Poll Did Your Trauma Effect Your Religious Views?

[anni]

I'm the daughter of a Lutheran minister, so was raised in the church. It was a very nice childhood. My traumas caused me to look even further into who is there and what I believe. I don't think I would be here if I did not believe God in whatever form is present and hears us- if I could not pray with purpose. Yes, I know the whole ' Well where was He and Why would he allow this ' thing. I'm very, very small and simple on this planet and have no big answers, just know I would not be here if I did not believe God was also here with me. Not terribly religious per se, just believe.

 

[Amy Jo]

my views changed--found myself reading the sacred texts and stories and studies of Christianity, Buddhism, and especially Hinduism. Found myself in them

 

[Mr. Smith]

Found myself in them

Really? I would love to talk to you if your willing?

 

[aditi]

I couldn't have been less religious because I was brought up in an atheist family, but now Hinduism is helping me immensely. I have been reading interesting things about spirituality being a way of dissociating and I think that's happened a little, so I'm trying not to use it to stuff down things I don't want to look at. 'Transcending' can be easier than grieving or feeling rage.:confused:

 

[Amy Jo]

Really? I would love to talk to you if your willing?

I'd love to talk about it. Have you read any Alan Watts? You too Aditi--Alan Watts is AMAZING

 

[aditi]

I'd be very happy to talk about it Amy Jo ... and Mr. Smith.

I think that maybe Alan Watts is one of the only people I haven't read, lol. I used spiritual books a great deal to keep myself alive at the start of my healing. Spent way too much money! Went a bit mad making my own little Hindu shrine, which is the first thing I see when I open my eyes in the morning.

I'm currently reading the books of A. H. Almaas and he combines psychotherapy and spirituality, which seems very sensible.

 

[OKRADLAK]

That is very interesting, Aditi,to see depersonalization etc. as a form of transendence. And why not? PTSD does make your mind larger. A lot of research with that new therapy shows that there are clusters of neurons. God only know what that might do to our thoughts!!

I have had some very odd experiences since, and who knows if it is brain, spirit, soul? I am sure I don't know but it's interesting to try to find out!

 

[Amy Jo]

yes I read that in Eastern thought/tradition or whatever that dissociating and depersonalization is a GOAL of theirs--to abandon the ego and go into nothingness, which is the Godhead, which is everything, peace. ? I'll go back and read and let you know

 

[OKRADLAK]

Yes, it would be great to have a positive spin on it! Maybe it is all about the way we look at it. Maybe it is not so bad if we are not afraid and embrace it!

 

[Mr. Smith]

I have not read any Alan Watts' books, but a long time ago, I found this YouTube video about him talking about death and it made perfect sence to me! I have watched many things about death and dying, and I can't believe how many people are in denial. lol

 

[bittersweet]

I thought my religious views would have changed but they did not change after my trauma. I was more or less an atheist then and still am now.

 

[Muzikluvr]

More and Less. More religious at first, but ultimately I became atheist and I am happier for it.