How do you keep in touch with your spiritual life?

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How do you keep in touch with your spiritual life?

by tylluanpenry @ Saturday, 27. Jun, 2009 – 08:59:36

I'm a solitary pagan. That means I don't work in a coven or group. I'm sure there are solitary Christians out there too, people who live very spiritual lives but don't necessarily go to Church, and maybe solitary Moslems, Hindus, Buddhists etc.

Many people, no matter what form their spirituality takes, find that organised worship just doesn't work for them. At the last Witchfest (Witchfest South, May 2009) I was asked to conduct an opening blessing ceremony. Now I don't believe people bless each other nearly enough in this world. They seem to leave it to others to do.

And maybe that's what happens in our spiritual life too - we leave it to ministers, mullahs and whoever to 'conduct' the way we contact the divine. Because don't forget, the word 'religion' comes from ligare, the Latin word meaning 'to join.' So religion basically means to rejoin to the divine. (Another word that comes from ligare is ligature, which (inter alia) is another name for knot magic!)

Mr Penry (my husband) makes a point of sitting out in the garden before the sun goes down. In recent years he seems to have morphed into a heathen, THor's Hammer and all. He doesn't do anything out in the garden, just sits there with our dogs, a happy smile on his face.

He says you don't have to do anything in order to contact the spiritual in your life. Just be. And your gods - whoever they are - will do the rest.
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23 Comments to How do you keep in touch with your spiritual life?

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- stmss
- http://hopechild1.blog.co.uk
- Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 08:26:18
As ever Ty lots to think about,thank you.

One burning question that I'm hoping some of my atheist friends here can answer; is there a movement (organised or not)for atheists to join together?

Wish I'd been at the Witchfest-I'm imagining a riot of colour and fragrances.
- - tylluanpenry
  - Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 16:04:05
  Witchfests are always tremendous fun! I always look forward to them!
  - - stmss
    - http://hopechild1.blog.co.uk
    - Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 17:37:37
    I have been pondering about the meaning of religion as being literally to 'rejoin the Divine'.As it is of Latin derivation I wonder what they called the process before this?
    - - tylluanpenry
      - Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 17:51:14
      I think that would depend upon the language you were using. So for example, the word theology comes from the Greek, not Latin, being made up on theos (god) and logos (word).
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- malakeas ^Pro
- http://www.blog.co.uk/user/malakeas
- Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 12:39:01
Great post. I am a lone Christian (meaning I don`t go to church any more as the hypocrisy was too much).

I find that most people rely on others to sort themselves out whether it is with religion or other facets in their life.

Maybe if we all took responsibility for our own self as opposed to relying on others to `fix it` then the world would be a better place?
- - tylluanpenry
  - Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 16:05:52
  Glad you enjoyed it. I think even within paganism there's a growing tendency for some people to just want to 'sit and watch' rather than take part, which is a pity really. As a solitary I find I have to work out my own methods of connecting with the divine, make my own rituals and look for the next lesson!
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- freeasthewind
- Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 12:55:20
I have been the church goer and have a friend that is close to GOD. But, and this is were I worry here. She feels that I am lost if I dont go to a church. Now I know that we need the communion of otheres with like mind. But, my spiritual being comes with my connection with my GOD through nature and my one on one. Because there are a lot of people that cant physically get to a church building so does that mean GOD doesnt hear them I dont think so. And I have been to some so called church buildings where there was no love or spiritual as you will but there was a lot of finger pointing and evil going on. And that is probabley why I am in no hurry to get back to that. And I agree with Mr. penny on this
- - tylluanpenry
  - Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 16:07:45
  I think sometimes people mistaking 'going to church' (or perhaps for pagans 'doing a ritual') as a substitute for actually getting to know one's deities. It's a pity when people get bogged down in the finger pointing you describe. I always feel that our gods know where we are, and they know if we're doing our best too!
  - - freeasthewind
    - Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 20:36:45
    I know. I had a SIL tell me I needed to go to church because I dont act or talk right. I told her My God was a forgiving God and that my relationship was my relationship and he sends me many angels to helpe me through this life. And she needs to worry about her on spiritual being and less about mine. I think that gets in the way of spiritual feelings when we try to push our relationship with spiritualism on to others
    - - tylluanpenry
      - Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 22:21:00
      Well said. I always tell people at my workshops that we can only walk our own path in our own time. Nobody else can walk it for us.
      - freeasthewind
        
