Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ Diamond Feng Shui HELP! if you can

my parents are extremely religious. fanatical christians. more scripture and rules, less love. anything that isn't scripture-based is "sent by the devil," or "the devil cleverly disguised as doing god's work." etc. you get the picture. spirituality is dangerous new-aged devil work.
they've been on my case, emailing and calling to tell me how feng shui and dowsing have "obviously been proven to be devil's work."
perhaps they wouldn't be on me so much if i were experiencing great results. as it is, my life is in a tailspin (hey, at least they got one right). now, it's all on how one looks at the overall picture. you could focus on the present (not so pretty), or on the actions i'm taking so that my future is a lot brighter than my present circumstances. i choose the latter; therefore, they call me niave. they also claim, "susan, we love you, and we really feel jesus is protecting you, which is why you're not receiving the results you desire with these practices.

it's really to the point where i feel, for my sanity sake, i'm going to have to put A LOT of distance between us. i've been gifted a session a reiki/quantum physics master in the near future. other than that, any suggestions?
i forwarded marie's latest dowsing write-up about how her family begged for dowsing. i've inquired how practices that have helped so many could be considered "devil's work." this simply angers them and the cycle continues. ignoring them angers them. they simply want me to "give up these "non-sensical, foolish endeavors."
i realize this email may be screaming disrespect towards my parents, which won't help me. i simply want a middle ground. any suggestions on how to make this happen? thanks.

I think you need to distance yourself from them for a while to reach your own balance in life. No matter how successful you will be by using methods which your parents will never accept due to their religious fanaticism, they will always tell you that Jesus helped you anyway... or you just got simply lucky. As your own problems are sapping you off your energy, you do not need new situations which will compound your problems. I am sure your parents mean well for you, but they are trapped into their religious fanaticism, which is not part of your own life.

thanks, uniquesoul, for your time... your response sat well. the distancing thing is a bit tough. i've moved to both sides of the country (they're smack in the middle), and it's still not far enough sometimes.

For resolving problems at a distance, maybe you should consider Ho'oponopono. For some good explanations go to:
http://hooponoponoinsights.wordpress.com/

SusanE - I have dealt for many years with parents and other family members who have little respect for 'spiritual mumbo jumbo.' Whether the closed mind is based on 'religious' or 'rational' grounds, it is still a closed mind. And the closed mind will never be forced open. Still, family is the most important group in the world and it behooves us to build and maintain strong and loving family relations.
Have you heard the 'parable' of the sun, the cloud, and the wind?
The sun, the cloud, and the wind were arguing as to which one was stronger. They looked down at the earth and saw a man walking along the road and a challenge was proposed. Whoever could get the man's coat off would be declared the strongest.
The cloud attempted to wash the man's coat off him, but he just pulled it tighter up over his head. The wind whirled and whipped and grabbed at the man's coat, but he just held his coat tighter around him. Then the sun took a turn and shone brightly and warmly upon the man. Gradually the man relaxed; then he unbuttoned his coat. As he got warmer and more comfortable, he eventually took his coat right off - voluntarily.
Of course, the sun was declared to be the strongest of the elements.
For many years, it has been best for me to follow my religious and spiritual growth at a distance from my family, getting my support and encouragement in these matters from a community of like-minded people. It has been sad not to be able to share this very important part of my life with my loving and beloved family. In these matters, it has been best for my family and me to 'agree to disagree,' maintain our differences privately, and avoid open confrontations at most times.
Fortunately however, there are other interests we have in common and through which we can keep in touch. We are interested in one another's health, education, children's activities and progress, gardens, recreations, hobbies, community involvements, etc. Keeping in touch with each other has nurtured both love and respect. It took many years before my father was willing to modify his opinion of my religious choice to one of respect (not that he ever accepted it for himself)- years in which I continued to keep in contact and participate as a family member and he was able to observe how I behaved and affected those around me.
I would suggest that you shine the warmth of your love on your parents - and 'distance' yourself from conflict and contention. Do not share your new spiritual understandings with your parents unless you are sure they are asking to hear about them with an open mind. Most of the time you can keep your conversations, letters, e-mails, etc. on a general interest level. If they bring up religious/spiritual topics, you can deflect contentions with things like, "I know you love me and want me to be happy, Mom/Dad. I love you, too. Let's talk about what is going on with [your garden]...." or "I would rather not get into an argument with you, Mom/Dad. Let's talk about [how the kids are doing]..."

I can't promise you that you will ever get to a point of agreement on spiritual perspectives. But I am sure that you can have a relationship involving mutual caring and respect. And people who care for and respect one another, even when they may disagree on one thing or another, bless themselves, one another, and the whole world.
May you create joy for yourself as you pursue your personal growth and happiness in your family as you shower them with caring and appreciation for all you do share.
Love,
Margaret Ida