Natural
disasters, 9/11, serial killers, mass murders—all atrocities seem to exist for
no other reason than to cause worry and to multiply bitterness. That they do. They
are real, they are factual and they are recognizable conveyances of some contemptible
truths about humanity and about the nature of human existence. They also serve as vulgar
victuals to fuel life into the matrix of the collective ego of all humanity.
Lack of
resiliency against the purposeful, intelligently irritating energy we call
resentment is the reason for all of the problems of mankind.
Forgiveness—not absolution—but not hating is the remedy.It is becoming immune to anger without regard for how easy or difficult, justifiable or unjustifiable—it must be done or else we will die, slowly and painfully from the inside out.
The
co-founders of the spiritual fellowship, Alcoholics
Anonymous, wrote of resentment in their amazing, eponymous book that,
“From it (‘resentment’) stem all
forms of spiritual disease”. [1]
Resentment and its assortment of many flavors; annoyance, fear, irritation et
al – is the spore which germinates every kind of spiritual disease there is—not
some spiritual disease, but all forms of it.
Hate for
injustice automatically produces judgment and judgment is playing God/ Playing God
separates us from the one true God and produces inner guilt. A pained conscience is the evidence that we have turned our
backs on God through trying to be Him, sending our tormenters to hell in our imaginations.
That guilt will be resolved, somehow,
someway, someday; usually through obsessive behavior—as we gradually turn into what we
hate.
 |
| "If we were to live, we had to be free of anger." |
Hate injustice just once, especially subtle cruelties inflicted through mothers and fathers who never learn to love each other, then we will slowly deteriorate with the world, turning into the very vile thing that angered us originally. It is what happens to all the Adam Lanzas of the world. It is what has happened to all degenerated humans who lose their ground of spiritual being through anger. Save none.
Our society spins into its current state
of objectionable affairs and toward whatever state it is headed, so we can grow
through it and toward Him. It is not our place to second guess it all.
It is our place only to endure—learning to forgive, recover and to live free of anger.
It does well
to live by this ancient spiritual axiom
of the ages. I live by it every time I am presented with the pang of bitterness
waiting on my doorstep, waiting to crop up to feed the thing inside me; when I
look at the disfigured Manhattan skyline.
It is also
my wish that I live by it each time I pass the sign that says, Exit 10, 6 West Newtown Sandy
Hook, because I know there will something there that was not there before, each time. A "something" that has the power to blanket an entire country adding one more shot of vitiol to help bring it down.
Anyone who lives by it can survive
any evil—this one and those worse to come.
Peace and Love,
Danny S – RLRA
Real Live Recovered Alcoholic
Real Meditation for Real Alcoholics (12 step friendly, non-religious, free)
58 comments:
"Lack of resiliency against the purposeful, intelligently irritating energy we call resentment is the reason for all of the problems of mankind."
Danny,
I find this statement very sophomoric and in need of more thought. There is and underling cause for the spiritual condition of mankind and it has nothing to do with the czar of the universe.
There is no mention of that in the article anywhere. Perhaps you should read it again. ~ DJS
"God has established a seemingly bizarre existence for us, full of temptation to give-in to hate for one reason - so that rescue from it is possible. That is when we can rely upon Him, instead of ourselves."
This, my friend, is a conniving czar that creates slaves of mankind.
In the myth of the creation, Eve blamed the serpent and Adam blamed God. Isn't that what you are doing here.
The steps empower us they do not take us hostage.
You know there are quite a few places in the world where when one belittles Scripture like that -- a beheading is scheduled. :)
Fortunately we live in wonderful country where, as of now we can still have a God of our understanding, and opposing views are tolerated. Lucky for you.
You know Bill W, while still un-recovered, prior to his spiritual awakening, also resisted the “Czar of the Heavens” idea, as you do. Instead he favored the more palatable ideas of, “Creative Intelligence, Universal Mind or Spirit of Nature” and such terms (as I can see you might as well) He could “go for” those ideas prior to giving up his prejudices – but once he become willing, and recovered spiritually - he gave up those old ideas in favor of the “Czar” Whom you so oppose.
Prior to recovery he rejected ideas he later came to believe and rejected the ones he held prior to awakening.
