Welcome to General Chat - GAW Community Area
This General Chat area started off as a place for people to talk about things that are off topic, however it has quickly evolved into a community and has become an integral part of the GAW experience for many of us.
Based on its evolving needs and plenty of user feedback, we are trying to bring some order and institute some rules. Please make sure you read these rules and participate in the spirit of this community.
Rules for General Chat
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Be respectful to each other. This is of utmost importance, and comments may be removed if deemed not respectful.
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Avoid long drawn out arguments. This should be a place to relax, not to waste your time needlessly.
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Personal anecdotes, puzzles, cute pics/clips - everything welcome
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Please do not spam at the top level. If you have a lot to post each day, try and post them all together in one top level comment
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Try keep things light. If you are bringing in deep stuff, try not to go overboard.
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Things that are clearly on-topic for this board should be posted as a separate post and not here (except if you are new and still getting the feel of this place)
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If you find people violating these rules, deport them rather than start a argument here.
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Feel free to give feedback as these rules are expected to keep evoloving
In short, imagine this thread to be a local community hall where we all gather and chat daily. Please be respectful to others in the same way
Find a quiet place with no interruptions, get comfortable, if you can't sit in the position they always depict Buddha , it doesn't matter, but it is good to sit up to keep the spine as straight as you can, in comfort,you want to be comfortable, I do it with a prayer opening of my own words, but simple. I just say "Come Jesus, Come be with me". Then breathe,not shallow not too deep. I try and concentrate on my breath. Expect a lot of thoughts to come, but try and watch them as if you were watching a train go by, there will be thoughts under thoughts, don't attach, don't get discouraged, but just do it. It is a practice, that's all it is. it should be done daily, some days you may get a glimpse of God's Kingdom, briefly, and some days you will get a back ache. Don't attach to what your mind tells you to expect, let negative thoughts and positive thoughts go by like a train. It is a practice, like prayer, but it is the stillness that you want out of it. "Be still and know that I am God" . It helps me mentally, if I find myself swinging emotionally to the point I feel anxious or depressed, it helps, it helps with pain too. Centering prayer, a few words Inspired by Christian prayer will keep away any evil spirit lurkers. When we sweep the house clean (our chattery brain, or worries in our head) and do not fill it with God's presence, there is unholy spirits who will seek residence in your head, Just breathe in and out, with the One who gave you breath.
I will practice this! Thank you!
you are very welcome
This was a very lovely exercise, and great advice. Thank you for sharing.