Today, I've decided to go there. This particular blog will be a small exploration into spirituality. Don't worry, I am only going to write about what I believe/feel/know within my own spiritual journey, because as a writer I try to write what I know. I would never be so bold as to presume what others may feel, know or have faith in, nor would I judge their right to follow the particular teaching that has a special resonance for them. I don't expect anyone to agree or completely understand...and I guess that's part of the point, right? Because religion and spirituality are extremely personal things. And the heart of a person knows their own spiritual truth. And that truth needs to be respected, even if it isn't shared.
Before I really get this spiritual ball rolling, here's a brief family history. Once upon a time, when I was but a wee lass...I was christened in the Catholic Church by my great Uncle Richard MulCahey, who was a Catholic priest. Yes...*sigh*...I get the MASH reference.
My parents were from two huge catholic families; Irish Catholics on my dad's side, Italian Catholics on my mom's. My older sister and brother were raised in the church and both made it to their first communion. But alas, I did not. For those of you who know me...no, I did not become the antichrist. There was a scandal within the church involving the janitor of the Sunday school. The parish priest chose to send the janitor away, to another school in another town.
My dad was livid, he asked the priest what would happen if the janitor started molesting kids over at the other school. The priest told my father the situation was resolved, and was no longer his concern. He went on to tell my dad that his responsibility was to the church, to God, and then to his family...in that order. My dad told the priest what to do with his hypocrisy and left the church for good, never to return.
Growing up, I was taught the search for God was my own personal journey, and though my dad would suggest books on philosophy and religion, he never told me what to think or believe. His own philosophy was something along the lines of God creating a city full of doors for all those who wished to open them. Each door was a personal path to enlightenment, right for one person, but not necessarily for another.
I spent a lifetime searching for a believe, a faith, a way of thinking and processing life experience that would feel right in my soul...something that would taste like truth. And though I have found a mix bag of beliefs and spiritual teachings that do in fact taste truthful, I will never close off my heart to other forms of gratitude and worship. I am still searching, and will continue to search until the day I am ready to move on to the next realm.
I have had various discussions on the topic of spirituality and religion. Many times during my explanation about what is right for me and who I am, I have used the label I created for myself. And the question immediately following my declaration has always been, just what the hell is a Wiccruddhist? It is my self defining explanation of what I feel to be true, and believe me when I tell you I have found some odd truths in very diverse places.
I am drawn to the spirituality of Wicca and Pagan beliefs, because I feel truth in the knowledge that our Earth is a living, breathing creature, a mother who nourishes and sustains her children even if they appear ungrateful for her love. I feel truth in the fact that I am responsible for Earth stewardship, and I am equally responsible for imparting that knowledge on to my children and grandchildren.
I am drawn to the teachings of Christianity, before the Council of Nicea got together to "edit" (sensor) the teachings and turn them into the patriarchal babble that we endure today. The original teachings of Christ were beautiful, and based on the unconditional love and acceptance of ourselves and others. Women were respected and revered, and were considered to be an important part of Jesus' mission and journey. For more on the early roots of Christianity, feel free to read up on the Gnostic Gospels.
I am drawn to the belief that God is within us, that we are in fact Gods and Goddesses, and should treat our own selves with respect and love as we care for others. That our body is a vessel, a temple, and we must maintain it with honor and compassion for as long as we can before leaving it behind to continue our universal work.
Wiccruddhist; Wiccan, Christian, Buddhist. That's who I am, where I stand, why I exist. Now that isn't to say I won't find other ways of belief and worship during my journey. In fact, I will most likely wander and stray from this path to seek another from time to time, only to return with even more knowledge and understanding...cause that's how I roll.
Incidentally, why wouldn't God create all those doors for people to open? He/She/It created all those people, and imbued every single one with their own identity and diverse life plans. It stands to reason that God would create a plethora of ways for humans to reach enlightenment, to reach her, each door suited to their own personal preference. One Love, my beautiful peeps, One Love.
Yes, today I did go there, and hopefully you go there as well. All spirituality has one commonality, a single thread running through it that binds our humanity to the past, present and future of our evolution. That thread is love.
