Some questions about your spirituality

Published on October 23, 2004 By dharmagrl In Religion

I read this in Oprah's magazine and immediately thought to ask my fellow bloggers their thoughts.....

QUESTIONS OF FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY

1) Which of your beliefs are unshakable?

2) When and how has your faith been sorely tested? What beliefs and practices sustained you though those times?

3) Ultimately, faith is an individual decision. We discover for ourselves what works for us, whatwe believe in, how we relate to the divine. Write a simple prayer that expresses what is sacred to you.

4) People of strong fauth are very inspiring. Who are your spiritual mentors? Whose devotions or beliefs do you admire most? What can you learn from them and apply to your own life?

5)Author Elizabeth Oakes Smith called faith 'the subtle chain which binds us to the infinite'. What re the links in your chain? Certain boosk or teachings? A spiritual leader, teacher or advisor? Specific rituals or practices? If your chain is weak, how can you strengthen it?

Comments (Page 1)

Shovelheat

on Oct 23, 2004

Damn Darma, I gotta give this one some thought! An unshakable belief? That there is a God. Not a "Sunday school" magical being mind you but a...a drive or "higher Power" of truth or reality. Hard to explain here, your talking about a major blog!

What sustains? The belief that Life isn't fair. That I live in a Real World and am damn lucky for it. "The truth shall set you free" is a credo to live by.

My faith has been tested at the deaths of a best friend and a best friends child. Like I said in a blog. I find peace knowing they WERE here...

I've said this prayer before here. Let your light shine on me, God! Let it shine on me and give me understanding! Light, or Awareness, is everything.

A mentor? The analytical mind of Richard Dawkins (an athiest) Anthony Demello, and of course Pirsig.

Question 5? Like I said, gotta think about that...

Capi Crimini

on Oct 23, 2004

Opera...*winces in pain and disgust*...at least it's not Dr. Phill

1) none except that in which my beliefs are fluid and have the ability to change.

2) once again none of my faiths have been tested, I've been tested many times in life, but my faith never, as it always changes with the ideals of the moment, what I believe to be best, though my beliefs get tested when religious people with strict Dogma come around, then thye are always spouting idiotic unbelievables.

3) I don't believe in prayer, I believe in talking, almost a version of introspection mixed with psycoanalysis. It's very calming when mixed with deep meditation.

4)My mentors are anyone and everyone. mainly I find mentorship in listening to the wind, looking at a tree, and things of that nauture.

5)meditation and the introspection i mentioned earlier really help strengthen my chain and my connection with God.

As a side-note I am a christian, roman catholic. So i believe in jesus and God, but I have a very different faith then most. I believe in life as life, nothing more special then any other moment, I believe God not to be an entity or carnal being, but the composite of everything. Stuff like that shapes my thoughts, at face value it seems odd, but then again at face value God may seem odd.

If you would like to further discuss with me I'd be happy to. I've posted this article at Abeeda.com, I hope you don't mind. If you do, feel free to edit and change it in any way you want.

SN: dharmagrl
PW: guest

If you wish to continue talking you can find me there, have a good day. oh and remember to scoot over in your chair for your angel.

oh and Shovelheat I added your post too.

SN: Shovelheat
PW: guest

Death_By_Beebles

on Oct 23, 2004

I'll give this a go dharma....

1) Which of your beliefs are unshakable?

The most unshakable of my beliefs is that a good and loving God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross to forgive me of my sins, to remove them from me and make me clean, to save me because he loves me.

2) When and how has your faith been sorely tested? What beliefs and practices sustained you though those times?

My faith has probably been most tested when my father's mother died. I was young, and even to this day, I miss her and wish she was here. Praying and my church were my sustaining forces throughout my grieving.

3) Ultimately, faith is an individual decision. We discover for ourselves what works for us, whatwe believe in, how we relate to the divine. Write a simple prayer that expresses what is sacred to you.

