Lindaland
  Lindaland Central 2.0
  problem with a friend

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq

UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   problem with a friend
poochycat
Knowflake

Posts: 94
From:
Registered: Jun 2013

posted August 25, 2013 02:04 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for poochycat     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi everybody,

I'm not sure if this is the right forum or not but I hope a kind soul could offer me some suggestions.

It concerns a friend of mine whom I feel has become brainwashed by a religious cult. I have known her for about 11 years and always have found her to be a spiritual person. Even though she still is she has gotten away from organized religion by quitting her church and has become highly engrossed by a program called "The Course of Miracles." I am having a difficult time understanding the teachings, do not agree with it and have told her so.

She becomes quite irritated and feels that I am "not ready." She is constantly going to seminars in California, listens to tapes on a daily basis and reads the latest book on the subject. Usualy several at the same time!

I have always felt that we should have the freedom to choose our religious belief but when it become obsessive and a person tries to impose their beliefs unto you, how do you deal with it without losing a friend. She reminds me of back in the 60's during the Hippy Era. She is not young. I'm guessing late 60's early 70's. Anybody experienced something similar? Perhaps an obsession with astrology? LOL.

IP: Logged

Ami Anne
Moderator

Posts: 45709
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010

posted August 25, 2013 08:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ami Anne     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes, my parent's have a guru in a similar way. There is nothing at all you can do ime

------------------
Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal


http://www.mychristianpsychic.com/

IP: Logged

T
Knowflake

Posts: 9940
From:
Registered: Apr 2009

posted August 25, 2013 12:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'd not worry too much about your friend. A Course in Miracles is not a cult. It's a book and workbook and just one of many ways people find peace in the world.

quote:
I am having a difficult time understanding the teachings, do not agree with it and have told her so.

It's very deep and not something you can learn the basics of overnight or expect to understand quickly. It's defnintely not for everyone either.

Marianne Williamson bases her work on it and she is brilliant and has written many hugely successful books of her own. She's one of the few who really get the messages and that is after many years, probably decades of study.
http://www.marianne.com/

It's not for everyone, but I would not worry that your friend is going down a dark path or getting into a cult. It's ties into Christian teachings or those of a higher Christ mind. It's not for everybody, but I am assuming your friend is a grown adult. If this speaks to her, let her explore it. If in her excitement or passion for it, she insists you learn too, I would tell her that you arent interested. I think she most likely thinks you could appreciate it as much as her and is not trying to get you to join a cult. The Course is something you do on your own, but like many things people do start study groups about it.

And like many people they think their way is the best way. No different than any other religious zealot. You wouldnt refer to other religions or belief systems as cults. Neither is this.

IP: Logged

T
Knowflake

Posts: 9940
From:
Registered: Apr 2009

posted August 25, 2013 12:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
You friend might also enjoy her books if she hasnt read them already.

IP: Logged

poochycat
Knowflake

Posts: 94
From:
Registered: Jun 2013

posted August 25, 2013 01:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for poochycat     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi T

Thanks for your reply. You seem to know about The Course of Miracles. How do YOU apply it to YOUR life? I don't REALLY see her changing in any way except that she talks about it constantly and it's become do as I say and not as I do. She is still quite predujice against minorities in our area and will not associate with some of my friends because of it. Doesn't it teach "love thy neighbour" which is a basis of all religions? Perhaps that's why I am annoyed.

IP: Logged

T
Knowflake

Posts: 9940
From:
Registered: Apr 2009

posted August 25, 2013 01:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by poochycat:
Doesn't it teach "love thy neighbour" which is a basis of all religions? Perhaps that's why I am annoyed.

Be annoyed at her. She is obviously not getting something. I'd not take out her issues on the Course itself. It's a flaw in her obviously.

It's been years since I read any part of it and would not say I follow any of it, but I did/do appreciate it for what it is. I found that I didnt need it, but do think it's great for some people and wanted to point out that it's not a cult, mainly.

Sounds like your friend would be this way no matter what kind of religion or philosophy she was into. People like this can be frustrating, but I have been there myself (when I was younger) and it came from a good place. Her pushiness is something she has to overcome and realize that she's pushing you away. She needs to understand that what works for her, will not necessarily work for another and follow her path leading by example.

So, i'd not fault the Course for your friend's lack of understanding. If anything she is not getting the gist of it if she feels she has to pressure people into believing anything. Her prejudice against minorities is her own and shows that she still has quite a ways to go.

Hopefully this doesnt ruin your friendship. Ask her to respectfully not try to pressure you into anything and to simply walk her talk and live by example.

Best of luck.

IP: Logged

poochycat
Knowflake

Posts: 94
From:
Registered: Jun 2013

posted August 25, 2013 01:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for poochycat     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
THANKYOU T FOR YOUR SPEEDY REPLY. I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT. IT IS NOT THE COURSE ITSELF BUT HER UNDERSTANDING OF IT AND HER COMPULSION FOR HER TO FIND ANSWERS I THINK. SHE ALSO BOUNCES BACK AND FORTH WITH THIS AND BUDHISM LOL!

ALL THE BEST TO YOU ON THIS BEAUTIFUL, SUNNY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. POOCHYCAT

IP: Logged

T
Knowflake

Posts: 9940
From:
Registered: Apr 2009

posted August 26, 2013 12:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Oh no! NOT Buddhism! lol kidding

Yes, it sounds like as much as she thinks she knows, maybe she does not. I've never met a spiritual master that is prejiduce against other races.

It's going to take a lot of patience on your part to deal with her, i think.

All the best to you too. Hope you are enjoying another new sunny day!

IP: Logged

All times are Eastern Standard Time

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | Linda-Goodman.com

Copyright 2000-2013

Powered by Infopop www.infopop.com © 2000
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a