How to stay spiritually strong?

bluemason3 said:To be honest, I've seen plenty of cases where being religious does more harm than good. Especially within certain Christian circles, because:

1 - It burdens people with totally unnecessary complexes and "sins" based on some abstract ideal that shifts constantly. Most of the time, they aren't hurting anyone else, just themselves.

2 - Lately, especially with how far-right fundamentalist groups have gained ground in American churches, they create practical hurdles for things that could actually help. For instance, someone might go to a nurse for herbal remedies, which is fine, but it becomes an issue if they consult an Ayurvedic practitioner. Even if the herbs come from overseas instead of NASA, suddenly it's a problem. 🤣 Apparently, there's Satan in the weeds too. 😬

3 - Most importantly, it helps people dodge responsibility. I've lost count of times I've seen people make decisions that lead to disaster, only to claim it was God's will or an answered prayer. Instead of admitting they were reckless and jumped at the first opportunity, they blame God for the fallout. They cry about why this is happening to them and wonder what the point of carrying a cross is, but they never take ownership of their lives. They won't look objectively at their mistakes, learn from them, or make the radical changes needed to fix things.

Still, I think nothingness is the best solution. Black.

Look, if you don't actually get it—I mean, if you don't feel it deep down in your gut—then you don't understand any religion at all. It’s like trying to explain the taste of a cheeseburger to someone who's never eaten one. You can read all the manuals you want, but without that internal spark, it's just empty noise.
Man, you wouldn't believe how many of those tech bros are hanging around your neck of the woods these days. It's getting ridiculous.
All they ever do is insist on looking at everything through this "personal spirituality" lens. It’s such a joke. Honestly, most of the time it’s just some phantom construct—basically just people projecting their own weird desires and obsessions onto the world. It always boils down to the same thing: useless rationalization and just straight-up propaganda used to smear anything they don't understand. Typical.
Exactly.
It’s like they can’t see anything unless it’s bad news. Seriously. They just cherry-pick whatever garbage fits their narrative, ignoring everything else. All they ever do is hunt for the one little thing that looks messy just so they can tear it down. It's exhausting, honestly.
This isn't right. Honestly, it's just wrong.
The second you start acting like that, you clearly haven't got a clue what spirituality actually is.
There is no third option. Period.
But...!!?
That is literally so true.
Black and white.
It’s black or white. No gray area. Period.
Honestly, I don't get why people try to draw this line between spirituality and religion. Like, what's even the point? You can't just split them apart like they're two different things living in separate houses. It’s all connected, man. People love to act like being "spiritual" means you've moved past the whole organized religion thing, but that feels so fake to me. It’s like trying to say you love music but you don't care about rhythm—it doesn't make sense. Everything's tied together.
That’s just our local way of doing things.
Honestly, at the end of the day, it’s all just spiritual movements. That's pretty much it. Everything else is just noise.
It’s honestly such a joke when people start calling everything that makes them feel good "spirituality," but then immediately pivot to labeling anything that actually challenges them as "religion." Like, sorry if my worldview doesn't fit into your cozy little bubble? It's a total cop-out. They throw everything into the "religion" bucket the second it gets uncomfortable—whether it's just having a different perspective on life or feeling a pull toward something deeper than their own ego. It's all just a way to dodge the hard stuff. People love cherry-picking terms just to stay in their comfort zone, and frankly, it's exhausting to watch.

So, I’ve been deep-diving into the lives of all these Christian saints lately, and honestly? It’s kind of a trip. It actually inspired me more than I expected. Plus, whenever I run into actual Christians out in the world, I can't help but notice they seem way more grounded and spiritually mature than that whole other crowd calling themselves "spiritual." You know the type—all vibes and no substance. It’s like there’s a massive gap between people who actually live their faith and everyone else just floating around looking for a shortcut.

So, seriously though... is there actually any spiritual path or religion left out there that isn't completely buried under piles of dust and endless controversy? Like, does anything exist that hasn't been dragged through the mud by now?
Honestly, you can take anything and turn it into something evil. You can demonize just about any person or thing if you try hard enough, dragging their name through the mud and acting like they're straight out of a horror movie. People will make you out to be the villain just for existing. It’s exhausting, really.
Only if they actually feel like it.
Pick any one you want—whatever floats your boat—and I'll turn them into pure propaganda "sludge."

So, what you're actually trying to say is that my spiritual vibe—you know, this whole mashup I've got going with the Indian influences and whatever else—is somehow "better" than traditional Christian values? Is that really where we're headed here?

What are you even basing that on? Seriously.

So, is this supposed to be a blueprint for a life well-lived?

Hmm...

I’m getting the vibe that your whole "dark chocolate" thing is just some kind of metaphorical wink, right?

Honestly, it wouldn't hurt if you actually tapped into your potential once in a while and got down to brass tacks.
If you're actually about that grind, you'll eventually find that "click."
It’s just a matter of time.

Personally, I'd suggest going with the white chocolate instead.

vivideagle8 said:I won't reject the advice; that's actually why I started this thread. 🙂 I know we are the masters of our own fate, and I realize I've failed myself in certain ways and ended up hitting a wall. Crying or complaining doesn't lead to any actual progress. I've read plenty of books about how people attract certain types of people into their lives through their thoughts and vibrations, but when I open my heart to someone, I rarely get that same energy back. I tend to be too naive; I trust people because I want to believe everyone has good in them, but lately, I'm starting to wonder if that's actually true. I'm no saint, but I make a conscious effort not to hurt anyone, and if I do, I always try to apologize immediately. Last night I was wondering—if it's true that you attract things with your thoughts, am I just full of negativity? Is that why I attract men who leave me, or people who belittle me? Or maybe my smile is fake, and that's why things turn out this way? 🤷

One must understand that the manifestation of thought is rarely instantaneous; there is almost always a significant delay.
If your goal is to find someone who is emotionally open, you must maintain your own openness consistently and practice patience, regardless of whether the feedback matches your expectations. In fact, it is better to expect nothing at all.

