@springflower Can you give me some specific examples of what you mean?

@springflower So what is your question again ? O.o

loa, questions about becoming god, ...or rephrased for better comprehension, the lust and the greed, control obsession and materialistic fulfillment.

I understand your point @springflower, but just enjoy the show.

@springflower - On a free website like this, all are welcome to post questions that they believe are important or relevant. With such freedom, it is a virtual certainty that points of view will be expressed which do not accord with your own. I have noticed that every once in a while on this site, an individual becomes frustrated that some of these questions do not accord with or reflect their own point of view...and then feel the need to announce a dramatic "Grand Exit" from the site...

...or threaten to do so (unless the offending heathens change their ways). Although your views have not always accorded with my own, it has been interesting to discuss these issues with you and find common ground on some things. Maybe you can find it in your heart to continue the dialog. If not, I wish you all the best in your travels and adventures in life. A quote which may (or may not :) ) be relevent:

"If you are irritated by every polish, how will your mirror be polished?" -Jalaludin Rumi

@springflower - "doesn't that contridict to a quest that is inward, the theme is supposed to be inwardquest right?" You could say that, but considering the adage "As above, so below", I think there is a lot to be explored in terms of the integration of the physical with the non-physical (i.e. spiritual). The Gospel of Thomas: "Jesus said to them, "When you make the two into one, and when you make the inner like the outer and the outer like the inner...then you will enter [the kingdom]."

@springflower - Your own Sufi scholar, Reshad Field, said, "'As above, so below' means that the two worlds are instantaneously seen to be one when we realize our essential unity with God...The One and the many, time and eternity, are all One."

By the way, if the main page of IQ seems to be "dominated" by unwelcome topics, maybe it's time to just take a temporary break from the site? Happens to me sometimes. I find that after taking a little break, all is well and returns to normal. :)

Seeking is just that...seeking. So if that question helps the person to find their path then who ever is attracted to offer insight is the person they were meant to rendezvous with.

@springflower - your question implies that you are experiencing doubt, that your actual beliefs are being put under pressure ... this is a sign of evolution, out with the old and in with the new, it's a time of renewal, certainly unconfortable, but nevertheless a necessary passage, i feel sure you will come through stronger in the end, peace

@CalonLan "but just enjoy the show" - best 'reality' show ever "created". Tossing you a cyber Guiness - pass the "?". @Catherine great comment/question - I'm a bit behind - I want names, dates & time. Links will do.

@CalonLan The website title is "Inward Quest - Law of Attraction, Spirituality, Mind Power Q&A Forum". It is not therefore surprising that many questions involve the Law of Attraction and Mind Power subjects. As Neville would put it, ""All that you behold, though it appears without it is within, of which this world of mortality is but a shadow."; the idea that true spirituality involves asceticism, apathy, or in your case nihilism, is nonsensical.

@lozenge123 - "and then feel the need to announce a dramatic "Grand Exit" from the site" - :) I was beginning to think I was the only one to notice the "Grand Exit" phenomenon on IQ. I think it goes hand-in-hand with the "Grand Announcement" phenomenon where someone has an insight (that has usually been discussed on the site already many times previously) and decides that the "heathens" should drop everything else in their lives and pay immediate attention :)

yea us Kafir have a lot going sooooo... we'll have to get back on the dropping of everything.. you might wanna see what the infidels are doing they might want to drop everything.....

...but doesn't almost everyone who makes a thread announcing their departure (grand exit) end up coming back either as their self or under another user name or just lurking in the background.

I feel like a redheaded step child - I still don't even know what we're talking about. Which questions have caused such offence? Which would be deemed appropriate? I thought things have been interesting around here. I must be one of the offenders... ;)

@flowsurfer, true spirituality, like there's any false one. And the beautiful thing about "spiritual journey" is that you may discover what bs it is anyway. And then you can say goodbye to your butthurt feelings which caused you to get spiritual in the first place. Cause and consequence, simple as that. Sometimes we act like it's not case - well it always is. A simple question proves the point - what's with all this need to run away from this world to these other dimensions, heaven etc etc.?

@ele - "everyone who makes a thread announcing their departure end up coming back" - Yes, I believe they probably all do come back to sneak a look even if they stay hidden. I think all these "Grand Proclamations" are ultimately driven by insecurity. It's like cleaning your house when you feel the rest of your life is out of control just because you can control your home area. So even if one cannot control IQ, one can at least control one's "Grand Proclamation". Fascinating to observe:)

@Stingray, and you think right. It's always from insecurities of some sort. If you want to leave, you just leave and don't feel the need to say goodbye. Unless, it is something that compensate for lack of something else in your life. I "left" twice, twice I said sort of good bye...both times it's just a compensation/balancing act. If I'd want to leave now, I'd just X the browser. But why leave, nothing pains me anymore. I enjoy the show that others put up. Sometimes I play a role myself.

