posted November 18, 2003 05:36 PM         

I read a book the other day called "The Essene Gospel of Peace" - i read books 1 and 2.

Now i don't know if it is just me or not - but i am getting awfully confused with the many different 'brands' of religious belief... i mean how many ARE there?

Now don't get me wrong - i am in no way knocking religion or God - merely seeking some answers of a kind.

I have always believed that it is "better" from a personal viewpoint not to 'follow' someone elses spiritual path, or even a certain religious belief - such as Christianity and the Bible for example.

But after reading "The Essene Gospel of Peace" i am starting to doubt the validity of these thoughts...

Now after all that rambling... here's the question:
What are your thoughts on your spiritual development? (If indeed you actually BELIEVE you are here on earth to learn).

Is it 'better' to follow a well beaten spiritual path - such as the Bible, or a well known religion to seek your enlightenment?

Or, as i have previously believed, is it more fruitful to battle your own way independantly to your enlightenment?

Any or all thoughts on this would be very appreciated!!

LOL
Nebel

posted November 18, 2003 09:05 PM         

*walks away to float on love*

posted November 18, 2003 09:45 PM         

And i was happy with that untill i read 'The Essene Gospel of Peace' (You can find this book on the internet - its only a few pages long, and can be read without spending any money)..

Basically it claims to be the ONLY word of Jesus (Now i am paraphrasing here - so bear that in mind) - and that in order to 'go to heaven and be reunited with God' you must follow Jesus's 'rules'. These include being a strict vegetarian, eating raw food only, praying every day etc, etc.

Now this same book talks about 'Satan' and about 'hell'. Not in the same sense as the bible - but the references are there all the same.

It also claims that the bible as we know it was developed by a person called 'Paul', and that it is, basically, a load of you-know-what.

This is where i get confused about 'what is right' - if indeed there is such a thing.

Do you believe that an all powerful and loving God would send us to hell becasue we ate some meat?

I feel a little angry that religion has us believe such things - and keeps us in an atmosphere of fear - in order to have us reach a goal they believe only they can help us reach...

Arrrggghhhh!! Venting my spleen once again!

LOL
Nebel

posted November 19, 2003 07:25 AM         

Someone directed me to this discussion. Guess I was attracted to the light..

Something came from the fingers awhile back that might be of interest to you in your quest for understanding:

The Path That Defines The Way

In it, the notion that seems to have been repeated here is explored. That we are all seeking after the same thing, in different ways.

There is more, however. A pretty incredible something has come to light, actually quite a few incredible somethings. Here:

The world's greatest fraud

Then finally, hopefully helpfully (damn poets and their word gymnastics), there is this:

You are light. Nothing else exists but light. Matter cannot do anything.

Stay on the Path, Seeker. The Way is real, and it's trials are not in vain.

One heart's embrace one drop in a mighty ocean.

Love from your brother,

posted November 19, 2003 01:40 PM         

Anything that does your thinking for you...shouldn't.

As you began to hit upon, contained in BELIEF is I LIE. Belief can be seen as suspended truth.

That being said...all of life has validity. Want proof? Take a look around. What do you see? If everything is God/dess, and God/dess is everything, then that means...everything. Whether we like it or not.

Now...follow the yellow brick road and be happy. Or not.

Pick up a copy of "Illusions" by Richard Bach. Do it today. You'll read it in an hour.

posted November 19, 2003 05:00 PM         

BELIEF = BI FEEL

And that's how you'll find it...by feel.
(It's the ONLY way!!!!! trillian!)

posted November 19, 2003 06:09 PM         

...I'm now going away to do some reading

posted November 20, 2003 06:36 PM         

I'm very religious but I don't follow any "religion" except all religions. I honestly think Astrology and it's associated "karma" are the parents of all religions. God came from the stars. I like the lexi for Neutrinos = true trine (or no true trines), as in they are the smallest particles and many billions fly through us each second - all apparantly too small to affect anything. BUT, what if they DO affect us? What if they are mini packets from the stars that are like messages or "influences" on who we are? If all matter is energy, then neutrinos could be considered as metaphysically communicative (I don't know where I'm going with this...) I think you get what I'm saying. They are above (or beyond)us. If they don't affect us physically, then they must metaphysically!

But back to religions, my GF says shes very spiritual but no religious, but I feel I'm the opposite. I don't necessarily feel everything - I have to think or intuit stuff as well. I "philosophy" and must have sound reasoning. I think there is a world of difference between these two.

Love to you ALL

Dean.

posted November 21, 2003 08:38 AM         

Oh..and WELCOME!

posted November 23, 2003 04:04 PM         

I tend to shy away from formal religion because it tends to be corrupt... NOT because religion is bad but because some people are. Add lots of people to the mix and then come the power struggles, egos, heirarchy, manipulation, etc.

To me, it doesn't matter what religion you are as long as you're not harming anyone. If you find what you're looking for in it then that's great! People can find spiritual enlightenment no matter what faith they claim.. and if they don't claim a faith and just follow their own spirituality it is the same.

posted November 24, 2003 04:08 PM         

I believe that this Uni-verse had a beginning, but that there was no "first" beginning for a first Uni-verse. A paradox? Perhaps.