Comments on Mapless: Awake and Alive

Yes Katherine, that's about it. A vast illusio...

2011-01-23T19:57:19.826-08:00

Yes Katherine, that's about it. A vast illusion. I can't fault anyone for believing it...I understand the draw and the motivation to stick with it. But the house has fallen for me.

:-D The path you're on is a beautiful path. If...

2011-01-23T15:54:29.767-08:00

:-D The path you're on is a beautiful path. If you are finding truth on the scientific path, then that is the right path. (Opinion :-) ) A dear friend and I have learned something that sounds so obvious and yet.... You can only work from where you are, not from where you want to be. I wish you clarity and wisdom as you continue to seek, hmm... and as you continue to mourn what has been lost - the illusion of security in a system made of popsicle sticks.

Katherine - I understand what you say about seekin...

2011-01-23T10:19:08.409-08:00

Katherine - I understand what you say about seeking truth wherever it is found. That worked for me for over 5 years, but these days I'm only really finding truth in scientific fact. I don't necessarily want it that way, but it's the path I'm on.

Hmm... that you should just "choose something...

2011-01-22T19:35:57.413-08:00

Hmm... that you should just "choose something and stick to it." That sounds like someone who has not explored the darker recesses of their own doubts and wishes you would just quit raising them. :-)

For me, one of the answers has been to reject religion altogether and seek what is Truth. That can mean taking pieces from a variety of sources (something the charismatic teachers frown and wag their heads at - and warn against strongly). But that is really the only way I have found that even comes close to bringing that center.

For me, there has mostly never been a question of whether God is. But rather who is he? That's another matter entirely. To me, it is sadly ironic that the God portrayed by many 'Christian' doctrines is much like the Greek Zeus or Norse Odin - capricious, cold, demanding, distant, sitting on a throne with a baseball bat (or lightning bolts). That is not the God I know in my core.

So for me, I find that rejecting religion is the answer. But I also know that it is MY answer, not a universal answer.

I think that as long as you keep seeking truth you will find more answers (your answers, not someone else's) and you will also continue to find more questions....

Barry - Sometimes I really wish I could be satisfi...

2011-01-20T19:45:38.242-08:00

Barry - Sometimes I really wish I could be satisfied with superficial answers. It would be easier. I have really tried to be that person, however unsuccessfully. But in the end, it's not really me.

Hey Harry. Yes and no. I understand what you'r...

2011-01-20T19:43:20.237-08:00

Hey Harry. Yes and no. I understand what you're saying and agree. However, I think I have spent the last years doing all that, and I think I may have come out the other side just now. I have worked every angle to be able to hold on to faith, I have tried everything I could think of. Just thinking it doesn't work anymore.

But I reserve the right to change my mind, for sure.

I understand your meaning Sue. I wish us both to f...

2011-01-20T19:40:54.027-08:00

I understand your meaning Sue. I wish us both to find what we are looking for, wherever that may be. I wish it was as easy as taking a pill. Unfortunately, taking a pill probably was my downfall (the RED pill).

And I would love to say this is just a midlife crisis, but it's been going on long enough now that I know it's my reality and not some temporary emotional nonsense. I have thought long and hard and deeply...and have ended up on the edge of nothing.

Just choosing something and sticking to it would b...

2011-01-20T15:16:57.005-08:00

Just choosing something and sticking to it would be to deny your own nature, I think. You're not the kind of person who's satisfied with superficial or easy answers, and that's a strength you have.

What I will say, though, is that you should always go where the evidence leads you, as that is inevitably the path towards truth. Don't get too hung up on ideals.

Erin, you're outgrowing words, beliefs, concep...

2011-01-20T00:12:17.434-08:00

Erin, you're outgrowing words, beliefs, concepts, dogma, illusions that worked for a while but no longer. You're seeing that Truth is more than all these things, yet includes the best of them. You're seeing that it can't be contained. Go with that into a much wider place. I'm convinced that this is what being 'born again' really means, and the actual process is tough - ask a new-born baby, or Paul of Tarsus - but boy, is it worth it:)

PS: Wanting to give you a big round pill of encou...

2011-01-19T23:32:59.745-08:00

PS: Wanting to give you a big round pill of encouragement might sound a bit Christianese and blerk blerk, spit that one out. I don't have many of the answers myself, going through another crisis of faith. I guess it just feels easier to be able to see from my vantage point that you will find what you're looking for, easier than I can see my own :)

"I say if it doesn't stick to the ribs of...

2011-01-19T23:31:30.427-08:00

"I say if it doesn't stick to the ribs of our soul, it's artificial and not worth the effort."

Oh, I agree. That's discernment, a good thing.

I can feel your pain. I just wish I could give you big round pill of encouragement to swallow that you will find it. I am so grateful that you refuse to bury that part of yourself because you cannot find a place to put it.

Painful stuff, eh. Have you just turned 40 or somethin'? :P