24 Hour Religion?

I am wondering for people on a religious or spiritual path do you only worship 1 hour a week or 24 hours a day? I am also curious how do you separate your secular life from your religious one when you are conducting your daily routines or interacting with the general population that may not be part of your faith? I'm really looking forward hearing how you balance your secular life from your religious one, and if you change in any way when you switch from a religious setting to secular one during the course of your day, thanks!

Being a Muslim is a full time thing 24/7. I do not change anything or be different. I tell people straight away that I am a Muslim and that this this and this prohibition applies to me. I do not join friends/work colleagues when they go and drink alcohol, I tell them I am not allowed to be near alcohol. And I refrain from food which isn't prepared by Islamic criteria. Etc.

I do my prayers at work just as usual, I do not speak foul words just because those around me do and I tell people to either speak well when they speak to me or not speak at all.

Thanks for sharing your religion Gharib, I really appreciate it! I also live a 24 hour religious life and have many restrictions that keeps me from alcoholic beverages and participating in certain secular activities. I also have prayer cycles throughout the day and sometimes it makes my coworkers feel a little uneasy but I try to reassure them everything I do is out of love and respect for all the people I have contact with regardless if they are a part of my faith or not.

ShadowFire said:

I am wondering for people on a religious or spiritual path do you only worship 1 hour a week or 24 hours a day? I am also curious how do you separate your secular life from your religious one when you are conducting your daily routines or interacting with the general population that may not be part of your faith? I'm really looking forward hearing how you balance your secular life from your religious one, and if you change in any way when you switch from a religious setting to secular one during the course of your day, thanks!

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The Buddha's morals and practices are engraved in me. The spirits are always watching over me. I am not separated from my ancestors; I am a part of them. So, my religion or spiritual path cannot be separated from me.

Though I get what you're asking. Since I live, work, and breathe in the Christian environment, there are some appropriate things I do as to not disrupt the environment. It's not separating myself from my religion, but just thinking of others as well as myself.

At work, my co-worker talks about god almost every other sentence. I used to talk about the sutras a bit with her; and, I found she wasn't interested in knowing about me even though we're friends. So, with her and a couple of co-workers, I don't say anything. I am a free spirited person, so it bothers me in my heart to be "shushed up" but at work and also its where I live, it's the best thing for a comfortable environment (and to keep my job).

I sometimes pray in public when I have my beads and oil. After awhile, I became comfortable with what I believe and know is true. When I pray to the sun and do my thing, I know people are staring and it takes a minute to brush it off. Then I remind myself, this is what I know is true. So it's a constant reminder of who I am in life. I don't see how any other religious person does not "remind' himself of his belief. It's like telling myself, "hey you need to eat" type of thing.

I am me 24/7. My spirituality is a reflection of me. I don't separate myself from myself; and, if I find it unnecessary to talk about that part of myself, I don't. That's basically the balance. Not separation, but respect and discernment.

My religion is a part of who I am. I never not-me.
If one establishes prayer as the foundation of one's religion or religious beliefs, though, then I would barely ever be me. Prayer is one of the things I struggle with in my spiritual growth, especially spontaneous (or non-liturgical, if one prefers) prayer. I prefer the prayers that are more established in general. I don't feel a need to ask for things from God very often at all.

Even when I was lying in hospital bleeding heavily over a year ago, I didn't ask for God to save me; I just prayed.
Eh.

ShadowFire said:

I am wondering for people on a religious or spiritual path do you only worship 1 hour a week or 24 hours a day? I am also curious how do you separate your secular life from your religious one when you are conducting your daily routines or interacting with the general population that may not be part of your faith? I'm really looking forward hearing how you balance your secular life from your religious one, and if you change in any way when you switch from a religious setting to secular one during the course of your day, thanks!

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True Christianity is a way of life, IMO, and affects everything we do in our daily lives. For example, Jesus' famous sermon on the mountain discusses conduct and attitudes that impact daily living. Sadly, I think many professed "Christians" are such in name only, as Jesus mentioned in that same sermon. (Matthew 7:21-23)

ShadowFire said:

I am wondering for people on a religious or spiritual path do you only worship 1 hour a week or 24 hours a day? I am also curious how do you separate your secular life from your religious one when you are conducting your daily routines or interacting with the general population that may not be part of your faith? I'm really looking forward hearing how you balance your secular life from your religious one, and if you change in any way when you switch from a religious setting to secular one during the course of your day, thanks!

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I intergrate my practices so it's actually indistinguishable. Chop wood, carry water as the saying goes.

Carlita said:

The Buddha's morals and practices are engraved in me. The spirits are always watching over me. I am not separated from my ancestors; I am a part of them. So, my religion or spiritual path cannot be separated from me.

Though I get what you're asking. Since I live, work, and breathe in the Christian environment, there are some appropriate things I do as to not disrupt the environment. It's not separating myself from my religion, but just thinking of others as well as myself.

At work, my co-worker talks about god almost every other sentence. I used to talk about the sutras a bit with her; and, I found she wasn't interested in knowing about me even though we're friends. So, with her and a couple of co-workers, I don't say anything. I am a free spirited person, so it bothers me in my heart to be "shushed up" but at work and also its where I live, it's the best thing for a comfortable environment (and to keep my job).

I sometimes pray in public when I have my beads and oil. After awhile, I became comfortable with what I believe and know is true. When I pray to the sun and do my thing, I know people are staring and it takes a minute to brush it off. Then I remind myself, this is what I know is true. So it's a constant reminder of who I am in life. I don't see how any other religious person does not "remind' himself of his belief. It's like telling myself, "hey you need to eat" type of thing.

