Dory Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 This topic isn't really on the 'meaing of life' per se, I just didn't really know how to label it. I'm defintely an atheist now, and its starting to sink in that there's nothing there. And I'm getting upset about it I don't miss the awful anxiety/depression and stress it caused me, but general everyday life is getting stressful too and I don't have the necessary tools to deal with it (leaning on God and all...) well. My anxiety is returning slowly, and I'm terrified of falling into the dark place I was before (though it was religion induced, so hopefully not). I feel like I'm searching for something, but don't know what. Christianity let me down in such a big way so I'll never go there again, but I don't intend to start looking into other supernatural answers either... I'm starting to read up on Philosphy, might as well learn stuff now my heads free of supernatural bondage, but I'd love some references.. what helped you in life after religion?
Guest Xtech Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 Stay away from philosophy. Read some positive psychology - 'The Happiness Hypothesis' for one. Or 'The Happiness Project' and actually do the exercises in it. It is important to have a mission in life, a feeling of purpose and value. We have to create or discover that for ourselves. Perhaps it is teaching little children how to read and to tie their shoes and to get along o the playground. Perhaps it is expressing your love for your friends and family by cooking amazing meals for them. Perhaps it is visiting ill people in the hospital, making distracting conversation for them, comforting the lonely. Be around people, and connect with them. I love the people I volunteer with. Together we cook and serve homeless hungry people. We serve the greater good together. Sing with a group, or play in a band. Best of luck on your journey, for life is a journey, with lots of unexpected twists and turns. 2
freeasabird Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 Watch Phil Hellenes videos on YouTube. Seriously, I think they would hlp you right now.
mcdaddy Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 I'm where you are. Not that god would've helped anyway, I never really felt like there was some grand plan or some safety net or anything like that. So it's not "missing god", I never really felt him a whole lot anyway. It's just life circumstances got me down...disappointment, anger. Depression. Ugh. I totally know how you feel. It sucks. Gettin on a solid career path will help a lot, but that's uncertain right now. Wish I knew what to tell you.
Positivist Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 I know what you mean. Extricating myself from the clutches of a destructive faith left me feeling gutted like a fish. My advice: pick up "The Feeling Good Handbook" to address your coping issues (I have coping issues too) and then plan a midsummer feast with a large group of friends. Life will get better!
Adam5 Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 I'm starting to read up on Philosphy, might as well learn stuff now my heads free of supernatural bondage, but I'd love some references.. what helped you in life after religion? I like reading up on philosophy too. What helped me? I'd say time. Time is a great healer.
Guest wester Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 Simone De Beauvoir - Second Sex Emma Goldman - Living My Life Ed Abbey - Monkeywrench Gang Lao Tze - Tao Te Jing Voltaire - Letters on The English Stay Strong and Good Luck
Akheia Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 Time's about all that really helps. You have some grief work ahead as you process what life really is, and grieve for that illusion you once held so dearly. There is a whole life as a believer that you thought you'd have that you won't now. Very few people would tell you that it isn't painful to let go of that illusion. May I respectfully suggest you put some energy into exercise, getting outside (in the very early AM if you're in the US!), learning a new skill like fine cooking, or tackling that stack of books you've been meaning to read? Like breaking up with a long term lover, if you keep busy and healthy, the pain recedes faster, and you'll likely find your purpose along the way. Good luck, sweetie. Been there. Fine now. And I learned to make artisan bread!
Dory Posted July 10, 2012 Author Posted July 10, 2012 thank you again, I love ex-c! I will take all your comments into account I'm aiming to get fit this summer anyway, so exercise wise I'm set. Cooking sounds like a good thing to do, especially since it means I can invite lots of people over the my new house when I move in. Dinner parties!
