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The Universe and Spirituality

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  • August 19, 2015 at 12:43 am #82006
    Libby
    Participant

    Can someone please explain the universe to me. I have a friend on Facebook that is always talking about the universe serving her etc.. and it sounds so lovely. I know it’s all tied in with spirituality. I have searched online but not found anything that explains how it ties in with spirituality. Is it linked to buddhism in any way?

    I recently read Zen and the Art of Happiness and I loved it. I have also read The Untethered Soul. Both I loved and they opened my eyes. Can anyone recommend a book to go onto from those 2? I am very interested in buddhism and spirituality but still learning how they both work and tie in with eachother.

    Thank you.

    August 19, 2015 at 5:17 am #82009
    Inky
    Participant

    Hi Libby,

    People write about “The Universe” as if they are experts. And just because an inspirational quote is posted on FB doesn’t make it so. Like, “The Universe is my Best Friend”. I read stuff like that and go, “Um, OK??”

    My personal take on The Universe is:

    1. We are part of The Universe. The Universe isn’t a separate entity from us when you get down to the atoms.

    2. Some One created The Universe. THAT’S where I get my spirituality from.

    See the difference?

    I would go to the Spirituality AND the Religious section of your bookstore. These sections are usually right next to each other. Pick out a book that resonates with YOU.

    I do like The Autobiography of a Yogi. Anything from Wayne Dyer you might like. But most importantly, see what YOU like!! THAT is your spirit leading you regarding what YOU should read!

    Happy Reading!

    Inky

    August 20, 2015 at 2:07 pm #82120
    Saiisha
    Participant

    Hi Libby – The Vedantic view of the “universe” is “creation” (Prakriti), the creation that we live in, that we’re children of; and so we operate by her laws. When a lot of the modern spirituality talks about the laws of the universe (law of attraction, law of karma / cause and effect, etc.), whether they know it or not, that’s what they’re obliquely referring to.

    Does that help? I’d be happy to answer more questions as you have them. As for book recommendations – I LOVED the Untethered Soul (which is based on Vedantic concepts); anything by Pema Chodron if you want more of Zen / Buddhist recommendations, and I also like Eckhart Tolle’s the New Earth.

    Inky – your comments always make me laugh 🙂 And Autobiography of a Yogi was one of my favorites too in high school.

    • This reply was modified 9 years, 4 months ago by Saiisha.
    August 20, 2015 at 9:18 pm #82128
    James Ng
    Participant

    Hi Libby,

    So here’s my definition:
    The universe is basically made up of energy. All information is stored in the universe for us humans to discover.

    “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

    People always tap into this vast energy, even unknowingly at times. Some examples are through prayers and the law of attraction, like what Saiisha said. I think being spiritual is being able to harness, connect, and embrace this universal energy. No disrespect to all the religions out there, but spirituality is basically the same thing. People just name their faiths differently – God, Christ, Allah, Buddha, Muhammad, etc. In other words, people believe in a higher “being” or higher order but just call it different names.

    They are all different roads that lead to the same path.

    My perspective came from these sources:
    Tao Te Ching (by Lao Tzu, translated by Stephen Mitchell)
    The God Theory (by Bernard Haisch)
    random knowledge from here and there

    Again this is just my take. Let me know what you think.

    Best,
    James

    August 22, 2015 at 2:19 am #82165
    Libby
    Participant

    Inky. Thank you for your reply.It helped alot.

    I will have to read the yogi book, I love yoga.

    Thanks again

    Julie

    August 22, 2015 at 2:25 am #82166
    Libby
    Participant

    Salisha

    Lovely explanation, thank you.

    I read The Untethered Soul and I loved it. Zen and the Art of Happiness was lovely too. The Untethered Soul really opened my eyes and made me think of life so differently.

    I have never really been religious, but I always believed in God. I went though a horrific time 3 years ago. My brother had serious mental health issues and he attacked my husband infront of my children, a year later he chased after me to try to hurt me. My family turned against me when I made the decision to cut my brother out of our lives as his behavior was causing too much stress and anxiety. I suddenly became agoraphobic and was diagnosed with panic disorder. My familye really resented me for not forgiving my brother a second time and giving him another chance. They cut me and my family out but it really changed me. I started yoga, became calmer and happier than I have ever been in my life. It led me to read about spirituality and buddhism. I am a different person because of my experience. It was hell and I still have anxiety but I am content now, if that is possible whilst still suffering anxiety.

    Is buddhism spirituality? that is something I wonder alot.

    I have been wanting to find another book so I shall take a look at what you suggested. I bought the red book that’s advertised on here (the Tiny Buddha book) but I didn’t really find it an easy read. I have recently bought The Power of Now, have you heard of it? I can’t wait to start it. I have also downloaded a few books on buddhism and zen on kindle, just some beginners books to give me more insight and they are free on Kindle Unlimited which is handy.

