How do I talk to God again ? (ritual, evolve, doctrine)

[Mavrikmind]

I haven't talked to God in a very long time. Five years ago my youngest son past away from birth defects. To say the least I've been very angry at god for a very long time. For the past couple of years I've been trying to find my spiritual path again. I believe I've found it but the thing is, and this has been bothering me alot, I don't feel or hear God around me anymore. Have I pushed him away so much that I'm unable to hear or feel him anymore? Some advise would be appreciated

[NoahideHiker]

It's not that He's not around you. You simply needed to take a step back from Him. One single step forward back to Him is equivalent to running into His arms. You endured a great tragedy in your life. You have every right to be angry about it and you can tell G-d so. There was a reason for your loss. There has to be otherwise G-d is a filthy liar and no god to be followed. You don't need formal prayer or communion or some long drawn out struggling time to get back to Him. Simply open your mouth and let it all out weather it be anger, sadness, or doubt.
The single greatest secret to happiness in life is simply talking to G-d.

And whatever you do DO NOT get caught up in the religious aspect of faith. You don't have to be a christian or a Jew or a Buddhist or anything other than what you are right now...YOU! It's just you and G-d. But of course if you consider yourself a christian already going to church or speaking to a local pastor is always good too.

Here's a video done by a great rabbi I have learned a great deal from. While he is a Jew,and a rabbi his teachings to happiness are universal.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...bi+lazer+brody


I also greatly encourage you to go to his web site. He has a series of CDs that can and will change your life. They did for me. They're only about $5 a piece and they cover a wide range of subjects. His book The Trail to Tranquility is also a great source for conecting to G-d on a universal level.

http://lazerbrody.typepad.com/lazer_beams/

[cardero]

How To Talk with GOD

• The conversations will start out with GOD and you. Once you get comfortable with this relationship, you will find yourself addressing topics that apply to almost everyone.
• Every time you talk with GOD is always better than the last. (It also gets easier.)
• One thing you will learn after a few conversations is that GOD never shuts up. If this gets to be too overwhelming for you, keep a notebook or tape recorder around and make notes so you do not forget topics or the essence of any conversation.
• GOD manifests him/herself differently in different ways to different people. You will find that when talking with GOD, GOD will speak in a style that is familiar and friendly. You may think that GOD is talking to you in GOD's manner but GOD's truths are his/her own and will manifest through your personality.
• Pay attention to all forms of stimuli: dreams, meditations, and conversations with other people, music, movies, and books – any form of input that can be detected through ALL of your senses. This is GOD's way of paging you – of bringing something to the attention of your consciousness. There are no coincidences. If a message is meant to be received, it will get to you.
• The best time to talk with GOD is when you are alone.
• If you are writing down your conversations, DO NOT stop to think about what you are writing. Always read the dialogue after you are finished. It will feel as if you are reading it for the first time. DO NOT edit or censor your questions and answers. Keep an open mind. Whatever comes to you later can always be added another time.
• If you must play any background music during your transcripts (and if you have the means), may I suggest you play Mozart. GOD likes Mozart. Go figure.
• DO NOT be upset or disappointed with any of the answers you receive. As a human being, some answers may surprise or shock you. This is GOD helping you to UNDERSTAND. It would also be helpful to shed your worldly views and past patterns, and bring a new UNDERSTANDING to these conversations.
• DON'T expect that the same UNDERSTANDING given to you will also be given to another person. DO NOT go into this thinking you can change the viewpoints of everyone in the world. First and foremost, you are only helping to bring enlightenment to yourself. If you glean anything from anyone else's conversation, consider it a blessing to you. DO NOT exploit or force your viewpoints on another fellow being who is not ready for this kind of UNDERSTANDING. Remember, everyone is on the correct path he or she should be on.
• Keep in mind that GOD is not "The Answer Man/Woman." If GOD's answers are vague and unclear, it is because you may not be ready to receive the answers. You may need a little more UNDERSTANDING in some areas of your life. It is not because GOD doesn't know the answer or wants to confuse you; it is because GOD would rather see you come to the joy of realizing the answer for yourself. GOD will always lead you to the door, but it is up to you to go through it.
• To derive the maximum benefits from your talks with GOD, always remember where you came from and where you are now. Try to leave your ego out of the conversation. Don't be afraid to look back once in a while for a better UNDERSTANDING. In time, you will never have to look back again.
• Remember, anyone can talk with GOD; GOD has always been talking with you.
• Do not make excuses for not talking with GOD; GOD doesn't buy any of them. Remember, any conversation is a two-way street. You do have the time (more than you think!) that GOD has provided for us. But, if you do not have the time to actually document or write down the moments of the conversation, GOD will UNDERSTAND.
• If you are having trouble getting started, start by talking with GOD about the weather or TV shows. Even ask GOD how to make a good cup of tea. Focus on your question. Make sure this is exactly what you want to ask GOD. Type or write out your results as if you were having a regular conversation with anyone else. This is where it begins for anybody. Do not humble yourself or feel intimidated. You will find out that GOD is easy to talk with and is just as friendly (probably more so) than anyone you know.

