feel very empty and meaningless ~ is this a symptom of our culture which allows everything and prohibits nothing,or simply a problem within me?

[whatdoireallyneed]

I feel as if I am a bit lost at the moment,not sure if I want to re embrace religion,change religion,work on my inner self or personal relationships.

Does anyone understand this and how to enrich my soul and regain an idea of my own belief system/the way I want to live and/or have a goal to work towards.

Any one of the above could work.

Keeping busy tends to keep such thoughts at bay.

If you want to engage with religion you could try the Alpha Course.

Sounds like you're just in the wrong place at the moment.

Try spending time with people, doing things and going places that 'lift' you and make you 'feel' better. Steer clear of people, doing things and going places that bring you down and lower your spirit.

You could do anything of the things you suggested. Do whatever you are drawn to but only continue with it if it's right.

I did Alpha Course. It didn't really work for me. Organised religion doesn't! In the depths of a personal dark hole, I met a fantastic hypnotherapist/reiki practitioner/counsellor who is very spiritual. She has taught me so much and helped to turn my life around (literally!). The spiritual path is definitely the one that works for me. Mind you, I don't really tell people about it as so many people think it's hocus pocus rubbish!

whatdoireallyneed When was the last time you did something that made you happy?

Thanks so much for replying,think I just felt a bit sad and lonely and it seems that sometimes I want to latch onto something,you know to fill that gap.

Then I'm not sure whether I want that something to be friends,or if I should work on my own inner life and think about the person I want to be etc.

I think your suggestions are all great ~ especially doing something that feels good for me with uplifting people.

Does anyone else feel that in this country we have sort of lost our christianity now and so that structure isn't there to fall back on and give comfort?

That's probably true. There's nothing to stop you going to church if that's what you're looking for.

A lot of churches organise home groups and other social structures that can allow you to connect. You could start by picking a church to go to tomorrow, perhaps you will find something there.

There's a lot of styles to choose from these days, from old churches with hymns and organs to modern ones with guitars and people waving their arms in the air

Ah, poor you!

Yes, I do know what you mean. I was in a black hole myself (job was pants, boyfriend at time was not a nice person, etc.) and just couldn't dig myself out.

My reiki lady told me that in natural state you should feel happy or neutral pretty much most of the time with the occasional downer. When you do have negative feelings you need to think what is causing that. It's normally because you are actually getting the opposite of what you really want. Life is a journey. You need to know when to get rid of relationships, friends, jobs, etc. when they stop working for you and find new things that do work for you.

A couple of books that have really helped me are:-

www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Your-Own-North-Star/dp/0749924012/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=book s&qid=1266754836&sr=8-1

www.amazon.co.uk/Astonishing-Power-Emotions-Feelings-Guide/dp/1401 915779/ref=sr15?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266754863&sr=1-5

I hope that helps (and makes sense!).

I guess I would say that organised religion as such can never be a full answer, as it is man-made and flawed (more flawed in some cases than others). But looking at the origins of that belief system, beyond and behind the whole church thing, could be something that might be helpful to you. Being one of those out there charismatics I would suggest you look at the person of Jesus, maybe take some time to read one of the gospels and simply see what it says to you, what themes you pick up etc, what interests you. I do believe we all have a purpose in life and are not mere accidents, and can find immense satisfaction for our souls in knowing God.
I thought of this song when I read your op:

If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary,
then of course I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined I'm compared

Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and... with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me

Am I lost or just found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?
Cos my comfort would prefer for me to be numb
An avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become

For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know you
Hope is coming for me
Hope, He's coming

Hope that's a bit helpful. all the best

The evidence is that those who participate in organised religion live longer and happier lives than those that do not. That's statistical and doesn't deal with all individuals, but it's certainly true that many people find contentment within its structures.

Having 'Support' is great

Whilst the great spiritual teachers over time have sought solitude, seclusion and retreat in order to meditate and become enlightened, release themselves from Earthy desires in order to be cleansed and pure in Mind and Spirit = the general Man and Woman cannot achieve that 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. So if its not the cave, or deep forest, its a Retreat or Sanctuary... and they cost $$$$. Yes some courses are free, but life is free and you can find renewed energy where you live right now. Nature does help though and a walk somewhere beautiful can renew you the more you exercise you mind and body this way.

Communities and Support come in many forms. Family and Friends who really
support one another. If the current situation you find yourself in does not introduce or expose you to good associations, good people, then think about how to exit the roundabout of emotions which are bringing you sadness and loneliness...and take the exit.

Be gentle on yourself
Take small steps not radical changes
Breathe, take moments to breathe and relax when you feel overwhelmed and sad.
Eat well, healthy foods... we are what we eat

These are books I like - Number One is Anastasia

The Ringing Cedars Series - www.ringingcedars.com/

I believe every one is born with a God-shaped hole and it's a void that only he can fill.

A lot of people have very positive experiences on Alpha Courses. See: uk.alpha.org/

Sadly around here Alpha courses are sometimes run by active homophobes so I won't be advocating them.

I'm Pagan and follow the Goddess, maybe not for you though.

I get most of my peace, strength and calm from Nature and Gardening, though I am fortunate as I live in a very beautiful area. If you can get outside to a park or any green space just sit or stand there and become aware of your senses and what you are hearing, smelling, seeing and breathe deeply and slowly.

Read, online, at the library or buy books that attract you.
I hope you find something that gives you comfort,
Bright Blessings.

i think here is some kind of inherent assumption that at some previous period of time people had more meaning in their lives - something not in evidence!

people did have a lot more misery to distract them from the lack of meaning in life. Weltschmerz is something one feels when one has the time afer all...

life is what you make of it - there is no quick fix, and for some no slow fix either...

so find stuff that you like doing. reading good fiction, getting out under open skies (now it is sunny!) and doing whatever makes you feel a teeny bit better.

In pondering the title of this thread I starting thinking well instead of..

a culture which allows 'everything' and prohibits 'nothing'

...could not the 'nothing' be a 'nothing' being prohibited veiling the 'nothing' quiet moments?
Life in the past had more of quiet, even if quality and social existence was not so 'advanced'. So relaxation today is not being well undertaken, as relaxation is often eg TV or Gym. A walk somewhere quiet, with no phones , away from fast paced life - make the static and stress of 'Everything' diminish.. like a radio being turned down. , everything making life busy is turned down.

Actually saying in your mind, thought and in your actions in life, busy and quiet times be not so influenced by the hustle and set your own pace around it. A pace that is easy on yourself?

A little, simple prayer, see if comfort follows xxx

I found the book A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle to be a really good starting point on my spiritual path.