Originally Posted On a Myspace Profile Blog -- October 20th, 2006.
I try to be spiritual. I grew up heavily Christian Influenced and still strive by some of the teachings, I believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ as well as his historical aspects and I look up to him and value his teachings. I also believe in the Holy Spirit but see the Spirit in a feminine aspect.
I am a seeker to paganism - interested in Wicca, the Nordic and Celtic Traditions, the Greek Pantheon, Native American Spirituality/Shamanism.
I am also interested in Gnostic-Christianity and the Jewish Kabbalah. I whole heartedly believe I can merge my christian influenced background and love and admiration for Jesus The Christ with my desire to learn and incorporate paganism into my own spirituality and become a positive, spiritual person and role model and have spiritual peace at last.
*By no means am I an expert as I've just started down this path combining religious ideologies - so take what ever I say with a grain of salt and try >to find out on your own* >
>Well; > >
I'll try to spare you my life story - I grew up in the Christian religion >some things stuck with me and some things didn't. > >
*I know not all Christians are like this but the ones I came in contact >with were* > >
They(we) are supposed to be Christ like - I would see some honestly try to >be but others seemed to pay lip service - I would see them talk a good game >but then they would not walk the walk. they would profess belief in one thing and then turn around and do another.
* I got tired of seeing this hypocrisy day in and day out* > >
I always believed in Christ and strive by his teachings -but I've also >always been naturally open minded and thought that other religions had element of truth to them as well. I always thought that there had to be a feminine aspect of the divine - it just makes sense to me ( I believe there has to be a balance) Just like it takes a man and a woman or a female animal and a male animal to come together to make life - I believe the same for the universe.
> >I was naturally eclectic - Eclecticism is an approach to thought that does >not hold rigidly to a single paradigm or set of assumptions or conclusions, >but instead draws upon multiple theories to gain complementary insights >into phenomena, or applies only certain theories in particular cases. > >
i'm a firm believer that all these religions are somehow connected rather >people will ever admit that or not - I think that all these divine figures >and these gods and teachings were given to certain people, in certain time frames in certain ways that would be understood - but it all was/is for the >greater good of humanity from the "divine energy" which encompasses all - >the everything - but maybe that is just my "relativism" talking. I also, >think that certain religions (Christianity) have altered their texts X number of times to hold authority and to keep their monopoly on religion >and such
( Looking at history has ruined me somewhat hah.) -
though I still >look at these teachings - because i'm an optimist - and i'd like to think >there is some truth to them - and some good can come out of them. but I do not see any of it as 100% literal truth due to the fact that if you look at the historicity you can see corruption in their "scriptures" I believe firmly that no matter what religion or spiritual path you follow that it all boils down to personal perception and your own "Personal truth" as you have come to know it. Of >course that is just my personal opinion/perception and I can not verify >that in any sort of scholarly fashion. > >
I see divinity in nature and consider it scared. I see the divine in this way: Mono-Poly-theisim if you want to find a suitable label for it since we humans have the condition to want to label everything and any thing.
I see divinity simply like this; The Tree Theory: The roots of the tree is the unknowable divine energy you cannot see it but you know that it is there. Then there is the tree trunk which manifests to some people as a God or a Goddess or sometimes both...it manifests to me in the form of a God and Goddess. They are two separate entities but they come from the same source - some people will tend to stop there. But if you go on up the tree to the branches that is each individual pantheon (Greek, Roman, Nordic, Celtic, >Egyptian, ect.) * I believe other religions can fit on there as well - examples: Christianity, the Jewish faith, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, ect.* >and then if you go even farther to each little twig that is each individual god(s) and goddess(s). They are all separate yet they flow into the one divine energy.
So, me personally I see divinity as many Gods and Goddesses ( including Jesus Christ and the Mother Holy Spirit ) but they are just facets of the one divine energy. I do not really know for sure what you would call it..because it is not quite monotheism nor is it exactly polytheism/pantheism but somehow a combination there of.
Polytheism because I see more than one god/goddess but monotheism because I see it all springing from the same universal highest source. I see spirituality as one big communal Change Jar. I think we all deposit and collect money from the same place.
no matter what your religion of choice is I think if you look hard enough you can see a connection with your religion/spiritual path and many, many others. I think there is A LOT OF GREY area in spirituality. that there is simply no wrong way or right way for that matter to do it. It is a beautiful expression of the self and of the spirit.
