exjdub

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Posts by exjdub

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  39

  Meditation, letting the demons in

  by free2beme in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i remember asking an elder once, "what do you think about meditation?

  " he responded that we should not relax and open our minds, as opening our minds can let demons in.

  i thought that seemed like a odd response, and looked it up in the watchtower, and sure enough he gave the societies views on meditation.

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  exjdub

  For anyone interested:

  I received a gift for Christmas that may be helpful for those wanting to try meditation. It is called "Journey To The Wild Divine: The Passage". It is software that you download, but also has a biofeedback device that plugs into your computer through a USB port. The other end of the device has three finger clips that reads your pulse, moisture, etc. as you journey through the game.

  Although I have been meditating for a while without it, I found it to be very a effective learning tool. There are times when I think I am relaxing enough to meditate, but just can't seem to "get there" and have to stop. With the biofeedback you can get a feel for when you are truly relaxed, as opposed to thinking you are relaxed. It is hard to explain, but it works. Also, the game teaches you yogic breathing techniques and relaxation techniques that are quite helpful. I have to say again that I have practiced meditation for about a year, but still got a lot of value out of this and would recommend it especially for those who are curious and would like to get a feel for meditation and relaxation. It sure chilled me out. If interested you can check out this Amazon link for more information:

  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00099YLPM/mgdiscountinc-20?creative=327641&camp=14573&link_code=as1/ref=nosim

  exjdub
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  57

  Guys, What is intimidating about women?

  by Wendy_Warden in

  1. social
  2. relationships

  okay, so a guy friend told me i was intimidating.

  .

  wendy.

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  exjdub

  Gosh, now I feel like the devil herself. I am most sincerely sorry for what I said. Here I take a chance and try to be saucy and all I am is rude. Sorry, Golf, I had no idea.

  Wendy...I thought your comment was rather intimidating. Just kidding, just kidding! Things were getting intense and I thought I would throw in a wise ass remark related to the topic. I thought your apology was graceful and well put.

  Golf...sorry for your deep loss. I have been married for 25 years and don't know what I would do if I lost my wife. I wish you healing and peace.

  exjdub
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  14

  Personal Truths

  by searching4truth in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have been doing alot of soul searching lately.

  having been raised as a dub and my entire world focused on that existence i seem to be a bit lost as to who i am.

  everything my life was based on was a lie, so that being the case i find myself having to toss all my former philosophies aside and start from scratch.

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  exjdub

  Everything my life was based on was a lie, so that being the case I find myself having to toss all my former philosophies aside and start from scratch. Admittedly this hasn't been easy, as a matter of fact it's been hell. My entire system of values has had to have been reconsidered and the verdict is still out on most things.

  Searching,

  All of your thoughts are quite normal and a necesarry part of healing. I was "raised in the (Lie)" and lasted until I was well into my thirties, so I had to start over as well. It is disconcerting at first, however it does get better if you take the time to explore.

  The one personal truth that I continually remind myself of is: I have more questions at 46 than I ever did at 26 because I was so sure of everything when I was in the Borg. But I learned that I don't have to have all of the answers. I will never know the answers to everything...but that is OK, I am comfortable with it.

  Remember that the object of any journey is not just to reach the destination, but to enjoy the journey and learn as much as you can. Most times the journey is more enjoyable and more useful than the destination.

  One of the mindsets that I had to leave behind when I left the Borg is the need to be so sure of everything, even in the face of something that could never be proven. Take your time...enjoy the journey. Rejoice that you are free and can pursue any knowlege that you desire. Good luck on your journey.

  exjdub
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  42

  ITHINKISEE Update: My fleshly JW sister says I am Satanic and dangerous

  by ithinkisee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i went to my dad's house for christmas.

  it was the first christmas we celebrated together since i was 5 years old.

  it was my kid's and [freedomloverr's] very first christmas ever.. .

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  exjdub

  It has been my observation many, many times that JW's cut people off emotionally.

  I agree with you mimi and a very good point. My wife got after me after we left the Borg because I had the tendency to cut people off emotionally for just being human. Kind of hard to make new friends when you are eliminating them for small human failings and dissapointments, but that is what I did for a few years after I left. Thankfully I am a lot more soft and sappy now. It is nice to find your heart when you have lost it.

  exjdub
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  24

  ITHINKISEE Update: JW hellhounds on my trail ...

  by ithinkisee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  some back story:.

  we moved 1500 miles away from our hometown.

  we didn't tell anyone we were done with the jw thing until after we moved - and even then - only basic info.

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  exjdub

  For me, it's come from years of having my BS detector on a hair-trigger alert.

  The bulk of my in-laws are JWs so I get plenty of practice mentally picking apart their so-called spiritual conversations. I've blown them out the water enough that they know not to ask me anything.

  I only strike out only when I'm directly challenged or when I detect they're trying to corner me on one of their BS points as the elders who visited me a few months ago tried to do.

  I hear you 95. I used to be the same way, but as part of the healing process I had to stop being on guard. It was too stressful. It was necesarry to just let go and live my life not caring what people think any more. I realize that a lot of people that are around JW family don't have the luxury of letting their guard down, but I sure feel good about it now.