@Stingray - "I think it goes hand-in-hand with the "Grand Announcement" phenomenon." Yes, definitely. I've only been on IQ for less than a year, but I've noticed lots of these instances. I think the "Grand Exit" is a way to use leverage without being overtly insulting. Although no one person can "make" anyone else believe what they want, they can threaten to leave...and forever deny the rest of us their wisdom, counsel, and the pleasure of their company. Never seems to work, though. :)

@lozenge123 "they can threaten to leave...and forever deny the rest of us their wisdom, counsel, and the pleasure of their company." I have to admit that I'm scared to death every time I read about someone wanting to deny their wisdom and counsel forever. I inject 60mg valium immediately to calm down after I squeeze out my tears out of my sweater.

Yet these topics generate high amount of responses every time. As everyone feels the need to make his stand.

@Springflower thought wrong of what others think right, naturally all defenses rise.

Just don't think you're not doing the same thing you're trying to defend yourself against. But that you can hardly see that anyway. And the mockery in subtext is unnecessary, to me anyway, although I admit it adds for laughs as this continues to play out.

@CalonLan If you think the loa is delusional and spirituality is nonsense, what exactly are you doing here?

That is your opinion, and your choice for whatever reason you feel to leave... peace and love, namaste Tommy

@Stingray I've also observed a couple users who did this; but never completely left. They are still here - keeping a low profile - not sure how to fit back in. IMO, the door is always open; you can always come back 'home'. I guess "home" is relative - IQ feels like home to me anyway. When I'm in someone else's home; I try to be respectful & trying new cuisine can be lots of fun.

Ooops... acknowledgment. . . Credit goes to the Traveller for "we can always go back home" & buffet is a takeoff on Snow's smorgasbord; which he admitted borrowing from another user. A house is not a home & people who feel the need to control build 'houses' .

@flowsurfer, having fun, sort of.

@ele, dunno about low profile, haha, but most of them sure do. Simply they're afraid to create awkward moment of saying goodbye and coming right back. But that's only to the point where you still consider what others might think of you. Until the moment you learn to say "fuk off" to yourself and every one else. Works wonders.

Like there was 10 pieces of cake and 10 people. I came first and ate 5 pieces. And people were like "omg, you are so...".. And I was like, "I want, I will, now fuk off".

@CalonLan - if you thought I was talking about you - I wasn't. There isn't anything low profile about you. You're a very likable/lovable drama queen; which is rare. You can eat all the cake you wish - I always make enough for 20 - 30 people if I invite 10. Everyone wants another slice of my cake - it's that divine & I want everyone to get all they want. I don't care for single servings much either.

@ele, but of course I didn't think it was about me solely, I just felt like a slight hint of a reference is being made and it touched my ego, I had to come out state my difference to objects of your statement in a not so obvious and direct way, in order to not give out my secret that in fact I love being in the spotlight. Bad or good, still better than none. haha You're right, I'm such a drama queen. And we shall have a ball tonight, all queens and kings and everyone. :-D

@Cal - I see I touched a nerve - sensitive. Ego, yes & no - lack of self confidence. You don't feel like you fit in & you really want to. In your world everything is about you. psst - we are on candid IQ - all the windows are open. A ball - I love balls - we'll dance all night. I guess I can dance with a queen - just don't dress like one. Dancing Drama Queen - what's not to love?

@Springflower - The best advice I can give you is to focus on what you like and make peace with what you don't like:)

@releaser99 - "I inject 60mg valium immediately to calm down after I squeeze out my tears out of my sweater." - That one made me laugh out loud. :)

Normally I find humor in almost anything. Now that one, went way over my head. Only thing it reminds me of is people who talk the talk; but don't walk the walk.

@ele my comment was also borderline.The Swedish word is spydig translates to snide.. but the root of the word is spy (pronounced spee ) the word for vomit... At the moment I wrote that and I stand for that.. Hindsight may show that it was a "spydig" remark.. sometimes the dark humor needs to be reflected upon and see if it was truly appropriate. so in hindsight I apologize truly if anyone found it offensive /thanks ele

"Most communication resembles a Ping-Pong game in which people are merely preparing to slam their next point across; but pausing to understand different points of view and associated feelings can turn apparent opponents into true members of the same team." Cliff Durfee

@ursixx Are you so sure I wasn't talking about you? or myself, for that matter? I've haven't been the most tolerant of her ?'s & in RL I would never think of putting down anyone else's religious views. It's the polar opposite of who I am in RL. I've worked with immigrants. I doubt if anyone understands her better than I do, having 1st hand experience with a family member who came here right after 911, from another culture & is Muslim & makes SF pale in comparison; yet I don't extend a hand.

@ele yea well your comment did hit close to home in my case ,I think. And the same here I love being in a multicultural society.I would never put down someones religion.. but I have no problem in debating/ discussing it. and there in lies a problem with some people with a Conservative religious view,albeit Christian or Muslim or insert your favorite here(....) They are not open to discussion what you and I might banter about , they would possibly find offensive....

.... It.s kind of like dancing with a partner if your not real familiar with the steps and or the partner you are going to step on some toes

@ursixx - I think SF is very brave. She's ventured out of her comfort zone. The more she fears the more Allah's name will come out of her mouth. She's asked several ?'s where she puts down Catholics in particular. In some Islamic cultures; Catholics are viewed as evil - pure evil. With the exception of me; my family is very Catholic. I was the only one she felt safe with & was translator/peacemaker. Soon my niece wall calling Allah, God & that thing alone made ALL the difference.

