He who is our Grandfather and Father has established a relationship with my people the Sioux. It is our duty to make a rite which should extend this relationship to the different people of different nations. May that which we do here be an example to others!

Through these rites a three-fold peace is established: The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of men when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan Tanka, and that this center is really everywhere. It is within each of us. This is the real Peace, and the others are but reflections of this.

The second peace is that which is made between two individuals. And the third is that which is made between two nations.

But above all, you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is first known that true peace which is within the souls of men.

— Hehaka Sapa (Black Elk), Oglala Lakota Holy Man,
speaking on the Hunkapi (Making of Relatives Ritual).

I really wish I had the authority to delete irrelevant posts in a thread that I created. To everyone:

Lets discuss what those who follow "less popular" spiritual paths follow.

I really like some of those Totltec ideas and I think they help with anxiety. Does anyone have anything else to add? How about some good Buddhist teachings etc... Please add something that is helpful and insightful, not something that is targeted at attacking a different belief; such as Christianity.

Nelly,

I don't hijack Christian threads so do not try to make "deals" with me.

quote:

Originally posted by luv cats:
Barbg is right in saying that according to the bible and Lutherans, that only "born again" Christians can go to heaven. And I accepted Christ in my life, many, many, many times. Why so many times you ask? Because I always felt like it "should be" more. That I was unhappy because I didn't do it right the first time. Was it anxiety and depression that has made me feel sad? Or is it the rules and the fear of God and sin that added to my anxiety? I am challenging the beliefs I was raised with and I'm struggling with the concepts that are inconsist. There is a truth for ME somewhere and I will find it. Will it include Jesus? Probably. Will it be a limited belief that only if you are born again you will be saved? Probably not.

I could have said this myself. I came into this thread with the intention of not mentioning the C word, but then I thought about it, and my "less popular" spiritual path is the spiritual path of someone who started out as a Christian, was deeply unhappy for a long time, and is now wandering and searching with somewhat Christian ideals but an open mind to just about anything. That's a path that is related to Christianity but is much less popular than Christianity itself.

As for the OTHER spiritualities I am interested in, to bring things back around to the original discussion, I feel highly drawn to Taoism and Quakers. Taoism really is a philosophy, not so much a religion.

Taoism morality focuses on the "Three Jewels of the Tao"- love, moderation, and humility. Taoist pillars of thought, rather than morality, are what I think make it truly unique. Taoist thought focuses on non-action, humanism, spontaneity, and emptiness. Not having opinions, therefore enlightened, at peace.

Taoism has more than one text, but the most influential is the Tao Te Ching. I'll quote a bit of it and let it speak for itself.

When people see things as beautiful,
ugliness is created.
When people see things as good,
evil is created.

Being and non-being produce each other.
Difficult and easy complement each other.
Long and short define each other.
High and low oppose each other.
Fore and aft follow each other.

Therefore the Master
can act without doing anything
and teach without saying a word.
Things come her way and she does not stop them;
things leave and she lets them go.
She has without possessing,
and acts without any expectations.
When her work is done, she take no credit.
That is why it will last forever.

Oops, posted before I was done!

Quakers are considered a Christian denomination, however the Religious Society of Friends (what the Quaker religion is called) is very, very different than the Christianity most of us know. Quakers believe in a Christian God, and believe that a personal relationship with God is available to each and every one of us without the help of clergy.

Some RSOF churchs hold what are known as unprogrammed meetings- that is their church service. What it means is that the congregation sits and meditates in silence, communicating with God internally, and when one feels that God is calling them to, they share something with the group. Everyone is the preacher, but no one is "preaching", just sharing. I feel this is a more genuine form of communion and worship, and a better way to learn than being yelled at by someone saying the same thing over and over in different words.

