Is there any point in posting on the main boards any more?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

Just finished two threads where I was basically talked down to because I believe in a Higher Power and also because I had the audacity to relate a personal experience where homeopathy healed me. You know, DUers talk of tolerance, but there is an element here that has a fine old time ridiculing people who are spiritual and understand the spiritual aspect of healing.

At least here I know I can talk about spirituality and not be ridiculed. THANK YOU ALL for being here and for understanding.

[stellanoir]

1. oooooooooo I'm sorry you're having that sort of experience.

With all the political/spiritual prayer threads I've done over the last 6 months I've been truly amazed over the plethora of positive reponses.

I've probably done about 12 of them and only got about 4 detractors. I attribute it to several factors. Firstly, all the fantastic support and responses I get from this group and a handful of others. Secondly that in the face of all this small minded rampant and intolerant fundamentalism, some of the boomers (I'm not one-slightly younger) are hungering for spirituality and probably are familiar with it from the 60's and only require some gentle reminding, and those much younger seemingly never forgot. Thirdly, putting this chant. . ."nam-myoho-renge-kyo". . .at the bottom of the threads seems to really help.

I forgot it once and got two nay sayers right away and then I edited it in and though they kept responding, no more piled on and we even converted one of them from a blow hard into a pussycat. That was a riot.

Anyhoo. . .you may want to consider putting that chant in your sig line for protection.

Oh and Mars is opposing Saturn today so people are especially cranky. It'll pass at 3:33 pm EDT.

Maybe lay low until then.

:hug:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Good idea

I always have this problem not when I start a thread (which I don't do that often) but when I respond to another thread. The one on religion was in support of the OP, the one on health in opposition.

I know about nam-myoho-renge-kyo and that it comes from a sect of Buddhism. Thanks for the tip! :)

[Matariki]

3. Had that experience too. I feel for you.

In a thread in GD I related the FACT that I knew two people CURED of Leukemia by alternate means. That's a pretty big deal really. One guy I worked with had gone to Haiti when his doctors wanted to amputate one of his legs. He had a film of the vodou service that was done to/for him and I got to see it. The other person was a woman who lived in the same town, she had one leg amputated and was facing having the other one removed. She found a north american shaman who healed her.

I should have known better and it upset me more than usual that day. I think especially when someone out and out says what I'm saying is untrue - when I KNOW it to be true, I get a little touchy. But then again, I think its really just a small and very vocal minority that will jump on posts like that. Like I mentioned before, that closed mindedness isn't even 'scientific', as they probably imagine themselves. Modern science has abandoned the purely mechanical view of the universe quite some time ago.

I try to remember that DU is a political board and apart from this forum, try to keep my comments to politics.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. You make some very good points

I've told my doctor, who is an MD, holistic physician, and mystic who knows hands on healing works, about some of the posters here who claim to be "scientific". She laughed, and said they were way behind the latest that is being discovered.

I know I got upset because an anonymous poster who claimed to be "scientific" immediately called my MD a quack because she recommended homeopathic remedies. Then I got thinking--all he knew about her was she was an MD and thought homeopathy worked. Would a real scientist base their conclusions on such limited information?

And yes, isn't it fun when they tell you you are lying about something you know to be true? That same MD cured my husband and Hepatitis C, a disease that is considered incurable. But they won't accept that.

[Matariki]

5. wow. you're lucky to have found such a great physician.

what part of the country do you live in?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. Arkansas

there are a lot of mystics/alternative healers here. Future Visions Foundation has an education center where people come and lecture, plus a clinic. Ozark Research Institute is a wonderful organization that is also in the area--they are having their April Convention in Fayetteville AR. ORI includes dowsers and healers who use many different techniques.

[Rock_Garden]

13. That's what I do, too, Kineta.

By that I mean that I only discuss alternative good stuff in this forum, because I know where to go to share the love!

[I Have A Dream]

6. Yes, Ayesha, this group is my DU home. I check the other...

areas out also, but there's nothing like being with kindred spirits.

It's sad that they're missing the opportunity to grow from your amazing wisdom. I've personally learned so much from you.