Allow me to wish you much love...all of you...and truth, faith, hope and balance as well...as you travel onward in your own personal quest to find that which you seek.
Amen, Blessed Be, Namaste and Peace!
Kat
Before I really get this spiritual ball rolling, here's a brief family history. Once upon a time, when I was but a wee lass...I was christened in the Catholic Church by my great Uncle Richard MulCahey, who was a Catholic priest. Yes...*sigh*...I get the MASH reference.
My parents were from two huge catholic families; Irish Catholics on my dad's side, Italian Catholics on my mom's. My older sister and brother were raised in the church and both made it to their first communion. But alas, I did not. For those of you who know me...no, I did not become the antichrist. There was a scandal within the church involving the janitor of the Sunday school. The parish priest chose to send the janitor away, to another school in another town.
My dad was livid, he asked the priest what would happen if the janitor started molesting kids over at the other school. The priest told my father the situation was resolved, and was no longer his concern. He went on to tell my dad that his responsibility was to the church, to God, and then to his family...in that order. My dad told the priest what to do with his hypocrisy and left the church for good, never to return.
Growing up, I was taught the search for God was my own personal journey, and though my dad would suggest books on philosophy and religion, he never told me what to think or believe. His own philosophy was something along the lines of God creating a city full of doors for all those who wished to open them. Each door was a personal path to enlightenment, right for one person, but not necessarily for another.
I spent a lifetime searching for a believe, a faith, a way of thinking and processing life experience that would feel right in my soul...something that would taste like truth. And though I have found a mix bag of beliefs and spiritual teachings that do in fact taste truthful, I will never close off my heart to other forms of gratitude and worship. I am still searching, and will continue to search until the day I am ready to move on to the next realm.
I have had various discussions on the topic of spirituality and religion. Many times during my explanation about what is right for me and who I am, I have used the label I created for myself. And the question immediately following my declaration has always been, just what the hell is a Wiccruddhist? It is my self defining explanation of what I feel to be true, and believe me when I tell you I have found some odd truths in very diverse places.
I am drawn to the spirituality of Wicca and Pagan beliefs, because I feel truth in the knowledge that our Earth is a living, breathing creature, a mother who nourishes and sustains her children even if they appear ungrateful for her love. I feel truth in the fact that I am responsible for Earth stewardship, and I am equally responsible for imparting that knowledge on to my children and grandchildren.
I am drawn to the teachings of Christianity, before the Council of Nicea got together to "edit" (sensor) the teachings and turn them into the patriarchal babble that we endure today. The original teachings of Christ were beautiful, and based on the unconditional love and acceptance of ourselves and others. Women were respected and revered, and were considered to be an important part of Jesus' mission and journey. For more on the early roots of Christianity, feel free to read up on the Gnostic Gospels.
I am drawn to the belief that God is within us, that we are in fact Gods and Goddesses, and should treat our own selves with respect and love as we care for others. That our body is a vessel, a temple, and we must maintain it with honor and compassion for as long as we can before leaving it behind to continue our universal work.
Wiccruddhist; Wiccan, Christian, Buddhist. That's who I am, where I stand, why I exist. Now that isn't to say I won't find other ways of belief and worship during my journey. In fact, I will most likely wander and stray from this path to seek another from time to time, only to return with even more knowledge and understanding...cause that's how I roll.
Incidentally, why wouldn't God create all those doors for people to open? He/She/It created all those people, and imbued every single one with their own identity and diverse life plans. It stands to reason that God would create a plethora of ways for humans to reach enlightenment, to reach her, each door suited to their own personal preference. One Love, my beautiful peeps, One Love.
Yes, today I did go there, and hopefully you go there as well. All spirituality has one commonality, a single thread running through it that binds our humanity to the past, present and future of our evolution. That thread is love.
Allow me to wish you much love...all of you...and truth, faith, hope and balance as well...as you travel onward in your own personal quest to find that which you seek.
Amen, Blessed Be, Namaste and Peace!
Kat