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| Spirituality without Religion Are you still there God? Denial of spirit is denial of self. Part 1 of 2. |
| Heal your Heart - Love your Body - Live your Joy! Simply Stunning! A Profound and Beautiful healing experience 3 guided meditations on one CD. Access higher wisdom, intuition and insights. Change habits, release fears and activate healing energies. Buy now Click CD's for more info. Read what others say Sound samples and instant downloads |
God and Love are probably the two words that have more meanings or at
least more diverse reactions or perceptions than any other. Most of us have
been brought up with strong beliefs about both and in most cases, we have
learned that God and Love are the same or at least closely related.
For many people, God has been explained within the realms of religion and
although there are many different religions, most of them have the same basic
belief: that God is a superhuman being or source, which created the universe
and everything within it. God symbolizes, embodies and possesses divine
powers. God has control over nature, human experience, life and death.
Of course, this is an over-simplification but for now if we can just think of
God as the creator and controlling force of the Universe and consider that
God and Love are one and the same, then we may all accept some common
ground.
To imagine God, we may have to put aside religious beliefs for just a
moment and focus on what we feel deep inside. Feeling or sensing God
might be what we consider to be the experience of spirituality. Spirituality is
also one of those words with many explanations but again if we keep it
simple, we might think of it as: experiencing God as a source within us.
Some may feel this as a higher state of consciousness, a sense of renewal,
inner peace, healing or inspiration. Perhaps, a state of euphoria or a sense of
self, as a soul.
I’m trying to avoid religious dogma here and simply find some common
ground. I do not wish to try and explain or preach any particular doctrine or
theosophy; I simply wish to use the name God. Who or what God is has
been argued, studied, pondered and discussed throughout the ages.
God has many names and just as many meanings. Usually when God is
mentioned we automatically fall into whatever faith we were raised with and
start discussing religion.
Many people find it difficult or almost impossible to separate religion and
God. Again, I will try and simplify this and suggest that religion is man’s
knowledge, study or analysis of who and what God is. Religion almost
always dictates an allegiance to a church or denomination. One joins a
church much like a member of any organization and tries to live in
accordance with the codes of conduct and philosophy of that organization.
Very few people explore all religions and yet most will argue that only theirs
is right. Most of the time we simply adopt the belief system of our family,
culture or location.
For many people, their religion is their pathway to spirituality. For others, it is
a venue or simply a place for like-minded people to gather and explore that
particular avenue. In effect, most churches represent themselves as agents of
God.
Some people experience a deep sense of spirituality and are led to a religion
and others are bought up within a religion and are led to spirituality.
The reason I am being so careful here is that I want to explore spirituality
and love as a natural state of being. I am not talking about religion but I want
to use the word God in the context of exploring life as a spiritual experience.
Some people are lucky enough to live each day as a spiritual being within a
physical reality. These people are filled with joy and a sense of serenity. Life
makes sense at this level and there is an acknowledgement of gratitude.
These people do not fear death and have a very deep sense of security.
They feel connected to their environment and the people around them. There
is a healing force within them and this energy often radiate from them. There
is a wisdom that they can access and a purpose in which they live. They do
not experience God as a separate entity. God is love and God is light and
God is within them.For many people, spirituality comes and goes in a somewhat
elusive way. Some people may acknowledge that there have been a few
occasions in which they think they may have experienced it and of course there
are always those who simply deny its existence.
Some people will outright deny that there is a God and can become quite hostile
at any insistence that there could be a God. Usually their arguments resort back
to the bible and the church. (When I use the words bible or church I do mean any
or all doctrines or practises).
Many people today are very angry with God. This is why I have been so careful
with my choice of words and why I have needed to separate God from religion.
So many people have been hurt, disillusioned, persecuted, confused, punished
and emotionally or psychologically damaged in the name of God. God has been
blamed, unfairly, for the sins of the church. People have shut down and denied
their spirituality due to a distorted acceptance that spirituality and religion are the
same. They are not.
Some people just can’t get comfortable even hearing the word God. More and
more we hear God referred to as the source, infinite intelligence, the universe,
higher wisdom or consciousness. We may pray to Mother Mary, spirit guides,
guardian angels or any one of many saints, but we just can’t pray to God.
