wonder what paranormal believers will make of this.
british and swiss researchers have succeeded in deliberately inducing out-of-body sensations.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/rtgam.20070823.wbrain0824/bnstory/science/?cid=al_gam_nletter_newsup.
But is it the same as a spontaneous out-of-body experience? Dr. Ehrsson isn't sure it is as profound or dramatic, but says it appears to be a similar sensation.
Here is your answer from the article itself.
While it's interesting, and I'm not sure how I feel about "out-of-body" experiences, I'm not sure this is an explination for why people in tramatic situations feel/experience an out-of-body experience.
hello people!
i just have to share this to relax myself a little bit.
it was very hard yesterday... like not having the strength to go any further.
I know right now it's hard to see the end result. The stress, depression, and feelings of loss you have bottled up right now I can completely relate to. Right before I was working on my exit I was a mess - and that's putting it simply.
The good news, I think, is that you said your natural inclination is to be friends with everyone. That bubbly nature in you, once free from the stress you are under right now, will return - and you will have no problems making friends. I do understand the sentiment tho. I was also convinced I'd have no social network once I left the JW's and would end up a crazy cat lady.
Deep breaths my friend. Hang in there.
I am worried tho about you being worried that they will think you are failure when you leave. Undoubtedly, there will always be some who will shake their heads and say, "Oh such a shame" - but if you leave there is nothing saying you will be a failure as a person. You will just need to replace your old measuring stick of success with something new. A failure according to who's standards?
Anyway - I just want to say - one day at a time. And I hope you don't let what other people may or may not think about you continue to stress you out. It's the one variable you cannot control, and no matter what you choose to do you will never make everyone in your life happy with the choices you make. Right now, I hope you can focus on you. Making you strong so you will be able to get through it all ok.
One little anecdote for you from my experiences with leaving. When I finally sat down with the Elders, (I had told my parents I was done being a witness, and a few months later they ambushed me with two elders to just talk to me) they were convinced I must have done something wrong. It was either sex, or drugs, or drinking. I couldn't simply want to leave because I wanted to leave. I must want to go do something bad! When I finally convinced them that no, I really just wanted to leave and I couldn't make the truth my own anymore - their final diagnosis was that I was depressed.
That was probably true. I was depressed. But six years later the depressed basket-case they once new is pretty much gone. Sure I still get down some days, but for the most part - I am really happy.
My parents see it in me. I am a happy fun person to be with now. And any witnesses who happen across my path also can tell I'm pretty darn happy. For me, that's all the satisfaction I need. I made it. I'm not a mess. Sure by their standards, I'm a "failure" - but I don't use their standards as a rhubric for my life anymore. By my new friends standards - I'm a happy healthy person who's fun to be with.
My whole point is - hang in there. It's overwealming now, but just keep breathing, work on what you can control - and let all those "what if's" work themselves out as they come. Stressing about them now is only going to fuel your anger and frustration.
*hugs*
we have a discussion group of 8 or 9 people that meets at our house every 4 to 6 weeks.
weve been doing this over 5 years and gotten to know each other fairly well.
during our last salon a few spoke of religious values that carried over even though they are no longer members of their former religion.
I'm curious what did the members of your group say they took from their faiths?
her personal diarys and letters have revealed she doubted gods reality and this in turn caused her to ask herself "is jesus true?
" she no longer prayed right up until her death.
in my opinion this in no way detracts from her being a wonderful, self sacrificing woman.
Ahh - I see, thanks for enlightening me. I had no idea "bashing" - was attacking the person.
So an example of bashing would be someone calling someone a cow? Or insuating they are sexually promiscious when they simply ask a question? That's bashing right? I mean I am new to this whole concept so any insight you could provide would be most helpful. Perhaps another cut and paste to a Wiki article is in order?
Kiss kiss, hug hug, much Christian love and all that.
i think you might like this book - it's at least worth checking out, in my opinion, is doubt; a history by jennifer michael hecht.
i first heard of her on npr - worth a listen if anyone is bored i think: http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/doubt/index.shtml.
this is great!
Glad you liked it Dagney - I re-listened to it last night too -- I really like it.
her personal diarys and letters have revealed she doubted gods reality and this in turn caused her to ask herself "is jesus true?
" she no longer prayed right up until her death.
in my opinion this in no way detracts from her being a wonderful, self sacrificing woman.