There are many millions of folks like me for whom The Old and New Testament is no myth - and for whom Genesis is deeply recognized as a profoundly accurate portrayal of the state of mankind and explains virtually all we need to know about humanity today. We don’t believe it because it is written, but we obtain first understanding through God consciousness and THEN can see that what has been written has been all along.
I don’t argue Scripture, it’s just not my thing; so I will not engage -- but truly hope that one day the Scriptures may come as alive for you as it has for me, and for many others like me all over the world. That would be an indicator that something wonderful has happened to you.
~ DJS
Oh and by the way, the "Czar" of my understand hasn’t as of yet shown the slightest bit of conniving in this alcoholics life - nor cunning, nor anything baffling. He a darn good Czar, flowing with quite a bit of loving "sway". ~ DJS
God created man in his image, then Man reciprocated and created God in his image.
You sound like the man in the car lot that believed he was a used car. Just because you believe something doesn't make it true. The man who killed all those children probably believed his imagination was true also.
There are creation myths in every culture. It is totally arrogant to say, "My beliefs is the only true one."
You are not the ultimate in sobriety yet. I once believed as you do. Today I am a student again. There is much more for you to learn yet. But first learn to listen to the people who have been there and back, then accept what make sense.
Religion is probably the greatest barrier to spirituality.
I read one of your posts where you begged someone not to sponsor anyone. Now I ask the same of you.
Question for rkidian : what do you mean by "ultimate in sobriety"?...
sounds like receiving a black belt or something =)
Question for everyone : Any info, thoughts on this ?
http://www.12after12.org/
"Religion is probably the greatest barrier to spirituality"
Maybe so...but i would say of religion that it is arrogance disguising itself as wisdom.
The problem with religion is that instead of leading the lost to God, as they might, religions lead only to religion. There was a man, named Jesus who gave a direct example to mankind, who warned against religion and presented a message that included freedom from religions, that man might give it up.
Ironically, men took that message of freedom and made religions out of it and Him. Pity, because it is religion which most often gets in the way of the message. Religions block us from spirituality. I got free of religion over three decades ago and never looked back. It saved my life. ~ DJS
Insanity should be defined as the belief that my or another's imagination is the absolute truth.
"ultimate in sobriety"
The pinnacle knowledge.
People talk about spirituality, but they never talk about the "spirits!" why? Obviously, the man from Ct was posessed by evil spirits. The same spirits that affect those who claim to be spiritual. The same spirits that posess the drunkards. People believe in the Big Book written by ex-drunks, but they ridicule a book written by GOD! Religion doesn't get in the way of a man who seeks God. Rather, it is sins and lies that get in our way! Satan is the Fathet of Lies. Some people hate the truth! They love "the LIE as I understand Him." I don't like religion so ... I will make up my own religion. That is the definition of "Spirituality!"
You shoudk come to our house. We talk about 'em ALL the time.~DJS
Im an atheist myself, never really "got" the godbit im afraid, but seems to me that many aa´s have a superior attitude towards religion and religious people. Its like they consider their "spirituality" as more pure, true and close to God than that of religion.
Atheist are the only true monotheist,
all others are polytheist.
"Atheist are the only true monotheist,
all others are polytheist."
Thats a cute one, much laughter bro,...maybe thats the tactic God has for those of us that never gets him through spirituality or religion ?...He makes us atheist, and without us even knowing it we become monotheists, wether we like it or not ?=)
Maybe the big book was right after all then, with its emphasis on God. That might explain why, without any spiritual practises or beliefs, a former drunk like me has been both freed from the desire to drink and enjoy a ( reasonably ) happy, joyous and free life ?
peace yall
=)
An A-theist is a man who thinks that he is a god! Hence, he does not need or want the real God. His god is his intellect. He worships his thoughts, but it is his own thoughts that made him a prisoner to one sip of alcohol! As for the agnostic, I have one question for them: If you are an agnostic, PROVE it! He did have PROOF that he once believed in! What was that PROOF? Alcohol was full proof and with each drink he took, he became a bigger fool!
From wiki :
"Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities. Most inclusively, atheism is simply the absence of belief that any deities exist. Atheism is contrasted with theism, which in its most general form is the belief that at least one deity exists."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism
Thats the definition that applies to me at least. I never met an atheist who believs himself to be a god. Thats not even possible with the definition of atheism given.