Here is something for you to review: 🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7ofPdEgsoQ

frozengull2 said:Look, if you don't actually get it—I mean, if you don't feel it deep down in your gut—then you don't understand any religion at all. It’s like trying to explain the taste of a cheeseburger to someone who's never eaten one. You can read all the manuals you want, but without that internal spark, it's just empty noise.
Man, you wouldn't believe how many of those tech bros are hanging around your neck of the woods these days. It's getting ridiculous.
All they ever do is insist on looking at everything through this "personal spirituality" lens. It’s such a joke. Honestly, most of the time it’s just some phantom construct—basically just people projecting their own weird desires and obsessions onto the world. It always boils down to the same thing: useless rationalization and just straight-up propaganda used to smear anything they don't understand. Typical.
Exactly.
It’s like they can’t see anything unless it’s bad news. Seriously. They just cherry-pick whatever garbage fits their narrative, ignoring everything else. All they ever do is hunt for the one little thing that looks messy just so they can tear it down. It's exhausting, honestly.
This isn't right. Honestly, it's just wrong.
The second you start acting like that, you clearly haven't got a clue what spirituality actually is.
There is no third option. Period.
But...!!?
That is literally so true.
Black and white.
It’s black or white. No gray area. Period.
Honestly, I don't get why people try to draw this line between spirituality and religion. Like, what's even the point? You can't just split them apart like they're two different things living in separate houses. It’s all connected, man. People love to act like being "spiritual" means you've moved past the whole organized religion thing, but that feels so fake to me. It’s like trying to say you love music but you don't care about rhythm—it doesn't make sense. Everything's tied together.
That’s just our local way of doing things.
Honestly, at the end of the day, it’s all just spiritual movements. That's pretty much it. Everything else is just noise.
It’s honestly such a joke when people start calling everything that makes them feel good "spirituality," but then immediately pivot to labeling anything that actually challenges them as "religion." Like, sorry if my worldview doesn't fit into your cozy little bubble? It's a total cop-out. They throw everything into the "religion" bucket the second it gets uncomfortable—whether it's just having a different perspective on life or feeling a pull toward something deeper than their own ego. It's all just a way to dodge the hard stuff. People love cherry-picking terms just to stay in their comfort zone, and frankly, it's exhausting to watch.

So, I’ve been deep-diving into the lives of all these Christian saints lately, and honestly? It’s kind of a trip. It actually inspired me more than I expected. Plus, whenever I run into actual Christians out in the world, I can't help but notice they seem way more grounded and spiritually mature than that whole other crowd calling themselves "spiritual." You know the type—all vibes and no substance. It’s like there’s a massive gap between people who actually live their faith and everyone else just floating around looking for a shortcut.

So, seriously though... is there actually any spiritual path or religion left out there that isn't completely buried under piles of dust and endless controversy? Like, does anything exist that hasn't been dragged through the mud by now?
Honestly, you can take anything and turn it into something evil. You can demonize just about any person or thing if you try hard enough, dragging their name through the mud and acting like they're straight out of a horror movie. People will make you out to be the villain just for existing. It’s exhausting, really.
Only if they actually feel like it.
Pick any one you want—whatever floats your boat—and I'll turn them into pure propaganda "sludge."

So, what you're actually trying to say is that my spiritual vibe—you know, this whole mashup I've got going with the Indian influences and whatever else—is somehow "better" than traditional Christian values? Is that really where we're headed here?

What are you even basing that on? Seriously.

So, is this supposed to be a blueprint for a life well-lived?

Hmm...

I’m getting the vibe that your whole "dark chocolate" thing is just some kind of metaphorical wink, right?

Honestly, it wouldn't hurt if you actually tapped into your potential once in a while and got down to brass tacks.
If you're actually about that grind, you'll eventually find that "click."
It’s just a matter of time.

Personally, I'd suggest going with the white chocolate instead.

Some of your posts have been pretty vague, sure, but this? This is just pure nonsense—not that I’m even going to bother dissecting your whole argument here.
Your typical New Ageer

@Michelle Sanchez2, you’re making some really sharp points here. Honestly, I could probably go have a chat with the angels about this too. Every time I’ve tried being totally upfront and giving people real advice, they just end up running off to find answers somewhere else. Then they come back with that shallow garbage like, "Just push through it," or "Get out more, you'll feel better." Yeah, right. Total nonsense.

I’ve actually started distancing myself from people who just don't get it—people who aren't willing to open up or tap into positive vibes. They just drain my spirit, and before I know it, I’m absorbing all that negative energy they’re throwing at me. It's exhausting.

@vivideagle8: I honestly think you’ve already made progress just by deciding to talk about this and admitting, "Yeah, I messed up too." The issue seems to be that you're letting yourself get tethered to these emotions instead of just letting them pass through. Seriously, try sitting down and meditating. Don't run from your thoughts. Let the problems hit you from every angle—watch everything that happened to you like you're watching a movie. Be objective. Just be an observer. Watch how you react. If you need to cry, then cry like a kid. Notice every single detail of how your body reacts to a specific thought. Take everything that hurt you and try to look at it as if it happened to someone else, not you. Once you do that, tell yourself that these emotions aren't *you*. They’re just your mind and body reacting to certain events. Take full responsibility for the sadness, the anger, the despair, the depression. That stuff comes from within, not from the world around you. Find where it lives physically—if your heart aches when you think of something, focus on your heart with the intention of releasing that pain. INTENTION is everything. When you have true intention, the universe moves to make it happen. Not just a wish—an INTENTION. After that, you can visualize the person involved in that situation and have a conversation with them in your head. Tell them everything you need to say now that you realize it wasn't the environment or the event itself, but your own reaction to it.

And I'll leave you with something people told me a million times before it finally clicked: stop thinking about how you feel. Feel how you think!!!

vivideagle8 said:Everything is just falling apart right now. Every single part of my life—no matter what I try, nothing sticks. I feel terrible. I truly, deeply want to believe that things will get better and that I can stay spiritually fulfilled, but it feels like I’m losing ground. I'm starting to burn out. 😢 Today has been especially brutal. So much has piled up over these last two years, and after finally letting myself cry it all out, I came here to post this. Maybe someone else will find it helpful one day...

