My path - Natural Pantheism

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 30 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

divinerguy	30 Jul 2002
It is becoming more and more difficult to believe in a supreme being. That doesn't mean, however, I'm not a religious person. At first, I believed my path was to be pagan. I feel reverent when surrounded by nature. However, this doesn't work for me, because of the addition of neo-traditional practices to many pagan rites. Druidism isn't it for me, because no one has convinced me that modern druids have done anything other than invent their own rituals. I prefer to experience nature with my senses. To inhale a lungful of cold, brisk air. To see birds on the wing. These things are God to me. They speak to me as if human in form. Crunch a dead eucalyptus leaf in your hand and smell. Watch a skittish coyote run across the road. Listen to the sound of mockingbirds as they serenade the morning. That is my God.

RedWood	30 Jul 2002
I do believe there is a higher power God/ess..I think nature is one of the greatest forms..it is something real from that hight power that you can breath, touch, smell so you know that "they" are real... Also, if it works for you..Great!

zorya	31 Jul 2002
"the addition of neo-traditional practices to many pagan rites", hasn't prevented me from calling myself a pagan. i see the word "pagan" as including many earth based beliefs. i don't see "god(ess)" as something separate from myself or from the rest of nature.

Redmoon	31 Jul 2002
Divinerguy, i feel the same way. :-) I just dont have a name for it.. Never had the urge to really call it anything, i guess. However, i do feel what most people deem a "higher power". I do not see the Goddess as anything "higher" or "lower" than me or anything else. She is everything. That energy I feel inside everything living.

wavebreaker	31 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by divinerguy I prefer to experience nature with my senses. To inhale a lungful of cold, brisk air. To see birds on the wing. These things are God to me. They speak to me as if human in form. Crunch a dead eucalyptus leaf in your hand and smell. Watch a skittish coyote run across the road. Listen to the sound of mockingbirds as they serenade the morning. That is my God. Beautifully said, and this is exactly how I feel. I do call myself pagan though, although I'm not into any rites.

lunalafey	31 Jul 2002
If we are part of the same church, what row do you sit in ??? I have been approached at times by those that are determined to convert. They ask me, "do you believe.....?( in what ever the speel may be)I am (love these moments) quite matter of fact in my attitude and response...I say, "see that? *points to the mountian*... hear that? * tips head to listen*...feel that?...* closes eyes and puts hands to the wind*....THAT is GOD. From there it has gone all sorts of directions, always amusing to me. My higher power is what ever it is that made everything, call it the universe, call it nature, call it god. I believe that 'god' manifests it's self in whatever manner that that particular individual can comprehend.(not that anyone can ever really comprehend the universe and it's workings) The belief-o-matic test says I'm neo-pagen, but I know nothing of it's practice. I have a hard time with any organized religion, of any sort because I feel that no matter what kind of group is put together there is bound to be some power play...just not into it. So I choose to follow my heart and love what is lovely and do it my way. As others have said in other words, god is everywhere.

Sulis	31 Jul 2002
Hi I too believed my path to be pagan but now if I have to use a label at all, which I usually don`t I settle for plain old `witch`. I have difficulty with the `higher power` thing as well, prefering to think that nature is divine and that every person has the divine within them. When I use energy or power in my magical workings it is this power around and within me which I call upon. Blessings Crystalmynx xx

Kiama	31 Jul 2002
Divinerguy: Firstly, very well put! I too revere nature, and don't really adhere to any formal rites or rituals other than those I make up myself spontaneously. I take my leads from Mother Earth, and the changes of nature around me. I used to adhere to dates and calenders for my celebration of changes, but now realise that it doesn't work well for me. I still call myself Celtic Pagan however, cuz I refer to that Divine Being wit hthe Celtic pantheon, and for me, the term 'Pagan' describes somebody who is cose to nature. However, to say that you have been pu off Paganism by the 'new'rites and ractices is a bit... Odd.... There are no traditons of Paganism that I know for that can ever have any 'real' rites in them at all. We just don't have the accurate recordsof what the original Cels/Norse etc did! Druidry, or at least OBOD acknolwedge this, but they say that they, whilst creating new rituals to fit the modern world and spiritual need, they also take teaching from the Celtic tales, mainly those of Taliesin. They belieev that hidden within those tales are al theteachings of the original Druids. An in the end, what matter is it if the rites and rituals practiced are not original and are invented, if it feels right? Okay, if it doesn't feel right, all's good, but maybe to discount it just for the reason not being historically accurate is.... Damn I've run out of words I can use. I don't mean to iffend, nor tell you you're wrong, cuz you're not. I'm just trying to express my opinion in a way that everybody can understand. And its not working! HELP! :( Kiama

