Nature feeds my soul. Being on the water connecting to the quiet and beauty brings me serenity, looking at all the stars, a reminder of just how insignificant we are in the universe that keeps me humble, the ever changing seasons of dying off and new beginnings, a reminder that, in time, all things evolve. The wrath of Mother Nature is a reminder that life can be cruel yet amazing, both at no fault of our own, unlike traditional religion built on fear and guilt.
Hi Trevy! I believe there are many ways to connect outside of religion. Even being alone in nature, as Helen said, is a way to connect and I share that method. Being a “situational introvert,” I tend to need solitude to be able to then interact with others. Sharing an interest (for me art, writing, gardening, etc.) is my way to connect. Keep on sharing your thoughts. I love them. Cheers! Paula
I definitely need solitude too, and a lot of it, just not always. There's a difficult balance. I totally agree about art being communal. In my short exposure to the artists' world, I found that artists are much more social than writers. As soon as I get over my comparisonitis, I'll be out there with them! Thanks for your kind words❤️
It's interesting how you can find the word ritual in spirituality. A coincidence? Rituals and spirituality are closely intertwined and often go hand in hand. Think about meditations, the chanting, burning of incense, being aware of awareness.
I have a spiritual community of two. Each Sunday, my friend and I discuss spiritual topics, read an inspirational passage, or simply listen to each other. It's a great way to start the week as we help each other navigate our spiritual paths.
Mary, I never noticed that before! Good catch. Love the sound of your Sunday ritual and it reminded me of something I used to do. Early on Sunday mornings, my local NPR station aired a favorite program called "On Being," where she interviewed different people about spirituality. I would light a candle and listen early in the quiet morning and it felt like a spiritual ritual to me. Thank you❤️
I never noticed it before either until today which is so interesting because my next post this Sunday is about serendipity! I discovered something while responding to your post. A fortunate accident!
Certain music can awaken highly spiritual feelings. I find divine beauty and ecstatic awe of a quasi-religious nature in this passage of Bach’s St Matthew Passion, for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KME7LtIcqhY. Of course the text itself is religious (it’s about the last days of Jesus) and Bach must have been inspired by Christian piety, but for me it’s just the music.
I agree though that it's not at all easy to find a suitable replacement for the sense of belonging and reverence that religious rituals can provide.
I looked at your stuff and found this post very relatable. I have always been A-religious. I don’t consider myself an atheist because I never even think about god/no god. What I know I am missing is the sense of community people get from church, but that has the trade-offs of having to acknowledge some kind of higher power. Even the very progressive, UU Church near me is too churchy.
I keep my focus on people. I don’t want or need too many people, but the ones I have keep me sane and grounded. I am very fortunate that as I age I am in a very long-term marriage, and my kids and their kids are very close. I also have friends at different levels of intimacy, with about four very close friends. Unfortunately, they are beginning to get sick and die (I am 79).
What I would recommend is finding other kinds of groups, book groups, nature walking groups, dog-walking groups, music playing or listening groups. They don’t have to be big groups or even meet often, but it helps to have people you share things with, and to learn things from. Don’t let being shy or anxious old you back. You will overcome those very quickly when you find the right people.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. These are all good ideas. I'm lucky to have a good husband too but our children are pets. People's lives are always changing so I agree with you that we must keep looking always. Nice to have you here ❤️
I'm grateful for this mention! I heartily invite members of your community over to The Raft (my online community) and check it out. I suspect we're kindred spirits!
This was really lovely, Trevy! As a practicing Catholic I wrestle with the tension between the beauty and the brokenness in the church. And I think about all the other places I experience God: on a hike, with my book club, at the beach, running my finger down the bridge of my son’s nose and watching his eyes flutter closed, cooking, writing, random moments of connection with strangers, books. This was really fun to think about!
Thanks, Krista! I agree that manmade structures don't stand easily but the moments of beauty you find naturally are such a gift❤️ Thanks for your comment.