I want to ask: how do you all manage to keep your faith strong when life reaches a point where nothing seems to make sense anymore? How do you maintain your spirituality and inner peace when everything is pushing you toward total hopelessness?

The truth is, I don't stay strong.
I falter.
I get exhausted.
Sometimes, I weep.
And sometimes, I sleep for hours on end. It is in that stillness, very gradually, that strength begins to replenish itself.
It ends up being different than before.
I don't force it,
nor do I let it force me.
I simply move forward, slowly.

There are moments when I wonder... who am I, really? How can I possibly handle this? I feel so weak.
But then I think: so be it. If I am weak, then I simply need to find my strength again.
For me, that means seeking peace and rest.
Then, finding solace in nature.
And leaning on the kindness of good people.

casualtiger2 said:Some of your posts have been pretty vague, sure, but this? This is just pure nonsense—not that I’m even going to bother dissecting your whole argument here.
Your typical New Ageer

Man, sorry you feel that way.

I get the vibe that you just can't stand Christianity—like, any time I mention it in a good light, it totally rubs you the wrong way.

Whatever the reason is, it really sucks that it's like that.

It feels like because I've taken a positive stance on Christianity, I've somehow become the black sheep of the spiritual crowd.
Suddenly I'm "less spiritual" or whatever.

Such a shame... I actually thought you were a cool guy.

frozengull2 said:Man, sorry you feel that way.

I get the vibe that you just can't stand Christianity—like, any time I mention it in a good light, it totally rubs you the wrong way.

Whatever the reason is, it really sucks that it's like that.

It feels like because I've taken a positive stance on Christianity, I've somehow become the black sheep of the spiritual crowd.
Suddenly I'm "less spiritual" or whatever.

Such a shame... I actually thought you were a cool guy.

Feelings can be pretty damn deceptive sometimes.
If your definition of Christianity is just blind faith in a single narrative—believing in some bloodthirsty deity who suddenly decided to pivot into being a saint—then sure. You’re talking about centuries of religiously fueled wars, the Inquisition, pure exclusion, and that suffocating dogmatic fanaticism that basically acts as a leash on the human spirit. Then there's the Church itself, always chasing power, and its leaders who preach high moral ground while doing things they should honestly be facing criminal charges for—except they get a free pass because the organization protects them, and politicians are way too easy to buy when they're hungry for votes.
So you're right—I can't stand Christianity.

If you define Christianity by those rare few—the ones you find in pretty much any religion or self-help system anyway—who actually managed to enrich their own lives and everyone around them through faith (or even despite it)... if we're talking about that eternal human ideal of kindness, love, and consciousness... then sure. If you mean people who embody an impeccable morality that fosters life, integrity, and good upbringing—people who just happen to be Christian—then I get your point. Even if you look at the revised, modern, liberal version of Christianity that the current Popes are trying to live out—and honestly, compared to their predecessors, these newer guys seem almost "saintly," though arguably more due to the influence of secular humanism than traditional doctrine—it's a different conversation.
You've got it wrong—I actually love Christianity.

I called out your first sentence because, logically speaking, it’s just nonsense—it's like claiming if you haven't tasted a strawberry, you can't possibly know what fruit is.
Of course you're going to dig up some theological loophole to argue that Christianity holds the top spot—kind of like how Muslims keep insisting, as ridiculously as they do, that everyone, even Adam and Eve, was actually Muslim. But honestly? That kind of stuff just doesn't fly with me.

I didn't say a single word about your spirituality—and honestly, I don't have any intention of starting now.
Aside from what you're saying—I don't actually know you, and I have zero interest in walking around with any preconceived notions about who you are.
I might actually end up giving you a compliment in my next post—don't get used to it.
Even though you're a Christian. 😍

(No content provided to rewrite.)
You can definitely have some deep, meaningful conversations about Christianity if you stick to the spirituality side of things—I actually tried starting a thread on "Christian spirituality" once, but it went nowhere. Not sure if that’s because people lack that spiritual spark or if there's some other reason, but either way, the response was pretty much zero. Just a heads-up: if you come in here trying to push church dogma, you're going to hit a wall. There are plenty of other forums out there specifically for that kind of thing.

silvermason2 said:@Michelle Sanchez2, you’re making some really sharp points here. Honestly, I could probably go have a chat with the angels about this too. Every time I’ve tried being totally upfront and giving people real advice, they just end up running off to find answers somewhere else. Then they come back with that shallow garbage like, "Just push through it," or "Get out more, you'll feel better." Yeah, right. Total nonsense.

I’ve actually started distancing myself from people who just don't get it—people who aren't willing to open up or tap into positive vibes. They just drain my spirit, and before I know it, I’m absorbing all that negative energy they’re throwing at me. It's exhausting.

@vivideagle8: I honestly think you’ve already made progress just by deciding to talk about this and admitting, "Yeah, I messed up too." The issue seems to be that you're letting yourself get tethered to these emotions instead of just letting them pass through. Seriously, try sitting down and meditating. Don't run from your thoughts. Let the problems hit you from every angle—watch everything that happened to you like you're watching a movie. Be objective. Just be an observer. Watch how you react. If you need to cry, then cry like a kid. Notice every single detail of how your body reacts to a specific thought. Take everything that hurt you and try to look at it as if it happened to someone else, not you. Once you do that, tell yourself that these emotions aren't *you*. They’re just your mind and body reacting to certain events. Take full responsibility for the sadness, the anger, the despair, the depression. That stuff comes from within, not from the world around you. Find where it lives physically—if your heart aches when you think of something, focus on your heart with the intention of releasing that pain. INTENTION is everything. When you have true intention, the universe moves to make it happen. Not just a wish—an INTENTION. After that, you can visualize the person involved in that situation and have a conversation with them in your head. Tell them everything you need to say now that you realize it wasn't the environment or the event itself, but your own reaction to it.

And I'll leave you with something people told me a million times before it finally clicked: stop thinking about how you feel. Feel how you think!!!

