Where do you find spiritual fulfillment now? (page 3)

poppers

Ditto what JamesThomas said. It's everywhere always with everything when you are open to it - just Be and fulfillment is there.

When I was a JW, I did not feel spiritually fullfilled...because they are so restrictive, they allow no personal thought about the world around you. I felt very diconnected. I was a robot. Can a robot be spiritual?

Well now, I read more philosphy and religious book. I think about reincarnation and perception. Some religions that fascinate me are more peaceful ones like the Bhuddist religion (sp?). I try to expose myself to other beliefs, I have friends that are all different and eclectic...Bhuddist, pagans, muslim, christian, jewish, etc. I think that all these religions and belief systems have some truth in them and are great explainations of the world around them. In fact I feel there is a truth (a - singluar) in all religions, that perhaps god (which I do not disbelieve nor do I worship) has made his or her presence known in all religions and beliefs.

I think what makes me feel especially spiritual and fullfilled is when I do something nice no matter how little or big. I like to help older people and I like to make it a point to smile at someone if I catch their eye. I like to check up on any animals in the pet stores to make sure they are getting proper care, I like to help the environment when I get the chance.

seattleniceguy

I felt very diconnected. I was a robot.

One day, about a year before I left the organization, I was standing in front of the information board before meeting, feeling out of sorts and frustrated. My friend came up to me and asked me how I was doing, and I replied, "Actually, I just realized that I'm not a human." My friend was, of course, shocked, so I went on to explain that I now realized that I had not been a human for some time - I had been reduced to a get-things-done machine.

Of course, at the time I attributed this to having a full-time job and just generally having too much in my life. I thought that if I could cut my hours to part-time and pioneer, I would be able to reclaim my humanity. This was a silly, silly notion, which I realized over the next year. The reality is that the dehumanizing factor is not having a normal job - it is being a cog in a gigantic treadmill that never ceases and does not encourage personal growth.

So there it is: the Witnesses dehumanize; recovery is a process of re-humanizing. As Six mentioned, the word "spirituality" is loaded with different meaning for different people, so it's not very useful to me. I find happiness and fulfillment in learning and growing as a human and sharing that with others.

SNG

minimus

nowhere....and I'm not looking for it right now, either.

jwbot

Seattleniceguy: As usual I can only mimic what you said and agree :)

LyinEyes

I like what Minimus said, as I am not really looking for a spiritual fullfillment now either.

I can say that the closest thing to spirituality, not religious per say, is what I feel when I look at my children. The every day raising them, trails , tribulations, accomplishments, laughter, their viewpoints on life, is something that stirs something deep within my soul. That is what moves me in a spiritual way at this point in my life.

seattleniceguy

jwbot: Your name is so incredibly appropriate to this issue, I've often wondered if you chose it specifically to make a point, or if you still felt like a bot when you picked it...Either way, it's really cool.

SNG

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Mary said:

I find the absolute best spiritual fulfillment I get is when I just sit outside in a nice big comfortable chair on a nice afternoon and just read the bible (without any "study" aids).

Just reading the Bible without looking for anything in particular -- not trying to locate arguing points, not trying to bolster what I've already decided, not trying to rack up brownie points with God, or anyone else -- can result in some real serendipity. If I pointed to the guy headed back South reading Isaiah 53 who encountered Phillip, I might get a few guffaws . 's'OK. This began as an opinion thread. IMO, God's Spirit still speaks to those honest and open before him. Frequently, the Scriptures are the medium through which some of us hear his voice.

R.R. opined for "The Bible Students" in large letters. I'd like to plug my favorite: the L ORD Jesus Christ, who said,

All things have been delivered to me by my Father, and no one fully knows the Son but the Father, neither does anyone fully know the Father but the Son and anyone to whom the Son is willing to reveal him. Come to me, all YOU who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh YOU . Take my yoke upon YOU and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and YOU will find refreshment for YOUR souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light.

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--

LittleToe

NWT:
I agree. It's that simple, in my own experience.
Though I accept that not all will agree...

jwbot

seattleniceguy: Yeah I chose jwbot to make a point. :)

Where do you find spiritual fulfillment now?

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