  ITIS: I meant to mention that your title made me laugh out loud: JW Hellhounds...BWAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!
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  42

  ITHINKISEE Update: My fleshly JW sister says I am Satanic and dangerous

  by ithinkisee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i went to my dad's house for christmas.

  it was the first christmas we celebrated together since i was 5 years old.

  it was my kid's and [freedomloverr's] very first christmas ever.. .

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  exjdub

  Me: "Well, that's unfortunate, but you treated [my wife and kids and me] all like crap when we were supposedly going to meetings and doing everything we were supposed to. So for me it's not as big a loss I guess, but I was hoping the kids could at least hang out together for awhile."Her: (After a pause) "I know. I know I have problems with cutting people off emotionally. But I do love you - I know I do cut people off emotionally and it is something I am working on. Me even calling you back is showing how much I love you and I was praying that you would have a change of heart. I know I do cut people off emotionally though."

  Wow...does your sister live in Ft. Lauderdale, FL? She is a dead ringer for my sister (and I use the term loosely). A great deal of the dialogue you had with your sister is identical to the last conversation I had with mine.

  exjdub
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  24

  ITHINKISEE Update: JW hellhounds on my trail ...

  by ithinkisee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  some back story:.

  we moved 1500 miles away from our hometown.

  we didn't tell anyone we were done with the jw thing until after we moved - and even then - only basic info.

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  exjdub

  You answered his question without first taking control of the conversation in it's entirety with a string of questions of your own coupled with a refusal to answer any of his until he'd properly identified himself and shown at least a marginal degree of respect for your privacy

  My thoughts were along the same line as 95's, but when you are caught off guard it is tough to recover. I probably would have done the same thing and answered his questions, although I would have kicked myself after.

  ITIS,

  That has to be quite a disconcerting feeling to be tracked down and called on. Kinda creepy actually. I hope you are able to keep them at bay when it comes up again. I would be surprised if the local elders pursued it too hard. They have no skin in the game, so their pride is not on the line like the previous BOE. Hopefully they will take the lazy route and report back that they followed up without success. I know that is what would have happened in Wilton, NH. The boys there were too lazy to put themeselves out for anyone, never mind someone they don't know.

  exjdub
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  184

  UPDATE!: THEY ALL ADMITTED EGGING US -Elders now know, heads are rolling!!

  by Lady Liberty in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  oh.... how the saga goes on!!

  i swear we could write a novel about our life exiting the watchtower!!

  ok..many of you read what happened..our house was egged and so was my sisters car that was parked here, and "frosty" was attacked!!

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  exjdub

  I agree that the incident does not rise up to the level of beating someone to within an inch of their life simply because they are homosexual, or bombing a church. However, what is the definition of a hate crime? It is a crime that is motivated by prejudice and hate. What was the motivation for damaging LL's property? The motivation was prejudice and hate. Who is to say that the incident would not have escalated to something more severe if the idiots weren't caught?

  Where do you draw the line for a hate crime? Would you draw the line at whether or not somebody was hurt, as opposed to "just" property damage? That is essentially what you are saying. If that is where you draw the line then burning a cross on an African American's property would not be a hate crime...but it clearly is! The only way to determine whether something is a hate crime or not is what motivated the crime. If LL had not been an Ex JW who celebrated Christmas her property would have been left alone. That by definition is a hate crime..

  exjdub
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  184

  UPDATE!: THEY ALL ADMITTED EGGING US -Elders now know, heads are rolling!!

  by Lady Liberty in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  oh.... how the saga goes on!!

  i swear we could write a novel about our life exiting the watchtower!!

  ok..many of you read what happened..our house was egged and so was my sisters car that was parked here, and "frosty" was attacked!!

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  exjdub

  Proof again that truth is stranger than fiction!! Sorry you went through this Lady Liberty, but I have to say you have handled it gracefully. That being said, I would press charges for sure. By the way, I don't know if anyone has commented on it, but if it is accurate what the policeman said about it "being a misdemeanor" and treating it like it was no big deal, couldn't he lose his job for not treating this as a hate crime? It clearly is a hate crime in my opinion, not just some "harmless prank". Just my two cents.

  exjdub
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  42

  Skeptical of the Apostates Motivation

  by The wanderer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  <!-- .style1 { font-family: georgia, "times new roman", times, serif; font-size: 18px; } .style2 { font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; } .style4 {font-size: 16px} --> skeptical of the apostates motivationmy best friend presented a hard-hitting question about former jehovahs.

  witnesses.

  he believes that many individuals leave the truth because it is hard; and they look for any miscue to escape the organization and their responsibility to god.

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  exjdub

  My response is that it is a lot easier to stay in a religion and continue with the status quo, than it is to give up family, friends, and a complete lifestyle (one in which I lived for 35 years) because of the WTBTS's archaic disfellowshipping/shunning process. To be true to yourself you have to walk away from an entire support system, as bad as it is, into the unknown. Also, it is quite easy to remain a JW. You just have to play the game like everyone else in the religion who is living a double life.

  exjdub