Maintaining a connection with God

[_souldier]

I'm not starting this tread as an attack against those who believe in God, the Church, or whatever. I'm just curious how you got a connection/maintain a connection with God. My efforts have all seemed to fail, so I gave up trying to get a connection. I was at a point in life where I realized that I had a lot of bad friendships where I felt I was the only one maintaining the bridges, God included. But enough about that, how do you do it?

[_Zadok]

Good question. And one for which I don't have an answer. I quit praying a few years ago when the shelf came down. And I also gave up trying to have some connection with the Mormon-grampa-God-with-white-beard-and-flowing-robes. Now I try to connect with the Namaste in me and feed it by attending the Church of the Big Blue Dome.

In the Uintahs; or where the Sea meets the shore; or overlooking Dead-Horse point near Moab. There my new God speaks to me in my soul, not in my ear!

[_Amore]

I'm not starting this tread as an attack against those who believe in God, the Church, or whatever. I'm just curious how you got a connection/maintain a connection with God. My efforts have all seemed to fail, so I gave up trying to get a connection. I was at a point in life where I realized that I had a lot of bad friendships where I felt I was the only one maintaining the bridges, God included. But enough about that, how do you do it?

Hi Souldier,
I've also taken a break from various things and relationships because I'm trying to heal a life trap of "self sacrifice." My definition of God is still evolving... For a while I didn't feel like praying because I thought I was just fooling myself - especially after debating too much with Atheists, Nihihlists and others who were projecting their depression and frustrated expectations.

My faith was hanging by a thread... but it was strengthened by little moments of serendipity - like I kept getting messages to "BELIEVE." I was like, "Believe in WHAT, though?" Now I think it is good to believe in GOoD... in goodness, in love - in all of the healthy qualities I associate with God and spirituality... and even to believe in goals.

To connect, I try to meditate - it's much easier to meditate - to sort thoughts, or try to tap into my subconscious (a.k.a. "the kingdom of God within you" -Luke 17) by hiking up in the mountains. But I can't do that all of the time - so I'm learning to connect in other ways - especially yoga, Tai chi, dance, music and just forcing myself to be still for a bit.

I hope your faith is strengthened, Souldier... I do think everyone has faith but not all are conscious of the subjective beliefs they have, so there is some truth in "we walk by faith." But I also think there are some aspects more worthy of investing faith in, than others.

As Zadok mentioned, "Namaste" - I like the sentiment "the god in me bows to the god in you."
Like Jesus' teaching... "the kingdom of God is within you."
Many religions have similar teachings at heart....
Letter from God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlp0GBn02wM

[_subgenius]

I'm not starting this tread as an attack against those who believe in God, the Church, or whatever. I'm just curious how you got a connection/maintain a connection with God. My efforts have all seemed to fail, so I gave up trying to get a connection. I was at a point in life where I realized that I had a lot of bad friendships where I felt I was the only one maintaining the bridges, God included. But enough about that, how do you do it?

"Bad relationships"?

Amore best summed it up with "the kingdom of God within you" -Luke 17)

I keep a connection with God by the realization that all I have to do is try.

Only the righteous are tested, my friend.

[_Zadok]

Only the righteous are tested, my friend.

If this is true, then I am fully guaranteed a spot in the highest, bestest heaven!

(Edited to remove a GD swear word reference).

[_souldier]

Amore, thanks for your thoughts. For me I find peace looking at the stars. I just think of the vastness of space and realize how insignificant my struggles are. Were less than a speck of dust compared to the rest of the universe. My thoughts often dwell on God then, it's the times I feel the closest to God. If he does exist.

Subgenius, I must have been so righteous that God decided to test me even more everytime I needed Him!

Wait, so how can you tell the difference between a trial and a punishment? God's pretty liberal with dishing out the pain, it just depends on the righteousness of the person receiving it. (Well, I no longer have any desire to worship that kind of god.)

[_Amore]

Souldier,
On a clear night, I love to look up too.

I know it's common to think of God as the ultimate punisher & heaven's reward fallacy, but it doesn't make sense if "God is love." God wouldn't kick us when we're down. I do believe in a reasonable theory of attraction & karma & consequences to everything, though I have much to learn about energy in that sense. Also, I see the need for opposition to progress.. Like weight/gravity increases muscle.

Pain sucks. But it's also the key to motivation. My experience of God is within, as is my hell. As mentioned, I'm trying to heal life traps & correct cognitive distortion, which, in my opinion, are the causes of extra unnecessary counterproductive pain.