Spiritual Confusion

[ThoughtfulDread]

Greetings my people....

I find myself in a spiritual crossroads with myself and I'm trying to find some sort of clarity, I am not sure if I can find it with answers from anyone else but myself. I guess what I am looking for is some insight from others that have been in the same sort of rut that I find myself in. I was born into Christianity but NEVER grasped the concept of a white Jesus nor any of the other principles that was forced upon at such a young age and this was reinforced as I grew mentally and found out the negativity that religion brought upon OUR people. I than was introduced to Rastafarian way of life and I really could identify with it as it embraced MY People and Afrika which Christianity did not. Yet identifying Selassie as the 2nd coming of Jesus didn't sit well with me. And here I find myself confused and needing guidance; I call myself spiritual but yet I have no grounds to say such if I cannot identify myself with a certain set of principles...and even so do I really need to have a set identity when it comes to a certain religion or a certain spirituality. After reading up in these forums I've noticed SO many types of religions ways of life and spiritualities that it's hard for a brother to say "ok well I think this fits me and my lifestyle"

You may read this and see my confusion, I am not certain what can be said to give me more clarity but I appreciate anything...

Peace and Blessings

[akuabarca]

you should go to the roots and rooted. it is a part of this site in a way. or just go directly to rootsandrooted.org i think that is it.

my elders say that the growth is in the questions that you ask, so you're good. don't fret.

[ThoughtfulDread]

Respect for the url...

[ThoughtfulDread]

I have now devoted myself on knowledge and reading on African Spirituality, which form of 'religon' or 'spirituality' will connect with me I do not know; but I am hungry for the knowledge of self and divinity. I put trust in the creator to lead me to my destiny and I look forward to the knowledge I will be exposed to.

Peace and Blessings my people.

[JOSIE]

Originally Posted by ThoughtfulDread

Greetings my people....

I find myself in a spiritual crossroads with myself and I'm trying to find some sort of clarity, I am not sure if I can find it with answers from anyone else but myself. I guess what I am looking for is some insight from others that have been in the same sort of rut that I find myself in. I was born into Christianity but NEVER grasped the concept of a white Jesus nor any of the other principles that was forced upon at such a young age and this was reinforced as I grew mentally and found out the negativity that religion brought upon OUR people. I than was introduced to Rastafarian way of life and I really could identify with it as it embraced MY People and Afrika which Christianity did not. Yet identifying Selassie as the 2nd coming of Jesus didn't sit well with me. And here I find myself confused and needing guidance; I call myself spiritual but yet I have no grounds to say such if I cannot identify myself with a certain set of principles...and even so do I really need to have a set identity when it comes to a certain religion or a certain spirituality. After reading up in these forums I've noticed SO many types of religions ways of life and spiritualities that it's hard for a brother to say "ok well I think this fits me and my lifestyle"

You may read this and see my confusion, I am not certain what can be said to give me more clarity but I appreciate anything...

Peace and Blessings

I feel exactly the same way as u. The way I look at it, I'm growing and learning. It's sad that u end up with ur back against the wall saying, which religion fits my lifestyle? It should be simply, how do I live my life peacefuly Prosperously with love and respect for myself my people and my earth. It's the only thing that makes since to me. I think embracing the limited religous point of view is the easy way out and leaves u spiritually empty. I feel like I'd be settling. I'm not comfortable with that either.

[JemChi]

I call myself spiritual but yet I have no grounds to say such if I cannot identify myself with a certain set of principles...and even so do I really need to have a set identity when it comes to a certain religion or a certain spirituality.

I wasnt raised in a household where we went to church or subscribed to a particular religion. My baba always told me that one creates their own personal relationship with their Creator. Although Ive lived my life by those words, their always seems to be a yearning for something more for my spirituality. I too have dabbled (sp?) in a few sects such as Islam, Christianity, Jevohah Witnessing, Hebrew Isrealites but none ever seemed to draw me in. African religions are something that I have recently been gaining knowledge about and I plan to vigorously learn more. Although I do feel like my life has been supported and guided by the Creator and my Ancestors, I dont feel as though my spiritual journey is over. Im starting to come out of the box in regards to widening my focus as it relates to my spiritual growth and im sure it will definitely be a journey. So Brotha, I feel you and as long as you keep searching you'll find the answer...Uhuru

[Typozfem]

My Brother:

I could have written that post myself. In fact, I think I did in another post somewhere.

I consider myself spiritual and have had several encounters with what might have been spirit beings. In no case did these beings identify themselves as Jesus, God, Buddha, Mohammad, etc.

I, too am searching for a spiritual "home". I was raised in Christianity but it was never for me.

Continue to search and study. You will find what you are looking for.

Typozfem

[MrWG]

If you would like to find real sprituality it is important to find out the real roots of Christianity. Firstly Jesus was supposed to be the color of wheat, with feet the color of brass and with hair kinky like wool, so he wasn't really white. Secondly he was a Jew. Thirdly, he taught a mystical religion knows as The Way, not Christianity. The Apostle Paul and the Catholic Church taught Christianity.

The bible was written in an oral tradition where the meaning was more important than the symbols and figures and where the symbols regularly changed. When the people steeped in dualism and Greek thought took it over they killed anyone who understood it that way and froze the teachings in time. They cut certain parts out of the book and took over the teachings of the church. If, however, you study the teachings of Jesus without going to church and having it interpreted, see them as metaphors instead of historical facts, and practice some of the spiritual techniques, you will discover the power of the religion and eventually break free of it into divine union.

Jesus was a mystic, not a person who wanted to start a church or religion. He talked about a pure mystical connection with God centered around the idea that God's Kingdom or dwelling place was within a person, not somewhere outside.

In Reclaiming the Religion of Jesus in a Modern Age, by Dr. John W. Gilmore, it discusses this in detail and tells us how we can apply the mystical teachings there, and get rid of the propaganda. It can be purchased at www.lulu.com

[tyydae]

I am with you on your search. In my case, I find that I love the virtures in The second Testament I find that I am also in every religion. I've read the works of Jesus, Buddha, Islam, Hindu, and Sufi. I am a part of each one.

I've always been spiritual, I just do not pratice a religion. This works well for me.

I will tell you I feel closer to Jesus words.