Posted by Jill on September 21, 2002, at 22:13:37
In reply to Re: OCD/Catholicism article » Jill, posted by johnj on September 21, 2002, at 13:35:07
Hi John,
Yes, I'd be happy to email with you about your thoughts later (after your busy time). I feel like I'm at a fairly good place right now, in terms of my religious obsessions and painful stuff around that.
My OCD thoughts will probably pop up a bit when we do communicate, but I think I can handle that (and I'll tell my fiance, too, so he and I can talk about them).
There is an old term for extreme religious guilt/obsessive thinking which was used before it was classified as OCD. The old term was "scrupulousity." I found it in very old psychology texts. It was interesting to read about it...but again, I can't read too much or I obsess a lot about it.
I think that's why yoga and prayerful reflection (often after yoga or vigorous exercise) is the best way for me to feel I can have a real, honest conversation with God/Love/Universe. I just need to quiet my whirring mind...which, of course, is a lot easier said than done.
I just went to look for a quote I'd written down several years ago. I thought of it tonight...and I think of it often. Just know that many, many people have struggled with conflicted Catholic/religious feelings...so, we're in good company ;).
Here's a quote from James Joyce's Finnegan's Wake which really knocks me to the core...I can't believe how articulate this guy is about conflicted/fear feelings associated with the Irish Catholicism he was raised with (talk about hard core Catholics! My watered down Irish-American Catholicism can't hold a candle--pun intended--to the "straight" Irish stuff.)
"That a cross may crush me--
If I refuse to believe in it
That I may rock anchor through the ages--
If I hope it isn't true"I'd be glad to email with you later about your thoughts/teelings.
Take care, and good luck with your exam.
Jill
poster:Jill
thread:1924
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020914/msgs/120671.html