:grouphug:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. Thank you

I learn a LOT from you, too!

[Cleita]

9. That would be the atheists and skeptics.

Not that I'm not close to them in my thinking especially when it comes to established, dogmatic religions, Also, I am always looking for a scientific explanation for all ideas inluding exploring the paranormal. However, the big difference is that I have an open mind to accept and explore what is out there. Being dogmatic and closing your mind to other possibilities is as bad as being a bible thumping religious fundamentalist. I take my philosophy from the Buddhists who ask you to question everything you learn even from the masters, however, keep an open mind to all that is out there.

I honestly believe our minds occupy other spaces or dimensions so when a skeptic tells me that when our medulla dies we cease to exist, I believe they are like the medieval astronomers who insisted the earth was the center of the universe because that was the only viewpoint that they had to go on at the time. Empirical evidence isn't out there yet for the existence of an eternal soul, but there is plenty of circumstancial evidence so you can't discount it.

So, ignore them. I run into them all the time too. I just tell them that they are awfully sure of themselves for being a mere human being.

[DemExpat]

10. Yes, Cleita, I also share atheists' and skeptics' thinking on established religions.

As well as their attacks on quackery that is surely out there, but I can't go there to discuss it with them because of my other strong feelings/beliefs about other means to health and healing.

So I, too have learned to ignore them, and am certain that they will grow to see the bigger picture if not in this life than in another.

:D

DemEx

[rumpel]

11. I feel the same way

I find it totally fascinating and exiting that we are making such wonderful discoveries into our very own existence in the cosmos - as well as functions relating to energies..

I feel sorry for those who have such a closed mind and don't see the great possibilities we can all build upon and utilize. I believe such minds dwell in complaints and the past without solutions.

I personally do not believe in a "God" as the term is used historically - or an entity that makes and breaks all - and yet I do think it is a collective energy of the cosmos of which we are all part of..but what came before that is still a big question...isn't it - then again - time is not linear :)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

15. Our God concepts are changing right now

I like the Lakota way of describing That--The Great Mystery. A Sufi sage once said that during life we create many different God ideals--but that as we live and experience, those ideals are shattered again and again as we get closer to That. That is why the invocation used by my Order starts with the words, "Toward the One".

[Ilsa]

20. I htink there are plenty on DU that are too afraid to revisit

this subject on a personal level from time to time in their lives. I am going through a spell of that myself right now, where I feel very spiritual, and believe in our spirits, but have a hard time in believing in what I thought was God all this time. I am very ambivalent about alot of stuff right now, but I am far from being in a place where I deny its existence or relevance to our lives.

[rumpel]

21. I like that

"Toward the One"..

:)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. Thank you for these wise and peaceful words

You have put into words what I have thought.

[Shine]

12. It depends on how strong you are feeling, in the moment

sometimes I just don't have the energy to deal with that kind of negativity and will avoid posting anything of a "deeper" nature. It's sad, in a way, but I also think it's a healthy way to take care of ourselves. I don't relish conversations where I am forced to defend my way of thinking or feeling. I just don't buy into all that stuff. People either are open to spirituality, or they're not.

The recent attacks on "The Secret" are a perfect example of that. I try not to be judgmental, but sometimes it's harder than others to do that, esp. when people are sooooo critical of things they clearly have no understanding of.

I'm also so very glad for this forum. :hug:

[mother earth]

16. Don't lose heart, ayeshahaqqiqa. You are far removed from

that kind of personality, don't ever let it stop you from voicing your opinion. :hug: I think it was Susan Sarandon who said never let others dictate who you are. :toast: I have always loved those words.
Brush it off and post where you like, we belong to this board and we should never feel we need to only post in this section.

We all know wonderful support and wisdom congregates here, how can you not love this little group? :hug:


Keep smiling.:yourock:

[stellanoir]

17. I've been pondering this a lot lately.

As I've said before, every time I post a political/spiritual prayer thread (or as a funny friend misunderstood on the phone today thinking I said- "prayer threat" ), I think "Phew I've done enough" then another wave comes and totally engulfs me. It's really quite an unusual and peculiar creative process.