Yeah, it's definitely time for me to start letting go of this weight inside me; it's holding me back. And it didn't happen overnight—it's built up over my whole life, especially these last two years. I don't know if all highly sensitive people remember every single mean word ever said to them, every action, or every mistake they made (I'm constantly blaming myself), but it kills my self-confidence, my spirit, and my very sense of being because I'm always finding something to feel guilty about. So you're absolutely right—the problem isn't the people, it's my reaction to them. I allow them to hurt me and make me cry, even though I know deep down they don't have any power over me. I know I'm making everything sound pretty bleak here, but that's not the whole truth. Usually, I'm a happy person and I have close friends, but none of that matters if I'm not at the level I want to be when I'm alone with myself. Where did my angel go? 🙂

frozengull2 said:Look, if you don't actually get it—I mean, if you don't feel it deep down in your gut—then you don't understand any religion at all. It’s like trying to explain the taste of a cheeseburger to someone who's never eaten one. You can read all the manuals you want, but without that internal spark, it's just empty noise.
Man, you wouldn't believe how many of those tech bros are hanging around your neck of the woods these days. It's getting ridiculous.
All they ever do is insist on looking at everything through this "personal spirituality" lens. It’s such a joke. Honestly, most of the time it’s just some phantom construct—basically just people projecting their own weird desires and obsessions onto the world. It always boils down to the same thing: useless rationalization and just straight-up propaganda used to smear anything they don't understand. Typical.
Exactly.
It’s like they can’t see anything unless it’s bad news. Seriously. They just cherry-pick whatever garbage fits their narrative, ignoring everything else. All they ever do is hunt for the one little thing that looks messy just so they can tear it down. It's exhausting, honestly.
This isn't right. Honestly, it's just wrong.
The second you start acting like that, you clearly haven't got a clue what spirituality actually is.
There is no third option. Period.
But...!!?
That is literally so true.
Black and white.
It’s black or white. No gray area. Period.
Honestly, I don't get why people try to draw this line between spirituality and religion. Like, what's even the point? You can't just split them apart like they're two different things living in separate houses. It’s all connected, man. People love to act like being "spiritual" means you've moved past the whole organized religion thing, but that feels so fake to me. It’s like trying to say you love music but you don't care about rhythm—it doesn't make sense. Everything's tied together.
That’s just our local way of doing things.
Honestly, at the end of the day, it’s all just spiritual movements. That's pretty much it. Everything else is just noise.
It’s honestly such a joke when people start calling everything that makes them feel good "spirituality," but then immediately pivot to labeling anything that actually challenges them as "religion." Like, sorry if my worldview doesn't fit into your cozy little bubble? It's a total cop-out. They throw everything into the "religion" bucket the second it gets uncomfortable—whether it's just having a different perspective on life or feeling a pull toward something deeper than their own ego. It's all just a way to dodge the hard stuff. People love cherry-picking terms just to stay in their comfort zone, and frankly, it's exhausting to watch.

So, I’ve been deep-diving into the lives of all these Christian saints lately, and honestly? It’s kind of a trip. It actually inspired me more than I expected. Plus, whenever I run into actual Christians out in the world, I can't help but notice they seem way more grounded and spiritually mature than that whole other crowd calling themselves "spiritual." You know the type—all vibes and no substance. It’s like there’s a massive gap between people who actually live their faith and everyone else just floating around looking for a shortcut.

So, seriously though... is there actually any spiritual path or religion left out there that isn't completely buried under piles of dust and endless controversy? Like, does anything exist that hasn't been dragged through the mud by now?
Honestly, you can take anything and turn it into something evil. You can demonize just about any person or thing if you try hard enough, dragging their name through the mud and acting like they're straight out of a horror movie. People will make you out to be the villain just for existing. It’s exhausting, really.
Only if they actually feel like it.
Pick any one you want—whatever floats your boat—and I'll turn them into pure propaganda "sludge."

So, what you're actually trying to say is that my spiritual vibe—you know, this whole mashup I've got going with the Indian influences and whatever else—is somehow "better" than traditional Christian values? Is that really where we're headed here?

What are you even basing that on? Seriously.

So, is this supposed to be a blueprint for a life well-lived?

Hmm...

I’m getting the vibe that your whole "dark chocolate" thing is just some kind of metaphorical wink, right?

Honestly, it wouldn't hurt if you actually tapped into your potential once in a while and got down to brass tacks.
If you're actually about that grind, you'll eventually find that "click."
It’s just a matter of time.

Personally, I'd suggest going with the white chocolate instead.

That’s like saying if you don't like Snickers bars, you don't understand science. Even if you happen to be a decent quarterback.

A claim with about as much logic as yours: just smashing random phrases together into a meaningless pile without any actual connection.😁

Regarding my "feeling" for Christianity—maybe I felt it once. Enough to nearly join a Benedictine monastery.

I'm a bit more experienced now. I don't take feelings or spiritual experiences quite so seriously; they're far too easy to manipulate.

Lots of Boomers are in your circle these days.

I'm not interested in "this group" or "that crowd," friends, enemies, or any other populist clichés. I'm just stating my view. Answer if you have something to say; I couldn't care less about these real or imagined factions.

The only thing they insist on is weighing everything through the lens of so-called "personal spirituality"—which is mostly a phantom construct or a projection of one's own desires and obsessions. It usually boils down to hollow rationalization and, more often than not, a propaganda-driven attempt to smear what they don't understand.

The only thing I insist on is weighing everything against common sense. It comes down to reason. Believers and other ideologues mostly just rationalize things to justify choices that are fundamentally irrational.

The moment you do that, you fail to understand what spirituality actually is.

Just another populist, indoctrinating tactic used in religious persuasion. If you don't agree with us, you're clearly broken, unspiritual, lacking grace, or simply incapable of understanding. The starting position is always that we are right, and if you disagree, the fault lies within you. This brings me back to what I said earlier: believers are prone to using these verbal tricks and rationalizations to defend convictions that have nothing to do with reason to begin with.🙂

That is literally true.
It's black and white.
No gray areas.
There is no distinction between spirituality and religion.