> >I always see these four parts to the divine - God the father, God the >mother * The Goddess* Jesus/Yeshua the Son and the Lady Holy Spirit.
> >And I see all the other Gods and Goddesses - and divine figures as aspects of the singular divine energy. > >
I've also learned a lot from the Gnostic stuff and reading different books - >One i've been reading has shown me that Christ' own teachings had Occult >undertones but they were hidden or lost ( either purposely or by accident) > >Here is an excerpt: > >From a book by Ted Andrews - I would recommend getting it and reading it >with an open mind, eyes, heart, and soul. > >
"The Occult Christ: Hidden and Mystical Secrets of Christianity" > >
Occult Vs. Orthodox Christianity (The Historical Jesus) Pgs. 54-55 > >
"In order to take the mysteries out of the hands of the privileged and select, the entire life of Jesus and the Christ would have to become an analogy of the Mysteries. All preparations, all events, the ministry itself and every aspect in the life of Jesus Christ parallel an experience of the initiatory process into the Archangelic Mysteries.
Thus what could not be discerned from the actual teachings could be by example. Through Paul comes the interpretation of the ministry and death of Jesus as events which sprang from God. This is reflected in such scriptures as I Corinthians 15:47. It is later supported by Peter in Acts 2:23 and Romans 3:25. Luke and Matthew's account of the birth reflect divine intervention and higher significance then just a mundane event.
The role of Jesus in light of the ressurrection, rooted in the ancient myths of all the dying and rising gods and goddesses, thus has its greatest magic in revealing a process for higher initiation.
In spite of subsequent censoring, the major events in the life of Jesus Christ have carried through. Knowing these major events is all that is necessary for anyone wishing to open to an initiatory experience. There was enacted, through the description of this life and its events, what had previously only been enacted in the Mystery School initiation Rituals. The second half of the book will show you how to use those major events to open to such today.
Where, though, does the occult aspect of Christianity fit into all of this? Unknown to the general Christian community, Christianity is as much occult in philosophy as it was orthodox. Jesus distinguished between the things he could say openly to all and the things which he could only hint at, the things which the few could handle but the many could not. The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven were to be opened to all, but in a manner that would prevent them from being profaned while still accessible without the traditional Mystery School training.
After Jesus' death, there would develop a split in his followers. This resulted in two types of Christians: one of the occult or esoteric practices and one of the more orthodox and moralistic kind. The first involved direct experience and knowledge of the spiritual and natural laws and their practice within life, and the second focused on vicarious atonement and good works. In the struggle between the two, the latter eventually won out, since much greater numbers were versed in it than the hidden aspects. This would ultimately lead to the abolishment of the occult mysteriest of the Christ.
The gulf would widen, but the hidden aspects would never die out. The Orthodox elements continued to employ literal interpretations to the teachings of the Christ, and the more esoteric references were lost to the few who were able to understand and pass them onto others. It is these that embody the true spirit and essence of Christianity. As we grow beyond literal teachings, duty becomes desire, and problems and confusion surrounding the literal dissolve. We find answers to our questions through exploring the hidden aspects of Christianity. The scriptures were not meant to be oracles, but a guide for the individual to discover his or her own answers based upon experience.
Occultism is centered on the experiences of life. It is more than a science. It is a philosophy and sometimes even a religion that attracts seekers who no longer wish to depend on blind faith. A belief is formed out of experiences that results in a devotion to seeking answers and illumination. This allows the individual to share in the work usually assigned to saints and angels as the ministers and messengers of God.*"
*reference: Fortune, Dion. Sane Occultism (Northamptonshire: The Aquarian >Press, 1981), p.11.
Also; I found this story awhile back..and I think that it explains the spirit of the divine exactly..at least its how I personally percieve the Divine and its beautifully stated. > >
~*~PATHWAYS ~*~ > >
Well, it had been yet another bad day in the office, and once again it was >the fault of that new girl, MaryAnne. She is one of those Wiccans, a so >called witch. How can anyone in their right mind make this claim, knowing >that it goes against God and all of the teachings of the bible? She doesn't >even have the common decency to keep her satanic symbol, her pentagram >necklace hidden from the view of the decent, God fearing people in the >office. She has some nerve. > >I find that I cannot hate her for this though, for I know that she has been >deceived. Satan works his evil in ways that she cannot see. I've seen that >so called Wiccan Rede that she has tacked to the wall above her computer. >On the surface, it looks like a decent loving belief, but all one must do >is look, look closely and see that by practicing this way, and not >embracing Jesus Christ as savior she is on the pathway to hell.
