Several people have asked me for a link back to my website… so here it is:
Regret (emotion)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Regret is a negative conscious and emotional reaction to personal past acts and behaviors. Regret is often expressed by the term “sorry.” Regret is often felt when someone feels sadness, shame, embarrassment, depression, annoyance or guilt after committing an action or actions that the person later wishes that s/he had not done or having not committed. Regret is distinct from guilt, which is a deeply emotional form of regret — one which may be difficult to comprehend in an objective or conceptual way. In this regard, the concept of regret is subordinate to guilt in terms of its emotional intensity. By comparison, shame typically refers to the social (rather than personal) aspect of guilt or (in minor context) regret as imposed by the society or culture (enforcement of ethics, morality), which has substantial bearing in matters of (personal and social) honor.
It is also distinct from remorse, which is a more direct and emotional form of regret over a past action that is considered by society to be hurtful, shameful, or violent. Unlike regret, it includes a strong element of desire for apology to others rather than an internal reflection on one’s actions, and may be expressed (sincerely or not) in order to reduce the punishment one receives.
Regret can describe not only the dislike for an action that has been committed, but also, importantly, regret of inaction. Many people find themselves wishing that they had done something in a past situation.
And there you have it… what has been plaguing me these past few weeks. In addition to all the other things I have going on in my life, I had to add regret. It’s my own fault really. I recently looked up an old friend. Instead of finding him, I found an obituary from 10 years ago. Now I must do my penance and live with it… I waited too long! I have a learned a valuable lesson, though. Don’t look up old friends unless you are prepared for whatever may come of it. Clearly, I was not. Rest in peace old friend…
Karma… what is it and what does it have to do with me?
www.madmermaids.com
The Webster’s New World Dictionary defines karma as: “The totality of a person’s actions in any one of the successive states of that person’s existence, thought of as determining the fate of the next stage.” In other words, “what goes around, comes around.” I think the Golden Rule fits in here nicely, too… “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” But what does that have to do with me, you might ask? It means that we determine our own fate… when we are in the in-between state after death in one life and before birth into the next, we have time to reflect on what we have learned and what lessons we still need to learn.
For example… if I had been a bad parent in the last life (say, a father who had beaten his children), I may decide I need to be the beaten child in the next life in order to learn what it is like to have been both! If I was born Gay (which I was by the way), could I have chosen to live a life being hated by bigots, because I was a bigot in the last one? What about children who are born with a birth defect? What accounts for that? Did they do something to someone in a past life that determined their choice of fates in this one? Now this may sound harsh, but think about it.! What else could serve to explain why bad things happen to good people… or even infants who haven’t even had a chance to make bad choices yet?!
Another thing to think about is why we sometimes feel drawn to someone (or even replused by someone) we have never met before. Could they have been family, friend or even an enemy in the last? Are we constantly surrounded by the same people life after life? If so, what can we (or should we even try to) do about it? I say, in the words of Ellen DeGeneres, “be kind to one another.” Even if it’s not in the front of your mind at all times (which it should be by the way), try to be a better person than you were before. I believe there is such a thing as “karma bank.” You can make up for anything that you did as long as, in the end, the good outweighs the bad. Think about it! 
Reincarnation and the Bible
I am reading a book entitled Reincarnation: The Missing Link in Christianity by Elizabeth Clare Prophet. I have believed in reincarnation since I was a child, but it never quite fit with my Southern Baptist upbringing.* I wondered if there might be anything online on the subject. I found this article on the internet about reincarnation, NDEs (Near Death Experiences), the Bible, and what Jesus taught about reincarnation. Rather than rehash the entire article (which is only one page, by the way), I’m providing the link here so you may read more about it yourselves: http://www.near-death.com/experiences/origen03.html
*Now, what do I know about my past lives? I know I was Viking that fell overboard while on a voyage (hence my hydrophobia… ever since I was a small child!). I know I was a large cat, perhaps a mountain lion or a jaguar. How do I know these things? I feel it in my gut, for one thing. And I have also dreamt about these experiences starting in my childhood. Why do we have such large brains, but only use 10% of them? Because our brains store all the memories of our past lives, that’s way! I haven’t actually participated in past-life regression therapy, but I would be open to it. It might answer a lot of my questions about why I am the way I am (which goes along with my post on karma, by the way). I know, I sound like a kook, but I know what I feel and what I believe.
