regaining faith?

[Azul]

wasn't really sure were to put this..

As of late I have really been doubting alot, I consider myself pagan, but i always kept my veiw extremely open so that i could change it as the experiances of life changed my perception, i could easily adapt.

If anyone saw the movie Dogma, lets just say i have a "really good idea"

but i keep second guessing everything... i pray, but part of me thinks i may be praying to nothing. I read stories, hear people talk about the magic they have experianced, they visions they have had, but i constantly doubt it... I try to cast my own spells, do my own diviination, ask the gods, but at the same time i dont think i really believe what im doing.

The path i have now in my life makes more sense to me than anything else, but at the same time im fighting off thoughts that make me feel like an atheist.

I guess im asking for advice, I need something to help me regain my faith, this may seem weird, and faith is something that you pretty much shouldn't need any proof for...but ... i figured id ask and see if anyone had anything to say.


thanks
<3

[CelticMoon11]

Sometimes it's good to take some YOU time from spirituality to regain a sense of self before anything else.

Other than that why not try and reconnect with your spirituality. How did you come to that conclusion first? What made you believe? Ask for a sign, some proof, remember your experiences, etc meditate, go for a nature trip

Depends what you feel you need to do to regain your faith, what do you feel is needed?

[CheshireEyes]

Hey buddy, CelticMoon is so right. You need to go for some ME time. Before you can understand others, let alone the gods, you must first understand yourself. Rebuild yourself to where you are confident in your actions, your decisions, etc. Once you are at peace with yourself, then you can begin to reach out towards the gods, they are patient and understand your need to center yourself.

Plus I'm always here for ya dude, you know that. Call on me anytime. I always seem to be here, hehehe

Keep ur chin up though, you are well liked here and we will always be here for you.:hugz:

[Mouse]

Talk to them upstairs. Explain how you feel and why. Ask them to help you see the proof of their existance.

Faith doesn't have to be blind, there's nothing wrong with doubting or wanting proof or a reminder from time to time, but the only ones who can give you that are them upstairs. Go talk to them, they'll apreciate it. ;)

[CelticMoon11]

Talk to them upstairs. Explain how you feel and why. Ask them to help you see the proof of their existance.

Faith doesn't have to be blind, there's nothing wrong with doubting or wanting proof or a reminder from time to time, but the only ones who can give you that are them upstairs. Go talk to them, they'll apreciate it. ;)

Couldn't agree more :)

[jcldragon]

A large part of Enlightenment lies in knowing that you can figure anything out. Enlightened people don't know everything. Knowledge is Infinite, but the Physical brain is Finite. It simply cannot contain it all. When the Ego taps into the Soul, it has access to an Infinite resource, and can learn about anything it wants or needs to know. That is a powerful source of Faith.

However, I should also point out that the Universe itself is evolving. The experience of all Life in the Universe is constantly expanding the scope of the Divine to deeper & deeper Octaves of Infinity. Certainly that is even more true with us....

[Garm]

So it's all begining to seem bogus?

That's because it is.

Magic, gods and such, it's all illusionary.

It appears to "work" sometime simply because this experiencial reality is just another layer of illusion.

Magus = Maya

Your problem isn't a lack of faith, it is too much faith in this limited material realm.

To see through it is terrifying, a mode of being in free float with no steady ground beneath your feet whatsoever.

There are valid reasons we cling to solidity.

But sometimes some just need to take a step beyond and:lookaroun :hairraise

A leap of skepticism may be what's required

[Merrilyn]

Garm has a very good point there, IMO. I have struggled off and on with religion over the years, always faltering, always feeling my way along as if blind, but searching for a little spark of something I felt was 'out there'. I would feel guilty for not truly believing, or not praying or honoring deities and such.. It was a mess of mire and insecurity I mucked my way through, but somehow always came back to. I wasn't able to put a name or a face to what I 'believed' in..nothing ever fit.
Until I realized I wasn't looking for religion. At all.
I was looking for a philosophy. A mode of thinking that suited me and my perceptions.
Maybe that sounds crummy or nuts. ::shrug:: It's what works for me. Don't keep trying to force yourself into a mold. Just...try to be.
Best Wishes, Love.

[celtica]

I had the same problem, it's because I spread myself too thin. I don't focus on things specifically enough. I see the forest but I don't know what kind of trees are making it because there's too many it seems.

One day though, something clicked and my faith emerged. I felt lonely for a long time as in times of prayer, meditation, spells etc. I felt more like I was talking to the air than a listener.

Now I feel like my faith in existence has come back, that this realm isn't the only realm, there's just too much to infinity and my five sense just can't pick up all the possibilities. I don't think humans and the rest of the plants and animals on earth that I can see are the only realities in the universe, I just can't, there's just got to be too many possibilities outside this tool I currently have to explore (human body).

Another thing that has changed my perceptions on what my reality is that God is evolving and I am a part of God, therefore, when I block myself I block a part of God's evolution, when I open myself and work towards harmoniously evolving myself and others around me (other parts of God) then I am playing my part in creating evolution towards higher possibilities.

I know what you mean though, there are so many things out there, so much information and I'm skeptical of many so it can make you start losing faith in everything if you start seeing how some things are seemingly false. For me fairies and elemental beings don't grab me as being real, just figments of one's imagination, they just seem like immature kids dreams to me - but that's just me (I don't really know for sure)... I find other people's beliefs and behaviours due to those beliefs can turn me off to believing things.

It's tough sometimes keeping faith in something, that's why I want to become more focussed, actually get into something specific rather than taking just a little from here and a little from there which can sometimes seem to make a big messy recipe of my beliefs. But then, I don't want to just follow one path because what if it's dogma again and I get stuck in that belief system and end up back to square one in having no faith in anything outside that teaching.

The thing I do have faith in is that I am alive, and that I make a difference in the world because I was made on purpose. I have faith that I am alive right now, and I can do something with the time I have to experience life and to help others. I think faith can come when you give to others, if you keep seeking things for the self then you feel empty. When you give to others (time, positive energy, helping hand, etc) without expecting anything in return then I think you end up discovering faith without looking for it, you find faith just by being.

[Azul]

Wow everyone thanks for the replies and so many differant veiws. There are a few things that you all said that i have seemed to have forgotten and i needed to hear again. My views on existance have always been a mix of everything i have learned from other pathes and ways of thinking that i just felt were right, but what i based the majority of my beliefs on was how i experianced nature in all its forms, and when i looked at it on a deeper level what i saw in it. Not i think i just need to get back in touch with that in myself, unlike others when i think deeply on religion and our very existance, it tends to strengthen my faith more than weaken it. I also need to give more back to this world than it appears i might on my current path, my motives usually revolve around my own gain, and i need to do things for others a little more in my life...

just felt with such insightful replys you all deserved a little more than just a "thanks" :-)

thank you

[CelticMoon11]

:hugz: best of luck on your journey whereever it may lead you :)