Greeting to Fellow Seekers and Finders. I just found this site and recognized immediately I need to be part of this inquiry. So I'm sure we all have had strange, wonderful, dangerous and mysterious adventures in our seeking and have ended up here. A very unique site.
I was thinking back and thought about the first book/teaching that really transformed me into a "seeker" and how many different paths I've gone down since then.
The book was "In Search of the Miraculous" by Ouspensky. My sister and I both "discovered" the book at the same time in 1969 and tried to find a Gurdjieff group to study with. Neither of us found a suitable group in LA, but the book set each of us on a quest.
I now find myself here, today, 50 years later.
Would anyone else like to share a book or teacher that really impacted you in your quest for spiritual development?
Hello again. I didn’t mean to post my response twice. Sorry. I wanted to add a thought about suffering. Don’t you think that it is an anointing from God when we suffer and turn to him? It’s akin to the Old Testament holy anointings where myrrh was used. Myrrh is bitter. Suffering is bitter. The name of the town Smyrna actually means myrrh. Smyrna was a church established through the Holy Spirit. Gethsemane means crushed, or oil press. Jesus suffered so much he cried tears of blood there. Interestingly, He is known as the Anointed One. More interestingly, myrrh was present at key events in Jesus life; his birth, his crucifixion, being offered a mixture of wine and myrrh. In Psalm 56:8 “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Suffering opened me up so Holy Spirit could come in. I practiced imagery where my tears would be caught in a sheath and I would imagine the angels lifting them up into Heaven where I offered them up to God. I tried to glorify him in all things, even in my suffering. My tears were an offering so as not to let Satan have any victory in it. I felt my tears came back down as blessings from God. I hope this helps. I hope you are doing well.
Hello Stephanie. I pray that God puts in your path exactly whom and what you need today and that you recognize his presence in all. I asked that God have mercy on me and help me to tear down my defenses and be open to other seekers in a way that I’ve experienced myself. (I tend to be closed off to most). But, when I find another I am cosmically opened up... which allows the spiritual reality to rush in and it’s as a salve to my soul... very healing, affirming, and transformative. It is a vital part of the journey, in that it is a powerful authenticator of the Living Word, he that unifies us. It is a joyful form of praise and apotheosis unto our Lord. I need to actively try to be open to looking for fellow initiates in a discernible manner. This has been a challenge for me. It’s notable that your physical suffering has made you aware of Holy Spirit standing at your gate, gently knocking. When I found him there, also through suffering, I quickly learned how best to listen to him... Mercy. I was led to be silent in order to hear him. It may be the same for you - idk, as I suppose all paths are different. You might want to try it during this season of contemplation. I will pray for you. When you are alone and free of your daily routine, (un)try to be still in your mind, free of all thoughts, finding that still place that is your inner sanctuary - the place where the Word if the Lord resides. The muck and gunk of life have “cut us off” from that place but it is our true inheritance, and really, our home. Go home prodigal! lol. He will run to you to greet you if he sees you journeying back to him. Believe it. Sidebar: What’s interesting is, in this practice of stillness, it will be able to be incorporated in your every day life if practiced in quiet. Even in stresses, especially in stressful situations. It is God’s alms. Glory be to God. As for your visiting the Orthodox Church(kudos to you!)... I did the same several years ago. Tips I was given and some I discovered on my own that helped immensely; look around as SEE with your spiritual eyes and HEAR with your spiritual ears. All that happens there, step out of your egoic self and examine it’s meaning, it’s message. There will be a message from God for you there. Mine is treasured. Some incredible things happened to me at church. Also, if you’re able, buy a cross or use your own thumb pressed against your index and middle finger to represent “where spirit and matter meet”. If using a cross, put those 3 fingers at the center and of cross. Whilst in church, be conscious of the reality of the spiritual aspect in matter, with your cross being a constant reminder of this reality. I hope and pray you will find the mysteries of God at your church. I hope it resonates! As for the group being geared to the work of Gurdjeff, I believe you are correct. I am sure it is very valuable to Seekers but I, myself, have not read any of it. It is a personal decision which I have prayed about and know that the Holy Spirit is directing me regarding this. I just feel I have been told to grow organically and I am not ready to embark on Gurdjeff for some unknown reason. I am open to it... maybe someday soon. As for my desire for quantum... That is a discussion for another text. I’ll just summarize by saying that my search was not so much for quantum physics as it seem to be for quantum God. Peace be with you, Lori
Hello Stephanie. I pray that God puts in your path exactly whom and what you need today and that you recognize his presence in all. I asked that God have mercy on me and help me to tear down my defenses and be open to other seekers in a way that I’ve experienced myself. (I tend to be closed off to most). But, when I find another I am cosmically opened up... which allows the spiritual reality to rush in and it’s as a salve to my soul... very healing, affirming, and transformative. It is a vital part of the journey, in that it is a powerful authenticator of the Living Word, he that unifies us. It is a joyful form of praise and apotheosis unto our Lord. I need to actively try to be open to looking for fellow initiates in a discernible manner. This has been a challenge for me. It’s notable that your physical suffering has made you aware of Holy Spirit standing at your gate, gently knocking. When I found him there, also through suffering, I quickly learned how best to listen to him... Mercy. I was led to be silent in order to hear him. It may be the same for you - idk, as I suppose all paths are different. You might want to try it during this season of contemplation. I will pray for you. When you are alone and free of your daily routine, (un)try to be still in your mind, free of all thoughts, finding that still place that is your inner sanctuary - the place where the Word if the Lord resides. The muck and gunk of life have “cut us off” from that place but it is our true inheritance, and really, our home. Go home prodigal! lol. He will run to you to greet you if he sees you journeying back to him. Believe it. Sidebar: What’s interesting is, in this practice of stillness, it will be able to be incorporated in your every day life if practiced in quiet. Even in stresses, especially in stressful situations. It is God’s alms. Glory be to God. As for your visiting the Orthodox Church(kudos to you!)... I did the same several years ago. Tips I was given and some I discovered on my own that helped immensely; look around as SEE with your spiritual eyes and HEAR with your spiritual ears. All that happens there, step out of your egoic self and examine it’s meaning, it’s message. There will be a message from God for you there. Mine is treasured. Some incredible things happened to me at church. Also, if you’re able, buy a cross or use your own thumb pressed against your index and middle finger to represent “where spirit and matter meet”. If using a cross, put those 3 fingers at the center and of cross. Whilst in church, be conscious of the reality of the spiritual aspect in matter, with your cross being a constant reminder of this reality. I hope and pray you will find the mysteries of God at your church. I hope it resonates! As for the group being geared to the work of Gurdjeff, I believe you are correct. I am sure it is very valuable to Seekers but I, myself, have not read any of it. It is a personal decision which I have prayed about and know that the Holy Spirit is directing me regarding this. I just feel I have been told to grow organically and I am not ready to embark on Gurdjeff for some unknown reason. I am open to it... maybe someday soon. As for my desire for quantum... That is a discussion for another text. I’ll just summarize by saying that my search was not so much for quantum physics as it seem to be for quantum God.
Welcome Stephanie. Wow, 50 years as a conscious seeker. Amazing. I was awakened by the Holy Spirit in a physiological sense and suddenly wanted to read and learn everything I could about quantum physics. In my search, I was lead to Ted, who has helped me immeasurably. I listen to my audio bible and the Word has transformed me. I seem to hear it with my intuitive heart and soul and, once tasted, it feeds me. I ponder in my heart all that I see and hear and pray that, through his mercy, it will fall on fertile ground. How is your journey?