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Originally Posted by backpocket  That could be a possibility. I grew up as a Muslim, and looking back I see that I was constantly preached that suffering is good, that I'm here to help others first, that I should feel guilty for feeling good, that the rich and successful people are out to destroy us and don't give a damn about us, that I should strive for heaven first and that earth is just temporary. In short: I'm not here to feel good, I'm here to suffer and sacrifice myself so that I can be rewarded in the afterlife.
I've left my religion a few years ago because I just couldn't stomach it anymore, the message stopped resonating with me or it never did but I never stopped to notice. I guess the conditioning is still there and I've never noticed it. Conditioning from the mainstream media could've contributed even more to it, with its constant images of war and suffering and everytime there's one there'll be a fundraiser and they'll do those stupid songs and guilt trip us into giving. |
Great post backpocket!
Yep, I thought this kind of mindset was mainly due to Christian programming but you have alerted me to the fact that Islam has a similar model. [This is one of the reasons why I discourage people from persuing religion and sometimes actively speak out against it.]
Having once been a hardcore Christian myself, I have noticed that even years after giving up the dogma, that there still seemed to be some nonsense ingrained in my subconscious. For one thing, I had an unreasonable fear of darkness and the occult and another thing was I often felt guilty for even the slightest indulgence on my part.
I've honestly spent years purifying my mind and ridding myself of all the fear-based programming.
If you honestly desire to be a better person, life will show you the way - but be prepared because sometimes the lessons are neither easy nor pleasant. I believe God speaks to us in many ways - but chiefly and most importantly through
feelings and experience. This is why its important to get out of the mind and into the now where you are more aware of present-moment feelings.
Having said all that, I think everyone of us is different and not all of us necessarily feel the need to have a great amount of money. So if you find yourself not desiring great riches - then it doesn't necessarily reflect a limiting mindset - we're all different. I personally feel most comfortable with a modest amount of wordly possessions - but I don't feel guilty about what I DO have!!! - At least not anymore!!!
I hope this helps bring more clarity to your situation !! and I think your open-mindedness, humility and sense of humour are great tools to have on the road to self-discovery!