[Orson]

Thanks for your post Ray, many things you say resonate with me. I for one certainly see your path as legitimate, even though presently I may not understand all the details of it. I also value the individual, (as it sounds like you do) and believe each person needs to learn their ‘truths’ in their own unique way.

Old-Timer wrote:

I hope for a site where people want to become more than they want to know – even as they want to know and want to learn to reconcile intellectual concerns.

Thanks for this comment, I have always wanted to grow intellectually. I for one want to learn and know much – but I also feel that I want to become even more. Thanks for bringing this out for me.

[Orson]

LYN wrote:

Right now, I am still kind of in shock. I don’t want to react hastily. I need to consider everything from all angles and resconstruct a whole new belief system that I am content with. This will obviously take some time.

These are wise words LYN. You are right, it will take some time and effort. I commend you for not jumping to any rash conclusive actions, I think we make better decisions when we take our time. By mentioning “green” it sounds like you have recently experienced the ‘disorientation’. From my experience it takes some time for the “dust to settle.” My crisis happened in early 2007, and only in the past several months have I felt like I have a true desire to be united again with the church. (I spent a good amount of time initially trying to uncover all the ‘facts’ around church history.)

The words of Richard Bushman have helped me a great deal, I hope you can find some of his material. I also realized for sanity sake I needed to ponder everything I hear in church in a metaphorical context, thinking about what figurative meanings I could find. This has become a fun and fruitful exercise that I would recommend to everyone who finds themselves in this position. I am starting to get a sense that some things will eventually bear more spiritual fruit, and meanings may grow beyond the strictly figurative, but I can’t think of any good substitute initially than to look at everything with a metaphorical view. Follow your heart, don’t be afraid to embrace believing what your inner self really believes. Nothing else will be as productive in your personal growth. Before we can take a next step we need to establish our equilibrium where we stand NOW.

LYN wrote:

I don’t know much of anything these days except that I feel kind of like I was such a sucker to believe all that I did.

I think we all experience these feelings as well – it is to be expected when your whole world view is turned upside down. Don’t get down on yourself, open yourself up to a new exploration. It sounds like this is what you’re doing already. I feel like all I can say is “welcome to the journey!”

As far as WHY, everyone will have their own reasons. I find my personal reasons changing over time. At first it is to remain connected to family and the sense of community that the church has. I think those are worthwhile.

I’m glad you found us, I hope you’ll stick around as we get this place rolling!

[Orson]

Hi LYN,

I think that is a very good question, and one that I personally don’t have a clearly defined answer to. I have heard others describe experiences similar to yours, and I think it’s wonderful that you have had such a powerful reference. Personally my greatest spiritual experience was more like the feeling of overwhelming love, I didn’t connect any physical sensation to it – but it did come at a time when I was not particularly looking for it.

Yes, people can ‘reduce’ any experience to an “emotional response” or “psychological event”, but that doesn’t make it any less real or less important to the person who experienced it. I do think it’s possible to misinterpret the meaning of some of our experiences, but that’s a different topic for a different thread. As far as I’m concerned spiritual experiences are to be cherished, and pondered on for possible meanings. I see the spiritual realm as being completely out of the physical sphere, so the fact that there is no physical explanation or proof of spiritual experiences simply adds to their personal worth.

I don’t know if I hit on anything that you were looking for, but thanks for the post!

[Author]

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