divinerguy	31 Jul 2002
Kiama, You don't offend. I don't think that's in your nature. And what you say is perfectly true. In order for us to be at peace, we must follow the path that is best for each one of us. As with pagans, I honor the passing of the seasons. As with druids, I honor the sacred nature of growing things. And as with Wiccans, I try to live by the Rede. Rather than dwell on my own prejudices about the beliefs of others, I wanted to share with you what I believe, and why. I discussed this with my father, who is retired to a small farm. I found out that he too, has eschewed formal religion in favor of pantheism. He just didn't know that he did. I feel a kinship with those American Indians who worship the earth as our mother. It feels wonderfully uncomplicated. No robes, no chants -- with the only communion being via the senses.

lunalafey	31 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by divinerguy I feel a kinship with those American Indians who worship the earth as our mother. It feels wonderfully uncomplicated. No robes, no chants -- with the only communion being via the senses. My kinship goes far back with the NA people, I was the little kid rooting for the indian in movies, whenthe boys picked up thier cap guns I'd make a bow. The NA people where called Pagan by the 'whites' because of thier ways. Did you know that there is NO word in the native toungue for church OR religion ? We are all on the same track here, looking to practice what is in our hearts and what is unadulterated by those seeking control. Mother Nature( universe, divine etc.) has ULTIMATE control over all.....that is what is to be admired and revered.

Kiama	01 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by divinerguy I discussed this with my father, who is retired to a small farm. I found out that he too, has eschewed formal religion in favor of pantheism. He just didn't know that he did. I often find there are lots of people like this: Those wo have this ortof spirituality, but don't have a name for it. In the dawning age of Aqaurius it seems, wher people tend to find their own way spiritually, there are usually no ways of knowing the 'title' of your spirituality unti somebody tells you! Often, such tite can be useful when trying to explain to others what you believe quickly and simply, but I find also that it can lessn what you believe: I don't think there is an approprite title which can ver encompass totally one's beliefs. If find this to be most true withmy beliefs, as I often read about other religions, and think that that is very like my own,but with subtle differences. So far, I have found similarities with Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Daoism, Druidry, Heathenism, Satanism, Christianity, Gnostism... The list goes on! So, what do Icall myself? Maybe... A... Gnostic Celtic Pagan with a bit of Budhism, a hint of Hinudiusm, a drop of Daoism, a further hint of Heathenim, a Squirt of Satanism, a dribble of Druidry, and a itsy itsyteeny weeny crumb of Christianity... Hmmm... Nah! ;) I'm also glad you and your fatherboth share similar belies. Its always nice whn that happens! :D Kiama

starr	02 Aug 2002
Well spoke divinerguy, At age 14 a comparative religions class opened my eyes and I eschewed organized religion. From a young age nature was and is my refuge, well of renewal and rituals have no place. Why must we always title our belief or spiritual connections? Starr

DarkElectric	03 Aug 2002
DG, we all have to walk our own path. I find spirituality to be a very personal and subjective thing. Whatever we find to nourish our souls, and whether or not we choose to label it , is also a personal thing. And I have found that spirituality many times has very little to do with religion. I call myself witch because my personal belief on the subject corresponds to this particular paradigm. You sound as though you are finding the answers through self discovery. That's the best way I know of! Blessings on your journey.