I certainly do not agree with any notion of atheism as cause for alcoholism, most atheist are not alcoholics but some of the most devout theists are. Alcoholism has nothing to do with beliefsystem.
To me, the intellect is not God neither, its just the intellect. I do agree that I used to worship it though. Thats seems to be a major problem for many alcoholics, and aa offers a way out of that worship, even for us atheists obviously.
Actually,worship of the intellect is not resevered for nontheists only. Spiritual philosophy ( thoughts, hence of the intellect) can be worshipped as well.
peace yall
=)
Question?
If a person believes in a "God of Light" and a "god of darkness" and worships both according to the character he assigns them; Is he not polytheistic?
The darkness does not grasp the light and neither do you!
The darkness does not grasp the light and neither do you!
If I were a coward, I would post a message like this anonymously. I'm not and I don't.
If a man does not believe in God, he is the god of his own life! I don't need the wicked wikipediatric definition of an atheist! I was once an atheist. I was the god of my own life. My mind that I trusted made me a prisoner to alcohol. I take full responsibility for my own demise! I dom't blame it on a phony disease for which there is no blood test! I have a free will and I freely used it to drink myself to death! I know this to be true because God has taught me the truth about myself. I do accept and offer your same final sentiment: Peace be with you. Not the peace of false love called acceptance. The peace of real love called truth.
You are so tough that the words of a cowardly anonymous man offended you! You are anonymous to yourself!
You did not offend me, I understand your ignorance and arrogance. LOL
If a man does not believe in God, he is the god of his own life!
A real monotheist!
"If a man does not believe in God, he is the god of his own life!"
Whoa, easy there Hoss. Im very aware of the fact that I didn´t create the universe or the apperance of my body. You dont need a belief in any God to see that. Or maybe some of us do. I wasnt as much aware of the fact that my mind isnt to be trusted in all aspects of life. Gratefully I see this now, though, didnt need any belief in a God, of any sort, to see that neither.
As for the offer, tnx, but there is truly nothing you have that Im interested in. Not that you could give it to me anyway.
Im more than content with a pair of sox for christmas. =)
peace yall
If you were not interested in anything I had, then you would not have commented on my definition of an A-theist. As for your idea of God, you believe that Go created the universe and the image of your body. Why did God do this? Because he loves us and he wanted to share His existence with us! You are right in the fact that I can't give you anything. Many gifts are given, but it is the receiver who must by an act of his own will accept the gift. Merry Christmas!
Well, to clarify then, Im not interested in anything you claim to have as something I would want to have, thats not personal to you, I just dont want/need much from anyone. Nor do I wish to emulate anybody else, jesus included.
Your definition of atheism is clearly not my definition. You seem to equate "atheist" with "person who think of himself as God". I dont. Few atheist do. Seems to me that you in fact do need to read "the wicked wikipediatric definition of an atheist".
If someone believes himself to be God, hes not an atheist, he´s wacked out of his mind and a believer in the idea of God. I dont believe in that idea, there was a time I did. But I dont anymore. Im more than ok with you beliving in whatever you want though, its of no concern of mine.
Merry xmas btw=)
To clarify, there is a difference when a man does not capitalize the g in God. The lower case g is not meant to mean the God of the universe. Rathe, it denotes the god of his own universe! The one who knows all! I wonder why you lost your faith in God. Was it trauma, unanswered prayers, the evil things of this world, the hypocracy of the alleged holy ones, or was it a lack of love from humanity? I lost my faith because I trusted my intellect! No one could get to me because of my cursed pride! I worshipped my empty knowledge! I didn't need anyone! Isn't that sad! To not want a connection with another person! Why? Everytime I took that drink, I was crying out to the world... I cried out the words... I NEED! What did I need? Love. thanks for the merry Christmas!
As for your not wanting to emulate Jesus, I know what you mean! I was afraid of Jesus because I was terrified of His Cross!
we dont have to believe in god for him to believe in us. the awareness that we aint god is more important.
I don't think "God" cares what we call him either or put a capital or not at the front just as long as we give him a call if we want his help.
if we dont want his help i reckon thats ok with him as well, bit like a father wanting to help his child but at the same time not forcing that help upon the child
if we call him by the wrong name or not get it touch does it mean we can not access his power. I like to think not unless of course a loving god sets conditions.
alcys debating over concepts and definitions of the undefinable- classic really- but better than what we used to argue about i suppose.
if we box God off we merely place human limits on something that is spiritual and therefore something we can never fully comprehend, right now that is.
