2fortheroad

Nothing to fear but fear itself...and twi sure perpetrated a whole lot of that...

How can anyone call being in a persistant, vegetative state for 15 years "living"? According to news reports that I heard earlier this week, her cerebral cortex (the part of brain in which thought processes take place) is liquified, and basically has been replaced with cerebral spinal fluid. Terri, in essence, died years ago...and keeping a body alive, with no brain function, or possibility of recovery, seems much more inhumane than letting her go in my opinion.

In the 5 years since leaving twi, I have considered many different points of view, and exposed myself to a variety of philosophies and spiritual ideas, and just a whole host of things that I never thought about, or allowed myself to think too deeply about while involved in a fundamentalist cult. When you spend 12 years sifting every thought and experience through the Wayworld filter, you don't realize how restrictive your view of life has become until that filter has been removed for awhile. I can't say for sure where I will be, or what my belief system will entail in 5 years, but I know that it will grow and evolve, which is something that did not happen in twi. As someone mentioned in the thread on “leaven”, once we were thoroughly indoctrinated in twi’s belief system (the Word is the ministry, and the ministry is the Word), anything thought process that deviated from that mindset was not explored in any depth…after all if you belong to the group with THE TRUTH, anything else can only be ERROR…does not leave a lot of room for independent thought or exploration does it?” My beliefs will undoubtedly change, grow, and evolve, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Having finally escaped from groupthink, a 180 degree return to that bondage is not an option. Change my mind? Absolutely! That is the right, privilege, and joy of being free to think outside the Way box!

In the 12+ years I spent in twi, I never got comfortable with being called on. I almost always "pre-thought" what I would say (or at least a general topic), and the few times that I did not, I really stumbled around. In the beginning, I was sure I would be caught, but it never happened (so much for all that spiritual perception :D-->)

Not a dramatic change since leaving twi, just a return to thinking the way I thought before I joined der Veg cult (and the way I continued to think to some extent while I was in, but did not feel free to express it). Guess I was a liberal before, a closet liberal during, and even more liberal after twi. What has changed is that I pay much more attention to what is going on politically, and feel a much stronger sense of outrage regarding the growing fascism in America. Oops, I forgot...it's not facism when we're doing it.(www.oldamericancentury.org).

I was basically non-political pre-twi, but probably would have said I was a Democrat. Post-twi, I find myself becoming more political, and more outraged with each passing day. George Bush thinks he has God's own vision burnt in a rock, and is leading his own personal Holy War to re-make the world in his own warped vision. Nothing more dangerous than someone in power who is convinced he is God's own MOGFOT...hmmm, what does that remind me of?? I find that my political views lean substantially left of center these days (of course I never could buy into twi's belief that God was a Republican, even as in innie). Never was comfortable with their gun-totin', homo-hating lunacy, and it really disturbs me that I went along with it for 12 miserable years. Didn't believe it, but didn't have the nerve to say so either... Spiritually, I have thrown out the baby, the bath water, and am remodeling the bathroom too! I believe there's a force in the universe (Caddyshack anyone?), and beyond that, I'll consider just about anything except organized religion of ANY sort, or anything that requires meetings, following the leader, or being "blessed" to do anything I don't feel like doing!

Posted by Sudo: Is it me?? Or does that sound a lot like VPW who had special knowledge of truths forgotten since the 1st century?? Who had a metaphysical experience (read snow on gas pumps out of a clear sky) and now teaches it to others??? I wonder how much Doctor Usui charged for "the class?? Well, let's consider a few differences... No Sunday Night Service (mandatory attendance in 250 mile radius), with additional mandatory purchase of SNS tape, and mandatory attendance at fellowship 2-3 times a week where said Sunday teaching will be regurgitated and re-taught ad infinitum. No mandatory magazine subscription (one per each adult member of household), complete with more regurgitated teachings 2-3 time weekly. No 6 month disciple program, no 4 year in-residence abuse program, no mandatory 10% tithe before the healing energy gods will even spit in your direction...just a few off the top of my head. Any chance we could back to the original topic, namely: Anyone Into Reiki? (Not how many of you would like to debunk something you've never even investigated until the question was posed)...

George - The only "reality" I can base anything on is what I have personally experienced (loosely, or otherwise ;)--> ) I realize that my experiences do not constitute a double blind scientific study, BUT I have experienced steady, continued improvement, so, personally I have seen reproduceable results. I am absolutely fine with you believing what you choose to believe, and affording me the same privilege. There's no need that I can see for either of us to have the definitive RIGHT answer (I left that need behind when I left TWI!) Speaking of which, reiki and other types of energy work have been way more effective FOR ME than 12 years of TWI ever came close to. Because I experienced something does not constitute proof for you, and because you haven't, does not constitute proof for me either. Anyone else have any actual encounters with reiki or other types of energy work that they are willing to share (hopefully without too much ridicule...)

