to negative experiences. So no loving universe, crystals or auras for me. I need something that makes sense in existential crisis and isn't simplistic.

Psych Central removed my last post from this Spiritual support group forum, so they may remove this one too...

I'm also unclear as to what we are allowed to discuss in this forum. I'm getting the impression they only want us to post "rosy" things, like positive, uplifting spiritual or religious quotes. Which, of course are nice to read and can be helpful, but those warm and fuzzy sayings only get you so far.

I thought this was a place to express our experiences with spirituality/religion, and to get feedback, so we can learn from others what they have either struggled with, or perhaps found insights, comfort, and healing in.

I think being able to discuss spirituality and/or religion, and the pros and cons of each, is a very important part of managing mental health. Many of us were raised with some degree of religious doctrine, and unfortunately many times this has been used to guilt or shame people struggling with mental illness, leading them to believe the illness is all their fault. Nothing else in the human condition motivates/ forces one to question this life, this universe, our own mind and body, and our "Creator" quite like struggling with a mental illness. The majority of mental illnesses have the potential to force a person to develop a humility to the realities of how "mother nature", the biology, chemistry, and physics of life are really, ultimately the ones in control, and not our delusional human arrogance. Most people are under the delusion that they are in total and complete control of their mind and body. This is often why many people don't understand that someone with mental illness can't just "snap out of it" or just "think positive thoughts." However, once such a person encounters a life stressor that really challenges their self concept and world view, this arrogance, we all have had to one degree or another, is challenged and this can be highly unsettling and distressful for people. Some people grow, become more cognitively flexible and open minded, evolving their concepts and world views. Whereas other may become even more rigid and entrenched in narrow beliefs, out of an intense sense of fear.

Especially when a person experiences an episode of mental illness, they can be forced into the realization that the human mind really does "have a mind of it's own." Further, historically, persons afflicted with mental illness have many times been inhumanely treated in the name of religion, or spiritual idealism.
In contrast, when religion or spiritual guidance are taught from a foundation of true empathy for all life, compassion is valued as a daily practice, and utilized to nurture the evolution of human consciousness, offer unconditional love and support to all humans, especially those in suffering, then religion/spirituality can be stabilizing, help facilitate healing, broaden awareness, radical acceptance, and a healthy sense of "self" in relation to this world.

I was raised Catholic, but not in a strict sense, and I have explored different religions, Buddhism, Hinduism, and in college read and studied various religions around the world. I think, for me, what felt the most "realistic" practical and helpful in understanding this universe, life, and dealing with being human has been Buddhism.
But, of course, I want ALL the answers. And, of course as we all know this is an impossible desire to fulfill.

Overall, what I truly find most healing, when I feel most spiritual and connected to life, the universe, and God--or the "Great spirit" (or whatever you prefer to call it) is when I'm out in nature, hiking and with the trees, dirt, weeds, and if I'm lucky by a stream or river. Being in nature, for me, is the best church.

Seeker33, I'm sorry, but I'm a little unclear as to what you are wanting from religion/spirituality. You mentioned you feel you need something to make you feel safe and secure, and that you do not trust God at all.
A few things that helped me in me journey, was I once read a book called "Thick Face Black Heart." And, the author said "if you're going to be mad at anyone be mad at God." She was pointing out the irony, that is all too common, that people go to their places of worship and may feel very devoted to God, think they are being a "good Christian" (or whichever faith they are) by following the cultural norm, but they have no empathy/compassion for any living beings, including humans, that they are with day in and day out. They may be mean to their wife, husband, children, co-workers etc., but they're not mean to God. Her point was God can take it, and he/she will gladly take it, because God is unconditional love. So if you're struggling, be mad at God, tell God your pissed, hurt, etc.. But foster, practice compassion for yourself, your family, friends, the stranger on the street, the homeless person, the animals, etc.. Because, that's what matters most, compassion for all sentient beings, including yourself. God is patient and will be there whether you're pissed off at him/her, or whether your relationship changes and grows over time. Just as "Heaven and Hell are within us" so is God/the Creator, as we all are the Creator's creation.
I've gone through cycles of this with God/the Creator. Especially one this past year of going through a very severe episode of Major Depression, it had been a several years, but I once again in the midst of my illness was very angry with God. I still am at times and over certain things, because I don't see why there has to be such extreme cruelty in the world. So its an ever evolving relationship, and I'm learning to accept and be okay with that.
Okay, I better stop there, I could go on and on.....

****So, is there a forum where we can respectfully have open discussions about people's experiences with the pros and cons of the many religions and spiritual practices?
A forum where we can express our beliefs that help us cope, positive experiences, questions, as well as our frustrations and negative experiences in our journey to find support, a sense of belonging, and faith?

Thank you both. This is such a difficult topic to discuss. I don't even know where to begin. I just feel darkness and confusion in me relating the existential crisis and I feel only spirituality can fix this. Yet I can't relate to any practice I've heard of. Things either don't make rational sense or I don't feel connection to them. At the same time atheism is the most depressing thing ever and I have no interest in being an atheist.
I'm sorry everyone I'm not even able to describe the problem. It's beyond words.
Unfortunetely we're not even allowed to have any kind of serious discussion here. I'll have a look at the forum FindSolidHope sent me the link to.

I'm not sure about this, but maybe there is a group on this forum that discusses what you're looking for, seeker?

I started a group in July but it's dead. Groups don't really work here as people don't even get notifications when there's a new post and most groups are practically "invisible" and "hidden" in the system. It's a pity.