Substitute For Going To Church

Published: February 27, 2008, 8:41 am

Here is a substitute for going to church (or temple, etc) once a week. You'll get as much, if not more, out of it.

Instead of going to a house of worship, stay at home and find a comfortable spot where you can relax without distractions for 45 minutes.

Pretend that for the past week your life has been recorded by special surveillance video cameras that can even record your thoughts 24/7. Close your eyes and play the mental video from start to finish. As you watch the video you will see things that happened or thoughts that occurred that made you uneasy. Hit the pause button and take a few moments to reflect on it. What made you uneasy? Then edit the film to make YOU the one who is able to change the event to a conclusion that makes you comfortable.

An "uneasy" feeling occurs when your innate sense of right and wrong is triggered.

Finish the editing of the video and store it in a memory folder. During the next week try editing your mental movie as you live your life so there will be less editing next Sunday.

Mentally apologize to those you were unkind to in the original video. Last, but not least, give thanks for being alive.

This practice will make more connected to everything going on around you and YOUR influence in the outcome.

Rick G.

Entry #145

Comments

konane - Feb 27, 2008, 12:31 pm

Totally awesome Rick!!! Wow, love it!!

pacattack05 - Feb 27, 2008, 1:07 pm

That's all good, but how do I set the clock?

Rick G - Feb 27, 2008, 3:00 pm

Thanks, konane.

justxploring - Feb 27, 2008, 7:10 pm

I wish I had the discipline Rick. There's always a movie in my head that plays in fast forward and then rewinds.

When I read your sentence "pretend...your life has been recorded..." I thought of that movie with Jim Carrey where his whole life was on video everyday.

True that you don't ever need to leave your home for self-introspection. I think organized religion is better for socializing and the effect group energy has on a person. Some might call it brainwashing, but it just isn't the same singing, clapping & waving your hands by yourself. Once when I attended a very "animated" charismatic service, a woman asked me about my background, so I told her I was Jewish. She asked why I was at the service and I told her "it's the only place I can stand up and sing where nobody tells me to shut up except in the shower." :-)

Rick G - Feb 27, 2008, 8:42 pm

Nancy, it only takes a few times and you'll find yourself "editing" as you go along. That's the goal. Then your weekly "movie" takes only a few minutes to view, edit and store. Make your apologies, give your thanks and then head out to the beach and enjoy life.

pacattack05 - Feb 27, 2008, 10:07 pm

Oy vey !
Oy ge vault !
Shneider de velt goyim
Kepper de svelt la chayem !
Kepper sauld navoider

Tenaj - Feb 27, 2008, 10:10 pm

Good blog rick.

justxploring - Feb 27, 2008, 11:54 pm

Just a note...I assumed people would know I was talking about a Christian service when I said "charismatic." Anyway, yes it's a good blog. I was just saying that some people like the human support and interaction.

Okay, so why are we on the internet when we should be medicating? (Oops. I meant meditating. My bad.) :-)

Coin Toss - Feb 28, 2008, 2:32 am

Good thoughts, Rick.

"The world is your dojo", (from martial arts, i.e., the learning hall isn't the only place you learn) , or "the world is your church".

Rick G - Feb 28, 2008, 8:06 am

#10

Thanks for the nice comments. I like Coin Toss' quote, "The world is your dojo".

Tenaj - Feb 28, 2008, 10:41 am

#11

I knew what you were talking about justx. Charismatics are stereotyped as jumping pews.

Rick G - Feb 28, 2008, 12:15 pm

#12

The Charismatics are manifesting a lot of positive energy as a group when they congregate. That's a good thing and I could see where the goer comes out of it charged with positive energy.

Substitute For Going To Church

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