I can't believe what I am reading

[auntieannie]

Not sure this is the right section, please move if another is more appropriate:

I am currently reading a book (highly recommended by trustworthy people) on healing through the human energy field.

The intro over a few paragraphs was totally ok with me. At the end of it, there was a warning that if we were not happy/comfortable with what had been written before, we'd better close the book now.

Well, I understand that warning as they are talking about things such as your soul having meetings with its helper and deciding where to next, etc. It's just all a bit too "out there" for me. I mean, a lovely theory in an ideal world, but we don't live in an ideal world.

they're talking about giving "tasks" to the soul for its experience and kind of it evolving throughout various lives. Very very interesting, though.... just a bit scary?

do you believe in such things? How do you see your soul?

[Deleted]

I would imagine that any book with such a "warning" is just trying to egg you on.

[fumobici]

As a fundamentalist agnostic, I have very strong non-opinions on matters spiritual.

[bixaorellana]

To quote Lucy Van Pelt, "A good strong wishy-washy answer, Charlie Brown!" ;D

I don't know if the author was trying to egg you on. To me the "warning" sounds somewhat arrogant -- as though the reader has so little will, he or she would need a directive at that point.

Whatever. That wasn't your question.

This is of course a difficult to express personal belief, but I'll try. First of all, I don't believe we "have" -- as in possess - a soul. We are soul, if by soul is meant the pure essence of the individual. If I "have" a soul, who or what is the I-entity that "has" the soul?

Next, it's impossible to speak of what a soul is, what it's journey/purpose might be, without using language. And language itself, as Jung said, is metaphor. Thus, an attempt to describe to oneself or someone else a spiritual perception must find its way around the rocks and shoals of language and intellect.

So, without having read the book you describe, my superficial take on it is that it perhaps began as an inspired take on how a person might evolve into a more aware and ethical individual. However, as such things do, the spark of inspiration has already become caked with the mud of dogma.

[bjd]

I have a problem with that warning too. I mean, are we only supposed to read stuff that comforts the ideas we already have? Should we only read things that make us happy?

I'll just go back to my copy of "The Best of Hallmark Cards".

[Deleted]

Ewwww!

[auntieannie]

I am so sorry that warning derailed the conversation. I cannot find it now to quote properly.

I was hoping for a high brow discussion on how we see humanity/ourselves and whether we believe we can direct our thoughts or energies for a particular purpose.

[Deleted]

Well, I think this just needs to go in a new direction.

Is the book about healing in a medical sense or simply spiritual? It has been proven countless times that having a positive attitude can help overcome the most fearsome diseases (e.g. Lance Armstrong).

[bixaorellana]

Yes, Annie -- I hope you were not offended. I tried to express some of my personal belief, but re-reading the OP, I can see that there is really a second part to your question. I have to go out for a while, but will ponder this. It's lovely to see something of this depth posted here.

[auntieannie]

not offended at all, bixabella!
Actually wanted to post some sensible reply to your post - that I really appreciated, but am running out of time (and like a headless chicken!)

As soon as I have that time, I will be on this thread again.

[Jazz]

Feb 23, 2010 17:41:43 GMT auntieannie said:

I am so sorry that warning derailed the conversation. I cannot find it now to quote properly.

I was hoping for a high brow discussion on how we see humanity/ourselves and whether we believe we can direct our thoughts or energies for a particular purpose.

My reply is definitely not highbrow. If the book and what the author was saying interested me, I would pay little attention to the warning. What is important is what he is expressing. Often I find that books, or conversations that disturb me the most are the ones that I most need to read and hear. The fact that they disturb me is the clue that I need to pay attention, despite my stubborness, attempt to dismiss etc. The first question I ask myself is...'why am I resisting this so much?'

Yes, I believe that we can direct our thoughts or energies for a particular purpose. We have a choice in each moment. That choice can be for the creative or, the destructive. These small, seemingly unimportant choices are very significent in how your life evolves. Too much attention is lavished on 'big' decisions/choices and not enough to the day to day, smaller moments. I think that it is exhausting to be in acute awareness of each moment, and to understand your personal responsibility. We all differ in how much we can do this. But, I feel the more that you are totally aware of your thoughts and energies, the more you can direct them to your desired purpose. It often isn't easy or comfortable, this is when we 'disengage' until we are stronger and 'ready'.

[cigalechanta]

I belive life is simply unfair. My husband and I were so positive, put all our energy to beating his cancer. But life had other ideas.

[auntieannie]

Cigalechanta, I am so sorry to read about your loss. Yes, I agree, life is unfair.

Thank you, Jazz for your very pertinent and interesting comment.

I haven't touched that particular book since that discussion. I know I will pick it up again at some point.

[joanne28]

Although I'm an extremely pragmatic person and have no spiritual beliefs whatsoever, I do think that a positive attitude can help a person. It may not enable a person to overcome a terminal disease (my favourite aunt died of her cancer and she was a very positive person) but at least it should make their remaining time more enjoyable and productive.

I don't believe in healing through the human energy field or in reiki or any number of things. Having said that, whatever helps other people is fine by me, as long as they leave me alone and don't expect me to believe what they believe.

I don't believe in a "soul" either. When we die, that's it. No heaven or hell (these are on earth already), no reincarnation (although I quite like that idea, I don't believe in it), no supreme being.

I believe in making the most of the time we have, in doing the best we can and trying to be as honest with ourselves as human beings can manage. Also - having fun, trying new things and generally being happy.

[onlymark]

Wot she sed.
Spot on.

[gertie]

I have to say my beliefs in recent years are...perhaps you'd term it in a state of flux? I once had strong spiritual beliefs based on what I had been indoctrinated with as a child. I went through a very, very bad period in my life a few years ago when all that I had believed came crashing down around my ears thanks to a lot of manipulation by a relative we had always thought had a few problems but turned out to be about one peg off from a full on psychopath. I say this based on a psychiatric examination, not just my own personal belief this person is both evil and insane.

I like to think a sort of Karma does exist in the world...that if we put positive things in, somewhere a few will come back out. Not because of some cosmic supreme system of weights and measure, but more along the line of birds of a feather flocking together, you might say. If we are positive and don't allow negative things to fester with or near us, then when we have a time of need we will have a habit of positive action and attitude that will encourage other positive people to want to be around us and to assist us.

I think that warning was in the vein of the best the author could do since he wasn't able to get the book banned, which of course is the surest way to ensure the most people read it.

[Jazz]

Jul 6, 2010 9:10:20 GMT gertie said:

I have to say my beliefs in recent years are...perhaps you'd term it in a state of flux?....

I like to think a sort of Karma does exist in the world...that if we put positive things in, somewhere a few will come back out. Not because of some cosmic supreme system of weights and measure, but more along the line of birds of a feather flocking together, you might say. If we are positive and don't allow negative things to fester with or near us, then when we have a time of need we will have a habit of positive action and attitude that will encourage other positive people to want to be around us and to assist us.
.

My beliefs seem to be always in a state of flux. I think of it as growth. Gertie, I am drawn to your thoughts about 'karma' and saved this and reread it often.