Our friend @Amanaki 's posts have been very interesting to read! He has been informing everyone of his journey into Islam, and it's been interesting to be able to see how he progresses through that journey. This thread is inspired by that spirit of growth and fruition.
Like many folks here, I have taken on a new religion myself. I had certain expectation in the beginning. Though I followed a path that resonated with me, there were still practices in that path that I needed to incorporate into my life. Some adjustments had to be made.
As I better adjusted myself to my faith, I got better at it. I grew, and understood certain aspects more deeply. I started realizing the expectations I had in the beginning, but branched out into other areas that I now had new perspective on from the inside.
Eventually, the lessons I took away differed greatly from the expectations I had come into it expecting. As with all things in life, things don't always turn out the way you anticipate they will, though that often times can be just as enriching and rewarding, if not moreso than first anticipated.
My questions are these: What is your faith? What were your initial expectations? Did you see those expectations actualized? How did your views and intentions change as you matured in your faith? What is the ultimate lesson you've taken away from the experience?
The intention of this is not debate, but to see the growth each individual's path has undergone.
Like many folks here, I have taken on a new religion myself. I had certain expectation in the beginning. Though I followed a path that resonated with me, there were still practices in that path that I needed to incorporate into my life. Some adjustments had to be made.
As I better adjusted myself to my faith, I got better at it. I grew, and understood certain aspects more deeply. I started realizing the expectations I had in the beginning, but branched out into other areas that I now had new perspective on from the inside.
Eventually, the lessons I took away differed greatly from the expectations I had come into it expecting. As with all things in life, things don't always turn out the way you anticipate they will, though that often times can be just as enriching and rewarding, if not moreso than first anticipated.
My questions are these: What is your faith? What were your initial expectations? Did you see those expectations actualized? How did your views and intentions change as you matured in your faith? What is the ultimate lesson you've taken away from the experience?
The intention of this is not debate, but to see the growth each individual's path has undergone.