As I've said, it was a bad day in the office. > >Three times in the past few weeks I have been called in to see my supervisor, and he has told me that I am not allowed to preach to MaryAnne the word of God, to show her the error of her ways. Today, my supervisor told me that if I continue to "harass" MaryAnne, he will be forced to terminate me. How can he say this? He himself is a God fearing man.And, how can he be so tolerant of the evil that he sees insinuating itself into our workplace?
>As I lay down to sleep last night, I asked the Lord for guidance. "God, grant me a true vision of you, so that I may better lead the faithless onto the righteous path." From nowhere, I heard, "Oh, a true vision of Me is it? Are you sure that you're ready, truly ready to see, my son?" I sat bolt upright in bed, and there, at the foot of my bed, white of hair and beard, in a long, flowing white robe, stood the Lord my God. I made to leap from the bed and fall to my knees in front of Him, but he stopped me with a gesture. "Kneel not before me at this time my son. Instead, rise and walk with Me, so that you may get a glimpse of what I truly am, as you asked of me in your prayer."
He took my hand, and as I looked, my bedroom was no longer there, but a pathway thru the woods. We started to walk, and I was too awestruck for words. We took the path to the left, and we were then inside St. Catherine's Church, in the middle of a service. While still standing beside me, God seemed to expand and fill the whole of the church. I could see smiles of contentment forming on some of the parishioners faces. I felt blessed.
God smiled upon me."The Catholics hold such pretty masses, don't they? I like to stop here in this church, because not only do they speak the words, but they live the life, thru teaching, helping the sick and poor, not only with handouts, but helping them learn to help themselves. Now let us walk on," And we were back on the pathway.
We traveled a bit further along, and then were in the parlor of a funeral home. A young woman was kneeling before the casket, resting her head on it and crying. I could see by the similarity, that this dead man must be her father. God knelt beside her, and drew His arms about her. "Miss him, that is all right, but weep not for him, for now he is with Me". She wiped her eyes, and stood with a sad smile upon her face, and said "Good-bye Daddy. I'll miss you," and turned and left the room.
And we were back on the pathway. We walked a little ways, and we were in front of a large lodge of some kind. I could hear music and laughter spilling out of the windows. I turned to look at God, and was shocked to see, not the flowing white robe, but Him wearing leather and animal furs, his hair and beard now the color of wheat, and a sword strapped across His back. He strode forth, and I saw him approach a figure I had not seen before. As I looked close, I was shocked to see that it was the same face that I had just seen dead, but looking young and strong, and dressed in ancient looking garb, an ax strapped to his waist. God strode up to him and grabbed him in a great bear hug. "Welcome my son. We've been waiting for you. Now, go inside and raise a cup or two, and meet with your brother." And, with a hearty slap on the back, he sent the man inside. And then we were back on the pathway.
We walked a bit further, and then we were in a mosque. At least I believed so, as I had never been in one before, but had seen pictures of them. The group of worshippers was not large, but I could see their rapt faces as they listened to the mullah speak. He was speaking to them of purity, both of the mind and the body, bringing them closer to Allah. And as he spoke, God, dressed now in the robes of the desert, walked among them and briefly laid his hands upon each set of shoulders. And, from their faces, I could see that these men knew that the words of the mullah were true, and that their spirits felt touched by God. And then we were back on the pathway.
>After we had walked a bit, we found ourselves in an African village. People with skin as black as night, the women with their breasts shamefully bared, were dancing in a circle, to the rhythm of the drums being played by a group of men. Somehow though, I was not offended by the bared breasts, and the music seemed to seep into my soul. God was then a mighty lion, and He let forth a mighty roar. The villagers did not seem to hear, but the drums increased their pounding, and the dancers danced with a frenzy. And then we were back on the pathway.
We walked a bit more, and were on the top of a cliff. There sat, painted and covered with feathers, an old Navajo man. As I watched, he seemed to change into the form of an eagle and take flight, and we were flying with him, soaring high into the air, seeing the vista spread out below us.And God, in the form of an eagle Himself, seemed to guide this other eagle thru the air, over mountains and thru valleys, until he came upon a group of men. As I watched, the old Navajo man was no longer an eagle, but a young boy instead, and he sat at the feet of these men, to listen to the words of his elders. And then we were back on the pathway.