Reikilady, thank you for your response. I was hoping you would reply. I did not say much in my first post because I expected most reponses to be less than complimentary. I have been seeing a massage therapist/bodyworker for the last 2 years, with some pretty amazing results (in conjunction with conventional medicine...namely bi-lateral hip replacements). I credit regaining my life and mobility to the combination of both modalities. The surgery took me to one major place of recovery, and the bodywork has dramatically improved my healing and flexibility (physically, mentally, and spiritually) from that point on... Having been involved in energy work from the receiving end for over 2 years, I have no doubt of the benefits (nor do I have any desire to try to convince or change anyone else's mind). I am considering taking a class to learn Reiki, and was interested in any experiences anyone might have had with it, good, bad, or otherwise. Thanks for the book recommendation. Is there anything in particular that I should look for in a teacher, Reikilady? Would love to discuss this more in depth with you at some point!

Anyone have any experiences with reiki? What do you think?

"I'm saying that if they had been honest about it, and came right out and said, "Yes, we're making a profit - on everything", then there would be no moral basis for a complaint." Isn't it illegal for a non-profit "church" to make a profit - on anything - much less everything??? How have they managed to escape getting nailed on that all these years?

Just curious...were 2 of the new grads B*ron and D*wn Br*ney?

We've been out since 2000, so no current info, but I do recall asking back in the 90's why we didn't put out flyers, or advertise in some way to stir up local interest in classes, and I was told emphatically that twi does not advertise, it is all done by word of mouth. Advertising would make it too difficult to control who was allowed to attend functions...gotta keep those debbil spurts out doncha know

I vaguely remember lcm teaching at some point in the mid to late 90's that the so-called eternal torment of "hell" would be that the unsaved would be banished forever from the presence of God - that is where the weeping and gnashing of teeth would be - to be eternally separated from God. Anyone else recall this, or am I having a brain f*art??

ok-guess I'll stick with green and get back to work...maybe later i'll try again. Anyhow, many thanks for the assistance, Steve. Just curious-is this something you just have to know about, or are there directions on G-Spot somewhere (in case you're not around to help me next time- -->

Can't seem to get any color except red, no matter what I say...

Now what??? I got smaller, but no color. I'm not giving up til I get this figured out!

Hey-it worked-except I said "yellow" and I got "red"...oh well, it must be Monday. Now I'm going to try for "purple" and smaller.

OK-I did exactly what you said-let's see what happens!

Thanks, Steve. I got the italics to work, but no luck with the size or color...oh well, guess 1 out of 3 is at least a start...

I've done this before but seem to be suffering from CRS, and can't seem to locate the instructions. How do you change the font, or the color, or put your signature in italics - I'm sure it is totally simple, but it is eluding me today! -->

After being "in" for 12 years, and "out" for 4 years, I find that the longer I am away from twi, the more abhorrent the whole experience has become, and the less appeal any sort of organized religious experience holds for me. In fact, the whole idea of going to church gives me an involuntary shudder, and ANYTHING that involves regular meetings loses my interest immediately! Lots of repressed (and not so repressed!) anger over giving control of my life and my mind to the twi-ts for so many years. I haven't been able to read the Bible (and so far don't find that is a problem either ) I work with someone who is extremely "churchy" and conservatively fundamental, and it irritates the h*ll out of me, and I find I go out of my way to say things I know will set her off, just because I can! My irreverance offends her, and her religiosity offends me. :P-->

32 days with no rain here in Portland, and still going...90+ degrees today, and more of the same expected all week long! No tornados, no hurricanes, just the occasional ice storm in winter...some of the most beautiful scenery on earth, and you can drive from city to country in about 20 minutes no matter where you are! Glad you are enjoying your vacation, Shell! I love the Oregon Coast - the absolute best place to relax, and rejuvenate, and recharge (even if it rains). Have a wonderful time, get some sand between your toes for me, and if you ever do decide to relocate let us know

Minor derailment here. I love Jason P's quote defining religion. I'd like to use it, and would like to know to whom to attribute it. Is it yours Jason, or, if not, do you know who orginally said it? "re•li•gion (ri-lij'un),—n. a magic device for turning unanswerable questions into unquestionable answers" At any rate, it is the best defintion of religion I have ever heard!

Thanks for the doctrinal link. On the good spirits/bad spirits line of thinking...do you have any opinions about spirit guides? I know people who believe they have "guides", converse with them regularly, and receive needed information from them regarding situations, and what to do in the situation (word of knowledge, word of wisdom type stuff). Some of the knowledge one friend has received in the healing arts field is downright amazing, bordering on miraculous (I can say that having been the recipient of it's application!) Anyone else have any thoughts or experiences with spirit guides?