Yet I marvel over how some folks pay beaucoup donaros for taking shamanic workshops when if they truly knew what it was to be entirely consumed with collective energies and what a friggin' seemingly thankless task it is, they'd never even dream of signing up. It's peculiar for sure.

I still believe that this is a community worth contributing to, and we just have to support each other. Then all will be well.

Consider putting that chant in your sig line and I swear it'll be like an asbestos suit.

[Celebration]

19. Collective energies

Call me judgmental but the "we are one" gets really difficult for me when I realize that "we" includes people like GWB and his cabinet, and all kinds of nasty folks. I guess I am not evolved enough yet.

In the meantime, your post encouraged me to finally put something in my sig line, and I am testing it out to see if it works.

I haven't been to a shamanic workshop (I don't think???) But don't they just talk about how to harness energies--I mean, do you have to be entirely consumed by collective energies? I do know that there are all sorts of "forces" out there, and once you start gathering energy it *could* get a little combative. So far I mostly just do my own thing.

Has anyone here felt like they were in combat against other esoteric energies?

As for posts in other places, oh, I can get a bit combative at times. It is all defensive, though.

Okay, let me take a peek at my new signature......

[rumpel]

22. ah

but is that not the Yin and Yang? Key is to bring the energies into balance - I think.

However, since energies like GWB are focused on the self - they do not exhibit a collective coherent mass of energy. These types of energies - are many but isolated.

We here, (and others around the globe through various methods and groups) have a totally coherent mass of collective positive energy. Ours merge into one.

But you are right about the battles - yes - I feel the tremendous combative negative energies. Sometimes I feel I am strong enough, sometimes I am not. That is recharge energy time.

[stellanoir]

25. "we are far more than mostly one"

There are just some real lackeys in charge right now that don't or do not choose to get it. I've posted at length in GD for a while now about how hatred of * may just keep him in power longer. I think certain individuals in this "misadministration" thrive on something other than love and light if ya know what I mean.

In terms of collective energies, I'm sure different people use different techniques really.

I never felt as though I was in combat with esoteric forces but I had to learn discrimination early on and how to just say BS to certain misguided spririts that were basically just plain confused. It gets easier with practice, auric strengthening and grounding techniques for sure.

Great humors always help as well.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

41. Nice sig line

Martha Moore Stevens, in her talk yesterday, spoke of dealing with those who have negative energies--she said to be thankful for them! If we are all one, then they have their part--and we don't have to play that part! So that's one reason to be thankful. She also said to find that within you that resonates on some level (I took it to be negatively) with people like W and to say "I'm sorry,please forgive me", the idea being to heal that part of the Whole.

The key, I think, is to remain centered and at peace. Knowing the interconnectedness can help.

As well as knowing that nefarious forces have no authority over you. That is also key.

[DemExpat]

23. I agree here, Stella,

I still believe that this is a community worth contributing to, and we just have to support each other. Then all will be well.

Besides feeling the colossal clashing energies, I see the fussing and fighting as a big family with real ties but lots of different personalities and ideas to discuss and get heated over in the process of living. I must admit that even though I get thoroughly exasperated with some DUers, I also often feel some affection for them and their struggles to understand with their iron defensives to understanding! :crazy:

But granted - having this little group here to find truly more like-minded spirits is a definite plus to keep me interested and coming by here every day.

DemEx

[Chemical Bill]

18. Just thank them for sharing and move on.

It drives them mad to know that you are not ever going to be limited by their POV.

Bill

[DemExpat]

24. LOL, Bill, I know that this really is so, that it DOES drive them

mad.......

:silly: :crazy:

:hi:

DemEx

[Me.]

26. Some People Can't Help Being Brats

Sad for them. And I ask you, really, what value does the opinion of a brat have? The loss is theirs.

[davsand]

27. I think ANY form of spirituality freaks out some folks.

I honestly have come to feel that there are some people who just get freaked out by ANY form of spirituality be it organized religion or mysticism or anything else. The "flat Earth" folks are another example of that complete rejection of faith and they have been around a long time--so I can't really call it the religion of science--even IF I could simplify it that much.

