Cool...I'm flattered that I made you think!

I think that you'd feel an affinity with Taoism.

I also agree with most of your thoughts on god, higher powers, reincarnation, karma etc etc. I believe that there are many paths to god...and that god has many names. I think that we are all on different levels of spiritual progress. Some of us have been here before and are more spiritually mature. Others are on their first go around, and are still spiritual babies...and I think that a person's chosen faith has a lot to do with their spiritual maturity (or lack thereof). Some people are able to go off and do their own thing, not needing much guidance...but some folks need to be guided every step of the way.

I think that you've been here before, Alison. I think I have too...

Dharma:
Sounds like our thoughts are on the same wavelength. I have been doing some reading on Zen, and maybe I should read up on some Taoism.

Once again, great articles. They inspired an interesting tuesday night, to say the least!

Sometimes I wish that I could believe in reincarnation. It's a fun thought. I just don't see any evidence or reason to believe that it really exists.

Chrissy:
I think it's evident in the way people think. Have you ever talked to someone and thought, "Wow, they sound wise beyond their years?" Some souls have been around longer than others. (Just an opinion)

actually i have a hard time believing in reincarnation although i dont refute it completely. I'd just love someone to try and explain how it could happen? But i also like to think that we're given a 'second' chance of learning something we might have missed out in a previous life.

As you cultivate and change your beliefs, if the effect it has on your life is good, keep doing what you're doing. If its bad, change your paradigm and try again.

Somehow it doesnt seem right, i have to think this through, i can see your point and it's true that if we had always believed the earth was flat we'd be still in stone age, heh, but changing spiritual beliefs constantly doesnt sound really the best option.
I mean if you keep changing your beliefs with the sole purpose to make you feel good but that it's not the truth is it really worth it? but then again how do we ever know the truth, right? Aagghh...

"tread the path with care, for many obstacles will face you in battle."--unknown (i read this somewhere...someplace...but it helped...)

--My advice is find a path that you feel comfortable with...

if you keep changing your beliefs with the sole purpose to make you feel good but that it's not the truth is it really worth it?

I'm sure it's worth it, because we're all on a journey, exploring life and our own inner self, (and other people's selves too). If our paradigms or views are misguided, then we'll learn about it sooner or later. But ultimately, I think we can learn and grow more because of misguided views, or dead-end paths, rather than in spite of them. Truth it Truth, whether our views are aligned with It or not. Regarding our soul's growth and learning, it's in our highest interests to try to discover what the Truth actually is. I believe we'll all find out one day, whether it be in this lifetime, or in 7 lifetimes, or whether it be when we arrive in Heaven, or whenever else. In my opinion, we can't escape it, and in the meantime some things are secret for a reason.

but then again how do we ever know the truth, right? Aagghh...

Intuition and spiritual, (or psychic), awareness, which increases as we grow spiritually. When we’re ready, we’ll know when we hear Truth, even if it's mere slices of Truth.