4 ms·

Where would you start?

by adv0r 6y ago

mholt 6y ago
Do you pray? If not, start there. It might take you out of your comfort zone a bit to approach a deity you do not know (or know well). As others have suggested, now's a good time to offer up your means to improve the world, and to be a blessing in others' lives. A living God can help you do that, and He'll help you to find Him. If you want some more guidance in spiritual development, missionaries can help. Edit: So, I'm a Christian; and while you should explore what feels right to you because you know you best, here's a site where you can start. This page describes some basic principles of becoming one's best self through spiritual progression, as well as having contacts to missionaries: https://www.comeuntochrist.org/become https://www.comeuntochrist.org/become
- albertk92 6y ago
  Getting involved with a church or religion could be a positive thing for you, but I would recommend not joining the one linked to in the parent comment. I grew up in that church, and it demands unreasonable amounts of time, money, and group loyalty. Its missionaries are unlikely to outline all of the church's expectations of its members up front. It's hard to be a half-way member, so you end up being either in or out. I've chosen out. It can seem like a great community to join when you're in an emotionally vulnerable spot, but if you explained the whole package deal to someone who is in a good place emotionally, it wouldn't look very appealing. If you end up looking for a religious or spiritual group, keep an eye out to make sure you don't join one that will take advantage of you. Being part of a community of people who can rely on each other is a great thing, but some groups go too far.
  - mholt 6y ago
    You must feel pretty strongly about it since you made an account just to post that comment. Are you also the one who downvoted my comment just because our experiences have been different?
    - albertk92 6y ago
      I haven't downvoted any of your comments.
  - bobblywobbles 6y ago
    This is not the religion but the people in that congregation. Christians sometimes get a bad rap but we are not all bad people. I'm sorry you experienced that.
loopz 6y ago
Lots of possibilities: Local churches (where young adults go), philosophy groups, search around on billboards and campuses, yoga classes (ie. Art of Living), etc. Some groups are open to newcomers. Just keep in mind, many groups try to suck you in and you may need to review why and if you should continue from time to time. Any place you start, you might connect to people drawn to you, so could end up in a different group after some time.
- adv0r 6y ago
  ohhh would love to join philosophy groups... is it a thing?
  - loopz 6y ago
    I've been to such event, though wasn't a regular and it was more of an alternative gathering. That was before all the web services, but nowadays there's ie. meetup, and college/university is bound to have something too: https://www.meetup.com/topics/philosophy/ https://www.meetup.com/topics/philosophy/ Meetup could be a good place to connect about lots of stuff. Don't be surprised if the thing finds you, but one need to be open to try new and unplanned experiences.
    - adv0r 6y ago
      following up on this: I signed up for a local meetup. in 8 hours I'll go to the first zoom socratic chat
bobblywobbles 6y ago
A good question, and I'm sure many people ask this every day. I'll try to do my best to answer. It takes different forms, different paths for everyone. Not everyone goes down the same path. I think the best question/mindset you should start to think is this is a life with many people. You are only one piece of that puzzle, try working on your empathy first. You don't seem judgemental, but consider how others are feeling when you talk with them, listen to them more closely. Put your thoughts and replies before them, make _them_ the more important person in the conversation. (Again, not saying you are judgemental, but just in general). Eventually, this desire to help others before yourself grows; it becomes your default response. With this, I've felt myself grow more humbler, more understanding of others and less judgemental. What you may experience is just this greater joy - helping others is giving you this happiness that nothing else gives. At this stage, you typically start to realize bad habits you may have, distractions. We as people distract ourselves with a myriad of things in order to avoid feelings or situations. Try to uncover that, dig deep down and look at and help heal your hurts. This will likely take time and a change of behavior if you have them, but it's well worth it. Once you feel you have a good handling of this, you might start to notice others who have their own hurts. As you speak to them and gain trust with them, bring it up from time to time (if you are close), you may have an opportunity to heal them (which in of itself really makes you feel like you are doing good with your life). If you read this, please do not be dismissive of what I am about to say, but without my belief in God - I really wouldn't know what I'm doing here. Honestly, even _in_ my belief I still very much question my purpose here on Earth. With everything else I have said up above, there was still this piece of my heart that felt like it was missing, and no matter what, nothing could fill in that gap. Point being, even though I still feel lost often, knowing and believing in God, makes me feel better that the path I'm on is on a purpose for God and for others I meet, touch, and heal along the way. I hope this message helps you along. If you have any questions, feel free to respond.