Why is a simply stated difference of opinion always "bashing"?
her personal diarys and letters have revealed she doubted gods reality and this in turn caused her to ask herself "is jesus true?
" she no longer prayed right up until her death.
in my opinion this in no way detracts from her being a wonderful, self sacrificing woman.
I don't think doubting in itself is wrong or affects one's faith negatively. I mean, Prophets and Bible writers doubted too. They even wished to die and once the Watchtower commented that it's "normal" to feel empty, alone, etc because we're human and cited Jonah and others as examples. But yeah, now this news will make it to the WTS and the JW's will use that against religious people who belong to other religions.Justahuman - but super nonetheless
I think you might like this book - it's at least worth checking out, in my opinion, is Doubt; a History by Jennifer Michael Hecht. I first heard of her on NPR - worth a listen if anyone is bored I think: http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/doubt/index.shtml
her personal diarys and letters have revealed she doubted gods reality and this in turn caused her to ask herself "is jesus true?
" she no longer prayed right up until her death.
in my opinion this in no way detracts from her being a wonderful, self sacrificing woman.
"Where is my faith?" she writes. "Even deep down … there is nothing but emptiness and darkness. ... If there be God — please forgive me."
There is something completely comforting about this statement coming from that small in stature, large in heart woman.
has anyone found that the longer you are away from the witlesses the worse their mindf*** on your mind becomes.. i'm acting in such ways that i never even acted as a dub.
it's like in everyway bad they might affect someone, it becomes exacerbated upon departure.
i never used to be so afraid to try new things, even wholesome things, while i was a dub, no more than usual, now i get paralyzed by fear to do the simplist things, like seeing people or getting my life started.. i'm slowing doing these things anyway, but i'm so shocked at how difficult it is.
It can be overwhelming at first, but I would sugest a shift in focus. For my own sanity, so this is what worked for me, I had to stop dwelling on - "oh man they totally f*ed me up" and instead look at is starting fresh.
To me there are two ways to look at starting fresh. The first and easiest to slip into is - "HOLY CRAP" or "Wow - I get to start fresh". I think we all at first felt the - "my god what do I do now" deer in the headlights feelings. At least I know I did. It's not like you have to rethink one aspect of your life, it's an entire reinvention that can take place. For me it was a great big ball of yarn unraveling. If A wasn't true, then was B true? If B isn't true, what about C? My god -- how do I feel about things if C isn't true? Can I replace it - do I need to replace it?" Of course that's overwhelming, but for me my saving grace was - I get to start over. I get to really spend the time to get to know myself and what I believe is more important. As soon as I had unraveled my little yarn ball existance, I was able to see the world as my playground. I could try anything I wanted, I could entertain ideas and philosophies I never would have opened my mind to before - to me instead of feeling afraid and limited I finally felt free.
So sure, you're sitting there with a big pile of yarn in your lap. You may not know exactly what you're going to do with it, you've never really worked with yarn before, you're not even sure what options are available to you yet, but the beauty part is - really you can do whatever the hell you want with it. And no matter what you choose to do with it - it's going to be by your own hands with your own desires. Meh, yeah - it can be scary -- what if you screw it up? But again - it's your making. To me - that ownership was a powerful feeling I'd never had before. It could be ugly - but at least it's mine, and I had a hand in it. Whatever it turns out to be it is no longer just some lumpy ball that was handed to me by someone with only one option of sitting a tightly woven ball.
I really believe that if you can look at this as a gift you've been given, an incredible opportunity that most people never get the chance to have - it can be an tremendously healing journey for you. How many people get to remember their very first Christmas? But I do - I have vivid precious memories. I think we have an advantage in that we can have this new fresh start, if we want it, that most adults never have to entertain. Sure our hands are forced a little bit - but I really feel lucky. I think we all have the potential to be able to understand ourselves and what we really need/want better than most others because we are in a unique position to experience.
i got on a dean koontz kick and have recently finished the 15th book by him since january.
in the one i just finished........he recommended the music by the late israel kamakawiwo'ole.
he said that it was very soothing and put him in the writing mood.
I've always loved this song, I don't know why - it makes me happy but also makes me feel like crying too -- it's weird, there are a handful of songs that effect me like that - and this is one of them...also in my ipod, I listen to it often...his voice is just great.