That's only true if you're fanatical enough to believe it. Personally, I don't see anything as strictly black or white—just endless shades of gray.🤷

It’s a problem when we label everything that feels good as "spirituality," while branding anything that challenges our comfort zone as "religion." That category covers a lot—worldviews, impulses, obsessions, you name it.

You're just forcing more categories onto this...

I've read about the lives of many Christian saints and found them truly inspiring. Meeting various Christians has also made me feel they are much more spiritually mature than the rest of the "spiritual" crowd.

I have too. I've read biographies—hagiographies, really—of major saints, studied their works where available, and dug into Church history. I’ve even dropped by charismatic retreats and peeked into those intense, cult-like groups within the Church (from my current perspective, which is different from how I saw them then). I'm not talking about things I haven't experienced enough to form a legitimate opinion. I do have my views, but if you're happy where you are, who's stopping you?

I'm just reiterating that my experience—and again, it's just that, an experience—is that while religion provides comfort, it also facilitates a certain avoidance of responsibility. It isn't strictly a religious issue, though. 90% of people would rather pop a pill than stick to a diet and exercise regimen, or blame everyone else instead of themselves to avoid facing the actual cause of their problems. But I've noticed a correlation with religiousness (specifically Christian) that seems more significant than mere coincidence. Of course, I might just have a bad sample size or be interpreting things subjectively. 🙂

Please. Which spiritual path or religion isn't covered in dust and controversy?
You can smear, demonize, or insult any of them.
If you really want to.
Pick any one you like, and I'll turn it into propaganda "trash" for you.

None of them. Who says otherwise?

Are you implying that your own spirituality (that mix of this and that with an Eastern vibe) is superior to Christian values?

Where did I say that?

On what basis are you claiming that?

Where am I claiming it?

By using your own life as an example of how to live?

Who are you fighting with? Just relax.

Are you using this "dark chocolate" thing as some kind of metaphorical wink?

Not really. Dark chocolate—specifically the cocoa content—actually has nootropic properties according to available research. It can boost mood and cognitive function. I was just being a bit half-assed about it, but there wasn't any hidden metaphor involved.

It wouldn't hurt to tap into your potential once in a while and actually get to the heart of the matter.
If you're actually trying, that "click" will happen.
Either before or after.

That sounds straight out of a New Age seminar.😁

In that case, I recommend white chocolate.

White chocolate is pointless because it doesn't contain actual cocoa solids, just cocoa butter. That means the theobromine levels are negligible. The only thing you'll get from it is extra weight.

Time to turn your brain on.👍

vivideagle8 said:Yeah, it's definitely time for me to start letting go of this weight inside me; it's holding me back. And it didn't happen overnight—it's built up over my whole life, especially these last two years. I don't know if all highly sensitive people remember every single mean word ever said to them, every action, or every mistake they made (I'm constantly blaming myself), but it kills my self-confidence, my spirit, and my very sense of being because I'm always finding something to feel guilty about. So you're absolutely right—the problem isn't the people, it's my reaction to them. I allow them to hurt me and make me cry, even though I know deep down they don't have any power over me. I know I'm making everything sound pretty bleak here, but that's not the whole truth. Usually, I'm a happy person and I have close friends, but none of that matters if I'm not at the level I want to be when I'm alone with myself. Where did my angel go? 🙂

Your angel is stuck exactly where you are.🙂
If I may offer some guidance, I would suggest picking up some books by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckhart_Tolle.

Once you've worked through those, you can move on to Transurfing.

vivideagle8 said:Yeah, it's definitely time for me to start letting go of this weight inside me; it's holding me back. And it didn't happen overnight—it's built up over my whole life, especially these last two years. I don't know if all highly sensitive people remember every single mean word ever said to them, every action, or every mistake they made (I'm constantly blaming myself), but it kills my self-confidence, my spirit, and my very sense of being because I'm always finding something to feel guilty about. So you're absolutely right—the problem isn't the people, it's my reaction to them. I allow them to hurt me and make me cry, even though I know deep down they don't have any power over me. I know I'm making everything sound pretty bleak here, but that's not the whole truth. Usually, I'm a happy person and I have close friends, but none of that matters if I'm not at the level I want to be when I'm alone with myself. Where did my angel go? 🙂

There’s this persistent voice inside you that won't shut up, constantly whispering: "Look at how weak you are. You're worthless. Everything goes wrong because you're fundamentally flawed. Nobody loves you, nobody actually wants you around... It’s all your fault, this and that, and you know you'll never be able to forgive yourself..." I guess it's important to realize that this isn't some divine guidance from God. It’s more like a demon has crept too close because you've kept your heart walled off. First things first: you have to learn how to forgive. You need to start by forgiving others for everything they've put you through. Honestly, just deciding in your own heart to let it go and making a genuine effort to move past it is enough. And after that, you really need to forgive yourself. If you do, I imagine you'll feel this massive weight finally lifting off your chest. 🙂 Furthermore, I think you should try praying to God a bit more often. Maybe pray that He might release you from those chains of guilt and the hatred you hold against yourself...

vivideagle8 As specified by Henry Kim3:
I suppose I just let people hurt me and drive me to tears, even though deep down I know they don't have the slightest clue who I actually am.

I suppose allowing others to hurt you isn't necessarily a bad thing, provided you actually learn how to forgive. It’s much harder to be the one who causes the pain—the kind of guilt that eats away at you until you can't even sleep at night because your own conscience is tearing you apart. Maybe the real lesson here is just learning how to respect yourself first; if you do that, respecting others becomes a natural byproduct. You have to forgive people, you have to forgive yourself, and then you just need to go out and live YOUR life. Don't waste a single second worrying about what people are saying or all their mindless lecturing. Honestly, I think it's better to live alone or just with one decent person than to spend your life chasing after a pack of idiots just so you can be the leader of them.

vivideagle8 said:Yeah, it's definitely time for me to start letting go of this weight inside me; it's holding me back. And it didn't happen overnight—it's built up over my whole life, especially these last two years. I don't know if all highly sensitive people remember every single mean word ever said to them, every action, or every mistake they made (I'm constantly blaming myself), but it kills my self-confidence, my spirit, and my very sense of being because I'm always finding something to feel guilty about. So you're absolutely right—the problem isn't the people, it's my reaction to them. I allow them to hurt me and make me cry, even though I know deep down they don't have any power over me. I know I'm making everything sound pretty bleak here, but that's not the whole truth. Usually, I'm a happy person and I have close friends, but none of that matters if I'm not at the level I want to be when I'm alone with myself. Where did my angel go? 🙂

