Law of One as a replacement for religion

[turtledude23]

I don't believe in any religion but as a human being I feel the need for some kind of spiritual practice. What do you guys do to fill this need with the Law of One? e.g. how can I replace prayer or going to church?

[Parsons]

Prayer can easily be done without religion. Going to church/religious practice is a slippery slope, IMO, as it gives away your power for the sake of control in every instance of religion so far. You stop thinking for yourself.

[Shin'Ar]

I don't believe in any religion but as a human being I feel the need for some kind of spiritual practice. What do you guys do to fill this need with the Law of One? e.g. how can I replace prayer or going to church?

What exactly you mean by spiritual practice will make all the difference in how you go about solving that issue.

If you mean the associations of the religious environment and atmosphere, like the buildings, altars, priests, rituals, etc. etc., then what you seek is not spiritual practice, but rather religious atmosphere.

It is not much different than the protestant who goes to his family's Catholic Church just to have the atmosphere of divinity, even though he may not be in synch with the doctrines of that environment.

In my thinking, every single person sitting in that church will have their own connection with their own version of their god, based upon their own comprehensive abilities. This is manifest in the various divisions of Christianity with regard to interpretation of doctrine.

With that in mind ask yourself, " is the respect of the one who understands one way any less credible or respective than one who may see things a little differently?

They both sit in the same building offering their respect to the god of their own degree of understanding.

They both sit on the same planet under the same natural forces looking for the god of creation.

The Truth is there for the respecting, regardless of the degree of understanding.

So how does it matter where, why, or how a person should choose to express their beliefs and show some form of respect to that which they choose to believe?

Your sense that you are replacing one thing with another is simply pure misconception and misunderstanding.

Faith is worshiping that which you do not know, or can believe in while lacking undeniable evidence. In that mindset you choose to accept what others offer you for information, evaluating it at your own level of understanding.

Believing is having the substance to support what you are evaluating.

In either case the atmosphere and environment is created by your participation and acceptance.

No church could stand as a working experience without the people who would commune there. It would be an empty building.

Jesus tried to teach this to people as he attempted to equate them as the Body of Christ, assuring them that the temple was the body and not the building.

The question for you Turtle is, "can you understand this?"

Are you able to bring your self to understand that what you desire to offer to the Unknown Mystery as respect and recognition is completely individual to your own comprehension and desire to connect?

If so then you should know that communion with the creator is between It and you, regardless of the locale, methods, or the others around you.

And as you gain higher understanding you will also come to realize the relationship that those others have to your own evolution,the evolution of humankind, and that communion with the Creator.

[Patrick]

At the same time period that Carla was channeling Ra, she also attended church. Those are not mutually exclusive.

But maybe what you are looking for is modern Shamanism ?

[Spaced]

I think the Law of One works better as a philosophy than a religion. The difference as I see it is that philosophy forms a personal framework for understanding whereas religion offers a community of belief. The word religion comes from the latin 'to bind,' it's role is to unite a population under belief. At it's core religion offers people an organized way to get together and open their hearts. Shin'Ar describes this well.

The Law of One allows one to find unity in all things, it comes from within. For one who's tuned their mind into the Law of One as a philosophical base, any religion can serve as a path to the one, if the seeker chooses, and the communal energies provided by mass and group prayer can be very rewarding.

[Aaron]

Dude!! Bring4th IS the virtual church! It's your community of like-minded seekers! It's your support group!

[βαθμιαίος]

I don't believe in any religion but as a human being I feel the need for some kind of spiritual practice. What do you guys do to fill this need with the Law of One? e.g. how can I replace prayer or going to church?

Are you looking for something to do on your own or with others? In either case, how about something like this? "43.31 ...The surrounding of self in a sylvan atmosphere, apart from distractions, in a place of working used for no other purpose, in which you and your associates agree to lay aside all goals but that of the meditative seeking of the Infinite Creator is, shall we say, not gadgetry but the making use of the creation of the Father in second-density love, and in the love and support of otherselves."