        Tuesday, 30. Jun, 2009 @ 00:36:59
        
        That is so true.
        
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- deleted user (Visitor)
- http://www.timwade.wordpress.com
- Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 13:39:03
Again, I posit that mankind is a created being who needs to be in relationship with his or her Creator. The need to connect spiritully is proof of this fact, although the atheist and the pagan might thoroughly disagree and simply call it a connection with some cosmic energy. Regardless of what you call it, our spirituality is undeniable. We are part of something greater than ourselves, and our spirit years from within to connect to it.

As a Christian for going on four decades( sorry Tel1342, I do not have "new found beliefs") I have come to know and understand my spirituality as part of a relationship with the God of Heaven, who through His Son, Jesus, wants to connect with me. I was made to be in this relationship and apart from it there is little more than the mysterious elusive questions Who am I? and Why am I here? My relationship with God as a Christian goes beyond the mystery and the questions and extends to answers of purpose and meaning. Thus I connect to my spirituality through this purpose and meaning. I take the Bible at face value, try my best to do what it teaches, and honor my Heavenly Father with the life He has given me.

In short, I stopped trying to connect with my spiritual life through naval-gazing and looking for the light in my belly button years ago. The mystery has been revealed. His name is Jesus and in Him I live.
- - tylluanpenry
  - Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 16:12:17
  "The need to connect spiritully is proof of this fact, although the atheist and the pagan might thoroughly disagree and simply call it a connection with some cosmic energy."
  
  No, as a pagan I don't disagree with that. I think pagans can be just as spiritual (and just as flawed ) as other faiths. We may have different deities - your beliefs are monotheistic and mine are polytheistic, but at the end of the day, we probably have more in common than might seem the case at first sight.
  
  One big difference however is that you have a holy book whereas most pagans do not (and remember that paganism is a huge umbrella term taking in a wide variety of pagan beliefs.) This may well be why we often regard our lives as spiritual quests. It's not naval gazing really, just a different approach.
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- - stmss
  - http://hopechild1.blog.co.uk
  - Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 17:32:49
  Welcome to our group & we're delighted that you could join us.I hope you won't mind me asking but did you find it easy to find a church that matched your spirituality?
  - - deleted user (Visitor)
    - http://www.timwade.wordpress.com
    - Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 18:04:23
    The direct answer to your question is Yes, I did, and still do, have a hard time matching my spirituality with Christian churches associated with mainline denominations. I was born and raised Southern Baptist, but early on realized there was a wide gap between what the Bible taught, and what the preacher preached. Adding to the problem, was my discovery of pastors and Bible teachers who seemed to find answers to many questions not addressed by the Bible. One example is the question of creation. Did God create the universe in 6 literal days? The Bible is silent on this subject, and yet so many churches teach it be Gospel truth. I prefer to say that I do not know and that what the Bible does tell us is that God is the creator pf all things, regardless of how long it took Him or the means He used to do it. My willingness to concede to these things has made it difficult for someone like me to serve as a member of staff at local church. And yes, I am Protestant Minister licensed by a local Baptist church. I hold a degree in Divinity from one school that is ultra conservative and a degree in Religion from another school that is fairly liberal. Both schools now reject me and my interpretation of the Christian faith.
    - - stmss
      - http://hopechild1.blog.co.uk
      - Tuesday, 30. Jun, 2009 @ 10:07:37
      I really feel for you. A person with integrity of belief should be honoured,not vilified.
      
