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What Sustains Your Faith?

Jill said Apr 23, 2007, 2:01 PM:

I was raised to look for signs. Spent a lot of time cultivating the ability to do so. Then synchronicity kept visiting. Now, I find myself simply trusting. Maybe it is many years spent finding my faith honored time and time again… I don't know.

My question, though… is What sustains your faith?

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Re: What Sustains Your Faith?

Enlightened.thinker said Apr 23, 2007, 2:34 PM:

I agree and in fact said so in my intro. I had not read this thread when I posted, so again synchronistic.
I wake up and hear songs in my head all the time. I then look for the messages inside of the lyrics. It may be the lyric or it may be a person I connect the song with. Anytime I hear Glenn Miller’s “Moonlight Seranade” my parents must be “close”( they are ont he other side)
My brother is ill…the other day when he had worsened, I heard a song that made me think of him”Every time you go away, you take a piece of me with you”…and of course it has something to do with the idea he may go away.

My faith gets tested. I was in Rainbow girls as a youth. I was named”Grand Faith to the State of NH” when someone else bowed out. Faith comes up alot in my llife.

I do not believe one has to adhere to a specific faith to believe in a higher power or purpose. If I pray I never ask for something to undermine a persons free will or to mess up a previously agreed on path. I think we come into the world with a purpose, and when that has been met, we leave. So when I ask for something in prayer, it is always with the final admonition” This or something better now manifests in totally acceptable ways for the highest good of all concerned”..After all, I do not want to be responsible for altering individual choice.
I’m back to trusting the signs.It was not easy to do. Once realized there was only now and also that over analyzing things kept me too much in mind and not enough in heart, I started to be more aware and a whole world has opened up..

This reentry into my faith started about 6 weeks ago. This community helped after synchronistically finding the zaadz ad.
“I wasn’t lookin, and somehow you found me…” ( from: Nobody does it Better-Carly Simon) Another song popping in my head again….

!!!!!!!!!ET/Aley

Re: What Sustains Your Faith?

Jill said Apr 24, 2007, 5:59 AM:

I have to tell you….. I woke this morning and asked myself “what song do you hear” based on what you wrote yesterday.

I heard the Brady Bunch “Sunshiney day” in my head and ran screaming for the covers once more! LOL Perhaps I should start out slow on this one.

Re: What Sustains Your Faith?

Enlightened.thinker said Apr 24, 2007, 6:13 AM:

LOL…Perhaps you were being asked to “play” in the sunshine!! I love that you opened up to the adventure!!

A>

Re: What Sustains Your Faith?

Jill said Apr 24, 2007, 10:46 AM:

I SINCERELY hope so. If the message was to find a tacky polyester yellow jumpsuit…. wow! That would require a leap of faith greater than I can imagine today. LOL

I like to play the radio game. I'll think of a question and flip it on. I just have never had a song show up on it's own until today… and THIS IS WHAT I GET?????????

Re: What Sustains Your Faith?

Maddonni said Apr 24, 2007, 3:07 PM:

For a long time I clung to what I was taught and tried doggedly to make that work for me. It didn't but I didn't know what would work so I did my best to keep trying what I knew.

Through my own search for a way to address the challenges in my life, I finally happened upon what does work. Now I can say with confidence that my experience of what works and remembering that experience sustains my faith and I continue to pursue the path I am on.

Re: What Sustains Your Faith?

Jill said Apr 24, 2007, 3:59 PM:

When I was seven I did something called “First Dance”. It is a ceremonial dance intended to offer each young child the opportuntiy to find their own footsteps with Spirit/God. I am glad I did that. I think, ultimately, it is what we all need to do.

Re: What Sustains Your Faith?

jaBuddha said Apr 24, 2007, 5:25 PM:

Today, the joy in my heart and the positive influence I can have on others sustains my faith. To start, as contradictory as it may appear to some, getting benefits - actual proof - is what kept me going along the path of practicing Nichiren Buddhism (see: http://www.sgi.org).

For the practitioners of this Buddhism, Faith=Daily Life. I go forward each day as I have for over 33 years and I see my life grow and expand. My relationships have evolved to a much higher and finer level than previously. Everything in my life reflects deeply within me the laws and principles I have learned through my faith, practice and study of Buddhism. Only by chanting ”Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” have I found the way to recreate my self on a daily basis. Life sustains my faith. You sustain my faith. Disasters and tragedies sustain my faith. My determination and vow to reply to my mentor, above all sustains my faith.

Re: What Sustains Your Faith?

Jill said Apr 24, 2007, 5:50 PM:

Beautifully said! Thank you!