Hey God,

I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for what you've done for me, for giving me a wonderful family, a wonderful life, and for giving me your son to die on the cross for me. I know that I do things that are black in your eyes, and every day I want to thank you for sending Jesus to die for me, to make my soul white as snow. Please help me to understand what I might not see right away, and help me to be more compassionate for my fellow man.

In Jesus name I pray,
Amen

4) People of strong fauth are very inspiring. Who are your spiritual mentors? Whose devotions or beliefs do you admire most? What can you learn from them and apply to your own life?

Although he isn't part of the clergy, Dr. James Dobson has written some very powerful faith messages that I admire. His faith is a beautiful example of what kind of level I want to have in my relationship with God.

5)Author Elizabeth Oakes Smith called faith 'the subtle chain which binds us to the infinite'. What re the links in your chain? Certain boosk or teachings? A spiritual leader, teacher or advisor? Specific rituals or practices? If your chain is weak, how can you strengthen it?

The links to my chain are Pauls letters (Romans, Corinthians, etc.), praying, my church family, and the music I listen to. If you have a weak chain, pray about it. Pray whenever you have a chance. God has a plan for you, and if you listen, he will tell you what he wants for you.

Peace,

Beebes

dharmagrl

on Oct 23, 2004

Shovel:

What sustains? The belief that Life isn't fair. That I live in a Real World and am damn lucky for it. "The truth shall set you free" is a credo to live by.

I think so too.

Capi:

My mentors are anyone and everyone. mainly I find mentorship in listening to the wind, looking at a tree, and things of that nauture.

I find mentors in the most unusual places as well....from the ice-cream lady to my doctor, I draw from the people I meet.

Beebles:

I have to say that I admire your faith and your convictions. You have a pretty good handle on things for one as young as you are (and I don't mean that detrimentally, I mean that sometimes you show a maturity beyond your years)

Thanks to all for responding. I know this is a hard subject, but your answers have made me think....

BlueDev

on Oct 23, 2004

1) Which of your beliefs are unshakable?

Most all of them actually. My belief in God and the nature of man as children of God. My belief in The Savior Jesus Christ and His sacrifice and resurrection. My belief in continuous revelation through prophets. My belief in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ to be a companion volume of scripture to The Bible. I wrote enough to put anyone to sleep on the subject over here: Link so I will leave it at that.

2) When and how has your faith been sorely tested? What beliefs and practices sustained you though those times?

When I was a missionary I was confronted on a daily basis by scores of people who wanted to prove to me how wrong I was. I was given "Anti-Mormon" literature (I still am). I was working my tail off daily and having people spit on me, piss on me, stick guns in my face, sick their dogs (pit bulls and rotweilers mostly) on me. I had to know I believed in what I was doing. So I studied and I prayed. My testimony of Christ, the prophet Joseph Smith and the truth of The Book of Mormon were the bases upon which I was (and still am) sustained.

3) Ultimately, faith is an individual decision. We discover for ourselves what works for us, what we believe in, how we relate to the divine. Write a simple prayer that expresses what is sacred to you.

Father in Heaven, I thank thee for thy son Jesus Christ. I thank thee for the plan of salvation, whereby we may live with thee again. I thank thee for continued revelation that leads and guides us through these perilous times. I thank thee for thy love and the love of my family. In thy son's name, Amen.

4) People of strong Faith are very inspiring. Who are your spiritual mentors? Whose devotions or beliefs do you admire most? What can you learn from them and apply to your own life?

My father and mother are great examples and spiritual mentors to me. But first and foremost I look to who I believe to be the living prophet of God on the earth: Gordon B. Hinckley.

5)Author Elizabeth Oakes Smith called faith 'the subtle chain which binds us to the infinite'. What re the links in your chain? Certain boosk or teachings? A spiritual leader, teacher or advisor? Specific rituals or practices? If your chain is weak, how can you strengthen it?

