posted March 15, 2012 07:16 AM            

1) How do you currently define yourself spiritually? Is that definition set in stone, or fairly fluid?

2) Where are you at in your journey? Have you chosen a faith? How deep are you into it? Where you would you like to go spiritually?

3) How did you choose your current spiritual path, if you have chosen one? If you've chosen to leave a spiritual path, what influenced that decision?

4) Briefly, what's the most important thing for you when it comes to spirituality? As in, what is its purpose to you/for you?

5) How do you honestly feel about different spiritual paths/other religions? What is your favorite religion that's outside of your own (and outside of your 'umbrella': e.g., if you're Christian, not just another denomination, but an entirely different religion)?

posted March 15, 2012 07:38 AM            

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Originally posted by RegardesPlatero:
Just some things that I was thinking about, to generate discussion here.

1) How do you currently define yourself spiritually? Is that definition set in stone, or fairly fluid?

2) Where are you at in your journey? Have you chosen a faith? How deep are you into it? Where you would you like to go spiritually?

3) How did you choose your current spiritual path, if you have chosen one? If you've chosen to leave a spiritual path, what influenced that decision?

4) Briefly, what's the most important thing for you when it comes to spirituality? As in, what is its purpose to you/for you?

5) How do you honestly feel about different spiritual paths/other religions? What is your favorite religion that's outside of your own (and outside of your 'umbrella': e.g., if you're Christian, not just another denomination, but an entirely different religion)?

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posted March 29, 2012 09:33 AM            

2. Far long. No, N/A, even further.

3. Fell into it.

4. The Golden Rule sums it up.

5. I respect all.

quote:

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Originally posted by RegardesPlatero:
Just some things that I was thinking about, to generate discussion here.

1) How do you currently define yourself spiritually? Is that definition set in stone, or fairly fluid?

2) Where are you at in your journey? Have you chosen a faith? How deep are you into it? Where you would you like to go spiritually?

3) How did you choose your current spiritual path, if you have chosen one? If you've chosen to leave a spiritual path, what influenced that decision?

4) Briefly, what's the most important thing for you when it comes to spirituality? As in, what is its purpose to you/for you?

5) How do you honestly feel about different spiritual paths/other religions? What is your favorite religion that's outside of your own (and outside of your 'umbrella': e.g., if you're Christian, not just another denomination, but an entirely different religion)?

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posted March 29, 2012 11:31 AM            

Great questions here, Platero, thank you.

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Originally posted by RegardesPlatero:
Just some things that I was thinking about, to generate discussion here.

1) How do you currently define yourself spiritually? Is that definition set in stone, or fairly fluid?

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I have no definition except that I am interested in spirituality.

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2) Where are you at in your journey? Have you chosen a faith? How deep are you into it? Where you would you like to go spiritually?

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I was raised a strict Catholic, realized that I cannot be Catholic when I was about 12 and refused to get confirmed, defying my parents and incurring the disapproval of my huge, extended family.

I was agnostic for years, but in college I met an intriguing, radically orthodox, brilliant Christian and joined her church group, if only out of curiosity. I think there is a lot of understated beauty in fundamentalism. However, I ultimately came to the conclusion that:

1) I cannot adhere to a religion that regards astrology as demonic witchcraft.

2) I cannot in good conscience hold to a religion that tries to force anything on anyone.

3) I do not believe people will go to hell for not believing in Jesus. I have big issues with "hell."

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3) How did you choose your current spiritual path, if you have chosen one? If you've chosen to leave a spiritual path, what influenced that decision?

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I find books at the thrift store and read them. If I like the authors, I look them up on youtube. This is how I became familiar with Eckhart Tolle, Dane Rudhyar, and some other luminaries whose words I embrace.

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4) Briefly, what's the most important thing for you when it comes to spirituality? As in, what is its purpose to you/for you?

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Love is most important. Also I think there is so much more to life than what people commonly think about, but misplaced skepticism inhibits our culture's collective growth in these areas.

Miracles are very important to me.

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5) How do you honestly feel about different spiritual paths/other religions? What is your favorite religion that's outside of your own (and outside of your 'umbrella': e.g., if you're Christian, not just another denomination, but an entirely different religion)?