Stella, Rick or any of our other fine Astrologers could probably give a compelling argument for what I perceive as an increase in both the level of spirituality AND the disbelievers. I can't. I can, however, tell you that I think this is a symptom of the changes happening all around us.

Over thirty years ago I started looking at the world in a different way, and at the time there was very little available to me to aid me in understanding. I'd find a book about numerology and feel like it was illicit, somehow. When I was gifted with my first deck of Tarot cards I honestly felt I needed to hide them in my own apartment--it felt THAT strange.

I can laugh about it now, but back then, my spirituality was quite tender--almost fragile--except for the fact that I felt so strongly that what I was doing was right for me. I see other people on here (and everywhere else in our world) that are maybe in that same place that I was in thirty years ago. One of the main reasons I speak out in here as much as I do is not because I feel I have any real level of expertise, but more a matter of showing that it IS ok to open that door and you DON'T have to hide.

I also see people that sometimes ar very afraid of even opening that door a tiny crack--and THOSE are the people who are the most vituperative in attack. Hard as it is, sometimes, I try and send those people a bit of light (or a well wish) that they may find comfort in whatever path is right for them. It might not be the same path I'm on, but I hope they do find what is right for them. Once they do, they will likely be less angry with folks like us.

Ayeshahaqqiqa, you may be in a place where you have the ability to teach or even lead a bit. Please don't retreat from that completely unless it over burdens you (we ALL get to that point sometimes!) You can ALWAYS come hang with us when you need a hand to hold!



Laura

[stellanoir]

28. Yup

Pluto rocking back and forth on the Galactic Center is triggering both rigid fundamentalism and profound awakening depending on one's orientation.

Lutin ( http://michaellutin.com ) says that the reason that there is so much violence and killing over religious differences is because the fundamentalists are unconsciously harboring doubt in the veracity of their very faith so they are compelled to over amp. (paraphrased)

Also Pluto is rumbling at the tail end of Sagittarius which rules theology among many other things.

[davsand]

29. See??? I just KNEW it!

Stella, you have NO idea how much I appreciate all of you "Star" folks on here!


Laura

[stellanoir]

30. I like your playful Easter bunny as well.

Now I don't have to lose any sleep worrying about that butterfly and those cats. LOL

My sister had Dutch rabbits as a kid and named them all after Greek Gods and Goddesses.

I've been a insufferable mythic goner ever since then.

Uranus nudging the North Lunar Node is stirring up stuff having to do with our connection to SPIRIT as well.

Let's maybe start a mutual appreciation society.

After this week I could really use one.

Kidding.

[davsand]

31. An Easter "Cabbit"

It made me giggle when I saw it, and it looked like a happy fat kitty--so it went in the sig line for Easter. I'm not sure what I'll use next--maybe a May Day kitty--I dunno. We'll see what whimsy strikes me at the time! Either way, you can quit worrying about the "flutterby" now...

As for the bad week--I'm sorry. I wish I could help in some tangible way beyond saying I understand--ya know? Chin up, kiddo, everything passes in time--it may feel like a kidney stone but it will pass.




Regards!


Laura

[stellanoir]

32. What's with that snearing kid. . .?

OMG

I wasn't that upset.

Too funny though.

You made me laugh.

Thanks for that.

[davsand]

33. He's passing a stone. He's in pain. He's grimacing...

OK--it was a stretch. Just work with me here--ok?

I'm told it hurts a LOT when you pass a kidney stone. My Mom swears it beat childbirth for pain--so it must be awful given how she's talked about THAT over the years (I swear you'd think she was in labor for a month with my brother.) I had an emergency C-Section so I was too drugged up to feel anything when Material Girl was born, plus I've never had a kidney stone. I honestly can't say how bad it is--but it sounds bad...

Anyhow, I googled for "grimace" and found that pic. I did find one of a gargoyle that was pretty cool too--but I thought the kid was more funny.





Anyhow, the original idea was it hurts and it will pass with time...


