I’ve always been what I refer to as a seeker: always looking for answers to substantiate what I feel in my heart. I’ve learned how questioning what you read and hear can enhance the power of faith rather than undermining it as some stricter paths would decree. What follows is a brief description of the influences that have formed my faith in the divine and the good in humankind.
I was raised by devoutly Catholic parents in a fairly typical family. I attended parochial school through fifth grade and continued catechism through ninth grade. I attended mass weekly with my family and I received the sacraments of baptism, first communion, and confirmation.
As many young adults do, I began to question some of the dogma and practices of the faith in which I was raised during high school and college. I was exposed to Jewish and Methodist traditions through friends and read about Eastern practices such as Taoism and Buddhism. I also read about Wicca and Druidry and practiced folkcraft. In my quest for answers, I began using tarot cards, pendulums and hypnosis to receive direction from my subconscious mind and requested help from positive outside influences.
During college, I continued my education in various spiritual practices both formally and informally. I took courses comparing Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish beliefs and practices, and also in Native American beliefs and culture. I read sections from the Bhagavad Gita, the Koran, and the Bible. I also continued to read texts on Taoist and Buddhist thought. My friends and I would discuss the different aspects of these various practices and debate their differences and similarities.
Since that time, I have continued to study different cultures and their beliefs. I've researched early Christianity and how Catholicism has changed from its early roots and beliefs to those endorsed today. I've begun studying the texts unearthed at Nag Hammadi and referred to as the Gnostic gospels and apocrypha. I continue to study shamanism and Buddhist philosophy. I have also read channeled lessons from teachers beyond this plane of existence. I have listened to my heart and my gut to determine what truth is for me.
My spiritual beliefs have been influenced by my exposure to a wide variety of practices and beliefs, as well as through the healing techniques I've been taught. In my quest to heal and be healed, I have been formally trained as a massage therapist. In addition, I have studied and received my Reiki Mastership in the Usui method of healing. I meditate regularly and practice yoga to help balance and align my emotional, mental, and physical self. My healing training has familiarized me with energetic and physical bodies.
After reading the above, you may think I’m a learned, wizened old lady with answers to many of the questions life presents us – Definitely not! I continue to learn so much from those around me and my continuing journey. I still struggle with my feelings and knee-jerk reactions and still groan many times before doing my yoga or meditation! I’m like you. Some of the things I have learned, though, are presented below.
I believe that:·
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We are physically, mentally, and emotionally interwoven with each other and the world we live in: all is one.
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As human beings we experience the duality of aloneness in our bodies and unity in our divine connection.
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We on Earth are not alone.
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We are connected through universal consciousness.
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We can evolve through self reflection, truly listening to our body, mind and soul when it/we try to communicate with ourselves through symbol, metaphor, and physical/emotional/mental feelings.
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Expressing gratitude, putting aside anger and worry, honoring our teachers (i.e., everyone!), meditating each day, giving full attention to our endeavors, speaking kindly to ourselves and others, and honoring ourselves and each other by looking beyond the surface will lead to living a satisfying life.
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Mother earth is a macrocosmic reflection of our own bodies, and by paying attention to and honoring her we can help heal ourselves.
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We are continually evolving in each life until we become fully enlightened to our divinity and become truly one with God.
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We are all divine, that it's only a matter of recognizing it and putting aside our own ego.
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Our animal friends have consciousness and soul and are also evolving.
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Our differences arise from our infatuation with ego.
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Once we rise above our survival needs we can focus on our souls.
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We are all equal on our road to enlightenment; being "ahead" of another person is a matter of perspective.
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Our life is a learning experience in which we have made pre-birth agreements to challenge ourselves (or not) during that time.
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Truth is a matter of perspective, and more than one truth can co-exist.
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Many paths to enlightenment exist - we are ultimately all headed in the same direction.
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Evil and negative energies exist, but are not the same thing.
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Evil can be transformed into Love; negative can be transformed into positive.
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Our fear can confuse our senses and we can react instead of learning or seeing the experience for what it is.
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We can heal the world, each other, and ourselves through our intent and our ability to connect through universal consciousness.
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In healing ourselves, we heal the world; when our vibration resonates higher and stronger, the world's vibration adjusts to a higher, stronger vibration too.
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Asking for help when it is needed is one of the best ways to interconnect with the world, both spiritual as well as physical.
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Spiritual help is available upon request; ascended masters, angels, etc. can help only if called upon.
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When people gather together with similar intent and through love, sacraments and miracles happen.
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Of course, the list above is abridged because life is a learning experience and I will continue to grow and discover new ideas and refine old ones! I hope that as I grow I can share my experiences with others as they share theirs with me.
