Deva Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 I joined this forum in 2006, after spending a couple years reading it and not posting anything. Then after I started, I really got into it! I guess I poured my heart out for about 8 years. This site is better than any therapy I have ever been to (I have see three therapists so far). I still struggle with Christianity and I probably always will. It is very hard to totally free oneself of fundamentalism when raised in it. What I can say after all these years is that I at least know when I am going downhill. That is, the old program in my brain kicks in, creating fear and then leading to the desire to re-enter some form of church where I can again feel safe, but boxed in and just following old programs that don't serve me. I became a Buddhist in 2008. The particular kind of Buddhism I got into was Tibetan, and I also have had difficulties with that, but I still think there is some truth in it, and it isn't oppressive to me like Christianity. Buddha said to try his method out and not just blindly believe. I have many old friends here, and I recently thought it just would be a good idea to reconnect with everyone. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator buffettphan Posted August 15, 2017 Super Moderator Share Posted August 15, 2017 I hope you've been well, Deva. You and Noob were the first ones to welcome me here when I joined in 2007. I've missed you and am glad to see you around again! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Hi Deva. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noob Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Hello, Deva! Hello, buffettphan! I'm still around. These days I mostly lurk but I stop by once or twice a week to see what's happening. I keep thinking I'll get back to being a more regular participant, but then life gets in the way. I have to admit when the old recipe thread resurfaced recently it brought back a lot of good memories! Anyway, I saw my name and had to respond. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Margee Posted August 15, 2017 Moderator Share Posted August 15, 2017 Hi Deva! So good to see you on the board! I still say to this very day that one of the nicest things that ever happened to me was the day I met you, Noob and florduh in person!! And I have to say that EX-c is still my favorite "therapy''. Hope to hear more from you! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator buffettphan Posted August 15, 2017 Super Moderator Share Posted August 15, 2017 Great to hear from you Noob! I hope you're doing well and that you'll stop by to say "hi" every now and then! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Welcome back Deva! Glad to see you have come back. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsathoggua9 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Welcome back! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deva Posted August 15, 2017 Author Share Posted August 15, 2017 Thank you everyone! What a warm welcome back. There is no place like Ex-C! I see here my old friends, Noob, Buffetphan and Margee! You all mean so much to me. Also new friends - Jeff, very pleased to meet you! Also Storm and Tsathoggua9! I am also a Lovecraftian, Tsathogua, and I get the reference to your name immediately. My thanks to you all. I am doing well, I had some issues with anxiety in the last year or so, had a relapse back to xianity, but am better now. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferG Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Hi Deva, I think we met before. Funny you should say you took time out because of anxiety issues. I had to do the same! I came across fantastic therapy (online) through a psychologist who specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy who created an App and a course for people who suffer from depression and anxiety but are unable to afford conventional therapy. PM me if you want to know more about it. I tell you, it's done wonders for me. Very mind healing! Welcome back. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deva Posted August 15, 2017 Author Share Posted August 15, 2017 17 minutes ago, JenniferG said: Hi Deva, I think we met before. Funny you should say you took time out because of anxiety issues. I had to do the same! I came across fantastic therapy (online) through a psychologist who specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy who created an App and a course for people who suffer from depression and anxiety but are unable to afford conventional therapy. PM me if you want to know more about it. I tell you, it's done wonders for me. Very mind healing! Welcome back. JenniferG: Please forgive me if I say I don't remember you. I have probably interacted with a hundred or more folks here. I did not take time out because of anxiety issues, they developed after I left. No thank you to any other forms of therapy. I am fortunate enough to have insurance and will pursue that route in person - if necessary. I will say that my experiences with therapists have not been too helpful and leave it at that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Joshpantera Posted August 15, 2017 Moderator Share Posted August 15, 2017 5 hours ago, Margee said: Hi Deva! So good to see you on the board! I still say to this very day that one of the nicest things that ever happened to me was the day I met you, Noob and florduh in person!! And I have to say that EX-c is still my favorite "therapy''. Hope to hear more from you! Hahaha!!! Central Florida meet ups? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♦ ficino ♦ Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 On 8/14/2017 at 6:32 PM, Deva said: I joined this forum in 2006, after spending a couple years reading it and not posting anything. Then after I started, I really got into it! I guess I poured my heart out for about 8 years. This site is better than any therapy I have ever been to (I have see three therapists so far). ... I have many old friends here, and I recently thought it just would be a good idea to reconnect with everyone. Great to see you, Deva. Yes, this site has contributed a lot to my ability to get over the effects of the cult. All best, f 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deva Posted August 16, 2017 Author Share Posted August 16, 2017 1 hour ago, Joshpantera said: Hahaha!!! Central Florida meet ups? I would love one! If you would start one, maybe we could get some other Florida Ex-Cs together! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Joshpantera Posted August 16, 2017 Moderator Share Posted August 16, 2017 6 minutes ago, Deva said: I would love one! If you would start one, maybe we could get some other Florida Ex-Cs together! It's crossed my mind seeing how many of us live around here. Also, since Orlando is like the conference capital, ex-C could do something and include all that wish to fly in and participate. Just a thought. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deva Posted August 16, 2017 Author Share Posted August 16, 2017 Orlando is a two hour drive for me, very doable on a weekend. I think its a good idea. I just don't have time to organize it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Joshpantera Posted August 16, 2017 Moderator Share Posted August 16, 2017 I've also considered @DarkBishop and those up near the mountains. I'll be visiting northern Georgia and Tennessee going into the fall and winter. Maybe grab a beer sometime and have a few real time discussions. Oddly enough, I'm a couple hours away from Orlando as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
☆ DarkBishop ☆ Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 3 hours ago, Joshpantera said: I've also considered @DarkBishop and those up near the mountains. I'll be visiting northern Georgia and Tennessee going into the fall and winter. Maybe grab a beer sometime and have a few real time discussions. Oddly enough, I'm a couple hours away from Orlando as well. That sounds great Joshpantera! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferG Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 6 hours ago, Deva said: JenniferG: Please forgive me if I say I don't remember you. I have probably interacted with a hundred or more folks here. I did not take time out because of anxiety issues, they developed after I left. No thank you to any other forms of therapy. I am fortunate enough to have insurance and will pursue that route in person - if necessary. I will say that my experiences with therapists have not been too helpful and leave it at that. Fair enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue elephant Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Hi Deva I remember you from a long time ago, but you may not remember me. I'm in Australia and I gave away the oppressive cult a long time ago (in the 80s). I still have a few VERY liberal Christian friends on Facebook. I understand what you mean about oppressive. To this day, I still feel the pressure of what other people think, and I'm in my 60s now. I have also followed some of the Buddhist teachings and also some of the Hindu teachers, but without the literalism. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deva Posted August 16, 2017 Author Share Posted August 16, 2017 5 hours ago, Blue elephant said: Hi Deva I remember you from a long time ago, but you may not remember me. I'm in Australia and I gave away the oppressive cult a long time ago (in the 80s). I still have a few VERY liberal Christian friends on Facebook. I understand what you mean about oppressive. To this day, I still feel the pressure of what other people think, and I'm in my 60s now. I have also followed some of the Buddhist teachings and also some of the Hindu teachers, but without the literalism. Hi Blue Elephant. I do remember you, but it has been a long time. I understand about the pressure of what other people think. It is one reason why I just don't really feel comfortable in groups. I feel like I become someone else, not free to be who I am. I much prefer being out in nature and observing birds and wildlife. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator florduh Posted August 16, 2017 Super Moderator Share Posted August 16, 2017 Welcome back. Ready to rumble? 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♦ nivek ♦ Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Hi Deva, pleased to see you posting with this buncha scalliwags and other social square pegs/oblong hole sorts! kevinL 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellinas Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Welcome back. All well? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deva Posted August 16, 2017 Author Share Posted August 16, 2017 3 minutes ago, Ellinas said: Welcome back. All well? Hi Ellinas. Thank you for the welcome back. Yes, I am doing well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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