Whilst reading the posts over the last few months I have seen so many people writing that giving up alcohol has left a gap in their life, or they?re bored, or they don?t know what to do?Well, I have found something now which more than fills that empty space, it overflows.. I would like to share that experience with you in the hope that it may help some of you still searching ?Are you sitting comfortably, then I?ll begin?.
Recently I have found myself travelling along a path of spiritual beliefs..I was born and raised an Irish Catholic, but, at the age of about 17 I turned away from the church and all organised religions..
When I reached my fifties I felt that there was something missing from my life, a gap, an empty space, but I didn?t know how to fill it?.My drinking really began to escalate, I thought that by drinking to excess nearly every night I could somehow obliterate these feelings?
Last September, about two weeks before I stopped drinking for good, and I must say here that at that time, although I knew I was drinking far too much, I had no real intention of stopping, I was in my local library when I saw a poster advertising a talk at the local Guildhall, the talk was entitled THE SILENCE WITHIN, and it was being given by a representative of a group called BRAHMA KUMARIS?It sounded interesting so I went along to it a few days later?.Well, all I can say is that sitting there in that hall I felt as if I had come to the end of a long journey and at long last found a place to call home?..The speaker was an Indian lady, very quite voice, but you could hear every word?She spoke about the group and what their objectives were, basically, world peace through changing attitudes, they work closely with the UN and they are world wide with retreat centres in most major cities? She then spoke about finding that deep silence through meditation which we all have within us, that deep area where we really find out what and who we are? After this we did some meditation? When I got home, I can?t explain it except to say, somehow, I felt different, as if something had clicked in my brain and now I had this map to guide me...
A few days later I put in a search on Google for the BRAHMA KUMARIS and found their web site?It gives a history of them, but, also they have a page on there which gives daily meditations?. I started to do these and felt really relaxed and happy?.Now, one week after this experience I had a very bad drinking binge, during that evening, somehow, I found this site, registered and posted my first few words?.The following day when I used my computer and clicked on my favourites to find something, there was this website called MY WAY OUT?I had no recollection of it, so imagine my surprise when I clicked on it to find out I was a member?I haven?t had a drink since that day?Sometimes I get the feeling there is something or someone guiding me, why I don?t know, but I?m sure I?ll find out one day?
At the moment I am doing a workshop in RAJ YOGA MEDITATION with the Brahma Kumaris?.With this it takes you that bit further along the path, discussing meditation, karma and reincarnation amongst other things?Now, all this is new to me, and recently I have found myself wanting to know more, especially about Buddhism, which as far as I am aware is not a religion but more a way of life... In my ignorance I thought that as a glass of water is just that, a glass of water, then Buddhism is just Buddhism?But its not, there are so many different forms, where do I start, how do I start, do I have to follow one particular type of teaching???? I firmly believe that from the night I went to hear that initial talk that my feet were firmly but gently placed on this path I am now following, and this belief has been one of the mainstays in helping to maintain my sobriety, that, coupled with all the help and support I have received here have been mighty weapons in my personal armoury..
Now, I feel as if I am ready to take some tentative steps further along this path of spiritual learning..I?m sure there are others in MWO who like me, would like to know and learn more of the philosophy and teachings of Buddha? Likewise there will be people who would like to experience deeper meditation practices to help bring peace and calm to the mind..
So, I guess I?m after two things here?Wanting to learn about the philosophy, the way of life and teachings of Buddhism, and, meditation?Perhaps we could set up a small Buddhist teaching and discussion group.. It would be interesting to hear any views on this?.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Louise xx
Recently I have found myself travelling along a path of spiritual beliefs..I was born and raised an Irish Catholic, but, at the age of about 17 I turned away from the church and all organised religions..
When I reached my fifties I felt that there was something missing from my life, a gap, an empty space, but I didn?t know how to fill it?.My drinking really began to escalate, I thought that by drinking to excess nearly every night I could somehow obliterate these feelings?
Last September, about two weeks before I stopped drinking for good, and I must say here that at that time, although I knew I was drinking far too much, I had no real intention of stopping, I was in my local library when I saw a poster advertising a talk at the local Guildhall, the talk was entitled THE SILENCE WITHIN, and it was being given by a representative of a group called BRAHMA KUMARIS?It sounded interesting so I went along to it a few days later?.Well, all I can say is that sitting there in that hall I felt as if I had come to the end of a long journey and at long last found a place to call home?..The speaker was an Indian lady, very quite voice, but you could hear every word?She spoke about the group and what their objectives were, basically, world peace through changing attitudes, they work closely with the UN and they are world wide with retreat centres in most major cities? She then spoke about finding that deep silence through meditation which we all have within us, that deep area where we really find out what and who we are? After this we did some meditation? When I got home, I can?t explain it except to say, somehow, I felt different, as if something had clicked in my brain and now I had this map to guide me...
A few days later I put in a search on Google for the BRAHMA KUMARIS and found their web site?It gives a history of them, but, also they have a page on there which gives daily meditations?. I started to do these and felt really relaxed and happy?.Now, one week after this experience I had a very bad drinking binge, during that evening, somehow, I found this site, registered and posted my first few words?.The following day when I used my computer and clicked on my favourites to find something, there was this website called MY WAY OUT?I had no recollection of it, so imagine my surprise when I clicked on it to find out I was a member?I haven?t had a drink since that day?Sometimes I get the feeling there is something or someone guiding me, why I don?t know, but I?m sure I?ll find out one day?
At the moment I am doing a workshop in RAJ YOGA MEDITATION with the Brahma Kumaris?.With this it takes you that bit further along the path, discussing meditation, karma and reincarnation amongst other things?Now, all this is new to me, and recently I have found myself wanting to know more, especially about Buddhism, which as far as I am aware is not a religion but more a way of life... In my ignorance I thought that as a glass of water is just that, a glass of water, then Buddhism is just Buddhism?But its not, there are so many different forms, where do I start, how do I start, do I have to follow one particular type of teaching???? I firmly believe that from the night I went to hear that initial talk that my feet were firmly but gently placed on this path I am now following, and this belief has been one of the mainstays in helping to maintain my sobriety, that, coupled with all the help and support I have received here have been mighty weapons in my personal armoury..
Now, I feel as if I am ready to take some tentative steps further along this path of spiritual learning..I?m sure there are others in MWO who like me, would like to know and learn more of the philosophy and teachings of Buddha? Likewise there will be people who would like to experience deeper meditation practices to help bring peace and calm to the mind..
So, I guess I?m after two things here?Wanting to learn about the philosophy, the way of life and teachings of Buddhism, and, meditation?Perhaps we could set up a small Buddhist teaching and discussion group.. It would be interesting to hear any views on this?.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Louise xx
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