The Bridge....A Few Thoughts About Your Journey

[klidov]

It really is not that hard for me to understand the concept of "The Bridge". And many of you put a lot of time, and money into your journey, just to be disappointed. I find that a high crime of the spiritual nature.

That was a crime committed against you, the seeker of truth. Those that mislead you, knowing it was a deception, will be punished accordingly.

Please do not think this is a condemnation of those of you that truly believed that you were helping your fellow members. Because, it is not. In my faith, those that act with the best intentions are not "punished" when it later turns out that they too, were deceived. This is important.

Which leads me to what I want to talk about.

If we must assign labels, up on to a few years ago I was simply a Celtic-Tradition Wiccan, solitary, and primarily self-taught.

Into my life came a formally trained Elder, who had studied all over Europe & the U.K. Being older than me, and having learned from some very well-respected teachers, it was an invaluable tool to have such a teacher available to me. His tradition was different from my own.

Now the important part. We use the visualization of doorways, to give us a focus, and a way of finding words to describe a spiritual growth.

Everyone's spiritual journey (and the search of knowledge) is their own. No one way fits everyone. If it did, we would have the answer(s).

O.K.-I am getting wordy again

The point is this, my teacher (and how I now teach my students), is we will walk beside you. We can show you the door. But when you step through it, it is by your own choice, and your own timing.

He (and now I) would never either push you through the door, nor would we stand on the other side and pull you through. YOU must take that step.

You will be welcomed on the other side, and the sense of pride is yours. We will celebrate it with you, but WE didn't do it. You did!! It is YOUR glory, and YOUR blessing!

We will not even hold your hand and step through the door with you. Because it is everything that I have stated above.

"Handle" you? Please. The only time someone is "handled" is if they try something that is dangerous to themself, or others. Even then, no one died and made us "God" on Earth. (Or Goddess). It would have to be something very extreme for us to EVER try to interfer with YOUR free will.

Now to apply it to The Bridge.

The Bridge is there for everyone. You may cross it at your own path, at your own speed. No one has the right, the authority to TELL you, what is right for you.

Trust your own heart, your own mind, trust YOU. And be it a step at a time, or a running start, you will pass through those doorways. You will cross that bridge.

And you will find your happiness.

I promise.

[rich]

"Handle" you? Please. The only time someone is "handled" is if they try something that is dangerous to themself, or others. Even then, no one died and made us "God" on Earth. (Or Goddess). It would have to be something very extreme for us to EVER try to interfer with YOUR free will.

Now to apply it to The Bridge.

The Bridge is there for everyone. You may cross it at your own path, at your own speed. No one has the right, the authority to TELL you, what is right for you.

Trust your own heart, your own mind, trust YOU. And be it a step at a time, or a running start, you will pass through those doorways. You will cross that bridge.

And you will find your happiness.

I promise.

I thought the first rule of scientology was to increase someones self determinism. "Don't evaluate for the preclear" r.

[Zinjifar]

I thought the first rule of scientology was to increase someones self determinism. "Don't evaluate for the preclear" r.

I thought the first rule of Scientology was to increase Ron's pan-determinism. "Source Knows Best"

Zinj

[gomorrhan]

Thanks for the sentiment, Klidov. I didn't find I was disappointed by what I received, session-wise, in scientology. Rather, I found I was disappointed by the organization. In fact, disappointed is an understatement, I was completely betrayed, manipulated and then they attempted to destroy me, utterly. My marriage was destroyed, my children were turned against me, and I was prevented from communicating with my wife.

My spiritual path (your term) wasn't blocked, it was actually opened up through my studies of scientology. Much like my first date wasn't my best romantic experience, my tour as a staff member of the Church wasn't my best "spiritual path" experience. My first date went rather badly, by comparison to more recent ones, because I was inexperienced, then. Similarly, my experience with the Church went badly, because I didn't really have my guard up, I didn't really know what they were up to.

I blame them for a lot of things (things they did which wronged me), but I don't hold them accountable for my enlightenment. That was always my own responsibility, and I continue to pursue that, now. I've always studied philosophy and psychology, and I continue to do so. I'm not sure I would have found the teachers and authors that I did if I hadn't run into scientology, but who knows.

I guess I'm trying to say that while the Church abused me, at Hubbard's direction, I don't consider my time studying their materials and applying them to have been wasted, and I don't consider what I learned to have no value. I do consider that the value I received wasn't equitable for the time that I put in, and doesn't compare to the damage done to my family or my career.

[Pixie]

It really is not that hard for me to understand the concept of "The Bridge". And many of you put a lot of time, and money into your journey, just to be disappointed. I find that a high crime of the spiritual nature.

That was a crime committed against you, the seeker of truth. Those that mislead you, knowing it was a deception, will be punished accordingly.

Please do not think this is a condemnation of those of you that truly believed that you were helping your fellow members. Because, it is not. In my faith, those that act with the best intentions are not "punished" when it later turns out that they too, were deceived. This is important.

Which leads me to what I want to talk about.

If we must assign labels, up on to a few years ago I was simply a Celtic-Tradition Wiccan, solitary, and primarily self-taught.

