This
is What
Spirituality
is
to me.
Much
of my spirituality has little to do with religion.
I
discovered many years ago that there is a very big
difference
between the two.
The
closest I come to religion in my beliefs is to the pagans,
I
believe that there is a God/Goddess that cares for me, that is
tied
in with caring for the Earth.The Australian Aboriginal concept
of
'The Dreaming' also holds a lot of meaning for me. This is that
you
can learn from the things around you about what is, what was,
and
what will be.There are many stories of The Dreaming, but
you
can also simply watch your world yourself and take the lessons
it
gives. I also believe that there are many things in life that
I
can care for that add to my spiritual wellbeing, such as the
environment,
animals, other people, and my own body and mental
health.
As far as other religions go, I have a lot of respect for the
Baha'i
Faith, who believe in equality for all and maintaining world
peace.
These are most certainly priorities for me as well.
The
major problem I have with organised religions is that they
mostly
have built in to them that women have low status.
I
do not accept that.
I
feel that the most spiritual, intuitive part of me, the part with
the
most depth and strength, is my femininity.
I
also have problems with religions being a construct of other
people.
The way that religions are structured usually means that
there
are leaders that the other participants are expected to obey
or
follow. I feel that spirituality is an intensely personal matter
and
that no person has the right to tell another what they
should,
or should not, believe.
So,
if I have said what spiritualty is NOT, perhaps I had better
say
what it IS to me!
The
things in life that make people feel good, like beautiful
scenery;
the love of others; the stranger who cares for you and
smiles;
the feeling you get when you look at a newborn baby;
the
intense pleasure of doing something you know to be right, even
though
it is very difficult to do; the warmth of home; the
nurturing
of, and respect for, the human body and mind, all living
things
and the world we live in; a love of the people who make
up
my ancestry and respect for the people who acted out the great
events
in the history of the world. These things are spiritual.
So
too is the ability to laugh, to see the world through the
eyes
of a child, to feel safe, and to know that you are a
wonderful,
essential, unique part of the World.
I
also believe that there is a Power greater than myself that
loves
and nurtures me, cares about my life, and sees that I am
always
O.K. I talk to this Power as a friend.
My
deepest instincts tell me that this Power is responsible
for
the good things in life but does not have power over
death.
I cannot comprehend the concept that a Higher Power
would
punish the innocent or cause them pain and suffering or take
them
from those they love. It seems more likely to me that this
concept
was designed by religious leaders to keep others in line.
The
fear of punishment has always been one of the great tools
used
by religions to control people. I have no desire to be
controlled!
I
believe that my destiny is to be happy, joyous and free.
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