[Bring4th_Austin]

Prayer can easily be done without religion. Going to church/religious practice is a slippery slope, IMO, as it gives away your power for the sake of control in every instance of religion so far. You stop thinking for yourself.

Though there is definite benefit to gathering with like-minded people. "Those of like mind which together seek shall far more surely find."



As for which institutions are free from the controlling techniques generally associated with religion or church, I have no personal experience to share. However, I have been told that Unitarian Universalist Churches are an excellent environment for cultivating the spirit. In case you haven't heard of Unitarian Universalism, Wikipedia describes: "Unitarian Universalism is a theologically liberal religion characterized by support for a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning". Unitarian Universalists do not share a creed; rather, they are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth and by the understanding that an individual's theology is a result of that search and not obedience to an authoritarian requirement. Unitarian Universalists draw on many different theological sources and have a wide range of beliefs and practices.

I looked into it when I lived closer to a church, and they had a lot of cool programs and opportunities for weekly worship. Classes on Buddhist meditation, walking meditation, plenty of get-togethers and opportunities for volunteer service. They even had an occasional discussion of some channeled material. It seemed like a very welcoming place.

I have personally been interested in attending a local Buddhist temple and learning more about their disciplined approaches to meditation, and learning more about particular Buddhist philosophies. From what I understand, Buddhist temples can vary in practices so I'm sure there is a search that goes along with it.

One thing I have done recently to fulfill a yearning for spiritual ritual is adopted a type of ritual meditation. Instead of just plopping down and clearing my mind for 30 minutes, I set up a routine to perform each time before meditating. First I will spend time cleaning the area and then set up a very simple "shrine," which includes a candle for me to focus my gaze upon. I'll then sit down and say the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (inspiration from Carla). After that, I state my intent for the meditation out loud, invoke my "magical personality" while putting on a special ring I only wear for this ritual, and then meditate for as long as I need to.

Ritualizing this process has had a tremendous effect on the efficacy of meditation for me. Never before have I really had "visions" or experiences during meditation, while it is a frequent occurrence now. It seems that each time the ritual is performed, the ability of this to trigger a state-of-mind within myself increases. It has been fulfilling for me, perhaps it might be for you as well turtldude.

[Shin'Ar]

Prayer can easily be done without religion. Going to church/religious practice is a slippery slope, IMO, as it gives away your power for the sake of control in every instance of religion so far. You stop thinking for yourself.

Though there is definite benefit to gathering with like-minded people. "Those of like mind which together seek shall far more surely find."



As for which institutions are free from the controlling techniques generally associated with religion or church, I have no personal experience to share. However, I have been told that Unitarian Universalist Churches are an excellent environment for cultivating the spirit. In case you haven't heard of Unitarian Universalism, Wikipedia describes: "Unitarian Universalism is a theologically liberal religion characterized by support for a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning". Unitarian Universalists do not share a creed; rather, they are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth and by the understanding that an individual's theology is a result of that search and not obedience to an authoritarian requirement. Unitarian Universalists draw on many different theological sources and have a wide range of beliefs and practices.

I looked into it when I lived closer to a church, and they had a lot of cool programs and opportunities for weekly worship. Classes on Buddhist meditation, walking meditation, plenty of get-togethers and opportunities for volunteer service. They even had an occasional discussion of some channeled material. It seemed like a very welcoming place.

I have personally been interested in attending a local Buddhist temple and learning more about their disciplined approaches to meditation, and learning more about particular Buddhist philosophies. From what I understand, Buddhist temples can vary in practices so I'm sure there is a search that goes along with it.

One thing I have done recently to fulfill a yearning for spiritual ritual is adopted a type of ritual meditation. Instead of just plopping down and clearing my mind for 30 minutes, I set up a routine to perform each time before meditating. First I will spend time cleaning the area and then set up a very simple "shrine," which includes a candle for me to focus my gaze upon. I'll then sit down and say the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (inspiration from Carla). After that, I state my intent for the meditation out loud, invoke my "magical personality" while putting on a special ring I only wear for this ritual, and then meditate for as long as I need to.