Posted in Spirituality
Tagged afterlife, Bible, Christianity, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Jesus, karma, NDE, reincarnation
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Thinking about starting a “Home” Church…
This may sound completely random when you first read this, but I have been thinking about doing this ever since we moved here (to the Valley)! I feel there are many, in the community, who’s spiritual needs are not being met by traditional faiths and religious institutions. I would like to form a “church.” The day and time of the “gathering” will be determined by the members (if Sunday, maybe a brunch could follow?). Tell me what you think and if you might be interested. Thanks for your time in considering my proposal. May the God/Goddess bless you, Rev. Dr. David Greg Denton, DD, PhDM, PhDRS
A possible Mission statement:
The Dogwood Grove Chapel of the Universal Life supports and encourages people to pray where their heart is; pray where they feel free to be themselves and not be judged by their apparel or how much money they put in the collection plate. We stand for religious democracy and freedom to worship where the heart desires.
Our members will meet in a fellow member’s home, if not for a formal mass, then just for a discussion of a philosophical or theistic nature (honoring ALL traditions); to share thoughts, ideas, feelings, fears, joys, and passions. To satisfy the requirements of a home church, the owner of the home needs to be the pastor (me for insurance and tax purposes). A charter is required and 2 people (at least 18 years of age) to be Secretary (takes minutes of board meetings) and Treasurer (to set up and manage church money and bank account). With that, we are legally a church by the state’s regulations. As a church, we are entitled to tax benefits. We can also accept donations of any kind in the name of the church, be it goods, property, or money. We will issue a receipt for your taxes. Remembering, any property or locale can be utilized as the church and that location can be changed as often as necessary.
3 Mar 2012 Update: We are having our first “gathering” (with brunch afterwards) this Sunday and I am so excited!
What is sin? What does the Bible say about it?
And why are Christians so fixated on it???
mattstone.blogs.com
“For such a small word, a lot is packed into the meaning of sin. The Bible describes sin as the breaking, or transgression, of God’s law (1 John 3:4). It is also defined as disobedience or rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7), as well as independence from God. The original translation means ‘to miss the mark’ of God’s holy standard of righteousness.” – About.com
So which definition do you prefer? I prefer independence from God or the willful separation from Him. So… why does everything have to be considered sinful? I mean it’s obviously a personal choice to seperate yourself from God, so there’s no one to blame except yourself! It’s ridiculous to say, as was popular in the 70s, “the Devil made me do it!” I just don’t get the preoccupation with it! And why all the attention on everyone else’s sin? Shouldn’t you be concentrating on the plank in your own eye before pointing out the splinter in someone else’s? Why can’t people of faith concentrate on love thy neighbor as thyself (Luke 10:25-28)*? Or do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Luke 6:31)** instead? Just my opinion… comments welcome!
*25And one day an authority on the law stood up to put Jesus to the test. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to receive eternal life?” 26“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you understand it?” 27He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength and with all your mind.’(Deuteronomy 6:5) And, ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’” 28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do that, and you will live.”
**31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
The Catholic Faith and me!
Saint David of Scotland
Okay, so I’ve been giving this a lot of thought lately. I’m a lapsed Catholic and have been practicing Buddhism for awhile now. But I’ve also been doing a lot of work on my genealogy on ancestry.com. So where am I going with all this, you might ask? I have recently discovered, in the time I’ve been researching my family, that I am descended from many, many Saints! Well, that got me to thinking… am I doing a disservice to my ancestors by denying the faith that they lived (and in some cases died) for? Well, the answer I came up with is… YES!
So I took off my Buddhist charm and put back on my cross. I’m still going to keep what I took away from Buddhism… meditation, chanting, mala beads, etc. (for a while anyway), but I’m also going to add back in my Catholic prayers and rosary. I am NOT going to go back to church, though!!! The Church has a LOT of problems they have to work out before I go back there again… like how they treat Gays! Let me know what you think about this post or any of my others. Thanks… and God bless!
BTW: I also found some Jewish ancestors in my research, so I may have to include some of those traditions into my practices, too!
My first video… Spice and Molly… sleepin’…
This is my first attempt to make and edit a video… hope it works out… fingers crossed!
BTW: The music is by Bob Acri and it’s called “Sleep Away.”
Missionaries of Hate
Uganda is being influenced by American Evangelicals… in the name of their God… to hate gays! The Bible can be used to support all kinds of things… like rape, slavery, murder, etc. and now this. It needs to be brought to light… so check out the documentary for free online at: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/missionaries-of-hate/
Queer as a 3 dollar bill!
Queer 3 dollar bill
The Salvation Army will soon be setting up their kettles and ringing those annoying bells… if they haven’t already! In protest of their anti-gay stance, I am asking you either to boycott them this year… and until they change their attitude against “my people”… or put one of these “Queer 3 dollar bills” in their kettles. You can copy it from the following website and print it out. Thanks for your support.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fake_denominations_of_United_States_currency
Posted in Rants
Tagged 3 dollar bill, bell, Christmas donations, kettle, Queer, Salvation Army
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