Your sense of inadequacy is eating away at you, and honestly, it’s destructive. You're letting other people's words and actions get under your skin, and that is something you can never allow to happen—not to yourself, and certainly not to them. Let them talk their trash and act however they want, but you need to live your life for yourself, not for their approval. If you want to show them you're stronger than they are, just let them see that nothing they do can touch you. I guess you have to learn how to outgrow your own reactions. It sounds easier than it looks, but you can achieve that through forgiveness. You simply shouldn't take everything people say or do to heart. People have become incredibly malicious lately; they will do whatever it takes to tear you down just to feed their own egos. It’s like they’re trying to siphon off your life energy to fuel themselves. Don't let them. Build a shield using your faith in God and your own heart, and then nobody can touch you. I don't think you realize just how much damage people can actually do to you if you give them the permission to. I'm not saying you should go around breaking people's arms when they attack you, but in your own heart, you have to know your own worth. You have to know what others are truly worth, too. You really need to learn how to filter out the noise from everyone else.

vivideagle8 said:Yeah, it's definitely time for me to start letting go of this weight inside me; it's holding me back. And it didn't happen overnight—it's built up over my whole life, especially these last two years. I don't know if all highly sensitive people remember every single mean word ever said to them, every action, or every mistake they made (I'm constantly blaming myself), but it kills my self-confidence, my spirit, and my very sense of being because I'm always finding something to feel guilty about. So you're absolutely right—the problem isn't the people, it's my reaction to them. I allow them to hurt me and make me cry, even though I know deep down they don't have any power over me. I know I'm making everything sound pretty bleak here, but that's not the whole truth. Usually, I'm a happy person and I have close friends, but none of that matters if I'm not at the level I want to be when I'm alone with myself. Where did my angel go? 🙂

I suppose a better question would be, WHERE DID YOU GET STUCK? Your angel is right there, surely telling you, "it isn't your fault, let this go because you are worthy," but then this other voice creeps in saying, "how stupid can you be, how can you believe you aren't at fault, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING!!!" and then you just break, you cry, your heart shatters, and that's that... Your angel is powerless then, simply because you aren't listening to them; instead, you're listening to some fool on the other side of spirituality who is destroying you...! A person has to learn wisdom, they have to go through so much in life just to learn HOW TO KNOW which voice is the right one, because, for every single soul, there is a spiritual battle, and you MUST learn how to FIGHT! You are standing right in the center of all of this, and every day you are on a spiritual battlefield from which you must emerge as a winner...! So, don't ask "where did my angel get stuck," ask "where did I get stuck," because, if you allow your angel to approach you, no one will be able to touch you, since their entire purpose and goal is to defend you, protect you, heal you, help you, advise you, and lead you to themselves into eternal joy before the face of Jesus... 🙂

Henry Kim3 said:There’s this persistent voice inside you that won't shut up, constantly whispering: "Look at how weak you are. You're worthless. Everything goes wrong because you're fundamentally flawed. Nobody loves you, nobody actually wants you around... It’s all your fault, this and that, and you know you'll never be able to forgive yourself..." I guess it's important to realize that this isn't some divine guidance from God. It’s more like a demon has crept too close because you've kept your heart walled off. First things first: you have to learn how to forgive. You need to start by forgiving others for everything they've put you through. Honestly, just deciding in your own heart to let it go and making a genuine effort to move past it is enough. And after that, you really need to forgive yourself. If you do, I imagine you'll feel this massive weight finally lifting off your chest. 🙂 Furthermore, I think you should try praying to God a bit more often. Maybe pray that He might release you from those chains of guilt and the hatred you hold against yourself...

vivideagle8 As specified by Henry Kim3:
I suppose I just let people hurt me and drive me to tears, even though deep down I know they don't have the slightest clue who I actually am.

I suppose allowing others to hurt you isn't necessarily a bad thing, provided you actually learn how to forgive. It’s much harder to be the one who causes the pain—the kind of guilt that eats away at you until you can't even sleep at night because your own conscience is tearing you apart. Maybe the real lesson here is just learning how to respect yourself first; if you do that, respecting others becomes a natural byproduct. You have to forgive people, you have to forgive yourself, and then you just need to go out and live YOUR life. Don't waste a single second worrying about what people are saying or all their mindless lecturing. Honestly, I think it's better to live alone or just with one decent person than to spend your life chasing after a pack of idiots just so you can be the leader of them.

Your sense of inadequacy is eating away at you, and honestly, it’s destructive. You're letting other people's words and actions get under your skin, and that is something you can never allow to happen—not to yourself, and certainly not to them. Let them talk their trash and act however they want, but you need to live your life for yourself, not for their approval. If you want to show them you're stronger than they are, just let them see that nothing they do can touch you. I guess you have to learn how to outgrow your own reactions. It sounds easier than it looks, but you can achieve that through forgiveness. You simply shouldn't take everything people say or do to heart. People have become incredibly malicious lately; they will do whatever it takes to tear you down just to feed their own egos. It’s like they’re trying to siphon off your life energy to fuel themselves. Don't let them. Build a shield using your faith in God and your own heart, and then nobody can touch you. I don't think you realize just how much damage people can actually do to you if you give them the permission to. I'm not saying you should go around breaking people's arms when they attack you, but in your own heart, you have to know your own worth. You have to know what others are truly worth, too. You really need to learn how to filter out the noise from everyone else.