    Thanks again, I really appreciate your reply.

    Libby/Julie

    August 22, 2015 at 2:27 am #82167
    Libby
    Participant

    Thank you James, lovely explanation and easy to understand.

    I shall check out the books, thank you.

    I love learning more and as I said above, I have recently found a way of life that has made me feel better and calmer. I just want to make some more changes and focus 🙂

    Libby/Julie

    August 24, 2015 at 12:59 pm #82273
    Saiisha
    Participant

    Hi Libby,
    Thank you for sharing your story – it’s always interesting to me how our souls guide us from the inside through our outer experiences. Because the journey of the soul (which is what we call spirituality) is to ultimately learn about our true authentic self (self-realization) and become free (Nirvana in Buddhist language).

    I like Deepak Chopra’s quote about religion versus spirituality: “Religion is belief in someone else’s experience. Spirituality is having your own experience.” There are Buddhists who are strictly religious and simply follow rituals; and there are Christians who are entirely spiritual who learn from their own inner experiences.

    I love that you’ve used your outer experiences to start listening to your inner voice, your soul’s voice. It’s a strong, insistent voice isn’t it – and it’s leading you to your inner life.

    I’ve read the Power of Now and loved it as well, although I like the layout of the New Earth (both by Eckhart Tolle, who’s not Buddhist but spiritual). And Deepak Chopra is another writer whose books you might enjoy. And if you’re interested in this line of thought, check out my website, see if it speaks to you: http://www.nestintheforest.com/

    These types of conversations makes me come alive 🙂 So feel free to ask any more questions you have!
    Namaste, Saiisha

    August 27, 2015 at 1:12 am #82479
    Libby
    Participant

    Thank you Saiisha,

    I shall look at your website, thank you 🙂

    Yes I do love this forum and chatting to people like yourselves, it really helps me to learn more about myself and my journey.

    I have just posted on relationships. I don’t like discussing family things but I feel I needed to type it out as keeping it all inside is causing me anxiety and pain. I haven’t had any pain or stress as I walked away from drama in the last year, prior to that after what happened with my brother in 2012 I have chased a relationship with my mum. I won’t anymore but it still hurts me how she is treating my children. I am not sure how to accept this so if you have any thoughts on this I’d really appreciate it.

    Thank you.

    Libby

    August 28, 2015 at 5:23 am #82530
    Saiisha
    Participant

    Libby – I responded to your other post last night – I hope it helps. Also, I just remembered that there is a big chapter (I think chapter 3) in the New Earth by Eckhart Tolle about pain. I think it will give you a deeper understanding of why / how people behave when they’re unconscious and in the grip of ego. It may help you to understand your mom and sister’s behaviors, and also maybe your own reactions.

    Whether you’re aware of it or not, you stepped on your spiritual path. So start looking at the world with your new eyes – your inner eye and “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” (Gandhi)

    September 2, 2015 at 1:11 am #82715
    Libby
    Participant

    Saiisha, Thank you again for your lovely reply.

    Well I started the Power of Now and I got to chapter 3 and just couldn’t follow it, I found it really hard to concentrate on it. Maybe it was a little too much for me? I managed to read The Untethered Soul perfectly, what would you recommend reading after that book? I feel I wasted my money on the Power of Now.

    I shall read that chapter your recommend.

    Thank you for saying I am on my spiritual path. That made me smile. I hope so 🙂

    Libby

    September 4, 2015 at 5:00 pm #82870
    Saiisha
    Participant

    Hi again Libby,
    Sorry to hear you feel like you wasted your money on the Power of Now. Yes, it can get deep, but only because the timing may not be right. I’d say, if you try reading it later when you feel called to it, you might feel a connection.

    Byron Katie’s “Loving What Is” is a great book that’s easier to read. Also her “I Need Your Love – Is That True?” Do look them up on Amazon.com and read excerpts before you buy them, so you don’t feel like you’re wasting your money 🙂

    And yes, you are on your spiritual path – I’m glad that makes you smile!!
    -Saiisha

    October 12, 2015 at 4:50 am #85253
    Sanchit Kher
    Participant

    The universe is up and down. but when we realize that there could be a left and right, we go back and then we become it

    October 12, 2015 at 6:19 am #85254
    Libby
    Participant

    THank you Saiisha

    I am looking up the books you recommended on Amazon UK now. Are they spiritual books too?

    Ju

    October 14, 2015 at 1:26 pm #85410
    Saiisha
    Participant

    Yes – Byron Katie’s work is definitely deeply spiritual! I think you might like her 🙂

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