I am me 24/7. My spirituality is a reflection of me. I don't separate myself from myself; and, if I find it unnecessary to talk about that part of myself, I don't. That's basically the balance. Not separation, but respect and discernment.

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Hi Carlita, I have seen your other post and really like and value your opinion! I totally understand about not being a disruption to the environment or public at large when expressing my religion in a public setting.

That us why I try to be discrete when performing high ceremonial magic or prayer meditations in public. Its not that I am ashamed of my religion, I just don't want to make people feel uncomfortable around me or cause a confrontation during a sacred moment of my life, so that is why I try to be careful in a public setting.

Nowhere Man said:

I intergrate my practices so it's actually indistinguishable. Chop wood, carry water as the saying goes.

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I don't chop much wood these days, but I know what you mean.

ShadowFire said:

I am wondering for people on a religious or spiritual path do you only worship 1 hour a week or 24 hours a day? I am also curious how do you separate your secular life from your religious one when you are conducting your daily routines or interacting with the general population that may not be part of your faith? I'm really looking forward hearing how you balance your secular life from your religious one, and if you change in any way when you switch from a religious setting to secular one during the course of your day, thanks!

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Greetings.
Theoretically, one should always be a xian, or in the spirit of Christos, or be acting under the precepts of the religious beliefs./ Jesus adherence,,

That's religious all the time, in a way.

Here is a great example of how I blend my religion in the secular world without being too much of a disruption to the people I associate with on a daily basis. This little life force plant (attachment picture above) was moved a few months ago from one building I travel though to the one it currently resides in. As a result of moving the plant, no one was watering her and she was dying so I secretly adopted her and water her on a daily basis and send her some healing energy as well. It only takes a few seconds of my time each day so there is no disruption in my routine for getting involved but now that she is healthy I feel wonderful and more productive at work to handle my responsibilities hoping my few seconds of time made a difference to a life force that has a right to live.

Breathe said:

Even when I was lying in hospital bleeding heavily over a year ago, I didn't ask for God to save me; I just prayed.
Eh.

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Hi Breathe, I am glad you are feeling better, we need you here on this side with the living, it is not your time to cross over yet, and your company is greatly appreciated!

I am really impressed with everyone's responses and attitudes, you certainly are wise beyond your years, thanks for being here and sharing your views!

ShadowFire said:

Hi Breathe, I am glad you are feeling better, we need you here on this side with the living, it is not your time to cross over yet, and your company is greatly appreciated!

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Why thank you. I've got a lot to do before I pass on; it's not on my to-do list for quite some time.

ShadowFire said:

I am really impressed with everyone's responses and attitudes, you certainly are wise beyond your years, thanks for being here and sharing your views!

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No problem brother

Philosophically, I always try to lead a Satanic way of life all of the time. Sometimes it isn't possible due to various reasons, though. I can't always apply an eye for an eye principal without consequences.

I don't worship Satan, rather I regard him as a god to aspire to. I want to become my own god through the path of Satan. I ritualize occasionally, but magick is not something I work with on a daily basis simply because most of the problems that I face in life can be conquered physically right then and there.

I don't feel a need to pray to Satan either. The only time I do anything similar to prayer is when I read an invocation to Satan or a Demon, which is very rare.

ShadowFire said:

I am wondering for people on a religious or spiritual path do you only worship 1 hour a week or 24 hours a day? I am also curious how do you separate your secular life from your religious one when you are conducting your daily routines or interacting with the general population that may not be part of your faith? I'm really looking forward hearing how you balance your secular life from your religious one, and if you change in any way when you switch from a religious setting to secular one during the course of your day, thanks!

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Baha'is have a spiritual obligation to pray every day.. and we are free to recite three forms of obligatory prayer, that is, we have a choice in reciting either a short, medium or long obligatory prayer. The prayers are supposed to be recited privately not in congregation.

Now the short obligatory prayer requires ablutions and facing the Qiblah which is in the Holy Land now known as Israel specifically in Bahji. It should be recited around noon. The reason I'm explaining this is that one can perform this prayer in most situations without anyone else being aware of it. When I was employed I would usually choose the short obligatory prayer.

The medium and long obligatory prayers have prescribed postures such as kneeling ... prostrating.. raising the hands and so on.. and these prayers are usually recited at home.

Since our Holy Days are based on a different calendar I could normally offer to work for Christians on their shifts say on Christmas or Easter and they usually appreciated this.. They would in turn take my shifts when I had a Holy Day requiring that I not work.

Since my in-laws were Christians we as Baha'is could participate in their activities as long as they understood we were not Christians such as maybe attending a church service with them. In time my in-laws would participate in Ayyam-i-Ha which is our gift exchange season or Naw-Ruz our New Year observances.

We have a month of fasting also and all that involves is not eating solid food or drinking liquid during the daytime... this sometimes was a little awkward during lunch times as when asked why we are not eating we explain we are fasting...but it was never really a problem.

ShadowFire said:

I am wondering for people on a religious or spiritual path do you only worship 1 hour a week or 24 hours a day? I am also curious how do you separate your secular life from your religious one when you are conducting your daily routines or interacting with the general population that may not be part of your faith? I'm really looking forward hearing how you balance your secular life from your religious one, and if you change in any way when you switch from a religious setting to secular one during the course of your day, thanks!

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Hi there,
For me it's a 24/7 thing. I am always seeking the guidance of the Lord Jesus in all I say and do, and even in what I think and feel, checking that it is in accord with His Word.

Saving faith is meant to be 24/7 to be lived 'Corum Deo' before the face of God all the time

People's behavior will of course vary according to circunstances and environment. But it seems to me that most people that take their religions somewhat seriously will make it at least as constant a part of their lives as, say, their hobbies.