Hi new to the board

[treshann]

Greetings....I am Terri from philadelphia and new to this board.......A little about myself....cripes where to start........basically....I have just re-discovered my spirituality and want to say I am extremely humbled for the gift of remembering...Many years ago.....about 15-20.....I had what would be considered an idylllic life.......as I read and learn more daily, I think perhaps I had achieved a sort of "state of grace". Ive come to this conclusion for many reasons. I was basically unaware of exactly what had occurred back then, blessings I called them, as they are......many many blessings......but then something happened.....my ego got in the way?? many things....and I fell, fell hard.......became a heroin addict. this June i will celebrate nine years clean. Most of this past nine years I have spent in a sort of atonement trying to piece my life back together.......trying to figure out what the heck happened......and then a few months ago.......not sure exactly what the catalyst was but the memories came flooding....the unadulterated joy, remembering all I knew that Idk buried somewhere deep... thelaw of attraction, the power of positive thinking........the power of my own soul and spirit...the powe rof God within me......Since then its been nonstop.......such a voracity for learning.....understanding...........how i can get back where I was.....i have so many questions......
Sooooooo......Am I in the correct place for wisdom? want to hear other's experiences......
Thanks you and God bless

[Portto]

Welcome Terri!

We are always in the right place, although it's not always comfortable.
Some can teach you how to try to get more wisdom and more power, others can teach you how to lose these... It all depends on what you're moved to do!

[ompaz]

Hi Terri - am also new to the board, just registered a few moments ago. Have also had serious issues with addiction, not all of which are fully resolved... just wanted to introduce myself and say 'thanks!' ~ have been looking for somewhere like this [honest, no bullshit, intelligent etc.] for a while. Ompaz

[Peter]

Hi Ompaz, welcome to the board.

Are you able to say what form your addiction is taking? I've just finished a 9 month course myself, which focused on moving towards a healthy life rather than seeing mere continual abstinence as a goal in itself. It views all addictions as basically having the same cause - unhealthy emotional managment techniques that are unfortunately somewhat effective so they get repeated. Then escalated.

Terri, welcome also. As to whether or not you're in the "correct place for wisdom", I think only you can be the judge. Congratulations on getting past your addiction.

Best Wishes,
Peter

[ompaz]

Hi Peter,
Well, have had long running issues, mostly with prescribed opiates and benzos (valium etc.) over 30 years, interspersed with times of cleanliness and sadhana ~ and that's kind of the point you are making; it's 'manageable' and so it isn't painful enough to drop completely - at this moment in time anyway. Am no longer stressing about it so much, though - learning to 'travel lightly' and "Leave it to God" as Ramana says.
Not to say I wouldn't welcome any hints or pointers, or am totally laissez-faire ~ just that the stressing of "I must be clean and pure and etc.etc." was not helpful at all.
Thanks,
Tony.

[desertmoonrise]

Hi Terri! Congratulations on your nine years! The power of God is a wonderful force to feel. Understanding how to talk and commune with God goes a long way toward leading us Home. I loved the recent TAT Forum on prayer for that reason.

I know the feeling of power that comes from sensing God, and of course the hitch for a lot of people is understanding who this God is. Following the heart's desire, I've found, can help to fill in that picture. Eventually that which is not connected to one's God may fall away.