Religion! Now there's a sensitive topic.
But if you're smart enough, you won't be at all offended by what follows. All you need is a genuine desire for freedom - and an open heart.
Let me start by asking a question.
How many of us are limiting our lives, because of the "religion" we have chosen?
It might be an actual religion, such as Judaism. It might be the 10-step system from our favourite self-help book. It might be the general belief system of the society in which we live.
We each have our own "religion."
And these religions are holding us back.
They provide a framework to live within. But by default, any framework keeps you packed in.
Does your chosen religion hold you back?
Our religions force us to do things differently. We don't take action, because it's against our religion. We don't follow our bliss, because it's against our religion. We feel unable to change, limited, bound by the system of our religion.
And that stops us from truly experiencing freedom.
So, this section is all about realizing that many of us use our "religions" as an excuse for not taking action. When we realize that, we can learn to disregard the religion - and do it anyway.
Today's post is about realizing that there are really no rules.
It's about releasing our own "religions."
That's freedom.
Let's start with the self-help world.
Now this is an industry littered with redundant religions.
The Secret. Cosmic ordering. Positive thinking. The Law of Attraction. Tarot cards. What The Bleep.
These are all systems which tell you how to live. The Law of Attraction has probably received the most focus in recent years. It tells you that similar things are attracted to each other - so think rich, and you'll attract more money into your life.
Some of these things can certainly help guide you toward success.
However they still impose a new set of rules for you to live by, a new religion to follow. You have to make sure you "attract" correctly. You need to follow the precise seven steps for "ordering" from the universe.
When you don't "manifest" the right way - you blame your negative thinking, and beat yourself up. The rules of the religion start to constrain you, and ultimately begin to lead your life.
Right? Think about it.
The truth is that almost 100% of all self-help systems are based on just a couple of core principles.
Firstly, you get what you expect. (Rule #7 - Intention Sets Direction.)
Secondly, you can let go of "bad" emotions. (Rule #2 -
Learning to Let Go.)
But these simple principles are so easy, they aren't attractive enough to most people. So self-development authors surround them in hype and ritual, giving them a seeming importance.
Readers follow these rituals, and limit their experience - by trying to force themselves to follow rules and principles that
are simply not important.
Would you prefer to follow the rules of a self-development guru - or would you prefer to be free?
You don't need to follow the crowd when it comes to success and your own freedom.
To experience true freedom, you need to realize that the rules around you can all be dropped. And, if you wish, that includes this one!
The same can be said about the world of real religions - systems that contain more rules than most!
How many people reading this book are currently being restricted by their theistic religion?
They beat themselves up for "sinning." They change their lifestyles to align themselves with their God. They don't mix with certain people because that's what is written.
Let's get one thing straight here: Today, as ever, religions are being used to control people. No doubt about it.
The "rules" are progressively changing, with modern day "leaders" telling the world which bits should and shouldn't be adhered to. The Book of Leviticus tells us we shouldn't eat prawns, but how many Christians adhere to that these days? How many even know about it?
The rules are fluid. They're not "real." They're not Holybound. And there's no such thing as that mean, evil God sitting and judging you.
(It's worth considering whether there is such a thing as God full stop. Consider reading "The God Delusion" and "The Dawkins Delusion" to make your own mind up. Remember, you can be an atheist and spiritually-developed.)
Religions are just a set of rules invented to keep the masses in control. They're a form of police, with the ultimate threat: eternal damnation. Something we can neither prove nor disprove. And so the members of religion continuously live in fear.
Don't.
Decide right now to be free.
Don't let the rules of religion hold you back, or limit your life. I guarantee you'll regret it if you do.
It doesn't matter whether you're Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Islamic, or a Scientologist - if you feel limited in any way by your religion, you are NOT experiencing true freedom. If you feel you are sinning, you are NOT experiencing true freedom.
And so.
Every day, people use their religion - from the Law of Attraction to Christianity - to determine how they act. They change their lives to fit the rules. They limit themselves and their actions. And when they get things wrong, they feel bad and punish themselves.
Long story short: Religions restrict you. Release your
religion.
And the next time you feel yourself limited by religion in ANY way whatsoever, remind yourself that the real truth is quite simple. Religion forces you to adhere to man-made rules. True freedom doesn't.
So - be free.
Understand this section on a deep level, and you'll have taken a massive jump in your journey toward true self-development.
More photos: http://flickr.com/karlblog
Labels: God, inspiration, self-development
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