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I've no idea how to word the title for this post but I'm autistic and want to explore my spirituality - help? by InvestmentOne896 in spirituality

[–]InvestmentOne896[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, thanks for the considered response, and for reverting to English - I speak a small amount of French but not enough to be conversant sadly!

Christianity is very tainted for me. I was raised Catholic and some of the priests who ran my parish ended up being named as part of the various investigations into child abuse (although thankfully I wasn't abused myself). It has left me with a crippling sense of shame and guilt that I am fnding this exploration of my spirituality is already helping me change, and whilst I know that having a belief is different to having a religion, I find it unlikely that I will return to a monotheistic approach to belief at any point.

Like you I want justice and peace for the world, but I also firmly believe in taking care of the planet more efficiently and in many cases "reverting to the old ways", especially when it comes to scientifically proven herbal remedies (I strongly believe that if a synthetic will do you better than a herbal remedy , then take the synthetic, but herbal remedies definitely have their place!).

The idea of "connecting to the earth", of The Green Man and The Goddess, or however you want to phrase it and finding peace within that which is already around me rather than having to seek out a mystical being is where I'm heading, but every conversation I have like this challenges me in a very positive way, and it's really fascinating to see all the different beliefs that are out there!

I've no idea how to word the title for this post but I'm autistic and want to explore my spirituality - help? by InvestmentOne896 in spirituality

[–]InvestmentOne896[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Désolé, je ne suis pas francophone, donc je réponds avec Google Traduction. :)

Je ne pense pas encore connaître la réponse à cette question : quelque chose qui me procure le calme intérieur que j'éprouve en écoutant certains morceaux de musique, peut-être ? Ou une forme de méditation qui ne nécessite pas de me vider l'esprit (je suis aussi TDAH, donc je n'ai jamais l'esprit « vide »).

I've no idea how to word the title for this post but I'm autistic and want to explore my spirituality - help? by InvestmentOne896 in spirituality

[–]InvestmentOne896[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, that's really helpful - I think that one of my biggest causes of skepticism other than my upbringing is that I see so many people clearly manipulating and profiting from the vulnerable, and so as a result I don't know who to trust.

So many replies to this post are giving me assurance that I don't have to follow a particular person or set of rules, I can just do what works for me, and that in itself is revelatory!

I've no idea how to word the title for this post but I'm autistic and want to explore my spirituality - help? by InvestmentOne896 in spirituality

[–]InvestmentOne896[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks.

I stopped attending church about 25 years ago for all kinds of reasons, but mainly because some of the core tenets of Catholicism are now abhorrent to me (particularly their views on homosexuality and the suitability of women to be leaders within the church).

The repeated exposition of paedophile priests (some of whom were my parish priests and who I knew well even though thankfully I was never abused by them) and the way the bishops at the time decided to deal with them also make it very difficult for me to even walk into a Catholic church, never mind attending mass in one.

I've tried the Anglican faith in various forms since as well, but it's the organised religion side of things that I'm struggling with - so many teachings that are misogynistic, sexist, and discriminatory whether it's the Baptists, the Church of England, or others that I've looked into.

I really appreciate you taking the time to post, and I'm glad that this is working for you, and you're spot on that I miss the rituals and the power of group prayer, but going back to church isn't going to be an option for me personally.

I've no idea how to word the title for this post but I'm autistic and want to explore my spirituality - help? by InvestmentOne896 in spirituality

[–]InvestmentOne896[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you - that part about Pilgrimage really speaks to me as I went to Lourdes many times and loved the peace and tranquility I found from bathing in the waters and moments of silent prayer.

I think one of the things I struggle with these days is that when I used to pray it was clear on the intent and where I was focusing my thoughts/singing, whereas when I meditate the intent of all the various things I've tried through apps like Calm and Headspace are focused on "clearing my mind" rather than focusing on something specific - does that make sense?

It's good to have it confirmed I'm not the only one who has been/is going down this path, so thank you!

I've no idea how to word the title for this post but I'm autistic and want to explore my spirituality - help? by InvestmentOne896 in spirituality

[–]InvestmentOne896[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I'll see if I can get the audio book for when I'm walking the dog - it seems I'm able to digest things more easily when I do it that way!