The emphasis in the RSOF is on you as an individual. Quakers usually feel very called to their own personal beliefs, like God is telling them specifically how to live their life, and they feel obliged to live it this way. I love this because it's not saying "if you are this religion you will live this way or you will go to hell!". I think that's the problem with mainstream Christianity, and why so many people are unhappy with it. Quakers respect individuality, and acknowledge what I believe to be the truth (to me)- that there is a God and that God has a unique path for every one of us.

Quaker views on the Bible, homosexuality, and everything else vary widely. As a Quaker, you are simply required to look inside yourself and ask God to lead you where to beleive. I LOVE that. When I think about the RSOF, I feel joy inside.

Another spiritual path I have been seeing more and more is a basic humanistic view (being the best person you can be while you're alive), but with emphasis on the "universe". It isn't a religion, or really a clearly defined path, just something I hear a lot of people say, a common way of thinking. People who believe in karma, and believe that everything happens for a reason and their life is being guided, but not by an entity. A poem that I feel pretty accurately captures this faith in the universe is Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. You can read the entire poem here: www.desiderata.com

The part of it that is relevant here is this part:

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.

Of course you do Beatanxiety!!
Its something you do, just as christians hijack threads like this! lol Nelly

I agree. It is hijacked constantly by various people. You can't shut the christians up so why even try? People say everyone should have religious tolerance for all religions, but this proves they want it for every religion except Christianity. Sounds hypocritical to me. Just my opinion.

I think the fact that we are all interested in and reading this thread is a really good sign of tolerance and even interest in other beliefs. This thread was going very well, everyone seemed to be pretty respectful of everyone else, so let's try to keep it going that way.

Beat did start this thread to look at non-Christian beliefs, if I am interpreting it correctly, so that should be respected. He clearly labelled the thread and outlined his intentions in the first post, so it seems like posting Christian beliefs in this particular thread is just picking a fight.

I personally am fascinated by these other beliefs and would like to learn more, so I'm hoping that the last few posts will not make people stop providing information here. Mo is right, we are from all walks of life and this is really cool stuff.

Tara

Just for the record, I am not trying to sabatoge this thread. I am truly interested in non-Christian beliefs because I find more comfort in them. Somehow though I have to find the answers to my questions to bridge the beliefs I was raised with and the beliefs of what I'm learning about. This thread will help me see other spiritual paths and maybe even help me find the answers to my own questions.

Here is my take ...

If you follow a religion or beleif and hold it near and dear, it is HIGHLY unlikely anyone will change your mind. But at the same time, PLEASE hear the others out as THEY also hold what they beleive in near and dear to their hearts, and THAT is THEIR beleifs.

There are also others out there that NEED something, and those may learn and find something here that will fulfill them, REGARDLESS of what that may be.

Tolerance is key. Allow others to speak. What another person beleives does not have to be YOUR truth. You know what your truth is in your heart and THAT works for you. Respect the others persons ideas and beleifs as you also have ideas and beleifs you would not want ridiculed or be talked about negatively. You do not need to subscribe to another persons belief system. I do not think anyone is looking to convert anyone, and if you are not looking to be converted into another beleif, then you have nothing to fear. If you are looking for something, I hope that the people that are willing to share can help you find the peace and comfort you seek.

This is a great thread as it offers insight on various religion, beleifs, spirituality, etc, etc for those interested or curious about others beleifs. There also may be common ideas and such that intertwine beleifs too. We ALL may learn something, reading, listening or learning does not require anyone to change their life.

I'm refering to Non-Religious, Athiest, Agnostic, New Age, Taoist, Buddist, Wiccan, Other Eastern paths, and many other "less-popular" types.