I suppose a better question would be, WHERE DID YOU GET STUCK? Your angel is right there, surely telling you, "it isn't your fault, let this go because you are worthy," but then this other voice creeps in saying, "how stupid can you be, how can you believe you aren't at fault, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING!!!" and then you just break, you cry, your heart shatters, and that's that... Your angel is powerless then, simply because you aren't listening to them; instead, you're listening to some fool on the other side of spirituality who is destroying you...! A person has to learn wisdom, they have to go through so much in life just to learn HOW TO KNOW which voice is the right one, because, for every single soul, there is a spiritual battle, and you MUST learn how to FIGHT! You are standing right in the center of all of this, and every day you are on a spiritual battlefield from which you must emerge as a winner...! So, don't ask "where did my angel get stuck," ask "where did I get stuck," because, if you allow your angel to approach you, no one will be able to touch you, since their entire purpose and goal is to defend you, protect you, heal you, help you, advise you, and lead you to themselves into eternal joy before the face of Jesus... 🙂

Forgive who? And for what, exactly? Look, vivideagle8, at the end of the day, words are just vibrations in the air—they don't mean anything until you decide they do. You're the one handing them all that weight. That's why what Henry Kim3 said about guilt is actually spot on. It eats at you, sure, but it’ll keep gnawing at your soul as long as you believe there’s actually something to be forgiven. Because if you're looking for forgiveness, you're basically admitting someone had the power to hurt you in the first place. Why give them that much control?

Honestly, I think the real question isn't what happened or why... it’s more like, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? Seriously, where have you been hiding? I can't even begin to wrap my head around this one. Seriously, where do we even start? It feels like we’re just spinning our wheels in the sand at this point, doesn't it? Everything is just... messy. I mean, honestly, how did we get here? Is anyone actually paying attention, or are we all just collectively deciding to close our eyes and hope for the best? Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like a total train wreck in slow motion. Does that make sense? Or am I just shouting into the void again? Probably both. Definitely both. Stuck? Feeling like you’re hitting a wall? Look, I guarantee there’s an angel hovering nearby whispering, "Hey, this isn't on you. Let it go. You’re worthy of better than this." But then—bam!—that other voice kicks in. That nasty, intrusive little voice that screams, "Are you kidding me? How can you be so naive? You *are* to blame! It’s all your fault!" And just like that, you crumble. You break down, the tears start flowing, your heart just shatters, and it feels like game over. Your angel is sitting right there, totally helpless, because you aren't listening to the light—you're tuned into some spiritual fraud that’s busy tearing you apart. Listen, life is tough. You have to walk through the fire and gain some actual wisdom just to figure out which voice is telling the truth. Every single soul is fighting a spiritual war, and let's be real: you HAVE to learn how to fight. You are standing right in the middle of the battlefield every single day, and your only job is to come out on top. So, stop asking, "Where did my angel go?" Instead, try asking, "Where am I getting stuck?" Give that angel a chance to actually reach you. If you let them in, nothing can touch you. Their whole damn purpose is to protect you, heal you, guide you, and eventually lead you home to that eternal joy in the presence of Jesus. 🙂

Henry Kim3, where exactly is this "spiritual warfare" supposed to be happening?

Michelle Sanchez2 said:Your angel is stuck exactly where you are.🙂
If I may offer some guidance, I would suggest picking up some books by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckhart_Tolle.

Once you've worked through those, you can move on to Transurfing.

I will. I've heard of him before.

Henry Kim3 said:There’s this persistent voice inside you that won't shut up, constantly whispering: "Look at how weak you are. You're worthless. Everything goes wrong because you're fundamentally flawed. Nobody loves you, nobody actually wants you around... It’s all your fault, this and that, and you know you'll never be able to forgive yourself..." I guess it's important to realize that this isn't some divine guidance from God. It’s more like a demon has crept too close because you've kept your heart walled off. First things first: you have to learn how to forgive. You need to start by forgiving others for everything they've put you through. Honestly, just deciding in your own heart to let it go and making a genuine effort to move past it is enough. And after that, you really need to forgive yourself. If you do, I imagine you'll feel this massive weight finally lifting off your chest. 🙂 Furthermore, I think you should try praying to God a bit more often. Maybe pray that He might release you from those chains of guilt and the hatred you hold against yourself...

vivideagle8 As specified by Henry Kim3:
I suppose I just let people hurt me and drive me to tears, even though deep down I know they don't have the slightest clue who I actually am.

I suppose allowing others to hurt you isn't necessarily a bad thing, provided you actually learn how to forgive. It’s much harder to be the one who causes the pain—the kind of guilt that eats away at you until you can't even sleep at night because your own conscience is tearing you apart. Maybe the real lesson here is just learning how to respect yourself first; if you do that, respecting others becomes a natural byproduct. You have to forgive people, you have to forgive yourself, and then you just need to go out and live YOUR life. Don't waste a single second worrying about what people are saying or all their mindless lecturing. Honestly, I think it's better to live alone or just with one decent person than to spend your life chasing after a pack of idiots just so you can be the leader of them.

Your sense of inadequacy is eating away at you, and honestly, it’s destructive. You're letting other people's words and actions get under your skin, and that is something you can never allow to happen—not to yourself, and certainly not to them. Let them talk their trash and act however they want, but you need to live your life for yourself, not for their approval. If you want to show them you're stronger than they are, just let them see that nothing they do can touch you. I guess you have to learn how to outgrow your own reactions. It sounds easier than it looks, but you can achieve that through forgiveness. You simply shouldn't take everything people say or do to heart. People have become incredibly malicious lately; they will do whatever it takes to tear you down just to feed their own egos. It’s like they’re trying to siphon off your life energy to fuel themselves. Don't let them. Build a shield using your faith in God and your own heart, and then nobody can touch you. I don't think you realize just how much damage people can actually do to you if you give them the permission to. I'm not saying you should go around breaking people's arms when they attack you, but in your own heart, you have to know your own worth. You have to know what others are truly worth, too. You really need to learn how to filter out the noise from everyone else.

