The things I'm thinking about now are small pleasures, struggles with life, etc.

I am NOT thinking/worrying about god/gods, afterlife or those types of things.

While I have my own problems of course, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted and I didn't realize what it was.

I'm really happy about it! I've mulled over the unanswerable for most of my life...now I'm actually living life and focusing on life's joys and problems!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2012 07:59PM by Lost Mystic.

LM -

I heard once about a book that was by a guy who talked about the later part of the journey, sorta 'after the spiritual journey'.

I can't say I am where you are with it at the moment, but I may be nearing that and I am in a lot of ways.

A friend once said he was 'post spiritual'. He had lived in a spiritual community and was exploring the material world. Over time he reintegrated some of his spiritual practices and became more balanced in his explorations. He teaches some others some different things.

For me I have wandered a lot and explored a lot and am returning to explore Mormonism somewhat and ExMormonism and to sorta put some of that to bed so I can perhaps move on to somewhere like where you are.

We shall see. Congrats on where you are with it all from where you have been. I think sometimes the process of questioning has its own function and leads us somewhere, but then must be transcended for the next phase. That is so often like leaving and questioning Mormonism, not able to be forced, but must come when we are ready for it.

As some wise person once said --

Before enlightenment, you chop wood and carry water.
But AFTER enlightenment! Oh what a change! For then,
you chop wood and carry water...

A wry Zen smile is in order at that point.

UD

That realization really lightens the burden doesn't it?

There is a truck load of unearned guilt and worry that is put on every member.

Totally!

I feel like the carrot hanging in front of me fell off its string. I ate it and now I see the rest of the world...not just a carrot...

Mia Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
...
> There is a truck load of unearned guilt and worry
> that is put on every member.


I can easily imagine Joe Smith, back in the early 1830s,
sizing up a potential convert -- exercising a uniquely
sensitive perception of that dupe's motivations, guilt,
ignorance, and susceptibility to "smoke and mirrors."

The Church has preserved that original con-man's intuition,
in institutional policies and programs which extends the
reach of its priestcraft, to prey upon every possible human
weakness and vulnerability.

I'm not sure that many members realize this nowadays. Some
of the topmost leadership may even be blind to the process.

But the ex-Mormon who can forgive himself/herself, has
taken a giant step out of a very deep extistential canyon.

It's nice to rest upon a mountain top, without a heavy
backpack weighing me/you/us -- exhilarating.

UD

Timothy Leary provided my carrot

Praise be Wavy Gravy

mindlight Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Timothy Leary provided my carrot
>
> Praise be Wavy Gravy


Along the coast you'll hear them boast
About a light they say that shines so clear.
So raise your glass, we'll drink a toast
To the little man who sells you thrills along the pier.

UD