As a missionary I taught people about what I called "The chain of knowledge". It is the chain that ultimately takes my testimony back and solidifies it in my faith in Jesus Christ. First, I believe The Book of Mormon to be the word of God, second, revealed through a true prophet Joseph Smith, third, who testified and was visited by Jesus Christ, fourth, who organized and restored His church through His servant Joseph. I strengthen that chain through prayerful study of the scriptures, frequent prayer to know the truth of those teachings, and by living them as best I can.

dharmagrl

on Oct 23, 2004

Dev:

When I was a missionary I was confronted on a daily basis by scores of people who wanted to prove to me how wrong I was. I was given "Anti-Mormon" literature (I still am). I was working my tail off daily and having people spit on me, piss on me, stick guns in my face, sick their dogs (pit bulls and rotweilers mostly) on me.

Now that I was not aware of. I can believe that you're still given anti-Mormon stuff though, that doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

You know, you are one of the Christians I have met that I look up to. You have such a deep rooted conviction...your joy at your faith really shows through. It's illuminating, it really is. You seem to be so happy with what/who you are, and the love that you have for your God is obvious. It makes me happy to witness that.....it makes me feel peaceful, if that makes sense to you.

Thanks for answering...

Myrrander

on Oct 23, 2004

Puzzled over whether or not to answer these questions, being rather closer to "secular humanism" than anything else -- it's that old question "do atheists have 'spirituality'?" I've studied world religions quite extensively, so I thought I'd give these a shot.

1) Which of your beliefs are unshakable?

Only that humans have the greatest responsibility of any organism to exist on this planet. We aren't just participants in evolution, we've gained the experience and understanding to recognize at least the basics of the process -- this, to me, means that we are now required to evolve on two levels: the physical and the mental. Because we can recognize that a species must function efficiently within its environment it gives us the challenge of learning to balance our own species within the larger world. But honestly, any belief I hold can be "shaken" if given evidence to the contrary.

2) When and how has your faith been sorely tested? What beliefs and practices sustained you though those times?

First, my "faith" or "resolve" was tested when my wife had to undergo a series of surgeries for her endometriosis. Watching a loved one suffer and being powerless to stop it is very difficult. Later on, I was diagnosed with a type of spinal cancer and had to undergo a very risky spinal cord surgery, and my faith in my own abilities was tested. I've got permanent nerve damage, and it requires some modifications that I never thought I would have to make. What sustains me is the support that I get from and give to my wife -- we just do what we have to do for each other. Secondly, our families have been very supportive, and that's the practice that helped us the most -- drawing together as a family and taking care of whatever needed to be done.

3) Ultimately, faith is an individual decision. We discover for ourselves what works for us, whatwe believe in, how we relate to the divine. Write a simple prayer that expresses what is sacred to you.

Well, not a prayer, perhaps, more of a conversation with myself. "Remember that compassion is wealth. Don't just treat others as you would be treated, but treat them better than you ever hope to be. Respect life, but remember that death is sometimes a comfort. Whatever you put your hand to, do it to the best of your abilities and don't brag. Forgive easily and readily."

4) People of strong fauth are very inspiring. Who are your spiritual mentors? Whose devotions or beliefs do you admire most? What can you learn from them and apply to your own life?

Spiritual mentors...hmmm. Lao Tsu is probably the greatest "spiritual" mentor I know. "Spirit" to me is just another way of understanding the mind and psyche, and feel like the Tao Te Ching has probably helped me understand my own mind and motivations the most. "It is the walls of a house that give it form, but it is the empty space within that we use. Clay gives a bowl shape, but it is the empty space inside that we fill." The mind is the same way. It provides us a structure, a vessel, and it is up to each of us to fill it with things to use.

5)Author Elizabeth Oakes Smith called faith 'the subtle chain which binds us to the infinite'. What re the links in your chain? Certain boosk or teachings? A spiritual leader, teacher or advisor? Specific rituals or practices? If your chain is weak, how can you strengthen it?

