Some days are so tough. I spent a good part of this evening being attacked by a family member who disagrees with my religious choices. There are times when I just get tired of having to justify my choices-how do you tell people to just back off without alienating them?
I don't even talk to people about my beliefs if it varies from my own. I have mine, they have theirs, that's that. It saves on a lot of frustration and hurt.
ShortOfTime, as I read your post it took me back to when my Dad disapproved of my spiritual direction in life, we never argued though. A few weeks before he died an awesome thing happened (to complex to explain now) and he said I understand now and I’m proud of you – it was a lot of years of following my heart. I really support you in staying true to your choice. In regards of how to talk to this person perhaps enter a dialogue with their spirit and send loving energy to them when you can. I believe love, the energy of love, is our strongest healer and when things are “too sensitive” to address on the Earth plane we can work in another.
I’ve come to look at conflict (or support) as all mirrors. Tolerance, acceptance, celebration of differences - is a very visible global lesson right now and each time one of us makes progress with it or regresses it reverberates through out the whole of humanity. If we look the other way into - ourselves- I will speak for just me - I look into myself I see there are still some pockets of non acceptance of me – that voice that judges how I use my time for instance. So as I’ve been reflecting on your concern, you have brought a layer of healing to me, reminding me to be loving to my ego. It’s no accident I am responding to you. So another way to heal an external situation is to see if there is refection somewhere within and work on it from there.
Sending love, Rainy
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You are correct, there are no accidents. The Universe has brought us all here, to this place, to learn and share and grow with each other and I for one am totally Grateful.
Your words, were exactly what I needed to hear today.
They say politics and religion are the two things one should never discuss. But I think it's only fair each person has an opinion on who and what they believe. If it works for you, why should it be a problem with the rest of the world as long as you don't hurt anyone.
This thread has so much power for me. It has made me think. When I became Wiccan, my family just couldn't understand it. I have to say that they have taken the funny view of this for themselves at my expense, but it could be worse.
On Samhain/Halloween, I get all the jokes and I take it in the spirit that it was meant, but then I quietly go outside and offer a gift to those that are walking the Earth. It is the one night that the thin veil is parted and they can walk as they did before. We honor those spirits.
In the Catholic faith, it is known as All Hallow's Eve because the next day the loved ones that have gone on before them is honored on All Saints Day. Isn't it funny that many of our faiths have a common thread that runs deep. The ones that are not understanding why we have taken the path of religion that we have would understand if they would only take a minute to see that many things are the same on our paths.
So, Short of Time, don't worry. All you can do or hope for is that one day they will understand. It may not be from what you are trying to tell them but it could be in other ways. For them the lite will all of a sudden click on for them.
I am surprised that people could be so cruel, especially those close to you. I have a family member who is wiccan. While we do not share the same beliefs, I respect her and vice versa. I also enjoy talking to her about her religion. I had never know a wiccan before her, so she can teach me a lot about the beliefs.
I can see shades of my own family all over here.
My parents are orthodox believers of one faith and brought up their children accordingly. My brother went off and joined up with another group, you can imagine the combustion that takes place when oil and fire meet ?
I play deaf and dumb at these meets I find thats the only way to preserve my sanity.
I respect all religions and I do so by learning about them there is alot that we can learn from eachother if we would just stop being so proud and ignorant to other believe systems. From my Exsperience we can benefit from all religions. Everyone has something diffrent to offer. Example: Monotheistic religions(Islam, Judaic,Christian, etc.) believe in one god and they believe in the old testament. Islam recognizes Jesus as a prophet but Christianity does not recognize Muhammad. Did you know that they are brothers? The 2 sons of Abraham were Ishmael and Issac. Islam stems from Ishmael and Christian and Judaism stem from Issac. In other religions like Hinduism they believe in many gods but there is only one main god or the creator of all things called Brahma. In buddism they concentrate on lifes energy , the internal truth. God is found in the enlightment of ones thoughts. In Taoism or Daoism god is the tao, meaning the way.
Eastern thought is one that is more aware of our relation with nature and the role that our inner self has in the search for truth. While most monotheistic thought is not.
Monotheistic thougt is not based on meditating on ones thoughts to achieve awarness but it provides a path in which we are made aware of the one true thought god is.
All is life and all is beautiful all is god ,for we are all in search of the same thing truth.
One does not know anything until we are aware of what there is to know.
I can vouch for similar things happening with my extended family who are more "down to earth" than I am. I really don't think you can get much more "down" when I am considering a semi naturalist, but I guess that's they option. Keep your head up about things, with more time more patience comes about!
It’s no accident I am responding to you. So another way to heal an external situation is to see if there is refection somewhere within and work on it from there.
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