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Interesting question. I guess I like whatever religions inspire acceptance and kindness. I actually love the Amish and Mennonites because they are humble and take strangers as they are.

Jews fascinate me. People who live in more primal conditions and adhere to ancient rituals also express a lot of beauty. For instance, some of the sacred dances of the Hindus in India...are very aesthetic. I also enjoy some of the Hindu tenets especially when they tie over to Ayurvedic medicine.

Some Native Americans' beliefs reflect a profound wisdom that I have reverence for.

Basically, I just rejoice in wisdom, kindness and beauty, wherever I find it.

posted March 29, 2012 03:26 PM              

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1) How do you currently define yourself spiritually? Is that definition set in stone, or fairly fluid?

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Well considering I'm a free spirit and I don't think within the walls of conformity and consider myself a staunch crusader for freedom of thought and action, I'd define myself loosely as an Agnostic. I'm incredibly spiritual but in a mystical sense and I understand that nothing can be proven or measured spiritually outside of our own individual subjective perceptions. Therefore I fully support every individual believing whatever they choose to believe. The idea of agnosticism is flexibility or fluidity therefore by nature my beliefs aren't set in stone. Again the whole idea of agnosticism is uncertainty.

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2) Where are you at in your journey? Have you chosen a faith? How deep are you into it? Where you would you like to go spiritually?

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I'm at a stage of reflection and contemplation in my journey. Each living experience is just another avenue for reflection and illumination. I'm very deep into my spiritual journey, I might even say I'm not to far from the end. Even though there's still inner work to be done and miles to go. Personally I'd like to just continue to move in the direction that I'm moving as far as my evolution goes. Continuing to stay centered and connected.

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3) How did you choose your current spiritual path, if you have chosen one? If you've chosen to leave a spiritual path, what influenced that decision?

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My chosen spiritual path was designated for me, I didn't choose it, it's apart of who I am. Being an Agnostic is a loose way to describe my thoughts and beliefs however it's not something I chose, it's something I am. I don't practice agnosticism, I just live each day as it comes, skeptical and curious and at the same time searching and discovering. However if I need to define my beliefs I find agnosticism aptly encompasses them.

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4) Briefly, what's the most important thing for you when it comes to spirituality? As in, what is its purpose to you/for you?

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Spirituality has no specific purpose for me, it's just apart of my life. I live it in the way that I breathe and speak, and eat. I don't practice anything in regards to my spirituality, I live it and experience it. Living in itself is the most important thing to me. Spirituality isn't distinct in my perception it's apart of how I live. It's living.

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5) How do you honestly feel about different spiritual paths/other religions? What is your favorite religion that's outside of your own (and outside of your 'umbrella': e.g., if you're Christian, not just another denomination, but an entirely different religion)?

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I honestly don't have an opinion about the content of other religions or spiritual designations. I want people to believe what they choose and do what they please therefore as long as it's their choice to practice a certain religion or belief I support their right to do that. To be honest I don't have a favorite religion or spiritual designation outside of my own. Mind you I don't even consider being a agnostic a specific spiritual or religious belief, it just aptly describes my intrinsic fluid beliefs. I'm incredibly critical however of those who blindly follow certain beliefs systems, even though I support anyone's right to believe in those things if they choose. I just think regardless of your religion or your belief systems you have to have a healthy does of skepticism. Therefore I unfortunately don't have a favorite. I've got major issues with blind faith, but I won't get into that on this thread.

posted March 31, 2012 04:23 PM            

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Originally posted by Randall:
Very well-said, Platero!

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posted June 19, 2012 10:34 PM            

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
Here's a vid I can relate to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D05ej8u-gU

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posted June 21, 2012 03:39 AM            

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Originally posted by RegardesPlatero:
1) How do you currently define yourself spiritually? Is that definition set in stone, or fairly fluid?

HAha after pondering this question, it dawns on me that my path has focused a lot on dissolving anything in my spiritual life which could be defined. I guess "I am experiencing" is the best way to define myself spiritually. This definition is nowhere near static.

2) Where are you at in your journey? Have you chosen a faith? How deep are you into it? Where you would you like to go spiritually?