I don't believe that anything in nature is truly infinite. We can conceive of infinite systems (numbers for example), but in practice, nothing goes on forever. My best, greatest advisor is my wife, who balances the heat of my emotions with calm, cool common sense. I also look to nature, the way a seed germinates and grows to understand that ideas can be like seeds, they require nourishment to grow.

Cheers, great post.

Texas Wahine

on Oct 23, 2004

1) Which of your beliefs are unshakable?

None exactly. I know that's sad, but while I believe in God and I believe that Jesus is the son of God who died for my sins to give me the opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven, I would be lying if I said that I am 100% certain that God exists. My family does. My brother is a missionary. I just don't have that kind of faith. I believe because I feel the need to believe.

2) When and how has your faith been sorely tested? What beliefs and practices sustained you though those times?

I went through some very difficult times in my youth that I won't share, and I don't know if my faith sustained me then, but I made it through somehow. Being separated from my husband and knowing that he is in danger is very, very painful. I am a strange person, and I don't connect with other people very easily. My husband and I have our own little world, and we are so connected that it feels as if a part of me is dead when he is gone. I don't know that faith makes me feel better about this, but I choose to believe that if I pray and believe, that God will protect him and keep him safe. I have to think that. I have to.

3) Ultimately, faith is an individual decision. We discover for ourselves what works for us, whatwe believe in, how we relate to the divine. Write a simple prayer that expresses what is sacred to you.

Dear God,
Thank you for my family. Thank you for my precious boys. Thank you for our health and well-being. Please watch over my husband and keep him safe. Please bless him and ease his pain. Please forgive me for my many, many sins, and help me to make good choices and be the person I should be. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

4) People of strong fauth are very inspiring. Who are your spiritual mentors? Whose devotions or beliefs do you admire most? What can you learn from them and apply to your own life?

I very much admire my brother. He is the real deal. He has complete faith, and his actions fit his beliefs. Not only that, but he is extremely knowledgeable in the scriptures (he has a couple of degrees from Oklahoma Christian University in ministry) and very open and willing to learn and grow. I'd like to learn to be excited about God the way he is.

5)Author Elizabeth Oakes Smith called faith 'the subtle chain which binds us to the infinite'. What re the links in your chain? Certain boosk or teachings? A spiritual leader, teacher or advisor? Specific rituals or practices? If your chain is weak, how can you strengthen it?

The Bible would be what I should (though don't always) always look to for guidance. People are fallible, so I don't know that I would look to another person for anything more than help in knowing where to look in the Bible or understanding scripture that is difficult for me to make sense of. The church I go to only meets on Sunday mornings, and I like that very much. I won't attend more than that (the Bible doesn't require more than that, either), and so I don't feel guilty since they're not having a bunch of meetings that I'm not going to. If I'm being honest, I go to church to meet a social need as much as to meet a spiritual one, but it can't hurt that I'm there, even if it's for the wrong reasons.

Sorry for the sucky answers, dharma.

Texas Wahine

on Oct 25, 2004

I think I killed your thread, dharma. I'm good at that.

dharmagrl

on Oct 25, 2004

Myrr and tex, thanks for responding....I'll catch up tomorrow and leave my own answers. My back hurts tonight so I'm going to go lay down!

SiRMetMan

on Oct 26, 2004

1) Which of your beliefs are unshakable?

The only truth is that there are no absolute truths. This itself is not an absolute truth.

2) When and how has your faith been sorely tested? What beliefs and practices sustained you though those times?

My concepts of reality are flexible enough to change when given enough evidence to, but my views are also strong enough to stand the test of the dogmatic attacks usually made upon them. The one thing that gets me through is that most people who are sure they are RIGHT turn out to be WRONG in the end, and it is usually those who have thoughts and opinions that are closer to the truth.

3) Ultimately, faith is an individual decision. We discover for ourselves what works for us, whatwe believe in, how we relate to the divine. Write a simple prayer that expresses what is sacred to you.

