Stripping and Staying Connected
I was just wondering how many SW members here attend church or have something that they do to connect spiritually (prayer, meditation, etc). Does anyone ever find it hard to stay focused on a spiritual path due to the nature of our work. I know I do. Sometimes I feel that just being in an atmosphere of sex, greed ,drugs and drinking night after night takes a toll on my spirit.
Re: Stripping and Staying Connected
I still went to Roman Catholic Mass when I started dancing & now I am converting to Judaism, but will still dance. I'm glad you posted about this because I have the same attitude about the job. The things I have seen & heard at work make me more determined to have a spiritual life.
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i sometimes go to pagan/wiccan spiritual meetings when a pagan holiday comes about, but my spirituality is usually practiced alone. however, i'm no longer in the industry, and most of my social stuff happens with friends, usually at school functions. being involved in something outside of the industry is a great idea to stay grounded and focused. there are many spiritual options open to you, and if you can't find one you like, or discover that it's not your cup of tea, you can take art classes, language classes, etc., often from local community colleges, the YMCA, etc. look at your local paper for gatherings of any kind, and there should be something that will spark your interest. also, look on the net for religious or spiritual (i only distinguish these because there are options outside of traditional religious institutions) organizations in your area and see what you like. as for meditation and such, perhaps there is a yoga or marital arts center in your area. you never know who you'll meet. good luck :)
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I meditate.....Both active and 'still' meditations.
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i am cathloic, hardly pratice, but do pray
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I'm not at all religious so this was never a problem for me.
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pray or meditate for strength before going to any job. works for me.
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It can be hard to maintain ones sense of self and spirituality working in such an environment that we do.
Remembering that its just a job and leaving work at work can be easier said than done but its possible. I burn incense in my locker when I go back to count out ones and get freshened up.
Christianity really has not a place in a strip club sense it goes against the Christian morals and rules about not tempting men especially married men arousing them with lust. But yes spirituality can be hard to maintain but what I do is bring my sense of love and self to work and always be in the moment and remember my spiritual self…astral body and not neglect myself.
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I don't believe in gods.
I consider myself a balanced, happy person.
Just ask my therapist.
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I was raised as a ultra orthodox (chessidic jew) and I found it much too stringent. I grew away from it and found out about me. Before, there were too many rules, everyone I know conformed to them. I still comunicate w/ God, but in my own way, through gratitude and kaballah maditations/teachings.
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I totally feel guilty about it. Especially when people there ask what you do for a living. :-[
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I was brought up as a Christian and still believe in Christ. Before I started dancing I went to Church on a regular basis. Now that I dance every weekend, it's been hard getting up on Sunday morning and going to Church. I still pray and speak to God on a weekly basis at home, in my car, even silently to myself at the club. I ask God for help & guidence. I believe it helps me through rough times. Now I do not speak of it to anyone else at the club because I respect what other people's views might be and that everyone is going to believe different things and that's ok, that's the great thing about America!!!
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I count my money, that makes me feel very connected and gives me a sense of inner peace. ;D
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I do Yoga. I go to therapy. These things help me. I am spiritual but non religious.
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I believe that if a spiritual practice works then it works in the darkest of places. There can be light in the strip club and darkness at church. The internal madness comes when you believe there's separation (ex. strip club=bad, church=good) and you try to bounce back and forth between the two polarities. Developing a strong center is key, you become someone you truly believe in no matter what you're surroundings are. The strip club can be a good place to practice staying centered despite the chaos. Holding your ground at work despite the drama, treating people well and not ripping them off is the kind of daily spiritual practice the world could use more of.
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I no longer attend church, because I don't believe in organized religion. But I do have faith, and my beliefs, and I pray almost every night for my family and friends, and people I encounter that seem to need another's help
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I think it is very important to do whatever you can to stay connected spiritually, especially when involved in a business like ours. Too often I see girls put $$$ and material things above all else and they stupidly wind up screwing themselves over.
I pray, meditate, and though I don't go to mass, I do sit in Church and pray. I also pray and ask God for guidance throughout the day and night too. It keeps the positivity around me and the negativity from affecting me. It keeps me happy. It keeps me high. ;D
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I'm not religious at all. I just remember karma and try to do the right thing.
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Ah, yes. I too am a BIG believer in karma.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pure
I was just wondering how many SW members here attend church or have something that they do to connect spiritually (prayer, meditation, etc). Does anyone ever find it hard to stay focused on a spiritual path due to the nature of our work. I know I do. Sometimes I feel that just being in an atmosphere of sex, greed ,drugs and drinking night after night takes a toll on my spirit.
While I was raised with a peace be with you and love the neighbor style upbringing these days I find a great many of the so called Christian religious followers to be either hateful or hypocrites. It is so rare to find Christians who actually follow the core teachings of Christ that I avoid all those types of churches now.
As an adult, I have found myself most inclined to the teachings of Gandhi. I enjoy reading about his thoughts on the world.
I also practice yoga and NIA have been thinking of becoming a yoga or NIA instructor
Re: Stripping and Staying Connected
I agree with Shakti..just practicing being a good person while even in the darkest places can help keep someone grounded and connected.