Deities - overcoming cynicism?

[Sioneld]

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[Danustouch]

Can anyone give me any ideas on how to further research Wicca and attempt to overcome my inherit cynicism towards faith? I know that any attempt I make to communicate with a higher power will fail simply because I don't believe it will succeed....

Personally, I believe that when we speak, our words hold a great power. What we say, sends messages to our subconscious mind. So when you say "I know that i will fail" you are actually setting yourself up for failure. I don't mean that to sound harsh. I do know the feeling, and have been there myself in the past. However, I believe that we can begin to reprogram our subconscious by using affirmations such as "Devinity reveals itself to me, each day". If you truly want to feel the presence of a God or Goddess, adding this little phrase to your morning reflections, or saying it upon your waking, even silently, may help you acheive a more "open" frame of mind. Then, throughout the day, you might be more willing to accept differen't signs or signals in your life that the devine really is at work all around you.

I know that sometimes in our lives, we can feel so overwhelmed by all of the bad that happens to us, and in the world, that we forget to notice the beauty, as well. So a subtle purposeful shift in your attitude may be just the thing to Jar you out of your complacency. So perhaps each day, you can try to aknowledge beautiful things around you. A phrase someone shares with you, a smile of a child, the way the breeze kisses your face, anything and everything in which you can find beauty, can become a "Symbol" to you, of the devine at work. If you allow it to. Likewise, if you try to view the "bad" things that happen in your day, in a new light, as either lessons that you can learn from, or mountains that you can climb and conquer, this might also help you be more open to the presence of a God or Goddess. Finally, meditation could really help you.

By calming your mind, and emptying it of thoughts which are negative, or associated with negative memories, and instead, being willing to sit, in silence, and "listen" with an open heart, you allow a window for Devinity to enter your life. You could also try to do a purging of the negative things in your life which you've associated with religion. One method with which you can do this, is to journalize all of your previous experiences, what happened, how it made you feel, and then burning it. Or burying it. This will help you release your "Preconceived" notions, and former experiences, so that they no longer take up the room in your mind and heart, that could be better spent searching for spirituality.

These are just some ideas that I had. I hope that they help. And that you find success on your path :)

[Mithrea]

Originally posted by Sioneld
Can anyone give me any ideas on how to further research Wicca and attempt to overcome my inherit cynicism towards faith?

No one can tell you how to do this. The phrase "leap of faith" is out there for a reason. Either you are willing to believe or you are not.

I'm curious, if you don't believe in a higher power, how are you attracted to Wicca? What about Wicca attracts you?

[Danustouch]

You're welcome! Many Wiccans began their path with the same issues/questions as you have. Many found it through their reverence for nature as well. So I fully understand what you are saying. Like Mithrea said though..no book or no person, will "prove" the existence of a God or Goddess to you. Only faith can do that. The suggestions I gave to you, will only really help, if you at least have the basic desire to "search" openly:) To take a leap of faith. Good luck, again!

[Myst]

Keep researching Wicca if you like. If it never really 'gels' with you or seems right that's ok too. If it does, you'll know it is the religion for you. I think we all felt a bit like you do at some point.