I don't pray. I view prayer as a crutch, like faith, to relieve people of the need to be responsible for thier actions and circumstances. I may have hopes for the world and myself, but unless I see a viable way of acting to achive the goals of those hopes, I try to focus my efforts on achieving those things which are within my power instead of asking for some divine intervention.

4) People of strong fauth are very inspiring. Who are your spiritual mentors? Whose devotions or beliefs do you admire most? What can you learn from them and apply to your own life?

I disagree with the premise of the question. I in fact find many people of strong faith to be disgusting, depressing, or both. As for mentors, I try to take things of value from the opinions of everyone I come in contact with, so to some degree, everyone is my mentor. If I must name names though, I suppose I could say Stephen Hawking because I admire his insatiable need to learn.

5)Author Elizabeth Oakes Smith called faith 'the subtle chain which binds us to the infinite'. What re the links in your chain? Certain boosk or teachings? A spiritual leader, teacher or advisor? Specific rituals or practices? If your chain is weak, how can you strengthen it?

Well, faith binds us to something, but I wouldn't say it's the infinite. If there is one thing that keeps me strong in the face of dogma, it is to remember to question everything always.

stevendedalus

on Oct 27, 2004

I believe because I feel the need to believe.

Honesty that few would go along with. George Santayana, philospher, was a Catholic because he felt it possessed more poetry, he was, however an atheist, and a materialist who allowed a spiritual realm in his cosmology; he spent his last years writing while in the care of a convent.

island_gurl12

on Oct 27, 2004

1) My unshakable believe is God loves me.

2)When my Dad was so sick in one of our remotes islands it really tested my faith. The doctors were mortified because they didnt know what exactly was wrong with him, all they knew was if he wanted to live he had to get out of there and go to a place with the right medical eqipment. At that time we were out of money and my Dad never took a medical insurance.
I spent entire nights crying and praying to God to help my Dad and suddenly doors started to open. My Dad has now fully recovered from his heart and kidney surgeries. And when you look at him today you would never guess he nearly died.

3)"Here is my heart, it's been broken, it's been wounded but i'll give it all to you because you love me, Here is my life, if you want it, you can have it i will give it all to you because you love me, and love is everything i need." (Out of Eden)

4)I think the only person i can really look up to is Paul from the Bible. He gave up his whole life to serve God. I know it would be too much to ask from me but i wish i could be like that.

5) Chain that binds us to infinite? Jesus said he is the way the truth and the life and that whoever wants to go to God has to go through him. So he definetely is the one and only link in my chain......

lifehappens

on Oct 27, 2004

I wanted to think about my ansers before I wrote answered your query.....I know what i believe, but sometimes I have a hard time putting my innner thoughts into normal human speech...so please forgive me if I soudn like a deluded 2 year old..

1) Which of your beliefs are unshakable?
God. We are all His children. He loves us individually. The attonment of Jesus Christ. Continuing modern revelations and answers to prayers. Prophets of God on earth today. The power of God in our lives....

2) When and how has your faith been sorely tested? What beliefs and practices sustained you though those times?

When my father told me I was going to hell because of my beliefs....I had to find a way to put my belief into words. So I studied and I prayed...a lot. When the moment came when he challenged me and my faith in God, I was sustained by the faith and knowlege I had developed and by the Spirit of God. It's hard to explain, but that was a defining moment.

3) Ultimately, faith is an individual decision. We discover for ourselves what works for us, what we believe in, how we relate to the divine. Write a simple prayer that expresses what is sacred to you.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for all that I have been blessed with....for the redemption through Jesus Christ, for answers to prayers, for comfort through the Holy Spirit, for revelations and guidance, for my family and the blessings they bring to me, for the promise of eternal blessings and love...Please grant me the strength to do as you ask...Thy will be done. In the name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

4) People of strong Faith are very inspiring. Who are your spiritual mentors? Whose devotions or beliefs do you admire most? What can you learn from them and apply to your own life?

