Law of One as a replacement for religion

[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.