@ele I hope she finds the strength, courage and devotion. To live a happy life. and ele ((((((ele))))) thanks again!

@ursixx - thanks for the explanation - late. I had already looked it up. My story has a happy ending - they should have been warning her against former C's - not current. In a couple years - it will be a magical universe.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. also a recovering catholic ;)

@springflower - if you are reading along - I was sort-of kidding. My niece's universe has expanded & they currently reside in a small town where the community is Catholic. All her friends are Catholic & everyone in that town knows & loves her. @ursixx - I knew that before I discovered it. The Catholic church is nothing like it was back in the 'day'. Unless it's a funeral or wedding; you won't find me in one. However, one of my massage therapists is a nun. I've been known to hangout at a ...

... cont... spirituality center run by Franciscan Sisters & religion is never ever discussed there. I have drinks with priests & nuns on occasion too. If there is a family event involving religion; you'll find the priest making a beeline for my table. He doesn't try to convert me - we have very interesting convo's.

@ursixx - at these baptism's when the priest heads for my table & all eyes are on us; a member of my family stands watch to make sure I don't say anything to embarrass them. To be clear - all the events I mentioned above are ONLY occasionally - years going by in between.

@Satori That's all you got? You're Irish. I'm not Irish; but in the US, no one, absolutely no one does a wake better than the Irish. They really know how to send someone off. Not only that, they have the magic to turn tears into laughter & laughter into tears. I say let's get this party started. Even @ursixx missed the boat; perfect opportunity to link Abba for CalonLan. It's up to her whether she stays or goes. She certainly got our attention; like many of her questions have.

The thread is dead; let's put our dancing shoes on.

@ele I think that we are all a little bit out of it here. This whole thread is about moral claims. Here is my definition of moral claims: "If you don't behave in a way I expect you to behave, I will not allow myself to feel good/ I will feel bad and you are responsible for how I feel". SF says: "If IQ doesn't behave in a way I expect you all to behave, I will feel bad. This means you are wrong and should behave differently to make me feel good."

The critics (including me) of SF say "You should not try to control IQ and other people. Nobody should. It's ridiculous. You should behave like I want you to behave. If not, I get angry (feel bad)." You and @ursixx say: "You should not make fun of SF. You should behave in a way I expect you to behave (make peace). Otherwise I feel bad." But why I am saying all that?

I think that IQ is a place to grow (at least in my view). So this thread gives us all an opportunity to get rid of our moral claims and therefore to grow. I'm not judging your, my or any other behaviour here. Just saying that this thread could be ultimately a good thing... And I love you all and forgive you, regardless of your behaviour :-*.

and i would like to thank @springflower for having posed such an explosive question that has put a lot of energy into motion here on IQ

@ru bis Yes, absolutely! Thanks @springflower! I hope you enjoy your path of spiritual growth with or without IQ!

@releaser I don't think either ursixx or I said that. If anything, I was judging myself - I just wanted some company & decided to bring you into my dream. True, I felt bad. Never angry. Perhaps ursixx & I share Catholic guilt syndrome. True, threads such as this one do grab our attention - look how popular mm2 was. I don't see it so much as a moral judgment as a poor representation of what IQ is. Not to your or me or anyone else on this thread - new users & viewers. I recall on another ...

.... thread such as this one - a new viewer got quite upset - left & was never heard from again & I thought that person would have been a very good addition to IQ & was our loss.

@ru bis - in regards to the earlier comment you made; I thought it might bring pds back from the abyss. So liberating to be judgy. "your question implies that you are experiencing doubt, that your actual beliefs are being put under pressure ... this is a sign of evolution, out with the old and in with the new, it's a time of renewal, certainly unconfortable, but nevertheless a necessary passage, i feel sure you will come through stronger in the end, peace"

@Satori - I can't edit - meant turn tears into laughter & laughter into tears of joy. The Irish have the biggest hearts, are the best story tellers & the funniest people I've known.

@ru bis - or in other words, soon she'll be just like one of us. pds's first objection.

@releaser99 my comment was towards my comment..I was also thinking more along the lines of future visitors than SF,imho some people get sarcasm and some don't. I have tons of respect and admiration for your contributions here on IQ (and that's not being sarcastic ;) ). The only thing you should do is use clean needles

@releaser99 what ursixx said is true. I was the only one who said anything negative about your comment. In fact ursixx swooped in here immediately to do damage control; prob in fear I would say more. He tried to deflect any negativity against you & directed it to himself. I also appreciate your numerous & very informative & insightful contributions to this site.

@ele @ursixx Thank you. I really appreciate your answers.

@releaser99 Thank you. @ru bis I would also like to clarify. I agree completely with your comment - it is the path to evolution. I was commenting on how it looks to someone like pds. As for judgy - your answer. New experience for you. I think it's liberating.

@Ele- Thanks. Glad to hear you know some uplifting Irish people:)

Bump for @Jai and @Vesuvius and @ikaruss