Who am I?

[Hermit76]

Living in the modern West I was raised in a society that valued individuality. Even in the brand of oppressive fundamentalism that we practiced there were certain incentives for being your own person. Now in my third year of Orthodoxy I find myself at somewhat of a strange place. I have found such freedom in the church that my Western-self ideas have found their way into the driver's seat and have led me to a place that does not seem very Orthodox.
Is the Orthodox life truly compatible with the Western ideas of self, success, life? If salvation in found in the church, is that to be my identity? How does one walk away from the pursuit of self to blend into the Body of Christ?

I hope that this makes sense. I would rather like it if input was limited to Orthodox believers.

 

[Stranger36147]

A hermit apparently.

 

[SkyWriting]

A hermit apparently.

And that, unorthodox.

 

[Hermit76]

Please respect my request for Orthodox input. Thanks.

 

[Phronema]

Living in the modern West I was raised in a society that valued individuality. Even in the brand of oppressive fundamentalism that we practiced there were certain incentives for being your own person. Now in my third year of Orthodoxy I find myself at somewhat of a strange place. I have found such freedom in the church that my Western-self ideas have found their way into the driver's seat and have led me to a place that does not seem very Orthodox.
Is the Orthodox life truly compatible with the Western ideas of self, success, life? If salvation in found in the church, is that to be my identity? How does one walk away from the pursuit of self to blend into the Body of Christ?

I hope that this makes sense. I would rather like it if input was limited to Orthodox believers.

I'll answer as best that I can though only a catechumen (shooting for an Oct 12th baptism!) Yes I do believe that it is as compatible here in the west as it is anywhere really, and is timeless in that it's been that way through the centuries in different places in the world. I think we can blend the pursuit of self with that of the Church itself. As we make ourselves better in our everyday lives whether that be through success in our careers, or practicing our talents we can offer those things to the community, and our local churches.

Also, regarding the identity portion it would stand to reason that it would be the case as we acquire the mind of the Church by living a sacramental life, no?

Please correct me if I've said something incorrect here.

 

[ArmyMatt]

if what you do is done to build up the Body of Christ, and you realize that any success is from Christ, then certain Western values are compatible.

it depends on why.

 

[Not David]

As a catechumen, I would say that Western Culture can be pretty complicated for Orthodoxy (especially since it is influenced by Romanism, Protestantism, and secularism).

There are good things about individualism but also bad things about it, so it would be better to give a more especially output.

 

[Hermit76]

if what you do is done to build up the Body of Christ, and you realize that any success is from Christ, then certain Western values are compatible.

it depends on why.

It's not building up the body. That's the problem. I don't think I was prepared for the spiritual work that comes with Orthodoxy. I thought I was. Coming from a rule based religious background to a true spiritual lifestyle isn't easy.

It may just be time to grow up

 

[ArmyMatt]

It's not building up the body. That's the problem. I don't think I was prepared for the spiritual work that comes with Orthodoxy. I thought I was. Coming from a rule based religious background to a true spiritual lifestyle isn't easy.

It may just be time to grow up

if it's not, then talk to your confessor and try to get it back on track. God will see and honor your struggle.

and I know it ain't easy.

 

[Hermit76]

if it's not, then talk to your confessor and try to get it back on track. God will see and honor your struggle.

and I know it ain't easy.

We're meeting next week. I really think it's part of the journey. I'm a bit dramatic about it all, but it's no surprise I guess. Lol, when you've bounced in your search as much as I have it's tough to stop.

 

[Hermit76]

I'll answer as best that I can though only a catechumen (shooting for an Oct 12th baptism!) Yes I do believe that it is as compatible here in the west as it is anywhere really, and is timeless in that it's been that way through the centuries in different places in the world. I think we can blend the pursuit of self with that of the Church itself. As we make ourselves better in our everyday lives whether that be through success in our careers, or practicing our talents we can offer those things to the community, and our local churches.

Also, regarding the identity portion it would stand to reason that it would be the case as we acquire the mind of the Church by living a sacramental life, no?

Please correct me if I've said something incorrect here.

Thanks. A very good post!

 

[ArmyMatt]

We're meeting next week. I really think it's part of the journey. I'm a bit dramatic about it all, but it's no surprise I guess. Lol, when you've bounced in your search as much as I have it's tough to stop.

yep, it's something a lot of us who came from the West need to deal with.