Spiritually retarded and seeking help!

[ChaosKiwi]

Today I had a deep sense of calm and connection that I sometimes get and it really seems like it comes from a source outside of me, like some kind of force is looking after me.

I often have vivid dreams that occur in the same environments (eg; same distinct and unusual environment, different dream). Sometimes in these dreams I interact with people I know, and occasionally have deep connections with people I know I have never met.

I seem to draw physical energy from natural environments. I find this interesting as I have Maori heritage, and as a people they are all about mana (power) through there relationship with the land.

I really don't know how spiritually significant the above are but I do know that I really want to start exploring this side of life.

The problem is I live in a very spiritually limited group of people. I only know of one person who I could have an open sincere conversation about this sort of stuff with, but believe he is kind of in the same boat as me.

What I need help in is what is the first step on this path? Internet resources? Actions? Seek out a teacher? I am going away for a month for work in which time I will be quite isolated. Maybe there are some books people can recommend which I can dig into during this time? I need things that require little past experience or knowledge to be effective.

[spacedout]

Dear Chaoskiwi,
You may want to read my book about how to develop pure awareness. I drew from many spiritual teachers the essence of spirituality and condensed that essence into 25 easy exercises. Go to Pureawareness.com.

[SimonaRich]

I would recommend any book that was written by Abraham-Hicks.

You could read:

As and it is given

The amazing power of deliberate intent

Money and the law of attraction

[Pequod]

Hi ChaosKiwi

You have to explore several traditions and find which appeals most to you. As Carlos Castaneda said: follow a path with a heart.

What you can do is to put out the intention that the Universe will show you how to progress on your spiritual path.

I did this a few years ago after listening to this audiopodcast StevePavlina.com Podcast #011 - Raising Awareness Through Multiple Perspectives. A week or two later several paths opened up and I haven't looked back.

Brace yourself for an awesome journey!

[ChaosKiwi]

Thankyou for the suggestions

Originally Posted by Pequod

You have to explore several traditions and find which appeals most to you. As Carlos Castaneda said: follow a path with a heart.

This seems like a great idea Pequod! I have been fascinated by buddhism in the past and have had a minor interest in the more obscure christian mysticism sects so I'll look into this more.

You may want to read my book about how to develop pure awareness. I drew from many spiritual teachers the essence of spirituality and condensed that essence into 25 easy exercises.

Thanks for this spacedout, I'm going to check out the sample chapters today and see where it leads.

I would recommend any book that was written by Abraham-Hicks.

Thanks for that SimonaRich, I'm going to get one of these works out from the library today.

[Sidhartha91]

If you are fascinated in Buddhism, read some popular books dealing with that aspect of spirituality.

That's where I started my journey, and its helped tremendously.

If you are into the practical aspect of meditation, "Mindfulness in Plain English" (By Ven. Henepola Gunaratana) has helped me a lot when it comes to meditation.

"The Power of Now", while not strictly Buddhist, helped me understand some of the aspects of living in the present moment in an easy to understand manner. Eckhart Tolle tends to kind of dribble on a bit in the end, but was still a fantastic read.

Books like,

"An Introduction to Zen Buddhism" D.T. Suzuki
and

" I Am " (Can't remember author, if someone knows please let me know)

Good luck.

[Aunty Ngaire]

hey fantastic that you opened up and said how you feel that is the first step by being true to yourself if you feel nature gives you energy your spot on

Learn about chakras (grounding and protection - see cords or roots going into the earths core frm the base chakra and your feet it helps to rid unwanted negitive energy as well as feeds you energy)learn to open the 7 main chakras you'll be a whole new you.

btw I feel that when you go away to work wonderful things in change will happen and those that surround you will have to accept you for who you are to evolve is leading you on the right path

Change is good including those around you

Kia Ora and Kia kaha
from Aunty Ngaire (NZ maori)

[David Cain]

I agree with Pequod. Learn about several traditions and see what resonates with you.

To start, I recommend reading works by:

Thich Nhat Hanh
Eckhart Tolle
Jon Kabat-Zinn
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Carlos Castenada
Douglas Harding

[ChaosKiwi]

Originally Posted by Aunty Ngaire

btw I feel that when you go away to work wonderful things in change will happen and those that surround you will have to accept you for who you are to evolve is leading you on the right path

Thankyou for your kind words and positivity Aunty Ngaire

[neo1234]

Originally Posted by ChaosKiwi

I need things that require little past experience or knowledge to be effective.

No problemo dude, check this out:

Jesus likes the Secret

A four year old can understand it.

[ijpeatey]

Originally Posted by ChaosKiwi

I do know that I really want to start exploring this side of life.

The problem is I live in a very spiritually limited group of people.

You've already started, just by writing this thread! Congratulations.

The question now is where to turn to next.

As has already been said, explore as much as possible before settling into the approaches that speak to you. I would be very wary of any advice that claims to have 'the one way'. What works for one person, doesn't necessarily work for everyone.

The reading suggestions above are great places to start. I might add Osho, Anthony De Mello, Kahlil Gibran to the list.

It certainly helps to have some people around who are also searching. You might start by testing your assumption that those around you are spiritually limited. I've met many spiritually aware people who choose not to share or talk about that in 'public'. Maybe gently introduce the topic into conversation and see what happens.