I wasn't practicing my religion in an aware and authentic way. My life and ways were clogged with all kinds of unexamined practices, rituals and ideas that weren't really mine. I was living in a default setting- not really thinking for myself and actively choosing my beliefs and practices.
I only sought the Right Answer, I wasn't quiet and still and honest enough to hear my own authentic answer- to discover what it is that I actually think about something.
In a way, I was like the older daughters of King Lear- not wanting to give the wrong answer, not wanting to appear disloyal, and so gave an answer that didn't make any sense and was also not a True answer, from my True Self.
The youngest daughter, Cordelia, gave a real, honest answer- and she questioned her sisters' integrity- how could they say they loved the King "wholeheartedly" when they were married? Didn't they love their husbands?
Cordelia's answer was grounded in both Love and Common Sense. It wasn't the right answer- or the safest- but it was true. And brave.
I must start taking responsibility for my beliefs- clearing out the unexamined practices and taking a good hard look at them. Then, actively choosing or discarding them.
I would rather have a chosen, wrong belief and act authentically on it, than to have a soul that's stuffed to the rafters with "right" beliefs that I don't really agree with, own, or act on.
I don't want to have any beliefs that I'm ashamed of.
Showing posts with label a disconnecting religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a disconnecting religion. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Spiritual Avatars
Over-involvement in the Church World can disconnect people from their real lives. They can be successful "spiritual" people, but losers in their real life.
Can sing the songs passionately, attend all the meetings, speak and teach from the Bible, become a respected member of this spiritual community, achieve things there, grow, progress- but in their real life, could be at a stand still. Achieving nothing, in a total rut, having no control over the events in their life, and making no progress in obvious problems.
But their spiritual religion enables them to find satisfaction, when they should be facing up to their real responsibilities and challenges in their life.
So many Christians are unhealthy, unhappy, unproductive, stuck in a rut, their children have huge problems, they have huge problems (ex. in finances, or relationships, or self esteem), but these people are even leaders in the church. We're supposed to view them as spiritual teachers??
This is Dishonest.
Can sing the songs passionately, attend all the meetings, speak and teach from the Bible, become a respected member of this spiritual community, achieve things there, grow, progress- but in their real life, could be at a stand still. Achieving nothing, in a total rut, having no control over the events in their life, and making no progress in obvious problems.
But their spiritual religion enables them to find satisfaction, when they should be facing up to their real responsibilities and challenges in their life.
So many Christians are unhealthy, unhappy, unproductive, stuck in a rut, their children have huge problems, they have huge problems (ex. in finances, or relationships, or self esteem), but these people are even leaders in the church. We're supposed to view them as spiritual teachers??
This is Dishonest.
A Different Kind of Relationship
was usually given goals in church that were very cerebral, intangible and unmeasurable ie "know God" or "be totally devoted to God" -- so I would pursue these goals through study and prayer, but there were no real markers to chart my progress in "achieving" these goals
all of this went on in the pursuit or working out of a "relationship" with God; pursuing intangible, unmeasurable goals through given, invented church activities that had nothing to do with my real life/responsibilities/obligations/opportunities)
Instead, how about devoted to God = be an excellent mother, because that's what's happening in your real life
my faith/passion was directed into a quasi-world of given church activities (evangelize, read Bible everyday, prophesy, study, take notes, grasp new "important" spiritual concepts, prayer/pursuing God, hearing from God)
instead, my faith could be directed into living my real life wellInstead of a "Relationship With God" meaning all of these personal exchanges with God (personal growth in understanding God, hearing from God, talking to God, having emotional, sensational experiences of God, wanting to "know" God more, becoming more passionate/committed to God, etc. - see previous post)
--- instead of a Relationship With God meaning all these intangible, unmeasurable "exchanges" with God, this inner conversation
---what if a Relationship With God just meant: Doing The Right Thing In Your Real Life
I like that idea. So the "stuff" of that relationship is not "spiritual" and in my head, it is concrete actions, carried out in the real world
Like volunteering in my community. Treating my husband well, even when I've had a bad day. Bending my focus, creativity and talents towards being a superb mother to my children. Having my lonely neighbor over for a cup of tea. Sewing up some cloth diapers and sending them to that orphanage in Haiti.
This could be the substance of my Relationship With God: real actions, carried out in the real world. This could be my spiritual act of worship, not all the inner dialogues, spiritual "goals" and feelings of commitment, not emotional singing of songs, or vigorous note taking of preacher's sermons.
Then, there would be real events when I want to tell the story of my faith.
Then, my faith would have some currency in the real world.
all of this went on in the pursuit or working out of a "relationship" with God; pursuing intangible, unmeasurable goals through given, invented church activities that had nothing to do with my real life/responsibilities/obligations/opportunities)
Instead, how about devoted to God = be an excellent mother, because that's what's happening in your real life
my faith/passion was directed into a quasi-world of given church activities (evangelize, read Bible everyday, prophesy, study, take notes, grasp new "important" spiritual concepts, prayer/pursuing God, hearing from God)
instead, my faith could be directed into living my real life wellInstead of a "Relationship With God" meaning all of these personal exchanges with God (personal growth in understanding God, hearing from God, talking to God, having emotional, sensational experiences of God, wanting to "know" God more, becoming more passionate/committed to God, etc. - see previous post)
--- instead of a Relationship With God meaning all these intangible, unmeasurable "exchanges" with God, this inner conversation
---what if a Relationship With God just meant: Doing The Right Thing In Your Real Life
I like that idea. So the "stuff" of that relationship is not "spiritual" and in my head, it is concrete actions, carried out in the real world
Like volunteering in my community. Treating my husband well, even when I've had a bad day. Bending my focus, creativity and talents towards being a superb mother to my children. Having my lonely neighbor over for a cup of tea. Sewing up some cloth diapers and sending them to that orphanage in Haiti.
This could be the substance of my Relationship With God: real actions, carried out in the real world. This could be my spiritual act of worship, not all the inner dialogues, spiritual "goals" and feelings of commitment, not emotional singing of songs, or vigorous note taking of preacher's sermons.
Then, there would be real events when I want to tell the story of my faith.
Then, my faith would have some currency in the real world.
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