Lost

I feel lost emotionally and spiritually. I keep wondering whether to go back to church after over 25 years but I never found what I was looking for there. I’m afraid I would be disappointed all over again. I have tried meditation and prayer. I’ve read so many books and even attended A Course In Miracles group for a short time. Nothing sticks with me. Nothing.

As I mentioned in another thread, I have been on a shadow journey for years. I have always had a spiritual side but didn't trust enough. Sometimes we have to feel lost for a while so that we know how important our spiritual journey is. Things have to go wrong so that we can be humbled and learn how to trust. There is a plan for us--we look within for it and we participate in molding it. We just have to sincerely ask for guidance and look for the signs. There our signs everywhere. Once our heart is open, we will see them. You are in my prayers. You are a wonderful person. What you are going through will eventually be revealed. It is important to slow down and learn to listen. Our worries and fear block our ability to be our best self. That you want it so much means that it will come when the time is right. Hugs to your friend. You are in my prayers!

Thank you so much. Your kind and encouraging words mean a lot of me. I am humbled and brought to tears by what you said here and it’s all true. Thank you.

I don't know if it is okay to mention a specific program like Alcoholics Anonymous. But what helped me living in a small town with only part-time churches is the Celebrate Recovery program offered as an all-church or even no church place for people to share, get support and work through their hang-ups whether they are addictions, co-dependency, history of various abuses or whatever. They have a 12 step program like AA but like I said it isn't just for addicts/

That’s a good idea. I’ve been looking for a codependents anonymous group but there’s nothing close to my home and at a time I could attend. I didn’t realize any 12 step program could work though. I’ll start looking.

Dear Lily, I feel so much for you. I have exactly the same problem. I think it has to do with trauma. It's incredibly painful... But you're not alone with this. I'm sorry I can't help you because I suffer the same as you. But I'd like to hug you

So sorry lily and I too can relate.I grew up in strict religious household and was so confused with my experiences in reality and what the religion and spirituality teaches us.My mom was a involved in religion very much and was a religious and spiritual mentor to youth in our small town.I had to listen to her sitting in the front row of her class.Her preachings to small children were quite opposite to what she does behind the closed doors.I innocently asked God so many questions,wondering if he sees the hypocrisy for her.I am a believer struggling to find my calling.I can understand what you are going through.

Do you guys think it's our brains searching for the safety and protection we never got as babies and children?

I do think this. In my case at last, my parents had a lot of personal, financial, and mental health struggles when I was born and most of the time while I was growing up. They couldn't give me the care I needed, especially someone as sensitive as me. We have a great relationship now and I don't in any way blame them, but it still left an aching void inside me.

It's only very recently that I've finally come to a place of faith. I had longed for it since my childhood, but was just not ready to accept it. My soul became so hard that it had to crack apart before it was able to absorb the warmth and light of God's love. He gave me so many signs during my most painful years but I could not see them. His infinite capacity for love and forgiveness is so humbling and uplifting.

I never thought of it this way. I have wondered if religion and spirituality is our brain's way of rationalizing what we can never possibly know or understand. I am hoping there is more to it though.

Wow! Guess what! I found one of these groups just a few miles from my home! Was so surprised because I haven't had good luck finding resources like that in my area. I will contact them tomorrow. Thank you so much!

I understand what you mean about being a believer struggling to find your calling. I'm the same.

hi Lilymop, I am a fan of Joseph Campbell, a philosopher and writer who writes about life philosophy and religion. He has many famous quotes and one book in particular that was of huge help to me, "Reflections on the The Art of Living". I can relate to your sentiment and all I can share is from my own experience from having been lost many times on my own path, and in a spiritual sense as well.


What I can say is that the answers all lie within you.... if you listen to your soul closely enough, your inner voice.... it is your soul speaking to you. Things like meditation allow us the opportunity to quiet our minds, to shut out all the noisy clutter that distracts us from knowing our true selves, our divine selves.


It is within the quiet moments when our mind's clutter doesn't distract us and when we can hear the voice of our own soul. It has all the answers we seek. It is our higher self, our higher being that is a part of us, and that is guiding us within... our higher being is connected to the higher cosmos and knows all that we need to know.


I know this is getting a bit deep, but it is the Spiritual Forum, so I feel it is a great place to share this information with you..... so, my point is, look within and quiet your mind to hear your soul talk to you and tell you what you need to hear.

It is OK to feel lost, but I don't feel the answers are external. They are all internal.... we each have our internal light to guide us. So, when I have felt lost, I have turned within to hear my inner Guide and inner soul tell me what I need to know and what I need to do.


Along those lines, here's a quote for you from Joseph Campbell (sending hugs and love):

Thank you so very much for taking the time to write such heartfelt thoughts here. Words cannot convey how much I appreciate it. I know you are sincere and I trust that this practice of meditation and turning within has served you well.

I don’t quite know where to start. There is so much loud nonsense going on in my head that it is drowning everything out.

I think I’ll check out these books you have recommended. That seems like a good place to start.

Thank you. From one wandering soul to another, I wish you all the best on your own personal journey. Let’s keep in touch.

You’re most welcome! I’m not sure if you’ll enjoy that book.. the beginning is amazing but then he talks about various religions throughout the rest of the book. I got a lot out of the beginning part, where he talks about finding yourself, your true self.

I just liked that he speaks of the divine living within us. He pretty much encourages people to carve their own path, the individual path, which he calls the hero’s journey, in a spiritual sense.

Mind clutter sure can get in the way. That’s why quieting the mind and listening within helps. Your inner voice is your Guide, your guiding light. It knows what you need the most.., whether that be to return to church to feel a sense of community and spirituality or something else. I always found Being in nature brought me a feeling of closeness and oneness with the Universe, as well as a feeling of something much greater than myself that governs all. I always got the sense in nature that we are not alone.

Feel free to PM me if you like. (((((( hugs))))))

hi @LilyMop. i am sorry there is so much going on inside your head. These help me to get to a place of relative calm

@CANDC