These are all religions. Why not let Christions state there ideas also? Everyone has a oppionion, by shutting them up doesn't work does it. That is not fair. You can't shut a believer up. Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

I am willing and I do study any thing that will bring out the best in me and help me be a better person, thats cool, I am learning a lot from other stuff,but it all agrees with the fruits of the spirit, love, joy peace,long suffering, gentelness and kindness and such like which there is no law agenst, but I believe that the only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ because He is the only one who can and did pay the price for all of humanity. So what if you don't agree with that. That doesn't affect me. You just can't shut up a Jesus freek, thats all

Glen

I actually agree with buttrfly, schnausermom and Luvg. This isnt a christian thread.
I have nothing to say about this thread, and nothing to offer.. Just wanted to make a point, that christian threads get hijacked all the time. Maybe not on purpose, but its done..
Please enjoy your thread Beatanxiety Nelly

BEATANXIETY07

quote:

I really wish I had the authority to delete irrelevant posts in a thread that I created. To everyone:

Lets discuss what those who follow "less popular" spiritual paths follow.

I really like some of those Totltec ideas and I think they help with anxiety. Does anyone have anything else to add? How about some good Buddhist teachings etc... Please add something that is helpful and insightful, not something that is targeted at attacking a different belief; such as Christianity.

Beat, sounds as if you are targeting me and Craw. As you have stated sooooooooo many times here....people should be intitled to an opinion. My opinion was if this was a non-christian thread and one were to post their views (christian), it would turn into a debate opposed to a discussion. I have been on this site long enough to know how these roll. So with that said, I will like to add that I have made lots of friends here (christian) that I like and respect. I would like to keep it that way. So, I will not contribute any further, as I see the direction it's going. I have come to value my friendships more then these discussions.

A little FYI for you in closing. When you start a thread, it does not make it "YOURS". You are not in control. You seem to think it's all about you. I have watched you go tit for tat with butterfly and Nelly for wks now in the wicca thread. You seem to know it all. I will add that I like your message (in the wicca thread), but doesn't mean I have to like the messenger. So go now and disect my post.

PS and BTW...you should make that deal with Nelly and stay off christians threads that do not pertain to YOU!!

Regardless of our beliefs...GOD IS GOOD!!


Christine

I'm not sure the point here is to "shut anyone up". This whole forum is dedicated to Sprituality, and within it are numerous threads on numerous topics, a lot of them Christian. Why not post on those threads, rather than purposely pick a thread that specifies it is about "non-Christian" beliefs?

It just seems like nothing will come of throwing out beliefs that are not what the thread is about, other than arguments. And I feel that I am a Christian, but this thread is not about that, and I'm reading it to learn about other beliefs and how they help people deal with anxiety. When I want to read and post about Christianity I look for a thread in here that encompasses that. Luv, Craw, Nelly, and others here have also made these points, and in particular I like Luv's point about valuing friends more than debates

Just my 2 cents. I am really interested in these different beliefs/customs/faiths/religions...

This is one reason I've never talked about my beliefs on either chat or this forum and from here out won't. I'll build a website then give the one's who want to know more the link and the ones who aren't interested don't have to visit it.

As far as this statement from above:

"You can't shut a believer up"

You are correct, people like you scream it from the streetcorners to the mountaintops but I don't have to listen/read do I? I just jump over your posts as if they weren't even here. Simple isn't it.

Nah I'll make it simple on my part because there is more in this world than sitting here arguing who is right, who's gonna go to heaven, who is going to hell and all that.

I'm here to whip anxiety not decide what religion/belief or non-belief each of you must have. Mine is mine and belongs to no one else.

One question...can anyone here verify there "is" a heaven or hell? Have you been there and seen it? I'm just curious. I've seen the spirits of my forefathers, have you?

Good luck John with this thread. When I get my site done I'll PM the link to you but that may be a few weeks out.

"Edited cause the machine-gun poster made a huge grammar error".

I forgot to add this, I believe in reincarnation fully and totally but that is my belief..maybe not yours. I've been here before and I'll be here again just my name won't be David nor will my body be the same.

quote:

One question...can anyone here verify there "is" a heaven or hell? Have you been there and seen it? I'm just curious. I've seen the spirits of my forefathers, have you?

Actually, many have described heaven or hell in their near death experiences. I am sure you have probably read or heard of these. I have never seen my brain but I am sure it is their. How about you? I am also just curious. What did the spirits of your forefathers look like? I really am curious.

Take care,
Tina