Where would you start?

by adv0r 6y ago

Where would you start?

Do you pray? If not, start there. It might take you out of your comfort zone a bit to approach a deity you do not know (or know well). As others have suggested, now's a good time to offer up your means to improve the world, and to be a blessing in others' lives. A living God can help you do that, and He'll help you to find Him. If you want some more guidance in spiritual development, missionaries can help. Edit: So, I'm a Christian; and while you should explore what feels right to you because you know you best, here's a site where you can start. This page describes some basic principles of becoming one's best self through spiritual progression, as well as having contacts to missionaries: https://www.comeuntochrist.org/become https://www.comeuntochrist.org/become

albertk92 6y ago
Getting involved with a church or religion could be a positive thing for you, but I would recommend not joining the one linked to in the parent comment. I grew up in that church, and it demands unreasonable amounts of time, money, and group loyalty. Its missionaries are unlikely to outline all of the church's expectations of its members up front. It's hard to be a half-way member, so you end up being either in or out. I've chosen out. It can seem like a great community to join when you're in an emotionally vulnerable spot, but if you explained the whole package deal to someone who is in a good place emotionally, it wouldn't look very appealing. If you end up looking for a religious or spiritual group, keep an eye out to make sure you don't join one that will take advantage of you. Being part of a community of people who can rely on each other is a great thing, but some groups go too far.
- mholt 6y ago
  You must feel pretty strongly about it since you made an account just to post that comment. Are you also the one who downvoted my comment just because our experiences have been different?
  - albertk92 6y ago
    I haven't downvoted any of your comments.
- bobblywobbles 6y ago
  This is not the religion but the people in that congregation. Christians sometimes get a bad rap but we are not all bad people. I'm sorry you experienced that.

loopz 6y ago

Lots of possibilities: Local churches (where young adults go), philosophy groups, search around on billboards and campuses, yoga classes (ie. Art of Living), etc. Some groups are open to newcomers. Just keep in mind, many groups try to suck you in and you may need to review why and if you should continue from time to time. Any place you start, you might connect to people drawn to you, so could end up in a different group after some time.

adv0r 6y ago
ohhh would love to join philosophy groups... is it a thing?
- loopz 6y ago
  I've been to such event, though wasn't a regular and it was more of an alternative gathering. That was before all the web services, but nowadays there's ie. meetup, and college/university is bound to have something too: https://www.meetup.com/topics/philosophy/ https://www.meetup.com/topics/philosophy/ Meetup could be a good place to connect about lots of stuff. Don't be surprised if the thing finds you, but one need to be open to try new and unplanned experiences.
  - adv0r 6y ago
    following up on this: I signed up for a local meetup. in 8 hours I'll go to the first zoom socratic chat

bobblywobbles 6y ago

A good question, and I'm sure many people ask this every day. I'll try to do my best to answer. It takes different forms, different paths for everyone. Not everyone goes down the same path. I think the best question/mindset you should start to think is this is a life with many people. You are only one piece of that puzzle, try working on your empathy first. You don't seem judgemental, but consider how others are feeling when you talk with them, listen to them more closely. Put your thoughts and replies before them, make _them_ the more important person in the conversation. (Again, not saying you are judgemental, but just in general). Eventually, this desire to help others before yourself grows; it becomes your default response. With this, I've felt myself grow more humbler, more understanding of others and less judgemental. What you may experience is just this greater joy - helping others is giving you this happiness that nothing else gives. At this stage, you typically start to realize bad habits you may have, distractions. We as people distract ourselves with a myriad of things in order to avoid feelings or situations. Try to uncover that, dig deep down and look at and help heal your hurts. This will likely take time and a change of behavior if you have them, but it's well worth it. Once you feel you have a good handling of this, you might start to notice others who have their own hurts. As you speak to them and gain trust with them, bring it up from time to time (if you are close), you may have an opportunity to heal them (which in of itself really makes you feel like you are doing good with your life). If you read this, please do not be dismissive of what I am about to say, but without my belief in God - I really wouldn't know what I'm doing here. Honestly, even _in_ my belief I still very much question my purpose here on Earth. With everything else I have said up above, there was still this piece of my heart that felt like it was missing, and no matter what, nothing could fill in that gap. Point being, even though I still feel lost often, knowing and believing in God, makes me feel better that the path I'm on is on a purpose for God and for others I meet, touch, and heal along the way. I hope this message helps you along. If you have any questions, feel free to respond.