I was born into a faith and raised to believe spirituality was the #1 most important thing to seek in life. I'm not sure where I am on my journey, because the only reference points I have are where I came from and where I am now. I feel in some way each faith has something to bring to the table, so I say part of me is every faith. I suppose I would like to learn how to not go anywhere, to be fully immersed in participating in the present.

3) How did you choose your current spiritual path, if you have chosen one? If you've chosen to leave a spiritual path, what influenced that decision?

My parents experienced a series of miscarriages and went to their pastor for counseling. He told them if they dedicated their next child's life to God, God would give them a child. So they prayed and I was born about 9 months later. I was raised with the preparation and hope that I would one day be an evangelist, but my parents divorced and the pretty bubble I was raised in shattered. My parents both withdrew from me and I was left to raise myself. I maintained a desire to figure out spirituality, but also understood that what we are taught in church is not always practical when applied to real life.

I studied ancient Hebrew and the original scriptures to deepen my understanding of my spiritual roots, I participated in bible classes at Columbia University when they added the E-courses to their curriculum. I taught myself astrology, tarot, studied various forms of magik and pagan ritual, attended more than 6 years of professional and apprenticeship study in alternative medicine. I maintained a healing and reading practice for about 10 years. And I regularly consumed unheard of amounts of hallucinatory drugs with a schizophrenic friend, as training for psychic protection and traveling the various realms. I eventually reached the end of it all by eating the most acid I (or anyone I knew) had ever consumed, then proceeded to go on a very bad trip. At the end of the trip I laid down with the intention to die and did just that. After experiencing death I decided I wasn't done in this life and came back.

I stopped using drugs, because there we nothing more to learn. Even if I just smoked a tiny bit of weed, my crown chakra would blast wide open, my root chakra would begin to detach, and I would spend the next several hours trying to keep my consciousness from leaving my body, returning to the place I went when I died. I ended my practice, because I felt it was bolstering my spiritual ego/persona and keeping me from interacting with other on a human level. I got a corporate job, and vowed to work at just being a "regular" person and experiencing life in a "regular" way. That destroyed my mental, emotional, and physical health, but taught me to understand people and life on a human level. After abusing my self as a corporate ascetic, I retreated to a Buddhist monastery with the possible intent of becoming a monk. My experience at the monastery is not describable, but I found a lot of liberation in the practice, including the understanding that I don't have to grow up to be an evangelist for any religion.

I have a passion for Christianity and the message it teaches, and ultimately what I strive for is summarized in Philippians 2:3-5 - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus", but I have researched too much of the bible to be able to participate in Christianity as a religion. The same goes for any religion in my opinion. Worship without discerning research and exploration is like reading the cliff notes of a book and deciding you have read the actual book.

I feel waking up each morning and making an effort to address each matter as it arises with receptivity, understanding, and compassion is a difficult and rewarding enough faith for the moment. =)

4) Briefly, what's the most important thing for you when it comes to spirituality? As in, what is its purpose to you/for you?

Equanimity. I think being able to interact with life without the filter of judgement is a major gift. Without equanimity, compassion is just a welcome visitor.

5) How do you honestly feel about different spiritual paths/other religions? What is your favorite religion that's outside of your own (and outside of your 'umbrella': e.g., if you're Christian, not just another denomination, but an entirely different religion)?

My honest feelings about religion is that they are a unique part of human evolution. I feel religion has the opportunity to dissolve and its materials can be built into something greater. Today's religion still carries with it the scent of our primitive nature. There is too much competition and exclusion bred from religion, while their core principals teach the simplicity of cooperation and inclusion. I believe humans need to stop investing energy in "us-or-them" and "or-else" philosophies which make demands of their followers against those who do not follow while holding their mortal souls ransom. We need to invest in philosophies which empower people and teach appreciation of diversity. Nothing in this world is an exact copy of anything else, individuality and diversity are two of God's signatures.

If I could choose a favorite religion I guess I would have to pick Shamanic/Animistic religions. There is something beautiful about perceiving everything as living and medicine, in my view.

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posted June 22, 2012 03:59 PM            

I hope you and PixieJane strike up a conversation sometime...or, if you already have, I hope I find it...because you've both had similar, dark experiences and are both brilliant and intact, coming out on the other side.