Atheists, or at least anyone claiming to believe there is no God, will sometimes
find themselves calling out to someone or anyone, to help them in times of great
distress. An atheist will quite often call out to a deceased parent, if his child is in
a critical condition. We may say we do not believe in God or any spiritual power
but I’m sure everyone, at some point, has called out instinctively, to someone or
something, at a time of personal crisis. What is this impulse or instinct?
What is it that has us reaching out and touching a sick child? Could it be that we
innately know that we have healing capabilities within us? When we will a
fortunate outcome to a problem are we really using some psychic or spiritual
powers, or are we instinctively communicating with God? Have you ever found
the words 'no, no, please don’t let this be so', playing though your mind? Who
were you speaking to? Has anyone ever sat at a funeral and not wondered…
I believe that within us all there is a belief that we can call out for help and be
heard. We do will things to happen or try to will things to stop. By our own
intuition we place our hands on pain, illness and disease. Could it be that we
remember we are healers? Can we experience love without pondering some
supernatural essence within it?
There is such a spiritual hunger, such a longing and such a deep sense of
disconnection and insecurity within so many people. I refer to this as the ‘Soul
Crying’. The spiritual-self denied all expression. Spirituality is not an aspect of
self; it is the essence of self.
I’m not presenting these ideas in anyway to belittle organized religion, I simply
wish to encourage those people who are angry at God, to take an objective look
at spirituality without getting caught up in past disappointments or confusing
doctrines. To consider that spirituality exists without religious association.
Our physical life here, within this present reality, involves a balance of mind,
body and spirit. You cannot experience yourself as a whole, if you deny your
spirit. Although we refer to these three aspects, they are not three separate
aspects. You are and your life is a composite of all three working together.
Copyright Sonya Green 2005
Click the NEXT button to go to Part 2
least more diverse reactions or perceptions than any other. Most of us have
been brought up with strong beliefs about both and in most cases, we have
learned that God and Love are the same or at least closely related.
For many people, God has been explained within the realms of religion and
although there are many different religions, most of them have the same basic
belief: that God is a superhuman being or source, which created the universe
and everything within it. God symbolizes, embodies and possesses divine
powers. God has control over nature, human experience, life and death.
Of course, this is an over-simplification but for now if we can just think of
God as the creator and controlling force of the Universe and consider that
God and Love are one and the same, then we may all accept some common
ground.
To imagine God, we may have to put aside religious beliefs for just a
moment and focus on what we feel deep inside. Feeling or sensing God
might be what we consider to be the experience of spirituality. Spirituality is
also one of those words with many explanations but again if we keep it
simple, we might think of it as: experiencing God as a source within us.
Some may feel this as a higher state of consciousness, a sense of renewal,
inner peace, healing or inspiration. Perhaps, a state of euphoria or a sense of
self, as a soul.
I’m trying to avoid religious dogma here and simply find some common
ground. I do not wish to try and explain or preach any particular doctrine or
theosophy; I simply wish to use the name God. Who or what God is has
been argued, studied, pondered and discussed throughout the ages.
God has many names and just as many meanings. Usually when God is
mentioned we automatically fall into whatever faith we were raised with and
start discussing religion.
Many people find it difficult or almost impossible to separate religion and
God. Again, I will try and simplify this and suggest that religion is man’s
knowledge, study or analysis of who and what God is. Religion almost
always dictates an allegiance to a church or denomination. One joins a
church much like a member of any organization and tries to live in
accordance with the codes of conduct and philosophy of that organization.
Very few people explore all religions and yet most will argue that only theirs
is right. Most of the time we simply adopt the belief system of our family,
culture or location.
For many people, their religion is their pathway to spirituality. For others, it is
a venue or simply a place for like-minded people to gather and explore that
particular avenue. In effect, most churches represent themselves as agents of
God.
Some people experience a deep sense of spirituality and are led to a religion
and others are bought up within a religion and are led to spirituality.
The reason I am being so careful here is that I want to explore spirituality
and love as a natural state of being. I am not talking about religion but I want
to use the word God in the context of exploring life as a spiritual experience.
Some people are lucky enough to live each day as a spiritual being within a
physical reality. These people are filled with joy and a sense of serenity. Life
makes sense at this level and there is an acknowledgement of gratitude.
