Have you ever felt "stuck" spiritually?

Almost like treading water, not going backwards, 'and yet', not going forwards either!

Bow ...

Sure thing...  I've felt that way many a time, but in recent years, I've looked at it in an entirely different way...  And 'stuck' doesn't even break the surface of the water...

For me, Spirituality is not something that needs attention 24/7 neither is it ~ for that matter ~ a process that requires any particular time scale or programme...  For such is naturally progressive as for instance is the inhalation and expulsion of air to the lungs or the pulsation of the heart...

I also don't think I need to constantly bring my thoughts and ideas to the attention of others on a regular basis...  Naturally, when I feel compelled to do so, then I do that as creatively as I'm able and: with the greatest enthusiasm...

So I would suggest to those who feel the need to constantly keep up those kinds of pressures on themselves, relax and allow the seeds of consideration that have been planted in the mind, the time needed to germinate and begin the process of reaching for: the light of experience...

Hi Bow and Robbie,
I've felt like that for a few weeks now.
Bow, a timely topic for sure.
Robbie,sound advice.
I've been thinking of writing just to show activity on this site.
But to write for that reason would not be from the heart nor well written.
With all the recent circumstances not withstanding it's time.
When I first joined the group it was at the peak of discontent with many people and
since I was and still a newbie it was confusing .
I believe there is room enough for everybody.
There is a group when you feel lighthearted and they do grow on you.
Another group is here for a more serious approach.
To each their own choice is there to remain in one or both groups.
I lean toward the latter.

Thanks for Listening,
John

However, I now sense that these last few months have been some type of "balancing" of my thoughts and feelings to the current realities of my life, heh. A change I have noticed is that I am much more sensitive, but yet...., I seem to be able to ride with the harsh vibrations of external and internal functions, which have increased for all..., much easier. Strange, but cool.

I do feel that sensation that Bow wrote of "treading water"......, and even though the current can swell much quicker and much more often, I also respond much quicker, perhaps..., adjusting my paddling a tad..., heh.
It seemed like I was "stuck," in my humble opinion, when I started to allow self-doubt. I am still learning, and I continue to ground myself daily within my own ray of Light. This is the only way that I can keep seeing the beauty within this world, and keep experiencing joy in my life.

I agree with Einstein that "we can't solve the problems we created with the same thinking that created them..," and I have pondered on those words with what I am experiencing, right now. It is like I am reviewing my life, with a whole different perspective, that is of a higher or very "open-minded" nature, which is creating a much more harmonic way of living for me, as chaos keeps swirling all around me.

I think this is why I consider my personal medical illnesses and challenges as blessings in disguise. It took me decades to wake-up to these hidden jewels, but I believe all that matters, is that I did become aware......

"...relax and allow the seeds of consideration that have been planted in the mind, the time needed to germinate and begin the process of reaching for: the light of experience... "

Robbie, this is exactly what it feels like......, and thank you for these words. I sense some big changes are going become apparent as we enter 2010, perhaps we are all preparing in some way, heh.

John..., I tend to let down my hair, in the group, as I seem to like expressing my thoughts and ponderings more than others...heehee  So always feel free to write when your sparked!

I understand the feeling of being stuck.

But every mental and spiritual movement means speed and pause and speed and pause.  Humanity have just been experiencing a very big pause in its spiritual development. Something awakening these days. The reaction of this big pause may be a very big speed and change. If you are stuck then you are stuck into something. If it is something spiritual world then you are moving forwards. If it is something complete external then you are moving backwards. Nothing in this universe is stuck without movement, Everything is moving and changing. If you do not move forwards then you are moving backwards. But it is typical human mind that we think that things are stationary in this movement of speed and pause. That is maybe the reason that it is difficult to imagine that we will have to leave this body one day. The fish bone that is suck in your throat will have to go out or down. If you do not want it there permanently then you have to do some effort. So by doing real effort today in the spiritual live through idiation, service or sarcifice, then you will bring movement tomorrow, or do you think we are getting it for free., 

The universe tells me when it thinks I'm stuck; the opportunities for learning come in abundance until the fact that I must learn is obvious, and the path to learning is obvious as well. Right now I understand that I must deal with my attachments within relationships sooner rather than later. I had decided not to have any relationships until I become more mature and more able to deal with my attachment issues but my interpretation is that I must deal with this now.

So no, Since waking up three years ago I've not felt stagnant. If anything the pace of change has increased significantly.

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I do feel myself spiritually stuck sometimes and it is generally related to lack of enthusiasm.  I am a typical Arian and Arians don’t like  to be stuck in any sense.  Routine can “kill” us.  Some people feel happy for having been doing the same thing for years. They feel comfortable and stable.

I am quite the opposite. I am always looking for something new to be engaged in – a cause, a study, an activity…  or a new way to do the same old things. The change gives me enthusiasm for life.

I do agree with Dayavrata when he says that “nothing in this universe is stuck without moving”.  But sometimes this movement is a circle and, in spite of how much we long for some change and all the efforts we do to achieve it, nothing happens and we end up in the same point where we had started. At this point, I feel myself stuck.

As I said before nothing is useless in the Universe and maybe this stagnation is just life telling us:  Hey, think! Make choices! Find alternatives! Grow!

"But every mental and spiritual movement means speed and pause and speed and pause."

Thank you for this description that is much better than I could muster up. It is a strange feeling, but so cool to observe the possibilities are within these moments, of our own progression.

A person needs time to re-energize oneself with God.That is the stuckness you feel.And when you feel it,I do,meditate or center yourself.Take time to understand your spiritual self better.

Is the correct term for what you are expressing. Imagine if one were 'stuck' in Serenity. This would not be a bad thing. The fact that you are expressing disappointment means there is the presence of something negative. Perhaps an unfulfilled desire, a void of some kind or perhaps it is simply boredom. Whatever the case, it betrays a distance from Peace and Serenity. I find that whenever I see Negativity in me it means there is a lack of Acceptance. There can be no true change without Acceptance. Courage comes after Acceptance, not instead of or opposed to. Usually this means there is something I am not content with and I am struggling in my primal self to 'make something happen'.

Bow,

I've felt frustrated... which I perceive is what you mean by "stuck" but generally it is because I have judged myself as "inappropriate" or "not spiritual" because part of me has called me to do something and another part of me (ego) has held me back.   Once I have allowed myself to be or feel or do whatever I was resistant to do, then I found I have had great breakthroughs.  My "stuckness" is generally a stuck perception that if I am true to myself and do what I feel like doing, it will have a negative outcome.  When I surrender and do what I need to do, then I have found I become far more expanded and things turn out far better than I could have ever imagined.