I've been thinking...
I'm relatively new at trying to live holiistically and becoming that spiritually aware person that I know has been hiding away since I grew up and joined the 'real world'. I am allowing the way I think about life and myself - everything really- to flourish instead of hiding my feelings like I used to. Not since I was a child have I felt so free inside myself, if that makes sense. More recently I've been frightened of speaking to my friends about soul and spirit and suchlike, in case they thought me a little odd. Indeed, a lot of them do and I catch the occasional slantendicular smile from time to time. Where I live there is little in the way of groups, except the organised churches, where I can learn more. The internet is my main source of learning apart from that which I teach myself. There must be some other 'odd' folk like myself but they're keeping themselves well hidden. It's nice to find somewhere like this place. I'm glad I'm odd.

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Hi Paul,
You aren't odd your friends are according to yogic teaching. The yogis call the 'real world' MAYA meaning illusion.Finding God is dependent on seeing the world as it really is and not living in the illusion.
L&L
Dave

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Hi Paul

Gosh, I sooo know what you mean! We've all been there. There are friends you try to act 'real' with and then there are those blessed few you can have 'those' conversations with, like an oasis of sense in a barmy world.

Don't worry, it gets easier, the more you grow in confidence of your own power. You'll start to radiate that power and joyful connection and the same people looking askance at you will start wondering what you know and wishing they had some;There's no hiding that inner glow!
I used to think I was odd, now I know I'm just awake, and it's the rest of 'em that are weird.

They'll all wake up eventually...!

Enjoy the ride!
Anna x

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"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. "

Williamson, Marianne

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Hi Paul,

I've been there too mate. The hardest thing for me was creating the balance between being true to myself and talking about stuff of a spiritual nature mixed with managing the social enviroment i am in without rocking the boat and causing a change in people behaviour towards me.

You are allowed to keep your counsel and maintain your beliefs if that keeps your life balanced, but just remember, you are on a path and are lucky enough to even know thatyou have one, they have one too.

Hang around here whenever you need a pick me up, I know that a lot of us do too.

Peace

A

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Thank you.

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Nicely put Anna.

Paul it is so nice to hear your frank honesty and openess. Many of us here can identify with what you are experiencing this now and know that while it is very liberating, a wonderful rebirth in a sense, it can also be a difficult part of the path to navigate. For me this re-establishing/reorganising phase caused a lot of disruption and confusion, it was a hard time. I began to wake up when I was relatively young (17/18) and had everything from "friends" call me less than pleasant four letter names to parents calling in a Christian anti-cult squad! LOL These days I take the "odd" or "weird" label as a compliment or something to be grateful of. If I wasn't I'd still be tucked away in my slumber and sleep walking through life like many folk are. Thankfully these days there are many forums such as this one where like minded souls can connect, grow, learn and offer support.
Welcome to wacky land, where all the loonies come to play! There ain't no crawling out the rabbit hole.

Om Shanti
Neil

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In a recent interview with David Icke(well worth watching) he mentions seeing a great car sticker, that said "You laugh at me because I'm different, I laugh at you because you're all the same" I like that!

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You laugh at me because I'm different, I laugh at you because you're all the same

Andy, I love that!

I'm going to print it and give it to my daughter, who's 8 and desperately trying to fit into the world. She hates being different and it's not easy convincing her that her difference is her strength.

What an uplifting thread, Paul you've inspired us!

Anna x

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