Comments on: Fear and Spirituality http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2007/fear-and-spirituality Religion and spirituality from a Unitarian Universalist perspective Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:59:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Shelby http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2007/fear-and-spirituality#comment-6471 Shelby Sat, 24 Nov 2007 16:10:50 +0000 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2007/fear-and-spirituality#comment-6471 Hi Dan, Thanks for sharing your experience of overcoming fears through spiritual exploration. I am so intrigued about how your have "incorporated fear into daily practice." Hi Dan,

Thanks for sharing your experience of overcoming fears through spiritual exploration. I am so intrigued about how your have “incorporated fear into daily practice.”

]]> By: Dan http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2007/fear-and-spirituality#comment-6428 Dan Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:32:08 +0000 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2007/fear-and-spirituality#comment-6428 I've seen a close connection between fear and spirituality. Before I was even aware of UU, it seemed to me that some religions were for sissies. After all, if you could simply blame things on a higher power and get absolved, it would you let you off the hook and free from taking responsibility. I thought maybe others were facing fear in a macho way, to feel their spirit and aliveness, although maybe that was really just an adrenline rush. Now I've had the pleasure (?) of facing and going through several fears of my own and also talking with people of many spiritual traditions about how fear ties into their spirit, I've developed some different perspectices. Even better, I've incorporated fear into my daily practice. It's amazing how liberating and enlivening it can be - on the other side. I’ve seen a close connection between fear and spirituality.

Before I was even aware of UU, it seemed to me that some religions were for sissies. After all, if you could simply blame things on a higher power and get absolved, it would you let you off the hook and free from taking responsibility.

I thought maybe others were facing fear in a macho way, to feel their spirit and aliveness, although maybe that was really just an adrenline rush.

Now I’ve had the pleasure (?) of facing and going through several fears of my own and also talking with people of many spiritual traditions about how fear ties into their spirit, I’ve developed some different perspectices.

Even better, I’ve incorporated fear into my daily practice. It’s amazing how liberating and enlivening it can be - on the other side.

]]> By: Faith and Fear | The Pageless Book http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2007/fear-and-spirituality#comment-5964 Faith and Fear | The Pageless Book Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:03:16 +0000 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2007/fear-and-spirituality#comment-5964 [...] A few days ago, Shelby published an article on her blog that implied some measure of spiritual growth comes naturally from overcoming fear. The article itself is brief, allowing instead the story to which it linked make her argument. I highly recommend reading it; the story isn’t long at all. While the short story demonstrated effectively how overcoming fear could lead to spiritual growth, I felt that there was more to be said about the subject. I would like to present you with my own experiences. [...] […] A few days ago, Shelby published an article on her blog that implied some measure of spiritual growth comes naturally from overcoming fear. The article itself is brief, allowing instead the story to which it linked make her argument. I highly recommend reading it; the story isn’t long at all. While the short story demonstrated effectively how overcoming fear could lead to spiritual growth, I felt that there was more to be said about the subject. I would like to present you with my own experiences. […]

]]> By: John 672 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2007/fear-and-spirituality#comment-5843 John 672 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 02:32:14 +0000 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2007/fear-and-spirituality#comment-5843 I've actually posted my take on this subject here: http://www.thepagelessbook.com/2007/11/13/faith-fear/ I've sent you an e-mail in regards to your other comments. Namaste. I’ve actually posted my take on this subject here:
http://www.thepagelessbook.com/2007/11/13/faith-fear/
I’ve sent you an e-mail in regards to your other comments.

Namaste.

]]> By: Shelby Meyerhoff http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2007/fear-and-spirituality#comment-5559 Shelby Meyerhoff Mon, 12 Nov 2007 23:12:10 +0000 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2007/fear-and-spirituality#comment-5559 Hi John, Of course you are welcome to post about this. Others could benefit from what you have learned. However, I did notice on your blog that you are interested in a career in ministry, so my advice would be to consider how much personal detail you really want to share online (actually, this is my advice to any blogger), and how you can share your insights in a way that is ministering to others. That is unsolicited advice, but I hope it is helpful. Hi John,

Of course you are welcome to post about this. Others could benefit from what you have learned. However, I did notice on your blog that you are interested in a career in ministry, so my advice would be to consider how much personal detail you really want to share online (actually, this is my advice to any blogger), and how you can share your insights in a way that is ministering to others. That is unsolicited advice, but I hope it is helpful.

]]> By: John 672 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2007/fear-and-spirituality#comment-5489 John 672 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 03:38:23 +0000 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2007/fear-and-spirituality#comment-5489 You know, I've never really thought of fear as being a component of spirituality. Being that I suffer from an anxiety disorder, fear is a very regular part of my life. Has fear affected my spiritual development? I don't know... I'll have to think about it. If you wouldn't mind, I may even write an entry on my own blog about it... - John www.thepagelessbook.com You know, I’ve never really thought of fear as being a component of spirituality. Being that I suffer from an anxiety disorder, fear is a very regular part of my life. Has fear affected my spiritual development? I don’t know… I’ll have to think about it.

If you wouldn’t mind, I may even write an entry on my own blog about it…

- John
http://www.thepagelessbook.com

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