      In the UK it is totally different;the creationists are looked on as being a little "wacky" (sorry, I can't think of a diplomatic way to put it)& ministers openly discuss whether the Bible is metaphor/allegory.
      
      I'm sorry to have asked you a direct question;we English are usually far more polite and respond well ifyou tell us to mind our own business
      - deleted user (Visitor)
        
        http://www.timwade.wordpress.com
        
        Tuesday, 30. Jun, 2009 @ 10:38:12
        
        Not a problem, Mum. Say what you wish. I am thick-skinned Yank who needs not to be handled like a gentle flower. But thank you for your consideration nonetheless.By the way, I love your accent. :-)
        
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- jollyweez
- Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 16:45:04
I am a lone Christian too. I seek Nature, my garden outside for answers and for peace. Nothing else like dear Mother Nature to set us right. I go out and commune in the mornings. In the evenings, we sit outside when it becomes cooler. Around 7:30-8:30 pm, as the sun sinks on it's way to New Zealand, Australia and the Asian countries.
I love the feel and smell of fresh air and the soothing presence of trees and the sounds of their leaves fluttering in the wind. So sad, we have had to lose nine trees thanks to fears held by our neighbours who live beyond the fence in their mansions.
Stumps have been left behind, and yet, leaves are forming from their bare sides. The trees still live, bless them all. A wide expanse of sky is all that's left now, filled with light that hurts the eyes. This winter the Red-tailed hawk will be able to swoop through with no barriers now, and take birds and squirrels who have used our garden as a refuge for years.
The mansions were built three years ago on land that was wild. Deer, jackrabbits, harmless snakes, possums and coons were there in the trees and ground. In the Spring, geese would use it as a lay-by, Monarch butterflies in hordes would hang there for the night. And flocks of red-breasted robins, far larger than our UK robins would come to eat in hordes. Now, we have very few visits from any of our 'friends.'
But - the tranquility is still here and we can still commune with Nature and enjoy our evenings.
- - tylluanpenry
  - Monday, 29. Jun, 2009 @ 17:53:37
  So sorry to hear you had to take the trees down. Where I live the road used to be lined with trees until the local Council chopped them down in case they fell on anyone. But remember that nature, the Green, only needs a tiny window of opportunity to get a foothold. The space and the light will soon fill up and the birds and squirrels will return in safety.
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- UrbanZen
- Wednesday, 01. Jul, 2009 @ 14:29:21
I think Mr Penry has it sussed! I'm believing this more and more as I get older. Just 'being' sometimes is like plugging yourself into a charger - everyone should try it.
- - ChurchwithoutWalls
  - http://churchwithoutwalls.blog.co.uk
  - Thursday, 02. Jul, 2009 @ 09:14:53
  liked your comment about charger all that power sending out love into the universe why don't you join htis group?
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- ChurchwithoutWalls
- http://churchwithoutwalls.blog.co.uk
- Thursday, 02. Jul, 2009 @ 09:12:43
well church is the last place most people go to have a spiritual life thye might go to complain about why someone has moved a bunch of flowers from their spot or moan about kids making a noise!loving thy neighbour isn't big on the agenda at a lot of churches
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- Mumzie
- Tuesday, 07. Jul, 2009 @ 12:55:56
I think there must be a lot of lone Christians out there. I am a confirmed Christian, but have found it difficult to find a church that "suits" my need for worship. I do attend a wee church, but find it a little harsh at times. The people tend to seperate into little clicks or groups, and aren't that welcoming if you just wander up and try and join in.
I go, and open my heart and my ears, and sometimes God's message is clear and other times I come away feeling empty and numb.
But I have hope, and again I go...to show God, I care, I care enough to make the effort to hear his word, even if its just for an hour out of my hectic life. I want him to know I am there to listen too....for him to speak to me...
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