Into my life came a formally trained Elder, who had studied all over Europe & the U.K. Being older than me, and having learned from some very well-respected teachers, it was an invaluable tool to have such a teacher available to me. His tradition was different from my own.

Now the important part. We use the visualization of doorways, to give us a focus, and a way of finding words to describe a spiritual growth.

Everyone's spiritual journey (and the search of knowledge) is their own. No one way fits everyone. If it did, we would have the answer(s).

O.K.-I am getting wordy again

The point is this, my teacher (and how I now teach my students), is we will walk beside you. We can show you the door. But when you step through it, it is by your own choice, and your own timing.

He (and now I) would never either push you through the door, nor would we stand on the other side and pull you through. YOU must take that step.

You will be welcomed on the other side, and the sense of pride is yours. We will celebrate it with you, but WE didn't do it. You did!! It is YOUR glory, and YOUR blessing!

We will not even hold your hand and step through the door with you. Because it is everything that I have stated above.

"Handle" you? Please. The only time someone is "handled" is if they try something that is dangerous to themself, or others. Even then, no one died and made us "God" on Earth. (Or Goddess). It would have to be something very extreme for us to EVER try to interfer with YOUR free will.

Now to apply it to The Bridge.

The Bridge is there for everyone. You may cross it at your own path, at your own speed. No one has the right, the authority to TELL you, what is right for you.

Trust your own heart, your own mind, trust YOU. And be it a step at a time, or a running start, you will pass through those doorways. You will cross that bridge.

And you will find your happiness.

I promise.

This is an excellent post. Trust in oneself is the key, but sometimes easier said than done having been conned by the cult. Thanks kildov.

[FinallyMe]

Klidov, this is fascinating -- I really enjoy getting acquainted with other belief systems, and your synopsis of how you relate to others gives a little insight into who you are - Thanks!

My only contact with Wicca was when I finally agreed to go out to dinner with a very persistent fellow. I met him at his house before we left, and he showed me a table he had set up with colored candles and some other stuff, and explained to me that he knew I would finally accept a date with him because he had performed this spell that would make it happen. WHAT a turnoff! I can't imagine why he thought I'd be impressed that I might be here because I was coerced, rather than because, maybe, I had decided I wanted to!

So, if you think it appropriate to tell a little more about the basis of Wicca, an introduction to what sort of philosophy it has, I'd LOVE to hear it!

[klidov]

Klidov, this is fascinating -- I really enjoy getting acquainted with other belief systems, and your synopsis of how you relate to others gives a little insight into who you are - Thanks!

My only contact with Wicca was when I finally agreed to go out to dinner with a very persistent fellow. I met him at his house before we left, and he showed me a table he had set up with colored candles and some other stuff, and explained to me that he knew I would finally accept a date with him because he had performed this spell that would make it happen. WHAT a turnoff! I can't imagine why he thought I'd be impressed that I might be here because I was coerced, rather than because, maybe, I had decided I wanted to!

So, if you think it appropriate to tell a little more about the basis of Wicca, an introduction to what sort of philosophy it has, I'd LOVE to hear it!

Thank you! I am honored that you would ask

To begin with, the poseur who showed you the candles & decorations was a fool. Magick is a small part of what we do. (You can count on two hands the number of "spells" that I have done in the past 8 years, or so.)

Spellcraft is the manipulation of natural elements, and the Spirit around all of us. And anything designed to manipulate someone elses' will, has some very strong consequences, as that Man will find out soon enough.

We (Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, Neo-Pagans, Occultists) only have one "rule".

"...An Ye Harm None". For we do believe in Karma, and we do believe what we send out, comes back to us sevenfold. (Maybe tenfold.)

Crowley (and others) use the Law "Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be The Whole Of The Law". I can tell you what that is not.

That is not a card blanche to do anything you want, "just because". For example, say you & a co-worker are both up for a promotion ,and a raise. You want the raise to be able to buy those awesome boots at the Mall. Your co-worker wants the raise to be able to provide better for his family.

It would be an unwise Witch to try to tempt the powers-that-be for that raise & promotion, knowing this information.

Because your co-worker had a true "need". And you have a "want". That is the responsibility that comes with learning spellcraft to begin with.

We follow the "Law of Attraction" as a guideline. Send out Love, it comes back to you. Same with trust, compassion, consideration.

But it is also true of emotions like jealousy, anger, rage, rebellion.

Aside from those basic concepts, the paths are so many there would not be room for all of them in this post!

Some believe in many God (and Goddesses). Some believe in one God(dess) called by many names. Some believe that we are all Gods & Goddesses in training, if you will.

(cont.)

[klidov]

(cont)...

It is common in our Path to believe that all living things have a spirit. That includes plants, animals, and the Earth herself. (Though I have to say, not everyone believes that Gaia, the Earth, is "alive". Some, like me, believe it is made-up of living things. Those do have a spirit.)

[klidov]

....if you really wish to read up on it, FinallyMe, a very good author is the late Scott Cunningham.

We also have our share of Fundie-Wiccan/Witches. They have all these rules. (You must study for a year and a day, you are not a real witch unless.....) arrgggg..you get the idea

[klidov]

thank you, Pixie.

I agree, trusting ones' self is a very hard thing to do.

(And just so you know, I distrust myself several times a day, at least )