[Paladin]

I would have to agree with Noahide, Mavrik. If you haven't confronted God with your honest feelings, questions, rage and despair it might be time to do so. I remember, when I lost my Christopher to MD when he was 16 I thought my world was going to end, and two years into the grief cycle, riddled with drugs and alchohol, it nearly did.
I am at peace with the God of my understanding, but even that understanding evolves constantly. As Noahide says, it is just you and God now and no religion should come between you.

Peace
Mark

[Comprehend]

Originally Posted by Mavrikmind

I haven't talked to God in a very long time. Five years ago my youngest son past away from birth defects. To say the least I've been very angry at god for a very long time. For the past couple of years I've been trying to find my spiritual path again. I believe I've found it but the thing is, and this has been bothering me alot, I don't feel or hear God around me anymore. Have I pushed him away so much that I'm unable to hear or feel him anymore? Some advise would be appreciated

Maverikmind,

I am terribly sorry for your loss. I have two children and I cannot imagine what losing one must be like. It may encourage you to know that LDS doctrine teaches that children that die go to the highest level of heaven and that families can be together forever there. Personally, I think that God takes His very best like that. Because they are so young, they are unable to ever be tempted by Satan and therefore, do not sin. They leave the world sinless.

About your spirituality, it is very good that you are aware of what being close to God feels like, that is sometimes the most difficult thing for people to learn. You already are familiar. You likely have drifted away from God if you do not feel Him anymore. BUT, you can change that, daily prayer can start that change. God loves all of His children but in order to feel His spirit again, you must obey His commandments. Read the scriptures, say your prayers. When you pray, talk to God like you would talk to your best friend. Just talk to Him, ask Him questions. Ask Him if He still loves you. and then, listen. He will not speak audibly, but He will give you that still, small, peace. Your Heavenly Father loves you and will always love you. Pray and ask Him.

[ayani]

when i have trouble talking to God because of anger, hurt, or hardness, it is often easier to begin with something small. i will stay quiet for a few moments, and let something small, some small words to Him, come through. trusting that He is there, that He listens can be a huge step some mornings.

faith came back gradually for me. God speaks to us in His own ways- i believe that He knows each and every one of us, every hair on our heads, and every desire within us. often i begin the day just to thank Him that i am awake and on my feet. it's a start, and it leads to more prayers, more words to Him. i find taht talking to Him is sometimes like talking to my late father- a little scary. but i find the words, through Him. and i believe that in the end, He wishes more than anything to reconcile with us, to hear us talk to Him, and to talk with us.

[NoahideHiker]

Originally Posted by gracie

often i begin the day just to thank Him that i am awake and on my feet. it's a start, and it leads to more prayers, more words to Him.

With my caregiver job I sleep at work and wake up at work and hit the ground running. I would wake up and say, "Oh man I don't wanna get up. Is it Friday yet? Damn I hate waking up at work.". I made the conscience effort to thank G-d as soon as I wake up for the nights rest and for the day ahead. What a difference!

While it can be hard to thank G-d at times when we don't understand our circumstances there is no better way of getting G-d's attention than having that mustard seed of faith to say, "G-d i don't understand why but it has to be for the best so thank you.". When we are thankful to G-d in times of trouble He will say, "Even with the trials I gave you you are still thanking Me? OK, now I'm going to give you a real reason to thank Me.". And at the other end when we are ungreatful for every little thing He gives us He may say, "What? I give you all this and you still cry? Now I'm going to give you something to cry about.".

Being thankful. Sometimes hard but always yielding results.

[Mavrikmind]

Thanks for all your advice. To be truthfull I don't consider myself belonging to any faith at all and I'm not sure if I even wan't to. I do know that I believe in God and I would like him and me to be friends again

[ayani]

it does make such a difference, Hiker.

i believe that in waking up, in moving about for the day, we know that God has a need from us this day- He needs us to be awake, to do our best, and to be mindful of His signs and of our brothers and sisters. bad things may come, and they will. but He has given us our rest and our awaking, and words with which to talk to HIm. even if it is not easy.