Seekers Unite!

[Unveiled Artist]

Is there a difference between being a seeker and being religious?

I would like to add that being a member of a religious group does not exclude one from being a seeker.
So what is a seeker?

Religious would probably have a map but the only thing new theyd adopt in their path personally are those in agreement with their worldview and hotspots on the map.

A seeker doesnt have a map. Whats given to him he can process etc without outside bias (ideally), decern what is true to him, and know what is trusworthy or who to trust.

Religious are assumed to already have this invisible guideline or journal (even if blank). A seeker doesnt have a book to write in yet.

 

[psychoslice]

To be a seeker is to flow, truth cannot be packaged and sold as a religion, truth is ever flowing, so flow with it as a seeker.

 

[whirlingmerc]

There is no one who seeks for God, not for selfless reasons or for God's glory
A man motivated seeker is a bit hypothetical, a person may be drawn to God by God

Religious is semantical. Religion in the from the thoughts and imaginations of man or religion in the eyes of God?

 

[arthra]

Is there a difference between being a seeker and being religious?

One of the well known Tablets revealed by Baha'u'llah is entitled: "Tablet of the True Seeker" and opens with the following words:

"O My brother! When a true seeker determineth to take the step of search in the path leading unto the knowledge of the Ancient of Days, he must, before all else,

"cleanse his heart, which is the seat of the revelation of the inner mysteries of God, from the obscuring dust of all acquired knowledge, and the allusions of the embodiments of satanic fancy.

"He must purge his breast, which is the sanctuary of the abiding love of the Beloved, of every defilement, and sanctify his soul from all that pertaineth to water and clay, from all shadowy and ephemeral attachments.

"He must so cleanse his heart that no remnant of either love or hate may linger therein, lest that love blindly incline him to error, or that hate repel him away from the truth.

"Even as thou dost witness in this Day how most of the people, because of such love and hate, are bereft of the immortal Face, have strayed far from the Embodiments of the Divine mysteries, and, shepherdless, are roaming through the wilderness of oblivion and error...."

Baha'u'llah's Tablet of the True Seeker

 

[allfoak]

There is no one who seeks for God, not for selfless reasons or for God's glory
A man motivated seeker is a bit hypothetical, a person may be drawn to God by God

Religious is semantical. Religion in the from the thoughts and imaginations of man or religion in the eyes of God?

Of course your position is correct, without the indwelling logos mankind would have no way to orient themselves and there would be no salvation.
Since everything has its opposite but no less true position I will remind those reading that we are told to seek and we shall find.
So, while it is true that God draws all things to himself, this is the way it is done.
He draws us through all sorts of ways throughout our day, enticing us to seek more.
Encouraging us to seek out what makes us happy.

Happiness is a good indicator as to the effectiveness of ones choices and beliefs.
And this brings me to the subject of religion.
The word religion carries with it the meaning connection or re - connection.
This applies on all three levels of body, mind and spirit .
This idea has been lost to most, making the imaginations of men the only thing left to use to create their religion.
Yes there is a difference.
I was referring to the misguided masses who are steeped in the dogma of some institution.

 

[allfoak]

One of the well known Tablets revealed by Baha'u'llah is entitled: "Tablet of the True Seeker" and opens with the following words:

"O My brother! When a true seeker determineth to take the step of search in the path leading unto the knowledge of the Ancient of Days, he must, before all else,

"cleanse his heart, which is the seat of the revelation of the inner mysteries of God, from the obscuring dust of all acquired knowledge, and the allusions of the embodiments of satanic fancy.

"He must purge his breast, which is the sanctuary of the abiding love of the Beloved, of every defilement, and sanctify his soul from all that pertaineth to water and clay, from all shadowy and ephemeral attachments.

"He must so cleanse his heart that no remnant of either love or hate may linger therein, lest that love blindly incline him to error, or that hate repel him away from the truth.

"Even as thou dost witness in this Day how most of the people, because of such love and hate, are bereft of the immortal Face, have strayed far from the Embodiments of the Divine mysteries, and, shepherdless, are roaming through the wilderness of oblivion and error...."

Baha'u'llah's Tablet of the True Seeker

Excellent quote!
It sounds exactly like a description of how to become a virgin bride prepared and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Bridegroom.

 

[Quintessence]

I was one of those people stuck in dogma.
It takes a lot of work to put it behind you.

Could you define what you mean by "dogma?"

 

[allfoak]

Could you define what you mean by "dogma?"

dog·ma
ˈdôɡmə/
noun

1. a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.
   "the Christian dogma of the Trinity"
   synonyms: teaching, belief, tenet, principle, precept, maxim, article of faith, canon; More

 

[Quintessence]

Gotcha. I figured I would ask you meant, because not everyone uses the word in that way. Still, not sure that completely disarms the critique I had of the statement. You talk about being "stuck" in dogma like it is something one is supposed to "escape" from. I find that odd. If dogmatic religion works for someone, who am I to say they need to escape from it or that they are "stuck?"

 

[allfoak]

Gotcha. I figured I would ask you meant, because not everyone uses the word in that way. Still, not sure that completely disarms the critique I had of the statement. You talk about being "stuck" in dogma like it is something one is supposed to "escape" from. I find that odd. If dogmatic religion works for someone, who am I to say they need to escape from it or that they are "stuck?"

I understand your point.
Unless someone comes to my door trying to change my religion, i leave people alone about it.
There are those of us however who have seen the need to leave many religious teachings behind for higher ground.
As a result we have seen how difficult it can be to do so.
Thus the idea of being stuck in dogma.