Ritualizing this process has had a tremendous effect on the efficacy of meditation for me. Never before have I really had "visions" or experiences during meditation, while it is a frequent occurrence now. It seems that each time the ritual is performed, the ability of this to trigger a state-of-mind within myself increases. It has been fulfilling for me, perhaps it might be for you as well turtldude.

Thank you for this Austin.
I thoroughly enjoyed hearing that!

[BlatzAdict]

I don't believe in any religion but as a human being I feel the need for some kind of spiritual practice. What do you guys do to fill this need with the Law of One? e.g. how can I replace prayer or going to church?

it's called meditation. u kno.. it's like little trouble in big china.

lol

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church is going outside, and feeling grateful to be here. see other selves as the creator.

see yourself as the creator
see everything that is as the creator. that is church my friend

[reeay]

In Asia, for example, you see people going to pray at Buddhist temples then to Shinto shrines or Confucian temples. Not really mutually exclusive. But I'm thinking that in a spiritually evolved society, there is no distinction between spirituality and daily life. We visit power spots for healing and contemplation, we enter schools to study spiritual concepts. Everything is part of the One, thus everything is "sacred." The modern concept of religion could change.

[Avocado]

Yeah I've been sort of wondering this too. What is the feeling religious folk get when being religious? For instance, I wondered what strength Carla gained from her cross she wore on her neck, and wondered if I could do the same. I asked myself what this would feel like for ME, so I decided to dive in and pursue "religious" feelings. Or more accurately feelings of connection to the infinite creator. I yearn for a more solid spiritual practice and so I am creating it myself.

The one piece of advice I would give to you turtledude, or anyone doing this, is to simply be a child. Play with your practice. I personally feel the will of the creator-within will manifest greatest in my practice with greater lightheartedness and less seriousness. I can't deny my emotions, like anger or sorrow, but I might as well submit to the vast cosmic joke!

One thing I have done recently to fulfill a yearning for spiritual ritual is adopted a type of ritual meditation. Instead of just plopping down and clearing my mind for 30 minutes, I set up a routine to perform each time before meditating. First I will spend time cleaning the area and then set up a very simple "shrine," which includes a candle for me to focus my gaze upon. I'll then sit down and say the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (inspiration from Carla). After that, I state my intent for the meditation out loud, invoke my "magical personality" while putting on a special ring I only wear for this ritual, and then meditate for as long as I need to.

Ritualizing this process has had a tremendous effect on the efficacy of meditation for me. Never before have I really had "visions" or experiences during meditation, while it is a frequent occurrence now. It seems that each time the ritual is performed, the ability of this to trigger a state-of-mind within myself increases. It has been fulfilling for me, perhaps it might be for you as well turtldude.

Darn, there ya go! I put out a prayer two nights ago when I was vulnerable and sad. Since then I have found the best possible meditation methods for my current incarnational-self and I have been motivated to greater discipline myself which is a direct result of the prayer. This ritual here is the kicker! This is wonderful because I seek visions. IDK how prayer works, I just know why. Many thanks for sharing the effects of your ritual Austin. Now I just need to find a prayer that suits me.

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Actually the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi is pleasant. C: Perfect

[MissMiko]

I don't believe in any religion but as a human being I feel the need for some kind of spiritual practice. What do you guys do to fill this need with the Law of One? e.g. how can I replace prayer or going to church?

Well, since nothing in life truly means anything
other than the meaning WE give to it,
I personally enjoy meditation---
being still and listening within.

[kycahi]

I can pray to "God" or the One, but I think to make a mental text message to my higher self is more practical. I might express my need for something (ease from despair, solve an immediate problem etc.) or describe my current thinking on something and hope for input. Just organizing my thoughts is enough reason to do it, IMO.

Meditation is better than attending a church service, unless needing a social event. For that, see above post 7 by βαθμιαίος.