These people do not fear death and have a very deep sense of security.
They feel connected to their environment and the people around them. There
is a healing force within them and this energy often radiate from them. There
is a wisdom that they can access and a purpose in which they live. They do
not experience God as a separate entity. God is love and God is light and
God is within them.For many people, spirituality comes and goes in a somewhat
elusive way. Some people may acknowledge that there have been a few
occasions in which they think they may have experienced it and of course there
are always those who simply deny its existence.
Some people will outright deny that there is a God and can become quite hostile
at any insistence that there could be a God. Usually their arguments resort back
to the bible and the church. (When I use the words bible or church I do mean any
or all doctrines or practises).
Many people today are very angry with God. This is why I have been so careful
with my choice of words and why I have needed to separate God from religion.
So many people have been hurt, disillusioned, persecuted, confused, punished
and emotionally or psychologically damaged in the name of God. God has been
blamed, unfairly, for the sins of the church. People have shut down and denied
their spirituality due to a distorted acceptance that spirituality and religion are the
same. They are not.
Some people just can’t get comfortable even hearing the word God. More and
more we hear God referred to as the source, infinite intelligence, the universe,
higher wisdom or consciousness. We may pray to Mother Mary, spirit guides,
guardian angels or any one of many saints, but we just can’t pray to God.
Atheists, or at least anyone claiming to believe there is no God, will sometimes
find themselves calling out to someone or anyone, to help them in times of great
distress. An atheist will quite often call out to a deceased parent, if his child is in
a critical condition. We may say we do not believe in God or any spiritual power
but I’m sure everyone, at some point, has called out instinctively, to someone or
something, at a time of personal crisis. What is this impulse or instinct?
What is it that has us reaching out and touching a sick child? Could it be that we
innately know that we have healing capabilities within us? When we will a
fortunate outcome to a problem are we really using some psychic or spiritual
powers, or are we instinctively communicating with God? Have you ever found
the words 'no, no, please don’t let this be so', playing though your mind? Who
were you speaking to? Has anyone ever sat at a funeral and not wondered…
I believe that within us all there is a belief that we can call out for help and be
heard. We do will things to happen or try to will things to stop. By our own
intuition we place our hands on pain, illness and disease. Could it be that we
remember we are healers? Can we experience love without pondering some
supernatural essence within it?
There is such a spiritual hunger, such a longing and such a deep sense of
disconnection and insecurity within so many people. I refer to this as the ‘Soul
Crying’. The spiritual-self denied all expression. Spirituality is not an aspect of
self; it is the essence of self.
I’m not presenting these ideas in anyway to belittle organized religion, I simply
wish to encourage those people who are angry at God, to take an objective look
at spirituality without getting caught up in past disappointments or confusing
doctrines. To consider that spirituality exists without religious association.
Our physical life here, within this present reality, involves a balance of mind,
body and spirit. You cannot experience yourself as a whole, if you deny your
spirit. Although we refer to these three aspects, they are not three separate
aspects. You are and your life is a composite of all three working together.
Copyright Sonya Green 2005
Click the NEXT button to go to Part 2
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| Simply Stunning! 3 guided meditations on one CD. Access higher wisdom, intuition and insights. Change habits and activate healing energies. Beautifully and expertly scripted and recorded by Sonya Green and backed by Mike Rowland's amazing Fairy Ring music. Click CD's for more info. |
| Heal your Heart, Love your Body and Live your Joy! Click the book cover to find out more. Paypal secure payment. EBook also available. Instant download - only $8 |
If you feel this website has inspired you or
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send them the link.
If you would like to copy an article to your site or
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copyright Sonya Green and refer to
www.reinventingmyself.com
If you would like to support this site you might
consider emailing in suggestions or comments, a
small donation, purchasing a product or visiting the
links to our sponsors.
resonated with you or if you found yourself
thinking about someone who would benefit from
visiting these pages - Trust Your Intuition and
send them the link.
If you would like to copy an article to your site or
blog, you are welcome to do so, but must note
copyright Sonya Green and refer to
www.reinventingmyself.com
If you would like to support this site you might
consider emailing in suggestions or comments, a
small donation, purchasing a product or visiting the
links to our sponsors.
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