For decades I was conditioned to believe that to engage a mature
spiritual life I needed to "pick one tradition and go deep," which
implied that my attraction to the teachings and practices at the
heart of all religions was superficial and indolent. Also, that the
path of non-dualism - with its affirmation of undifferentiated
consciousness - was superior to my devotional disposition. Also,
that my experience of longing for God was an illusion - some
kind of unconscious blend of unresolved childhood abandonment
and magical thinking. In other words, the energy that fueled my
journey was predicated on a perfect storm of delusional inclinations.
spiritual life I needed to "pick one tradition and go deep," which
implied that my attraction to the teachings and practices at the
heart of all religions was superficial and indolent. Also, that the
path of non-dualism - with its affirmation of undifferentiated
consciousness - was superior to my devotional disposition. Also,
that my experience of longing for God was an illusion - some
kind of unconscious blend of unresolved childhood abandonment
and magical thinking. In other words, the energy that fueled my
journey was predicated on a perfect storm of delusional inclinations.
It was only when the fire of loss swept into my life and burned the
scaffolding to the ground that all conceptual constructs came
tumbling down and these insidious messages revealed themselves
as 1) unkind, and 2) untrue. From the ashes of grief a transfigured,
more authentic self began to arise, and she felt no obligation to
choose sides. She was a Jew and a Sufi, a believer and an agnostic.
She practiced Vipassana and Centering Prayer, observed Shabbat
and received communion. She rested in blessed moments of
unitive consciousness and sang the praises of Lord Krishna.
scaffolding to the ground that all conceptual constructs came
tumbling down and these insidious messages revealed themselves
as 1) unkind, and 2) untrue. From the ashes of grief a transfigured,
more authentic self began to arise, and she felt no obligation to
choose sides. She was a Jew and a Sufi, a believer and an agnostic.
She practiced Vipassana and Centering Prayer, observed Shabbat
and received communion. She rested in blessed moments of
unitive consciousness and sang the praises of Lord Krishna.
I am not alone. A 'tribe" of people is coalescing around the world
to celebrate a reorientation from religious separation to inter-
spiritual connection. While many of us have been pilgrims on this
path for decades - sometimes feeling alone in the wilderness,
sometimes gathering with others who are similarly drawn to the
sacred in every single holy house we encounter - now, at last, our
numbers seem to be reaching a tipping point and what was a
fringe phenomenon is become a global movement.
to celebrate a reorientation from religious separation to inter-
spiritual connection. While many of us have been pilgrims on this
path for decades - sometimes feeling alone in the wilderness,
sometimes gathering with others who are similarly drawn to the
sacred in every single holy house we encounter - now, at last, our
numbers seem to be reaching a tipping point and what was a
fringe phenomenon is become a global movement.
The inter-spiritual path is characterized as much by what it is not
as what it is. It is not a new religion; in fact many of its most
enthusiastic adherents consider themselves "spiritual but not
religious." It has no creed or dogma, no tenets or prohibitions. No
special attire sets it apart and so single symbol represents its core
philosophy. It's "membership" is as diverse as the full spectrum
of humanity. It is not about belief...
as what it is. It is not a new religion; in fact many of its most
enthusiastic adherents consider themselves "spiritual but not
religious." It has no creed or dogma, no tenets or prohibitions. No
special attire sets it apart and so single symbol represents its core
philosophy. It's "membership" is as diverse as the full spectrum
of humanity. It is not about belief...
Mystical poetry transcends theological distinctions and neutralizes
ideological ultimatums. Love poems to God do not describe
Ultimate Reality: they evoke it. The poems of the mystics slip
past the thought-guardians and batter down the gates of the heart.
In crying out to the Holy One, the ecstatic poets offer us a direct
connection with the object of our Soul's deepest desire, and ours.
ideological ultimatums. Love poems to God do not describe
Ultimate Reality: they evoke it. The poems of the mystics slip
past the thought-guardians and batter down the gates of the heart.
In crying out to the Holy One, the ecstatic poets offer us a direct
connection with the object of our Soul's deepest desire, and ours.
Mystical poetry generates a sacred field, and invites us to step in.
It is here, in the center of the perennial paradox, that it becomes
obvious all spiritual paths emanate from and return to the same
Universal Heart.
obvious all spiritual paths emanate from and return to the same
Universal Heart.
read full article here
with thanks to No Mind's Land
~
Photo - Mystic Meandering