What types of energy/metaphysical work have you tried within your spirituality?

I am a progressive Christian, but I also practice reiki and shamanic journeying (within a Christian perspective). I am wondering if there are any others out there who practice different things to help yourself with your mental health matters. I have not been very successful with self-healing, though I have not worked on myself that much.

Hi, whimsicalman! I think you are in a social group that I am in, along these lines. Have you ever joined a meditation group, in person? Different leaders have their own techniques to share, & other members of the group can have a good influence on you. By being together in the same room, it's like you pick up each others' vibes, if you know what I mean. Also, I have a friend who has singing bowls (you rub the rims in a circle), & she recieves spiritual healing effects from the sound. I personally use visualization meditation for insight, & for a nice getaway when stressed. Thank you for this thread. I hope a lot of people reply.

I am an Atheist (raised Catholic). My spirituality is tied to music, rhythm, and meditation, and philosophy. No religion. I also spend a lot of time in nature that really helps me. I've had Reiki treatments done on me, but didn't really feel any different after those. I have Tibetan singing bowls that I use and if I could afford it, would have vibrational treatments done on me. Trying to do self-vibrational treatments is hard b/c its just me and the singing bowls.

I have tried joining public meditations at Buddhist centers but didn't like those experiences. Too much "drama" between the Buddhist guides (White guys who act like they're the Dalai Llama) turning their centers into religious churches. I detest that kind of controlling environment. That's why I detest religion as a whole. I can be "Christian" without belonging to a religion, because you don't need to join a religion to be a morally good person.

I find that when I participate in drum circles, practice my Kalimba (aka "thumb piano), go for 30 minute walks through the local regional parks here, or sit for 30 minutes inside the forest of the regional parks, I feel better. I do walking meditation too. I can't sit still and I don't like some White guy telling me what to do, pretending to be a Buddhist monk.

What group do you think we may share in common? Like a FB group, or something local?

I have tried a couple of meditation groups, but so far, unless it is specifically focused in shamanic journeying, I have trouble tracking with everyone. Even with those, I have only joined a couple of groups. (The most recent one was actually done via Zoom.) Meditation, for me, is best done as a solitary practitioner. But, it also could be I just haven't found the right group for me.

Wow, I am rather impressed by your seeming spiritual depth for someone on the atheist path. I haven't really encountered that in anyone who identified as atheist. (Other than coming across someone I really don't know or associate with on a forum here and there.) Blessings on your path!

So, that's two for the singing bowls. I have not tried them, personally, but I love how they sound. Might have to look into that and see if/how they could complement or improve some of my practices.

Well I have had a ton of spiritual experiences that confirm for me personally that religion is not my path (and doesn't need to be). I have had past lives (we all do, most remember them in dreams but deny their reality for fear of not conforming and being outed as a 'freak'). I've met Buddhist monks who knew me in our past lives together. I've met regular people who knew me in our past lives together. I've talked to ghosts. I've had psychic experiences. I've seen my family members before they were born and talked to them. I've had my Akashic records opened. I've had conversations with master Buddhist monks about my past lives and this life who also have known me before. So, I reject anything Western as far as religion is concerned. It's about control and fear mongering and lies and politics. That's just MY belief and opinion about Western religions. I reject all religions. Buddhism is not a religion either, it's a philosophy NOT a theology. And Buddha was not a god. But, I digress.

I believe everything alive is energy and vibration and even water has vibration inside it. There is a science to spirituality that I follow and believe. I reject all things theological or Christian or Catholic or Western or European as far as religion is concerned. I'm not a new age hippie either. I reject that belief system too.

I am happy with percussion, nature, sound healing, walking mediation, nutrition, being a loner (with good morals) and letting people believe what they need to believe, even though I reject and disagree with it.

Hi, whimsicalman, I rechecked the social group I was referring to, which is here at PC. The name of it is "All respectful religious and spiritual discussion allowed". It currently has 15 members, both of us included. This thread is the sort of discussion the group is meant for, & it sure would be nice if you could be posting there as well. Thanks again for this thread.

About two years ago insuddenly had an inexplicably pull towards everything all religions, occult practices, wicca, shaminism, astrology, numerology, as well as philosophy and psychology. I love taking differet bits from the texts and in my mind i question... WHAT ELSE COULD THIS POSSIBLY MEAN. Most often it is the religions and occult text that i like to analyze. Holding different philsophical quotes and attempting to create an angle to bring another perspective in the to analize and incorporate a bit of a psychological point of view. Actually look forward to the days when i have a bible lesson over the phone i found it maked it easier to relate and pick apart this way. Reading parts with some one breaks up the insane monotomy of reading passage after passage afterwards when i have attempted this feat i found words would bleed together

Hi, @JForbes369! I'm just a poster like you on this thread, but I want to say Welcome to Psych Central (PC)! We need contributors like you, analytical & willing to share your thoughts!

I've tried to revive a few social group threads, but there are so few people who actually interact that even those attempts just died. But, I had the same thought, as far as the types of threads.

Sounds like me, minus the wanting to read with someone. Way too introverted for that. But I just keep collecting books or articles that I don't have all the time to fully engage in, and then something else pops up! Any particular things that you have put into practice?

I listen to music. Christian and non christian.