12-14-2013, 12:33 PM
Hmmm... I was raised as an atheist (though my mother often showed an attitude and "moral" which suits better to Christian fundamentalist parents, she claimed to be an atheist), searched a long way - mostly Wicca and other neopagan movements.
Now I see myself as a very spiritual person, without belonging to any organized religion. I respect real spirituality (no matter which religion it is), I try to respect and not hurt others' beliefs.
Though organized religion is really not for me, there is one thing I am really interested in. Zen/Chan buddhism! It is so... both rational and spiritual (but without this mystical type of brainwashing. Quite normal and down-to-earth.) And nonviolent. And it does teach tolerance and patience, which I really need to learn.
At least, for me, it gives great help against my aggression problems (which used to take the form of self-injury or alcohol abuse.) I would not say that I am PERFECTLY free from this "introverted aggression", but since I begun practising Chan, I am not SO self-dangerous as I used to be, and I can stop drinking before I would end up acting stupidly or saying crazy things. I wonder if I am the only one here, but I experience Chan as "better than psychotherapy". Anyone else here? :}
Now I see myself as a very spiritual person, without belonging to any organized religion. I respect real spirituality (no matter which religion it is), I try to respect and not hurt others' beliefs.
Though organized religion is really not for me, there is one thing I am really interested in. Zen/Chan buddhism! It is so... both rational and spiritual (but without this mystical type of brainwashing. Quite normal and down-to-earth.) And nonviolent. And it does teach tolerance and patience, which I really need to learn.
At least, for me, it gives great help against my aggression problems (which used to take the form of self-injury or alcohol abuse.) I would not say that I am PERFECTLY free from this "introverted aggression", but since I begun practising Chan, I am not SO self-dangerous as I used to be, and I can stop drinking before I would end up acting stupidly or saying crazy things. I wonder if I am the only one here, but I experience Chan as "better than psychotherapy". Anyone else here? :}