your most valued part of practice . . . .

[my_innersanctum]

what part of the practice of your religion provides the greatest inner peace, sense of being part of something beyond just this life, and/or compels you forward in greater conviction of what you believe?

Comments

[irradescent]

This is something I've struggled with in Christianity for awhile (like, over 10 years). I don't know if it's because I wasn't raised with any religious upbringing, so that's why my family doesn't have any specific rituals, but I've always had this sort of emptiness. For instance, I remember at church camp when I was 14 and we watched a video on Islam and I thought it was so awesome how Muslims prayed 5 times a day and that it was such devotion and dedication to God. And I really like the Shabbat dinner on Fridays that the Jewish people I know have. I don't have anything like that, and I don't personally know any Christians that do. To me it feels like Christians are devoted, which I know is a lie because I do know some very devout Christians.
So I don't know if this is even on topic with your post, and I hope I didn't offend anyone. This is just something I've struggled with for about 15 years.

[amergina]

There are two Christian practices in the more liturgical Churches that you might wish to look into:

The first praying the Liturgy of the hours. It's a very old form of prayer, based on the Book of Psalms. There's a Western (Catholic, Anglican, etc) version of these prayers and an Eastern (Orthodox) version. There are distinct prayer times throughout the day (Morning, noon, afternoon, evening, night, etc.)

The second is fasting. In the West, Christianity has lost a lot of its tradition of fasting, but the rules still exist. The Orthodox church is actually much better at holding on to this important tradition.

With Lent coming up, you might want to look into the traditions of Christian fasting and feasting.

I hope this helps!

[irradescent]

Thanks so much for these suggestions. I will definitely look into them after I've had some sleep.

[ohhellsyeah]

I was going to say the same thing about the Liturgy of the hours. There is a richness and depth to the Christian tradition that has really been lost in a lot of churches.

[firerosearien]

You know, it's not so much my religion as it is just that I believe. It's not always enough, but sometimes it is.

[dehaywardati]

Judaism stresses humanity's role as G-d's partner(s) in an ongoing Creation. It is our job to sort out the kinks--to repair the world, tikkun olam. It drew me to my faith, and it keeps me going, aware of others' needs, problems, struggles, and successes, as well. When I help social justice causes, when I lend a hand to my neighbor, when I graciously ask for help when I need it, I am simultaneously aware of my utter insignificance and my great ability to be the good of G-d's presence in the life of others.

[making_up]

"to be the good of G-d's presence in the life of others"

Wow! Very well said!

Shabbat

[making_up]

It is a very interesting post. You are proud that you can memorize verses of Quran without knowing Arabic. Because it is so difficult, it shows your devotion.

Actually, I like that (Conservative) Judaism does not require this type of submission, almost self- sacrifice. Judaism demands personal understanding, allows arguing with God, as Abraham and Jacob (Israel) and Job did.

I like lighting candles on Shabbat. The candles make this evening special.

Re: Shabbat

[my_innersanctum]

thank you. just to clarify. memorizing the quran in arabic isn't a requirement though suggested. i don't derive a since of pride from the effort. what i derive instead is that deep-seated understanding and awareness that no matter how tough things can be God is there to help me get through and achieve success. my studies are done in english as that's my language.

[hotcoffeems]

Salaam...

The structure of the prayers, as strange as it may sound, provides me with a greater sense of discipline, and within that discipline, becoming closer to Allah (swt), probably because it does sharpen my focus. I also think that the awareness of being part of a worldwide community of believers -- who all essentially pray the same way, facing the same direction, at the same times...somehow this sense of community (despite whatever differences are among us) gives me peace.

(Total aside: Arabic is apparently one of the most difficult languages to learn, and of course there are all *kinds* of not-always-mutually-intelligible variants thereof, so on top of the obstacles that you've faced, keep that in mind. I didn't know any of that when I decided I wanted to learn it!)

on your aside

[my_innersanctum]

there are either 5 or 7 dialects of arabic in which the quran was revealed a are still acceptible to recite the quran. i think only 2 or 3 of those dialects are still spoken and recognized. i noticed the difference in pronunciation when hearing a mauritanian imam recite once. that difference in inflection is common to mauritania. also, if you pick up a quran sold in morocco, you'll see some differences in the diacritics used and a few differences in the letters themselves. minor differences that don't change the impact, meaning, or intent of the quran.