confused

[johntruthseeker]

i practised buddhism for 8 years meditating every day for 3 years with good results. then 4 years ago started to think more and more about a question i had been avoiding for a long time. the question is this: is there really a battle going on between a light and dark force, for our souls, am i on the right path. i like to think that all paths eventually lead to the same place, just coming from different directions i still struggle with this question, and doubt everything now, and have lost faith, and feel stuck. has anyone else been through this? how do i move on?

[dream]

Welcome. Nice to have you on the forum. You will have a lot of great input to your questions. Use what makes you feel secure or what connects to you.

I personally think you should continue meditating. This simple act feeds your spirit and opens you up to learning and growing spiritually. I for one never believed all paths lead to the same place. I believe in the teachings of Jesus and from what he says all paths do not lead to the same place so I encourage you to study out what interests you and make your own decision.

Best,
Dream

[johntruthseeker]

it is so hard to know what to do, i just think i will never truly know how can i or anyone really know for sure which to trust. how can we know for sure we are not being deceived. i know a little of the bible so tell me if i am wrong, it says Jesus is the only true path to salvation, and all other ways are the devil deceiving us, and it says we are wrong to develop certain powers because they are evil. what if this is the lie, put in place to hold us back from developing completely.

[AaronB]

Originally Posted by johntruthseeker

it is so hard to know what to do, i just think i will never truly know how can i or anyone really know for sure which to trust. how can we know for sure we are not being deceived. i know a little of the bible so tell me if i am wrong, it says Jesus is the only true path to salvation, and all other ways are the devil deceiving us, and it says we are wrong to develop certain powers because they are evil. what if this is the lie, put in place to hold us back from developing completely.

What you express here is a concern of being responsible for making an important decision without being fully informed. The feeling of uncertainty always has a possibility of future reward or punishment at play. The situation is the same as a game show where the contestant is asked to choose door #1, #2, or #3, and feels anxiety about making the decision.

Rather than seeking the best path, I feel it would be more beneficial to become acquainted with the road block itself. Allow yourself to experience the feeling of it without needing to mentally resolve it. Direct experience unravels itself.

[johntruthseeker]

The feeling of uncertainty always has a possibility of future reward or punishment at play. The situation is the same as a game show where the contestant is asked to choose door #1, #2, or #3, and feels anxiety about making the decision.

thanks Aaron that is exactly what it's like. will take on board what you said about direct experience.

[taylor]

Originally Posted by johntruthseeker

The feeling of uncertainty always has a possibility of future reward or punishment at play. The situation is the same as a game show where the contestant is asked to choose door #1, #2, or #3, and feels anxiety about making the decision.

thanks Aaron that is exactly what it's like. will take on board what you said about direct experience.

You can only do the best you can with your available knowledge, experience, and conscience. I'm primarily Christian and yet I see no reason why you couldn't practice all religions at once if you were so inclined (albeit not as a fundamentalist). I certainly draw from many wisdom traditions. The "powers" you are worried about are referring to witchcraft and channeling and various of these superficial psychic techniques, which yeah even from what I've read in the New Age / Spiritual section, it has risks. Mindfulness or breath meditation doesn't have anything to do with that. In fact, if you read about something like Thomas Keating's work or any number of mystic Christian texts, it's similar to well known Buddhist technology.

[ChrisGinsburg]

Originally Posted by johntruthseeker

the question is this: is there really a battle going on between a light and dark force, for our souls, am i on the right path.

What are you referring to as the soul?

[DarkTears]

there is no right path........

[zeitgeist]

Your choice moment by moment is your path. It takes you home, it makes you whole and it connects you to your true self. There is no right or wrong. Every right choice gets you closer to your home and every wrong choice gets you the insight that gets you closer to the truth.

All the best,

Zeitgeist