Is Living a Life of Bliss Determined on Your Religious Beliefs?

[Anonymous]

I love reading and this past weekend I read another book by Paulo Coelho called "The Witch of Portobello." Now let me note this, I love to read but I never have the time for it, but something called me to this book this weekend...

So basically to my understanding this book has much to do with many people never being satisfied with the way they live and that we all seek a power greater than us, and how God has a feminine face.

This book speaks about a woman named sherile khalil also known as athena who since being young had a connection to a realm out of reach from many and how she tried to spread what she'd learnt only to be accused of being a witch. Of course she wasn't burnt at the stake or anything since this book is based in the 21st century.

We all seek something in this life, whether its love of wealth, power or happiness and so much more but as a human being do you think you'd ever just be content with living your programmed life? Following all the routines set before you so many times before..

I know for a fact that I wouldn't, I'm not...

I do things I don't want to because I think they will bring me happiness but at the end of the day what am I actually doing? I study, I enjoy the company of my friends, I don't drink alcohol or smoke anything, I dance when I feel like it, I sing when my favourite song comes on but in between all these moments that actually make me happy there are (as the author described it in the book) "blank spaces."

These moments where my mind fills with worry and I doubt everything about myself and the world I'm living in, a "protector" in the novel made a reference to some ants and the way they all worked, they each had their own duties and did so without question.. but he clearly stated that unlike them we have a choice and we don't simply just follow our instincts.

I've always been curious about all the possible religions of this world, even though I was taught to never go to another church, or possibly try to learn their ways I've always been curious about what causes these religions and ways of living to succeed. I was born, baptised and raised in the orthodox church... but I've always been curious about what makes other religions work. I mean if it didn't work why would anyone use it, right?

And what is it to experience the bliss of being in touch with something far beyond other peoples conceptions?

To me, I feel like this feels frightening but amazing all at the same time, like when you're on a rollercoaster ride and you've reached the peak, you're excited about the fact that you can practically touch the sky but the uncertainty of when your coaster will descend will have you gripping at your seatbelt. Wouldn't it be wonderful to just be? With no need to please others, to praise God whichever way you want and not have to worry about what others say or who might dislike what you're doing?

Please don't post any hate speech or discriminatory comments, please try be respectful of other people and just stating this, this is my opinion. I dont expect anyone to follow it or believe it, this is just simply my take on the matter at hand.

[Anonymous]

I can agree with you to a certain extant