We traveled a bit, and then we were in a forest clearing. I knew this place. It was known as a place of devil worship and evil. In the center of the clearing roared a great bonfire, and tiki torches outlined a circle of sorts. Inside this circle, in a circle themselves, stood 7 men and 6 women, dressed in robes of varying colors, their arms raised to the moon. Was that one woman MaryAnne? I really couldn't be sure.
And God walked among them in the circle, touching each one. He seemed not to be an older man now, but as he made each of three turns around the circle, he was first a young girl, bouncing with energy, then a woman of middle years, with a tender smile for all Her children, and finally, an old woman, body bent, but holding Her head up with pride. And a woman stepped forward, and yes, it was MaryAnne, and lifted her head to the sky. "Great Goddess, Mother of us all, thank you for joining us tonight. Stay if You will, go if You must. Know in our hearts You will always be welcome. Blessed be!!" And we were back on the pathway.
As we walked along, ahead in the distance I saw the most beautiful man. Yes, beautiful, though I would never normally think of a man this way. With blonde hair, and a golden robe, he seemed to radiate sunshine. God and this golden man nodded to each other as they passed, sharing a smile together. "My Lord" I asked, "was that an angel?" "Well, yes, he is known as that to some. He is also known to some as a god himself. That was Lucifer" And His words caused me to stumble. I couldn't believe that we had just passed the ultimate evil. God looked at me, and He knew my mind. And he chuckled a bit. "Think about it logically My son. The Lucifer that you know is a fallen angel, cast out of heaven for challenging Me. If I am the all powerful being, above all others, how could he do this? How could I allow it?" "But, in the bible...." I stammered. "The Bible is a wonderful book, as are the Koran and the Torah and many others, but they are just books, written by the hand of man, not written by Me. And, it's a bit confusing as well if the truth be known, but that's not up to Me to fix. These books are wonderful, but only as guidance, for each man and woman must think for themselves." And, I believed He was right in this. "Now, come forth, we must journey a little more before you go back" and He took my hand once again.
As we followed the pathway, we soared thru the stars, listening to the music of the heavens, we became a little flower and a mighty oak, we became a babbling brook, and a mighty ocean. We flitted from flower to flower as a little honey bee, and ran across the plains as a mighty stallion. And, all too soon the pathway returned us to my home. God held my hand a moment longer, and smiled into my face. "My son, you prayed tonight for a true vision of Me. For vision, you must only open your eyes and see what there is to see. Good night to you". And then He was gone, and I was back in my bed. A dream I thought, only a dream, that couldn't have been real. At that time, a bolt of lightning lit up my room thru the window, and thunder crashed thru the sky, and I thought I heard, from seemingly far away, "Remember, the Lord works in mysterious ways My son".
This morning as I entered the office, I went to the machine for a cup of coffee, and standing there, I spied MaryAnne. As I approached her, I could see her barely cringe, and I could see in her face that she was expecting yet another onslaught from me and my book. She seemed to cast her eyes about for a way to escape, but there was none. I walked up to her and smiled. "I think I owe you a bit of an apology" I said. "I've been a bit narrow minded of late, and I really had no right to subject you to what I did. It's not up to me to say how you find your path to your spirit, and I was wrong to think that was so," MaryAnne just stood there, not knowing what to say. "So, I just wanted to say that I'm so sorry, and I hope you will forgive my trespass. God bless you MaryAnne, and...uh.... Blessed Be?"
May those with whom we share ourselves be open and understanding, that they may be shown what spirituality is to them......and how it may not be as different as they think......
Credited Author: Galadryael StarFyre
Unfortunately- I do not have all the answers myself....I don't think anyone does as a matter of fact -- the only absolutes in this world and life are that we are born, we live for an undetermined amount of time, and then we die. I am trying to shape my path and find the "Truth" for myself as well...however I am learning that "truth" is only what you are able to perceive and feel to be real...
A Traditionalist Wiccan...an Solitary-Eclectic Wiccan...a Buddist...a Muslim...a Liberal Christian..a >Fundamentalist Christian...who is right??...well they ALL are right in their own respects.
Be Blessed!
-Paul
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