:silly:


Laura

[stellanoir]

34. What a lovely image and WHAT did you do with the bunny?

I'll bet it was those cats. I'm calling the cyber cops.

No seriously, I think sig picts have been temporarily disabled.

Just foolin' around.

I've a friend who had a grandfather who was a doctor. He had three daughters in law.

I can't quite recall which but he had either his gall stones or kidney stones removed or they passed and he turned them into earrings for my friend's mother and aunts.

They were predictably REALLY impressed.

I'm really okay and the weirdness has truly passed.

But thanks for the images. . .I think. . .

Now where did that "flutterby" go. . .? They are just so. . .so . . .so. . .fluttery.

[davsand]

35. EARRINGS??? Made of Kidney (or Gall) Stones? Eeeew!

THAT grossed me out. That has got to be something only a MAN would think of doing. And to give them as a gift...


:puke:

I think the only thing that would maybe get my husband in any more trouble would be an Epilady (those mechanized hair ripping things for leg waxing and underarms that were so popular back in the 80's...)

Gall stone earrings. Oh man. "Gee Hon, can you pass another one so I can have a matching necklace? How about a BRACELET???"



Laura

[stellanoir]

36. Sorry

But that's just what your reference reminded me of.

I know some REALLY eccentric people. LOL

We'd better stop hijacking dear ayesha's thread or she'll not want to post hear either and we wouldn't want that at all.

She is a real treasure and clear as a bell.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

42. Thanks for these very wise words

I do appreciate them!

[LaurenG]

37. I was just reading a thread in the religion forum

that had a few links to some old threads and I found them quite enlightening as there were the same complaints from people with all different beliefs.

In one of the links I found an old post of mine which was a wake up call to me.

I had posted a supportive message to someone but in doing so I arrogantly put another group down. Before reading my own words I would have said that I was not arrogant nor was I bigoted or insensitive, however the post spoke for itself.

I want to make it clear that this is in no way directed at anyone in this thread, it was a huge wake up for me. I will mind my words more carefully now. It was also a reminder that I can't be concerned if others think I am a woo - woo freak or not.

It was a bit freeing if not an embarrassing message from my past self.

:hug:

[Missy Vixen]

38. I like reading here. I agree with you.

Let's face it, the only things I know about astrology are those told to me by people at this forum (thank you, Cassie, you helped me more than you'll ever know.) We've used non-traditional healing methods, though, and found them to be very helpful, so I have to say that it's up to the person(s) in question. Our chiropractor and naturopath brought health out of brokenness. If the therapy or practice helps those involved, so be it. I don't understand why others believe it's their business.

As far as the other forums, I don't know how anyone else feels, but maybe the best thing for me is to take some kind of break from them. I know that others have said they've never seen anything like this and get roundly mocked for it. They're speaking the truth. I've been here since 2001, and something has happened at DU over the past year that continues to worsen with each passing day. I'm not sure how any of us would go about fixing it, either.

I don't care for the politics and the beliefs of those across the aisle. At the same time, it makes me less than human to believe that they are not deserving of the same things we'd want for ourselves. I detest Ann Coulter, for instance, but someone loves her. Tony Snow? I hope he has the best medical care possible. I hope all Americans can have that kind of medical care in the near future. Bush and Cheney? I think they're criminals. At the same time, doesn't it diminish me to wish them ill? I just want them to leave so we can get some sanity back in our government.

IMHO, YMMV.
Julie

[stellanoir]

40. Yeah

we were talking about sage-ing DU a while ago during the last eclipse but never really got it together for the eclipse and probably would have avoided a nasty conflagration in here had we done so.

Heads up. . .over the next 4 minutes would be a totally opportune time to do so.

I am going to do so now.

Blessings to all.

[okasha]

39. There comes a time

when the only sane response to wilful ignorance is to walk away from it. I've pretty much reached that point, too.

Back in the days of the civil rights movement, it was fairly easy to see that racial intolerance arose from irrational fear. It's sometimes harder to see that intellectual intolerance comes from the same source, especially when the intolerant are otherwise educated and articulate people.