Natural Spirituality
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| Fri, 07-15-2005 - 11:33pm |
I was surfing through some recent posts on this board (God, Nature, evil, UU, etc.)and I started thinking about what I've dubbed Natural Spirituality. Like the question about evil, I think Natural Spirituality addresses the good and bad in nature--a refreshing shower vs. a tsunami. It also extends to humans (who are of course natural)--like a young Muslim doctor gently delivering a newborn vs. a Muslim terrorist killing innocent people.
I guess this is similar to paganism, though modern paganism seems to be more about dieties, rituals, and such. (I think my most potent magic comes from visualizing and just projecting a joyful outcome "out there". Truly wonderful things happen when I do this. Mind-magic! Wooo-hooo!):)
Just musing and rambling on a Friday night, I suppose.

I like your concept of natural spirituality...you mean, taking whatever occurs naturally as opposed to organized religion=prescriptive beliefs that everyone must subscribe to or else? And the fact that stereotypes can be transcended--it's not always black or white?
I'm kind of free floating right now, moving outside of the religion I was born into...it's a scary yet liberating feeling but a move that was long overdue too...I'm not sure I'll ever go back to having anyone else tell me what i should believe.
I just haven't quite figured out yet what I'll tell my kids though...I moved from a place of repression to freedom...what if I raise them to feel free spiritually? Goes against everything I was taught, LOL!
Hi Yankee2!
I'm glad you like my Natural Spirituality idea. I'm pretty much free-floating myself when it comes to religion and certain other things. I was raised Catholic, but never felt connected to it.
I've studied so many other religions from Quakerism to Atheism to Buddhism/Taoism. I guess I absorbed alot. But being an agnostic with pagan leanings feels good to me--for now anyway. Seriously, Yankee. Have you ever gazed at a starlit country sky and felt the most awesome power, a sense of "Wow, I'm a part of all this wonder!"
And yeah, I guess the stereotyping comment you made applies, though I hadn't really thought about it. I can't stand the idea of disliking someone on the basis of their sexual orientation, religion, class, etc. I think there are nice people and cruel ones, regardless of background. I would rather have coffee with a kind atheist than an overly critical religious fundamentalist anyday.
By the way, Yankee--you said you went from a place of repression to freedom. Sounds good! What were your beliefs before? Where are you on your path now?
Zing
What a coincidence, I was raised Catholic too...my parents were very strict, actually, it was my stepmom who was staunchly Catholic, my dad just went along for the ride. I hate the way the Catholics operate, through guilt. So unpleasant.
When it came time to enroll my kids in school, I put them in Catholic school...it was an awful experience for me...very, very conservative...so, of course, I didn't fit in at all.
And yeah, I agree the stars out in the country are a pretty awesome sight...I'd rather be looking up at it, than looking down, if you know what I mean ;)
I haven't really investigated other religions, though there are some that look good to me...such as Quakers, some of the eastern religions too.
I've always said that religion is just something created by people, not God. What you describe is very much where I'm coming from, and why I don't exactly fit in with the Pagans either, although I'm finding myself using the label more and more when pressed for my beliefs. (I don't relate to Spirit as individual dieties, and I'm not a spells-and-rituals kinda gal, but I'm very much about living mindfully and visualizing the outcome I want.)
I think people are naturally quite spiritual, but much of it is lost in the rules and dogma of organized religion.
Hi, Ginger Cookie,
I started studying paganism 15 years ago. Of course, it was Wicca, and being young and completely new to paganism, I had no idea there were alternatives.
The problem I see with certain pagan groups is that in their delight in being free from dogma and rules from more traditional churches, they have created a whole new bevy of ritual do's and dont's, more dogma, hierarchy, etc. I also noticed they can be just as indignant about their religion as any one else.
I like free-flowing, well, stuff! My best "rituals" I suppose do involve the elements--a long bath, walking barefoot in the grass, breathing in fresh air, scented candles. Oh, and let's not forget eating warm brownies!