While I look to the Prophet, Gordon B Hinkley, I am also inspired by others. The Prophet's wife exmplified many things that I admire....she was a mother who taught her children her love would never end. She exuded gratitude to the Lord for all he did....I hope I can remember to focus my life as she did..... I also learn from those close to me. By the example that some close friends set. My friend Ginger showed me that there was more to spirituality than solomn devotion....God rejoices in our Joy.

5)Author Elizabeth Oakes Smith called faith 'the subtle chain which binds us to the infinite'. What re the links in your chain? Certain boosk or teachings? A spiritual leader, teacher or advisor? Specific rituals or practices? If your chain is weak, how can you strengthen it?

My chain to God is The Bible. The Book of Mormon. Teachings of prophets, historical and modern. Intent frequent prayer and study strengthen the bond with God. Living His principles to the best of your ability brings you closer. Remembering that we are failible and that is why we have the Atonement ..... Remembering that God does not expect perfections in a day...he wants the desire and the effort.....

"Goals are stars to steer by....not sticks to beat ourselves with"

EmperorofIceCream

on Oct 28, 2004

1) Which of your beliefs are unshakable?

The one which says that my faith is mutable, fluid, flexible, defined only by the understanding that nothing of God can be known. I'd rather have a certain uncertainty than an uncertain certainty.

2) When and how has your faith been sorely tested? What beliefs and practices sustained you though those times?

I've had periods that I refer to as my 'egypt times', in memory of the travail of the Hebrews in Egypt. One such time, that I've written of elsewhere as a desolate place between not quite believing, not quite denying, lasted years. What sustained me was neither faith nor hope, but will. The determination to find something that satisfied - even if it didn't answer the perennial, unanswerable, questions that plague most people of faith.

Such satisfaction came late in life (relatively) - but it did come.

) Ultimately, faith is an individual decision. We discover for ourselves what works for us, what we believe in, how we relate to the divine. Write a simple prayer that expresses what is sacred to you.

I don't pray - if by prayer is meant the craven whining for favors (whether for oneself or others) that I hear in church. But I often invoke. This is an invocation I often make.

Arise, Motherfucker, since you are my God,
my God forever.

Vindicate me according to your word concerning yourself
destroy those who oppose me
stop every mouth that speaks against me
cast down my enemies by the invincible strength of your right arm.

According to your spoken word
arise and come to my aid
set my feet upon your rock
set me to see the blood of my enemies
run in streams around me
for I am your servant and your true believer.

In faith I call upon your secret Name for my
justification, my vindication, my redemption.

Arise, Motherfucker, you who are
my God, my God forever.

Vindicate me according to the word you have spoken
that even my enemies may testify to
your righteousness.

4) People of strong fauth are very inspiring. Who are your spiritual mentors? Whose devotions or beliefs do you admire most? What can you learn from them and apply to your own life?

Dante - the first author in any genre who said something real to me about God. What I learned from him was this - you don't get to go to hell because you're sent. You get to go because you want to. The same principle applies to heaven, but I never had much interest in heaven, even when I believed in it.

As to others, there's Gilles de Retz, Erzebet Bathory, the Marquis de Sade, who taught me about the sanctity of flesh. Not, please note, the 'sanctity of life' - we're all born between shit and piss and most of us live and die there. But flesh is a sacrament in itself.

5)Author Elizabeth Oakes Smith called faith 'the subtle chain which binds us to the infinite'. What re the links in your chain? Certain boosk or teachings? A spiritual leader, teacher or advisor? Specific rituals or practices? If your chain is weak, how can you strengthen it?

There's nothing subtle about the 'chain which binds us to the infinite'. It's called mortality, and for the majority its links are made of suffering, not joy. Why else would I refer to my God as a motherfucker? I've long been of the opinion that his (or hers or its) favourite hobby is genocide. What strengthens the chain, for me? The beauty of the world, and the ugliness of most of its inhabitants.

Not one or the other, but both, together and in the same instant.

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