Re: Different Mountains, Same Sky TopazOwl Wed Jan 3 15:30:24 2001 Beirdd wrote,*br*: DIFFERENT MOUNTAINS, SAME SKY*br*: Reflections on the Spiritual Search*p* First, I must say that I found this article very well-written, as usual, and the thoughts within expressed in the unique Beirdd fashion that is so entertaining and yet so appropriate to the subject at hand.*p*: I tried my best to direct my talents in every possible *br*: direction. An avid reader, I had a great appreciation for *br*: what book could teach. *p* Helpfully pointing out the typo above in case you intend to submit this anywhere (which I hope you do). This is paragraph 4, line 2. Is it "...what a book..." or "...what books..."? Either way, you either forgot the "a" or the "s". ;-)*p*: If you're *br*: bothering to pick up a shovel and go on a search, then you *br*: may as well dig like you mean it!*p* Amen!*p*: They were always surprised at the facets *br*: of Catholicism which I introduced to them, having never *br*: realized that there is a Catholic spiritual tradition that *br*: goes beyond what most Catholics learn in terms meant, not *br*: for adults, but for young children in religious education *br*: classes. *p* I find it refreshing that you include this here. It is so true that many "reformed Catholics" have no further in-depth knowledge of their inherited (could we go so far as to say traditional?) religion than the simple teachings they learned as children. In my own search, I discovered through exploration of other paths that there was a great deal more to the religion I was raised in than I ever knew. Somehow I have come full circle, but with greater understanding. Perhaps it is a spiral rather than a circle, and the more one learns, the higher one climbs up the spiral. You never leave the space, but find yourself on a higher (deeper?) rung of that spiral.*br* *br* That is not to say that I am Catholic again, because I'm not. My spiritual journey has taken me to new places. But it is my understanding of Catholicism that has grown, even as I moved away from it, and with that understanding came acceptance. That is what is important in my own journey of spirit -- finding full acceptance that those beliefs are what shaped me. I have not (unlike many other Pagan folk) turned my back on them or become hateful and bitter toward the religion I was raised in, because I recognize that it was my foundation in many ways.*p*: For any faith, religion, church, or spiritual tradition, the *br*: greatest danger is the failure to be properly understood.*p* What an excellent point!*p*: This understanding of religion also shows that it is not all *br*: that different from spirituality. People in love with each *br*: other naturally share the most personal and intimate of *br*: relationships. While that love allows for an acceptance of a *br*: wide variety of behaviors on the part of the individuals *br*: sharing it, it also sets bounds on that behavior. Often, *br*: these bounds are also expressed or reflected in the laws of *br*: the society in which the couple live. If we can call the *br*: ineffable, indefinable love the spirituality of the *br*: relationship, then the bonds of love are its religion. Who *br*: among us would distinguish between love and its *br*: requirements? Then what can we really say about the *br*: difference between religion and spirituality?*p* This is a great analogy.*p**br*: There is no such thing as a "feel good" religion *br*: or spirituality in which the good feeling comes from a lack *br*: of requirements.*p* Indeed!*p*: The spiritual dilettante meets a tradition the way a *br*: campaigning politician meets an individual in a crowd: she *br*: shakes hands and hopes for a vote. Ever since college, when *br*: I actually had a proto-politician as a friend, I found *br*: myself to be ever more aggravated by his handshake. There *br*: was too much vacuity in it, despite the fact that I knew *br*: this young man actually did care for everyone he met. I once *br*: told him so directly: "John, don't shake my hand unless *br*: you really mean it. Don't pull this politician stuff with *br*: me." He looked serious for a moment, and then grew his *br*: best campaigner's smile. He patted me on the back and said, *br*: "You're such a buster...that's what I like about *br*: you!" From that point on, I never got a handshake from *br*: him, always the politician's back slap. And that's what we *br*: give to religious traditions when we enthusiastically touch *br*: them and look past them, with half a heart hoping to take *br*: something ineffable away with us.*p* The same goes for hugs, I guess. I dislike it when people hug without feeling, simply because it is expected. I find that a lot in the NeoPagan world, where everyone is just expected to hug everyone else. I mean, do it if you mean it, but spare me if you don't. I'm an empath, remember? ;-)*p* More grammatical help: In this last line, I think it would read better if you said "half-heartedly." I find "with half a heart" awkward.*p*: Westerners, particularly Americans, have grown to love *br*: dabbling in the spiritual practices of "the *br*: ancestors," whether these are their own forebears or *br*: not. They are Shamans who never walked the steppes, Druids *br*: who never had Gaelic touch their lips, Hindus who never went *br*: without bug spray or a burger. They go in numbers to Native *br*: American gatherings where they are tolerated for their *br*: wallets and despised for their audacity. And if heaven asks *br*: too much, they need not fear: the internet has become the *br*: home of their eclectic and unburdened souls. How must the *br*: "ancestors" feel to have what was most precious to *br*: them treated with such nonchalance cloaked behind acting *br*: eyes?*p* Wow, you know this is my pet peeve. :-)*p*: You can't mix mountains without tearing them down, and when *br*: you do you have nothing but a pile. *p* Another excellent point.*p*: What if you are on your spiritual search? What if you aren't *br*: sure where to be planted? Are you that dilettante, picking *br*: and choosing, doing nothing well? You don't have to be. *br*: "To those who give much, much will be given." Give *br*: much. Dig deep. Show respect, above all. Sometimes we meet *br*: families that we wish were ours. Blood and DNA prevent that *br*: from ever happening in the deepest ways. But a spiritual *br*: tradition offers adoption that is complete and comprehensive *br*: down to the soul, if that is what you need and want, and if *br*: that is what you are willing to give. It might be the church *br*: of your parents to which you return as an adult child who *br*: really understands. It might be a completely new place. *br*: Don't just scratch surfaces. Dig until you're sure it's *br*: right or it isn't. If it isn't, respectfully withdraw and *br*: look elsewhere. H.L. Mencken once said, "We must *br*: respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense *br*: and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife *br*: is beautiful and his children smart." If it is the *br*: right one, then is the time to rejoice and share that good *br*: news of your beautiful new family that tells you every *br*: moment in the light of the sun and moon, "Welcome *br*: home!"*p* Wonderful conclusion.*p* Thanks for sharing this with us.*p*Leigh Different Mountains, Same Sky Beirdd 211 Tue Jan 2 21:34:32 2001