Yrth Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 I agree that this is grief. I think it's really helpful to let yourself acknowledge that because what it means is that you're not in complete control here. Grief sweeps us up, it comes in waves, and you just have to ride it out. The silver lining is that it will fade. Soon, your mortality will not bother you as much as it does now. Startling, right? It's a strange truth. It could also be helpful to look at other silver linings. In exchange for this, you may make eye contact with your situation. There's too many benefits to this ability to type out, suffice to say that a small period of loss is worth the ability to confront your life on its own terms and make informed decisions as to where you will go from here on out. It is empowering, liberating, and meaningful. Everyone grieves differently. Do what you need to do to get through this and come out the other side grinning ear to ear. All the best.
Super Moderator buffettphan Posted July 10, 2012 Super Moderator Posted July 10, 2012 I agree with others who said you are grieving. So often I have found that when I think I'm really over something, somehow it manages to comes back and bite me in the ass. All the hurt, anger, and disappointment come flooding back. So don't be surprised if that happens. It's all normal and it all takes time. Don't beat yourself up over anything! Do what you need to do for YOU! Speaking of philosophy -- someone recently posted this on the main blog. Food for thought... Philosophy is like being in a dark room looking for a black cat. Metaphysics is like being in a dark room looking for a black cat that isn't there. Theology is like being in a dark room looking for a black cat that isn't there and shouting "I found it!" Science is like being in a dark room looking for a black cat using a flashlight..
Kaiser01 Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 What you are searching for is beauty, beauty is there, just look up into the stars, you will find it. 2
Voice Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 Joseph Campbell's Myths to Live By helped me a lot, but I'm not sure it quite applies to your situation. Text books like philosophy and whatever else interests you is a great start. If you're inclined to anxiety and depression, those are chemical imbalances. Diet affects both. If it gets too intense, see if there's anyone you can talk to before it gets out of hand.
Voice Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 Bugs ARE the offspring of ancient stars, Goddamnit. Saying otherwise is egocentric and christian.
stryper Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 The thing that helped me was in the Micheal Teachings. The philosophy of choice specificaly. I choose how to live my life. I make my own future. I control my own course. It was also the hard realization that my choices led me to the place I was. If I wanted something to change, than I needed to make different choices. The only purpose to life is living it.
norton65ca Posted July 10, 2012 Posted July 10, 2012 Monty Python's Meaning of Life, even if don't figure it out by watching this great film, at least you'll have a few laughs.
Eugene39 Posted July 11, 2012 Posted July 11, 2012 Read Ecclesiastes. It's a good dose of reality, but has the solution that worked for the writer. Just ignore the last few verses that were obviously edited in later.
Guest Xtech Posted July 11, 2012 Posted July 11, 2012 Awright, if you have to read philosophy, read Epicurus.
par4dcourse Posted July 11, 2012 Posted July 11, 2012 To paraphrase an old beer commercial, you only go around once, and if you do it right that's enough.
Guest wester Posted July 11, 2012 Posted July 11, 2012 Sorry I missed this one yesterday http://rickroderick.org/ The late Rick Roderick and his 3 teaching company overviews of philosophy. Very down to earth and accessible. http://wimpywombat.net/ also contains the audio for these talks. Another one is Epictitus, the Enchiridion (manual for life) written by Arrian his student and another good one is Mr. Rousseau - Discourse on Inequality I went back and read Monkeywrench Gang today - not as great as I remember as an alternative, I recommend a special kind of philosophy that comes directly from my home area of Kentucky: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - by Hunter Thompson (the book not the movie) Cheers and stay strong
Dory Posted July 14, 2012 Author Posted July 14, 2012 thanks again, i really appreciate it. I think you're right about the grief. Hit's me at odd times (like just now as I was about to go to sleep, had a little cry) I've felt blue all week, but have little 'ahh' moments when I'm with people I love or doing something I enjoy. I hope life will be like that all the time, not just in the little moments. I need to cultivate a more positive outlook, I always jump to awful conclusions.. like 'oh no! you're feeling blue, so your depression is coming back!', etc... It's probably no the case, I've staved it off before after a while.. just a poopy week really :/ Aaaand a crapy Summer weather wise, probably not helping
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