Pagans and Atheists...When facing a battle with a personal demon (vice) what do you do to prepare?

Question

Please no bible stuff....I am NOT CHRISTIAN.

Why atheists? I value my atheist contacts and friends opinions. They usually answer with common sense and understanding.

Demons is more of a descriptive word for me. I was hoping it would convey the deepness of the problem to my Pagan friends and the word Vice would clarify it to the atheists.

Sigh....

Answer 1

I have a personal "demon" and I understand how you feel, even if the demon is a different one from mine, the battle is the same sort of challenge.

I have a group of friends with the same demon to talk to if mine ever gets out of control, which, fortunately, it hasn't. I also look to Witchcraft and our Mother Earth to strengthen me, to calm me, to remind me of who and what I am, and of the choices I can make with my life. It is my life and the choices I make affect not just me, but so many other lives around me. It is my sense of responbility to those people that helps me a lot.

Also, I walk and talk to myself. I have found this simple device to be invaluable when I am preparing to do battle over whatever is bugging me. I look at the situation, and I have to fight for HONESTY. If I am not honest with myself about my own shyt in any given situation, I am not able to battle a flea. When I am truly honest, I know that I will be OK, even if the experience takes something out of me, bc the experience itself puts back more.

I look at what it would be like if the demon wins. How much worse the situation will be. and finally, I have learned that if I just hold on and survive, it won't always be as bad as it is at its very worst. If I can hold on, cry, scream, talk , meditate, just suffer what life sufferings are my share in this life, then I can walk out of that shadow back into the light a stronger person.

East, South,West,North
Inspiration, Transformation,Meditation, Re-Birth
Air, Fire,Water,Earth,

Spirit

so mote it be

Blessing, strength and joy come to you, dear sister,
Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 2

There are a number of different things I've done. Here are a few.

Get "Self-Discipline in 10 Days" or some similar book from your library through an InterLibrary Loan. (This particular book is out of print and expensive now, so the InterLibrary Loan is a good way to go. If you don't know what that is, ask at the front desk.) Read it, do the exercises, and take notes for the future. Implement a plan of action and if you get off track, simply pick up where you left off and continue to work your plan. "Unleash the Warrior Within" may also be helpful to some people in some situations, but the "Self-Discipline" book has a number of helpful hints that really work when practiced consistently.

I'm Pagan, so for me doing a ritual to start off a period of self-discipline, along with periodic rituals to help reinforce myself, is something that works well for me. If you're an atheist you can simply spend time reminding yourself of what you are working on and why.

Support groups exist for many specific "personal demons." Hearing how others have overcome a problem can help to inspire you, and having other people to vent or brainstorm with can also be helpful.

Join some other group that inspires people to better themselves. Hercules_Invictus is one such group.

Read inspiring texts that encourage you to better yourself from points of view that you are more comfortable with. I happen to like the Greek philosophers, myself, but you could even read biographies of people who have pulled themselves up by their bootstraps to find new integrity, temperance, responsibility, or whatever.

Best wishes to you in your endeavor to improve yourself!

Answer 3

I'm agnostic! Anyway, currently I have no obvious vices (my opinion; someone else might disagree!). When formerly I smoked, one day I was sitting on the porch doing the Sunday crossword puzzle and chain smoking, and it occurred to me that I might just as well be burning my money, and besides I had a chronic cough! So, I decided to quit, and I just did that, no demons to wrestle with in preparation! I used to enjoy wine also, rather too much, but it was causing me to have irregular heat beats, so I stopped buying wine; no demons there, either. I think that the secrets of successful eradication of vices are will power, and, especially in the case of my smoking which was by far my most serious and long-standing bad habit, a real desire to quit.

Answer 4

I am not a Christian, either, nor am I an atheist, but as an open-minded individual, I value the perspective of any tradition or spirituality, as long as it does harm to none and is nonjudgemental.

That said, when preparing to face a personal vice, I prepare through meditiation and reflection, as well as by preparing the physical body through vigorous exercise, the specifics of which is dependent upon the particular vice which I am to face. I find that through this regimen, I can approach the vice with a clear head and my inner strength.

Answer 5

If you do altar work, or just imagery, you could entreat a protective/warrior entity who you see as helpful in this situation, or who resonates with you in general. For example, Sehkmet, Athena or someone else who can be an ally. For gentler energy, Kuan Yin can help you forgive yourself & be protective without being antagonistic.
I'm also curious as to why you group pagans with atheists. Atheists & some others should realize that when you are talking about a vice you (or someone) desire to banish, this is not necessarilly a distinct supernatural being. Metaphors, ppl!

Answer 6

I'm assuming that you're just looking for non-Christian methods to face crises and other issues that you want to change. Your post uses a lot of Christian imagery, but I think I get what you mean. Typically, I have to address a few things first:

Why I am I in this situation? What am I getting out of it?

I am I being completely honest with myself and do I have clear insight?

What steps can I take to change the situation? Do I need additional resources or help before I begin? What's the first step?

Once I have a plan, I start with making changes in my life to find peace and balance. I seek support (religious or otherwise) when needed.

::Edited to Add:: This isn't to say that Christians don't use these steps, of course. I'm just speaking as a non-Christian who personally goes about making changes in this manner.

Answer 7

I don't.

There are some battles I've never won and probably never will. Like learning how to no longer bite my nails. Its stress related and I've been doing it since I was a very young child (about 3 or so my mother tells me).

If I consider something morally wrong, I simply WILL NOT do it.

But preparing? I don't think there is any way to prepare. You either have the strength or you don't.

Answer 8

My worst demon was like a monkey on my back, because I smoked for forty five-years. I just had my tenth month anniversary, since I stopped!
If anyone cares, I used Chantix, to do it, and it really works!!
My whole family is proud of me, and I guess I am too! Before that, over the years, I sort of quit three, or four times, and this tim, I made it stick!

No other demons for me, And at night? I sleep like a baby!!

Answer 9

what is a vise? something condemned by christianity... first you have to figure out if it's a problem for you or a problem for society... if it's not a problem for you then there is nothing wrong with having a vice or two.... I think that when it comes to vices... others call it a problem.... I say it's a problem if it causes violence.... we are all going through a spritual, emotional and mental roller coaster right now.... we must control and eliminate and deal violence to come out the other end..

Answer 10

I treat vices as actual sentient demons - That is, awake, alive and responsive.

I speak to them and demand they go away. I work myself into a frenzy, even to the point of shouting. The idea is to provoke a very strong adverse reaction to this vice, thus making a negative impression on my ku (subconscious) linked to the "demon". I get mad at it, I develop a hostility towards it. While this in itself is cathartic, it has a purpose.

When I'm confronted with it later on in my daily life, I'm likely to have a negative conditioned response to the vice itself.

Wearing or carrying a talisman charged by holding it in my hand during my ranting and raving session helps to remind my ku in the moment.