I dont understand God and thats how i understand him or her or it. but i do i feel the presence of the power that emanates from the source of that power on a daily basis and that power allows me to remain a free man limited only by my sometimes belligerence and ignorant view point.
I like to thing the reason we struggle with all this at times as we are spiritual entities trapped in a human body trying to be something we are not, one day all will be revealed i hope and untill then i'm more than happy to go along accepting that i know very little but enough to keep allowing the truth to come to me.
no one can teach the truth, merely show what is not true. The biggest blockage to the power of god is the word god.
May be i am completely wrong but who cares really, i could spend all day debating and enjoying the topic or go help some poor soul to find his own truth and freedom through the 12 steps to god, what ever or whoever that god may or may not be.
every day is a school day eh. happy new year all, the firing line beckons.
Folks who are vociferously “atheist” are actually choosing a doctrine, of their own—of other "atheists", a well worn and centuries old dogma of godlessness which invariably supposes and proclaims that they are better off for having rejected a “Czar of the Heavens” idea and that anyone who does not similarly reject God are somehow not as advanced as they and therefore inferior.
The blatant spirituality of an atheist’s conjectural lack of it, is quite bombastic.
Self proclaimed atheists (who cannot really exist BTW, no matter how hard he tries since imprinted in all mankind IS a spiritual “DNA” that doesn’t respond to mere intellectual dismissal) are fascinating and precious people; the same way skinhead Nazis, the KKK, Race baiters, Ultra religious phony Christians and all similar self-absorbed fascist types are worthy of interest.
There are stark contrasts between the lives of happy, well adjusted individuals (faithful, awakened, God conscious people) and the lives of fascists who exist on either side of the “faith” spectrum. These differences ultimately surface. IE. Revelations about secret behaviors, reflections of themselves in the lives of their children (Fruits), their own health, overall deportment and ultimately the means by which they die – typically through emotionally instigated diseases like heart disease or cancer.
We can watch, quietly and non-judgmentally and grow spiritually by not hating what we see in Godless folks, whether they be atheist or religious zealots.
I quietly get stronger when I encounter zealots and kooks in the world running around in self absorbed, mesmerized states, tripping up the works like bulls in a china shop. Without them there might be too little out in the world to sharpen the ability to love and tolerate.
I guess I am saying that I love atheists and kooks. And I love to love them!
“The Buddha spoke gently, "Once a person is caught by belief in a doctrine, one loses all one's freedom. When one becomes dogmatic, that person believes his or her doctrine is the only truth and that all other doctrines are heresy. Disputes and conflicts all arise from narrow views. They can extend endlessly, wasting precious time and sometimes even leading to war. Attachment to views is the greatest impediment to the spiritual path. Bound to narrow views, one becomes so entangled that it is no longer possible to let the door of truth open." -- Thich Nhat Hanh
Wars are caused by greed and pride hiding under the code name doctrine! What will happen to the AA member who does not attach himself to the twelve steps? How did he get attached to alcohol? It surely was not by believing in a dogmatic doctrine! The drunk was deceived by the Anonymous Spirit!
Wars are caused...
Fifty years ago a naval officer told me that I had the best convoluted logic he had ever seen.
Damned if I you don't have me beat all to hell..LOL
Let me keep it simple: The Anonymous Spirit is the damned one who beats men to hell! Satan wants men to dispise the truth. Why? So that he can win a man over with lies. He deceives the drunk into believing that a lethal dose of alcohol is good for him!
Since God assists the humble, when a man reaches the point where his pride is humiliated enough, he will humble himself. AA tries to help the proud drunk by telling him to admit that he is powerless over alcohol. Once the man humbles himself by acknowledging his weakness, God assists him. This is true for all men regardless of their beliefs!
If you are offended by this truth, then you suffer from pride and arrogance. Why? The humble man is not offended by another man's beliefs. He can only feel sorrow for a man who is lost in lies.
Let me keep it simple:
Can you prove any of this? Or is this just your imagination?
If you have a good God and a bad God, then you don't have to except any responsibility. Great gimmick..LOL
Your beliefs don't, nor can they offend me. They can offend only you.