I suppose a better question would be, WHERE DID YOU GET STUCK? Your angel is right there, surely telling you, "it isn't your fault, let this go because you are worthy," but then this other voice creeps in saying, "how stupid can you be, how can you believe you aren't at fault, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING!!!" and then you just break, you cry, your heart shatters, and that's that... Your angel is powerless then, simply because you aren't listening to them; instead, you're listening to some fool on the other side of spirituality who is destroying you...! A person has to learn wisdom, they have to go through so much in life just to learn HOW TO KNOW which voice is the right one, because, for every single soul, there is a spiritual battle, and you MUST learn how to FIGHT! You are standing right in the center of all of this, and every day you are on a spiritual battlefield from which you must emerge as a winner...! So, don't ask "where did my angel get stuck," ask "where did I get stuck," because, if you allow your angel to approach you, no one will be able to touch you, since their entire purpose and goal is to defend you, protect you, heal you, help you, advise you, and lead you to themselves into eternal joy before the face of Jesus... 🙂

Yeah, I know that this lack of self-belief triggers all the other problems in life. This constant self-guilt happens because I haven't found myself yet and I don't love who I am. I constantly put myself down and let others walk over me. Life is a struggle, and you're on your own. I'll listen to the advice; there are good people out there who want to help, even if it's just virtually. I just know the theory perfectly, but in practice, I'm a total mess.

Guilt is nothing more than an illusion... because karma exists. Everything you do, whether good or bad, eventually balances out. You might feel fear that your mistakes will manifest physically in a future life, but by then, it’s already too late. Your soul remains pure and untainted. Most of what we struggle with are just physical burdens; if we didn't have these bodies, these problems wouldn't exist. Since life continues beyond death, your soul stays flawless.

Elizabeth Castillo87 said:Forgive who? And for what, exactly? Look, vivideagle8, at the end of the day, words are just vibrations in the air—they don't mean anything until you decide they do. You're the one handing them all that weight. That's why what Henry Kim3 said about guilt is actually spot on. It eats at you, sure, but it’ll keep gnawing at your soul as long as you believe there’s actually something to be forgiven. Because if you're looking for forgiveness, you're basically admitting someone had the power to hurt you in the first place. Why give them that much control?

Honestly, I think the real question isn't what happened or why... it’s more like, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? Seriously, where have you been hiding? I can't even begin to wrap my head around this one. Seriously, where do we even start? It feels like we’re just spinning our wheels in the sand at this point, doesn't it? Everything is just... messy. I mean, honestly, how did we get here? Is anyone actually paying attention, or are we all just collectively deciding to close our eyes and hope for the best? Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like a total train wreck in slow motion. Does that make sense? Or am I just shouting into the void again? Probably both. Definitely both. Stuck? Feeling like you’re hitting a wall? Look, I guarantee there’s an angel hovering nearby whispering, "Hey, this isn't on you. Let it go. You’re worthy of better than this." But then—bam!—that other voice kicks in. That nasty, intrusive little voice that screams, "Are you kidding me? How can you be so naive? You *are* to blame! It’s all your fault!" And just like that, you crumble. You break down, the tears start flowing, your heart just shatters, and it feels like game over. Your angel is sitting right there, totally helpless, because you aren't listening to the light—you're tuned into some spiritual fraud that’s busy tearing you apart. Listen, life is tough. You have to walk through the fire and gain some actual wisdom just to figure out which voice is telling the truth. Every single soul is fighting a spiritual war, and let's be real: you HAVE to learn how to fight. You are standing right in the middle of the battlefield every single day, and your only job is to come out on top. So, stop asking, "Where did my angel go?" Instead, try asking, "Where am I getting stuck?" Give that angel a chance to actually reach you. If you let them in, nothing can touch you. Their whole damn purpose is to protect you, heal you, guide you, and eventually lead you home to that eternal joy in the presence of Jesus. 🙂

Henry Kim3, where exactly is this "spiritual warfare" supposed to be happening?

It eats at me because I don't believe in myself. I can't find a job, I went to college for something I hated and failed at it, and love feels non-existent. When people ask where I see myself in five years, I have no answer because I'm completely lost. So much of this is eating me alive—feeling like such a weakling and being so unhappy because of it. I don't look forward to tomorrow, and I honestly can't see the point in any of this.😢

electrictinker26 said:Guilt is nothing more than an illusion... because karma exists. Everything you do, whether good or bad, eventually balances out. You might feel fear that your mistakes will manifest physically in a future life, but by then, it’s already too late. Your soul remains pure and untainted. Most of what we struggle with are just physical burdens; if we didn't have these bodies, these problems wouldn't exist. Since life continues beyond death, your soul stays flawless.

That's beautifully put.

electrictinker26 said:Guilt is nothing more than an illusion... because karma exists. Everything you do, whether good or bad, eventually balances out. You might feel fear that your mistakes will manifest physically in a future life, but by then, it’s already too late. Your soul remains pure and untainted. Most of what we struggle with are just physical burdens; if we didn't have these bodies, these problems wouldn't exist. Since life continues beyond death, your soul stays flawless.

I'll give you that one—we definitely let fear run the show way more often than we should.

But hold on, electrictinker26, how can you be so sure karma even exists? And what are we even defining as "good" or "bad" here? Who gets to decide that? From whose perspective are we looking at this?

Elizabeth Castillo87 said:I'll give you that one—we definitely let fear run the show way more often than we should.

But hold on, electrictinker26, how can you be so sure karma even exists? And what are we even defining as "good" or "bad" here? Who gets to decide that? From whose perspective are we looking at this?

I honestly don't know if it exists. In my own experience, I've noticed that when I do something good without even thinking about getting something in return, things tend to work out exactly as expected. But when I act because I feel I *deserve* a reward for being "good," that's usually when nothing happens.

I just wanted to offer a small reminder that there's no need to carry around guilt.

It’s true—the question of what defines good and evil is eternal. Without the bad, we wouldn't have the concept of good at all...

As I mentioned before, the sun shines just as brightly on everyone, regardless of whether they are considered "good" or "bad." That helped me realize why guilt is misplaced. If God is love—or if love itself is the ultimate force—then He cannot be anything other than love. He can't suddenly shift from love to something else just to punish us for our "sins" as we imagine it. He remains constant; we just need to tune ourselves to His frequency to align with that. If God were to punish us, He wouldn't be love anymore, and we would become something else entirely.

Man, seriously guys, just give the feeling some space and write with the letter, it honestly breaks my heart seeing how you all just crush it with that little checkmark...🙂