Nature feeds my soul. Being on the water connecting to the quiet and beauty brings me serenity, looking at all the stars, a reminder of just how insignificant we are in the universe that keeps me humble, the ever changing seasons of dying off and new beginnings, a reminder that, in time, all things evolve. The wrath of Mother Nature is a reminder that life can be cruel yet amazing, both at no fault of our own, unlike traditional religion built on fear and guilt.
Love this❤️ And I am with you in nature. That's probably why animals have formed my community.
Hi Trevy! I believe there are many ways to connect outside of religion. Even being alone in nature, as Helen said, is a way to connect and I share that method. Being a “situational introvert,” I tend to need solitude to be able to then interact with others. Sharing an interest (for me art, writing, gardening, etc.) is my way to connect. Keep on sharing your thoughts. I love them. Cheers! Paula
I definitely need solitude too, and a lot of it, just not always. There's a difficult balance. I totally agree about art being communal. In my short exposure to the artists' world, I found that artists are much more social than writers. As soon as I get over my comparisonitis, I'll be out there with them! Thanks for your kind words❤️
It's interesting how you can find the word ritual in spirituality. A coincidence? Rituals and spirituality are closely intertwined and often go hand in hand. Think about meditations, the chanting, burning of incense, being aware of awareness.
I have a spiritual community of two. Each Sunday, my friend and I discuss spiritual topics, read an inspirational passage, or simply listen to each other. It's a great way to start the week as we help each other navigate our spiritual paths.
Mary, I never noticed that before! Good catch. Love the sound of your Sunday ritual and it reminded me of something I used to do. Early on Sunday mornings, my local NPR station aired a favorite program called "On Being," where she interviewed different people about spirituality. I would light a candle and listen early in the quiet morning and it felt like a spiritual ritual to me. Thank you❤️
I never noticed it before either until today which is so interesting because my next post this Sunday is about serendipity! I discovered something while responding to your post. A fortunate accident!
I love it!! And I'm looking forward to your post.
Certain music can awaken highly spiritual feelings. I find divine beauty and ecstatic awe of a quasi-religious nature in this passage of Bach’s St Matthew Passion, for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KME7LtIcqhY. Of course the text itself is religious (it’s about the last days of Jesus) and Bach must have been inspired by Christian piety, but for me it’s just the music.
I agree though that it's not at all easy to find a suitable replacement for the sense of belonging and reverence that religious rituals can provide.
This piece is beautiful and I agree that Bach especially is spiritual music. Singing in choir can be like that too. Thank you for posting this❤️
I looked at your stuff and found this post very relatable. I have always been A-religious. I don’t consider myself an atheist because I never even think about god/no god. What I know I am missing is the sense of community people get from church, but that has the trade-offs of having to acknowledge some kind of higher power. Even the very progressive, UU Church near me is too churchy.
I keep my focus on people. I don’t want or need too many people, but the ones I have keep me sane and grounded. I am very fortunate that as I age I am in a very long-term marriage, and my kids and their kids are very close. I also have friends at different levels of intimacy, with about four very close friends. Unfortunately, they are beginning to get sick and die (I am 79).
What I would recommend is finding other kinds of groups, book groups, nature walking groups, dog-walking groups, music playing or listening groups. They don’t have to be big groups or even meet often, but it helps to have people you share things with, and to learn things from. Don’t let being shy or anxious old you back. You will overcome those very quickly when you find the right people.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. These are all good ideas. I'm lucky to have a good husband too but our children are pets. People's lives are always changing so I agree with you that we must keep looking always. Nice to have you here ❤️
I'm grateful for this mention! I heartily invite members of your community over to The Raft (my online community) and check it out. I suspect we're kindred spirits!
This was really lovely, Trevy! As a practicing Catholic I wrestle with the tension between the beauty and the brokenness in the church. And I think about all the other places I experience God: on a hike, with my book club, at the beach, running my finger down the bridge of my son’s nose and watching his eyes flutter closed, cooking, writing, random moments of connection with strangers, books. This was really fun to think about!
Thanks, Krista! I agree that manmade structures don't stand easily but the moments of beauty you find naturally are such a gift❤️ Thanks for your comment.