Sounds wonderful, Ralph. I want to say Hurray, Hurray, Hurray! Yes, I know the hard work starts now, but at least you have (probably) found a starting point. NOT an easy task when one is wandering in the wilderness, so to speak.

I'm so happy for you. Please continue to post here, to let us know how you are doing. Also, selfishly, maybe I can learn something from your experience to help me? I've not found any spiritual tradition yet to be my path, exactly, but last week I did go to a Sierra Club meeting for the first time. Maybe that will be a "normal" place where I feel at home? Time will tell.

I love that you said that group acceptance "can serve as a model" for self-acceptance, rather than as a substitute. To me, that was a significant change in my attitude ...

Wow!!! :)

(And I also appreciate Mark's comment a lot - a good point!)