"especially when confidence in my own abilities wanes with respect to practicing, faith, and hope."

Jonx, the words "practising, faith and hope" are loaded with belief.

You refer to the freedom to eat what you want. Good grief, Jonx, we all have that. You don't need to be suckered to a Guru to obtain that freedom.

Seriously, you would be better off out of all this, my friend.

Luv Candy