What do you do to feel closer to God...

[butterfly77]

when you have tried to worship at your place of worship, and you feel that everywhere that you have gone their seem to be a lot of hypocrites? How do you worship God?

[ShortnFiery]

1. Quietly Pray. Small things such as volunteering at our local "thrift shop"

In action: Doing something nice for a stranger. For example, let a troubled person in front of you in a line, OR smile warmly at those who work in the public and say, "How are you today?" in a thoughtful manner.

Many little things I do when I'm out in public make me feel close to God because I believe it helps others to feel just a little bit lighter in spirit to think that a stranger genuinely cares, if only for a moment, God is there. :hi:

[demosincebirth]

5. Work with the homeless

[Pharaoh]

2. You don't have to "Go " anywhere

Worship the God within, there is no place to go.

[butterfly77]

12. I do , but that doesn't seem to be enough...

[Pharaoh]

16. Awakening is a process

Try, Eckhardt Tolle "A New Earth"

it's very helpful in this regard.:hi:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

19. I will second that

just listening to Eckhardt Tolle can help you get to a quiet space.

[butterfly77]

24. Where can I find this...

who is he...

[Meshuga]

3. Give to charity,

Do volunteer work to help others, look to do something good for someone else who needs your help, perform good deeds in general.

[murray hill farm]

4. sit outside..pay attention...

and thank god for my life..and for the opportunity to have lived it here on earth.

[butterfly77]

13. That is one of my favorite things to do...

and watching things in nature...

[mike_c]

6. better living through chemistry....

:evilgrin:

[butterfly77]

14. and what does that mean?

[Jackpine Radical]

7. I walk in the woods. Or canoe a wild river.

[butterfly77]

15. I love the walks but, I don't know about the canoe riding...

I think I will stick with a shower or a bath...but it sounds like fun.

[Evoman]

8. I light a candle, put on some nice music and grab a bottle of champaigne.

Then I say in a really deep voice. "God, baby. I feel like we're drifting apart. You know how much I love you...those other gods..baby, you know they don't mean anything to me. Its just that..you know..you make me angry some times. I don't mean the things I say...you just gotta stop making me crazy. You know your my big guy...the one for me. Now relax, god baby...and lets do some praying, you know what I'm saying."

God always takes me back *snicker*.

[MistressOverdone]

9. I understand what you mean about sensing

hypocrisy at church. It used to bother me. Then I began to understand that we are all at different places on our path, our journey. For example, one woman I met was very vain, kind of looked down on everyone. Then she lost a child and she changed forever. Add to that I began to realize also that I can't judge. I am sure by others' standards I, too, am a hypocrite. So I sit in my pew and just feel the energy, which is good, and no longer allow myself to be bothered or distracted by my opinions of others. I really think this comes with age.

[Bobbieo]

10. Do a good deed!!!

[butterfly77]

11. What I mean is I go to church for worship and to renew myself...

and some who are members feel as though they need to tell you what to do, or are just busybodies sometimes I just go for solace. Some who have been members for years can make you feel unwelcome.

[Pharaoh]

17. then perhaps walking

a dog in the woods would give you a better spiritual experience.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

18. I go to the temple

that is within my own heart. I go into silence and pay attention to my breath and Remember.

[Pharaoh]

20. hey ayesha!

long time no see:hi:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

22. And a joy to see you!

:hi:

[Igel]

21. Two things.

Walk with him. If you believe in a personal God, then s/he/it has preferred behaviors. Those committing murder are seldom close to God--or at least the God I think I worship--while those that are righteous probably are, even if they don't realize it.

The other is to meditate, and ponder what s/he/it is or wants, and how what I do/don't do could be made more righteous. Of course, suitable surroundings help. Two favorite spots involved lots of water--one was on a rock about 4 feet from the nearest part of a volcanic outcropping into a fast moving river in Central Oregon; the other was at the end of the jetty in Newport, Oregon, facing out to the ocean (best on miserably grey, drizzly days).

At least this is what I used to do. And might start doing again.

[LonelyLRLiberal]

23. There is no god or God.

But nature is nice for the spirit anyhow.