jade	03 Aug 2002
i believe in much of what is shared here. i don't celebrate all the wiccan holidays and festivals. i'm not a celebrating kind of person. instead, i prefer to cherish each day and celebrate each moment. i appreciate the wind. i love to look at the mountains that surround me. i cherish the look of the sun on the water and the look of the wind on the tips of the waves...... i honor the earth and i do whatever i can to assist her. i call myself pagan/wiccan ecclectic but i don't really feel that i truly have a title.......i'm just a tree hugger :D love jade

mara	03 Aug 2002
I have for many many years now studied and learned about all different walk of life, religions, spirituality, new age, wiccan, buddist, indigenous, egyptian, indian (NA), christian, catholic, The True Teachings Of Jesus and have come up with this for myself... I take what I need and identify with for myself and use it for my own evolvement (to give it a name). Anyone familiar with the saying "all roads lead to Rome", well I for myself say "all Paths lead to Self" (or God, the universe, buddah, or whatever religion or Path you follow, just to give it a name). I believe that we are here on this planet to evolve and raise our conciousness to such a level, call it Christ conciousness, and that there are so many different ways to get there because there are so many different types of people. I admire and honor every kind of religion/Path because all of them have tought me so much that without them I wouldn't be where I am today. The earth herself being the biggest teacher of my life and the people around me as well, because I have this thing about everyone around me being my mirror and by looking in the mirror I can get to know myself better, and by getting to know myself better I can learn and understand myself and expand my conciousness. I must admit though that I feel pulled more strongly to some Paths/religions than others but to me that is just a feeling from past lives. I hope I haven't made this too long because I can keep going on for ever, I feel that expression is one of the most important things to do to get to know youself, here's my mirror again... when you speak to someone else you're in actual fact speaking to youself because they're your mirror (heehee) that's my reality anyway. Thank you for being my mirror :-)...Mara

amyel	03 Aug 2002
DG, I think you have summarized what I have been unable to articulate about my beliefs. Thank you.

Rain	09 Aug 2002
Divinerguy... You are absolutly right. I do beleive in God, but to me it's not even a matter of beleif, it's what I know. But I feel that same exact way. When I look at the trees, the stars, the birds, the moon...everything makes me think of Him. If Nature is your supreme power, that don't get your panties all in a twist over not having a set religion, of belief system. It's not worth the headache. Many Blessings, Rain

Violet Gargoyle	10 Aug 2002
I have always called my path Dasha- as in a Dasha this religious path and a Dasha that religious path. When I started to study different cultures, of course that included getting an understanding of different religions and paths. They all have affected me. For a while I was considering myself a Pagan Buddhist. I am ritualistic, but I cant say that I cast spells, I do it more for the meditative state of mind, to concentrate. Even if that is to just stare at a tree I like for a long time or pet my cat (like my cat will ever complain about that). I feel nature and energy more than I feel spirits, but I am a spiritual person and I believe in spiritual contact, I am just not so good at catching the messages, and feel that that is not really my place. Mainly I feel connections (the kind without James Burke involved) I feel more "connected" at some times than others, like thunderstorms, snowfalls, leaf falls, water falls, fire...falls (so much for a pattern) Connected to what, I couldn't really put words to it. More in tune with the collective soul, or energy in general......

divinerguy	15 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Rain If Nature is your supreme power, that don't get your panties all in a twist over not having a set religion, of belief system. It's not worth the headache. Its not that I worship nature as a supreme power -- not at all. Its that I see divinity, i.e., God/Godess, as manifesting itself in nature. I believe that nature is the way the divine speaks to us. I imagine that all of us have feelings of "reverence" at times, whether it be in prayer, mediatation or whatever. I find my reverence when I'm in communion with nature. Have you ever smelled a rose, and been taken away by its aroma? It illustrates my point. For me, religion is the pursuit of the ultimate truth. Whether I believe in the same God as you or another person is not relevant, because I, alone, am responsible for what I believe. All that I ask from you or anyone else is that I be permitted to pursue my faith without undue criticism.

The My path - Natural Pantheism thread was originally posted on 30 Jul 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.