Too much Yang..

The trouble with patriarchal monotheism is that historically it was all yang and no yin. (Or at least very little yin). 

When Pagans worship or celebrate they are aware of and embrace both the masculine (yang) and the feminine (yin). It is all about balance which is brought about by the belief in the equality of both the masculine and the feminine deities..

I think it makes sense that everyone has a masculine and feminine side. A logical, linear side and an intuitive holistic side. Unfortunately due to a couple of thousand years of the belief in one male God and no feminine deity at all, (longer for the Jews), the modern day monotheistic worshipper has lost the ability  to ‘tap into’ their feminine side with as much ease and effectiveness as pagans..

Having said this, I have experienced church services where people have been dancing around worshipping in a trance like state singing those ever popular Hillsongs worship songs, chattering mindlessly in ‘tongues’ ‘falling over in the Spirit’ and really having a good time. It was great escapism from our mundane lives. But very irrational and to me it seemed there was no productiveness. 

In (most) Pagan or Animist cultures, getting into a trancelike state means that you are ‘raising power’ and there is a purpose for this. You do it so you can achieve something. You don’t do it just to have a good time. If you raise power you ‘channel’ it toward something like the fulfilment of a prayer or spell or to empower yourself and/ or others for action.

There is a balance of the deep, intuitive, yin and the external,  purposeful, yang.

A lot will say that the reason they are worshipping with such abandon is because they are ‘getting closer to God’.  And to this I say, fine. Why?

Perhaps this trance like worship style is a yearning to tap into the feminine.  I wonder if, after so many years of the domination of the linear, logical not so feeling style of worship, in this more egalitarian world, the feminine is emerging. However, rather than compliment the rational worship,  it kind of rebels against it with this  more intuitive, holistic style of praise..

I think the key to anything is balance..  In the case of worship I think be uplifted but always with your feet on the ground. Sing freely but always with your mind on your reason. Do everything with both feeling and purpose.

Just a thought!! Blessings!!

My Non Committed Spirit says....

I believe ..at the moment ..that the spiritual world is far too vast and intriguing to limit oneself completely to one particular type of faith. I understand that some do and I think that if your path harms none then it’s all good. Religion is a harness for our spirituality. For some it can be a great way to be connected and guided. For some it’s a bondage, one they would feel uncomfortable being free of.  And for others it's mechanism to drag someone else's egotistical or financial cart. Some wear blinkers as well . Never questioning, never exploring what they believe, never considering a different point of view. Just accepting blindly what somebody tells them. Just leaving their spiritual growth in the hands of a human being who claims to be inspired by a god.

I think that most religions have something to offer…for example; not killing, not stealing, .he who has not sinned cast the first stone, etc ,are wonderful Biblical morals. The Wiccan Creed…’an it harm none do as ye will’ is a great principle to live by.  For me, in everything, I glean what is good, question what is confusing and purge what is bad. Unfortunately, according to some, I will go to hell for indulging in this freedom because I do not accept Jesus; Mohammad, Jehovah god, etc, as the be all and end all of my life and my deathly salvation.

So if anyone reading my little rant thinks this way, please just think about this..

Everything that is read is written by a human, every word that is heard is spoken by a human…so when something read or heard is claimed to be inspired by a god…..that claim is, in fact, made by a human. What does your faith say about humans?

As a human myself, I would never expect anyone to believe everything I write or say. I would never claim that anything I did, said or wrote was inspired by a god because if it was from a god I'm guessing it would  be perfect and no one could argue with it. I welcome an argument or the thoughts of others. I think our spiritual growth depends on interactions communications and experiences with others. If we refuse to explore our spirituality by asking questions and listening and considering the thoughts of others ...how can we grow!

Evolution & Design..why not both?

If I am just an animal why is life so bloody complicated. No other animal stresses like a human. No other animal has to worry about paying bills,  buying school uniforms or getting a job. In fact no other animal needs to wipe it's ass for hygiene or cook it's food for digestion.

I think that this animal, this one called Human is very different from all others. It was designed or evolved for a purpose that is very different to that of any other creature on this earth. What exactly that purpose is I'm not sure and I doubt that I will ever know for sure but it doesn't hurt to explore all possibilities and develop theories.
Science and  Religion , although considered by some as completely opposing, can give us many clues and insights into life and spirituality. Science can answer how things happen but I don't think that it can always answer why. Too many things occur and exist in this world that, as far as I am concerned, science simply cannot explain.  Religion can give us many ideas as to why things happen but as in all man made things, these ideas are very often flawed with personal agendas, ignorance and fantasy.

I think there is a lot of lessons to learn in both the natural (science) and in spirituality (religion). At this stage I believe they are very much connected and not opposing at all.
For example; are we evolved or designed? Why not both?

Theory no 1.  Perhaps some time during our nature induced evolution, something happened. Something not so natural, something that happened to no other creature but the evolving ape like human.
So this leads to the next question...what?...Then the next question.... why?
And, as always, I could be wrong.
Blessed be!

My Quote

Shit is warm!! It's an unhealthy place to live in but for some of us living in shit can be a cozy secure place ! Bronwyn O'Brien 2000