I will be judged by the Lord! On Judgement Day, we will all have to make an account for our lives. God is the One who knows good and evil. As for your proof: where you decieved by alcohol? Decieved by a mere chemical.? The only PROOF that you ever believed in brought you to your knees!
Larry,
You are being judged NOW by the only God you understand. You are judged unworthy. You have always been unworthy and will always be unworthy.
What bought me to my knees was the unmanageability of my life. Alcohol was only a symptom of my naivety.
I used to believe much like you do. Thank God,(for lack of a better word) I was able to get past that and accept the life I have and the responsiblity that goes with it.
One thing I have learned is that you cannot rescue anyone from themselves or their imagination.
Although Jesus will judge me at the appointed time, I do judge myself. I have judged myself as unworthy! I am absolutely unworthy of God's Love! The miracle is that I agree with you! You have finally said something that was TRUE! I am unworthy of God's love!
Now, as for alcohol being a symptom of your naivety: this statement is a FIGMENT of your IMAGINATION!
The unmanageability of an Alcoholics life is cause by ALCOHOL. If your problem was NAIVETY, then like most children you would outgrow it!
I believe that you still suffer from your NAIVETY!
When I was a child the worst thing that someone could call you was a "Reformed Drunk". Now I understand why.
Apparently you have never read the book called "Alcoholics Anonymous" and it you have you should read it again, this time try to understand what you are reading.
From your posts I can detect a tremendous amount of ignorance of AA, the big book, the bible and life in general.
Good luck with your search. You seem to be a very undisciplined child in search of yourself and you won't find Him in any book or synagogue.
What did I post that was unbiblical? Please enlighten me!
Enlightenment comes from within not without...
Truth enlightens, but you can't grasp the light! Read the Verdict: John 3:19.
John was promoting his religious beliefs, just as you try to. I have no problem with either of you. What is your problem?
I spent hours, days, years, and decades searching for the Truth about our common problem which I call drunkenness. Finally, I found the Truth in the Word of God!
Good! I'm happy for you.
Drunkenness was never my problem, it was the symptom of the problem.
What we have in common is defined in my avatar.
I don't know if you were a drunk, but I was. When I was enslaved to the drink, I denied the truth/reality by saying that alcohol wasn't my problem... My problem was everything else, but alcohol!
Until I faced the truth about my drinking, I couldn't stop drinking. Alcohol is the problem for every drunk!
When you say that alcohol is a SYMPTOM of the problem, What are you really saying? I believe the real question that we want answered is "Why did I become a drunk?" What caused me to attain this love for alcohol? This love made me blind to the truth. This love, SICK love caused me to enjoy pain and revel in self-destruction! I loved punishing myself! Why?
Now, most people are unable to see the truth...that the drunk gets drunk on his own pain! Why did we enjoy suffering? Perhaps, I enjoyed suffering because my ungodly, immoral, inhumane existence deserved to suffer for my sins!
If you are happy with that evaluation of yourself, I'm happy for you. If you are not, there is a solution.
Of course, you do realize that the people who wrote the bible were the same people who believed the earth was flat.
Do you still believe that too?
My bible doesn't mention that the earth is flat. Where is that in the bible?
Larry,
Isaiah 11:12
Isiah does not say that "the earth is flat." You seem to have a different translation. Perhaps, you are reading the children's bible. The Good Knews is that to enter the kingdom of heaven, one must become like a little child. I am certain that you are on your way. God Bless!
The KJV mentions "...the four corners of the world"
You show me a sphere that has corners and I'll join your church...LOL
I didn't know there was a bible for children. Do they have one for adults and senior citizens too?
You are own your way too. The question is: To where?
It doesn't say "the earth is flat."
Literally, "No"
Figuratively, "Yes"
The End!
You previously stated "let me keep it simple.
Can you prove any of this or is this just your imagination?"
Now, you decide to use your imagination by being "figurative" in order to undermine the Word of God!
When I demand proof, the only answer you have is in your imagination!
When I demand solid proof, you offer your figurative imagination.
Now, I demand solid proof!
The only proof that you believe in is rooted in your figurative imagination.
If you want to carry on this conversation via email I will accomamidate you but, this board is not about bible misinterpretations.
5 years sober, never felt so good and realized how retarded alcohol makes a person.
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