9:20 AM
Maybe it's the looming Christmas season, or maybe its the nonstop barrage of information from the internets (yes, i meant to spell it with the s :p)of celebrities latest delvings and whatnot, but for about a month now, I've had conversations from different people about faith, spirituality and one's personal relationship with it.
How does spirituality really fit into one's definition of "me" is a relative question actually, and is totally dependent to how a person lets it encompass his personal definition. For those who are atheist, faith in a higher being is as good as nonexistent. How dare anyone suggest that there is something higher, stronger, and more powerful that exerts control over one's life! The atheist is master of his fate, and captain of his ship and all that jazz, and you better not mess with that! For the agnostics, perhaps there is a flittering idea of a higher being up there, and spirituality is defined not in real and concrete images but in real and concrete ideas of doing good, not hurting anyone, and being honest with oneself.
I am not speaking as an expert here by any means, but for myself, as a Catholic Christian, my faith and spirituality are in fact defined in concrete images. Love is Jesus' crucifixion. I see compassion in the Blessed Mother's eyes. Brotherhood from the disciples and peace of mind heart and soul from the dove that is the Holy Spirit.
Maybe it was those 24 units of Philosophy and Theology that I had to endure while I was in school, but I find that I actually like my relationship with my faith. I am satisfied with what I have, grateful for what I know, love what I discover and am mystified with the bits that cannot be explained.I also have moments of irritation and frustration with its rigidity and impracticality too, but have learned to accept that this is normal in any relationship.Despite the good and bad though, I am solidly rooted in my Christianity. I feel that it is actually a defining aspect of who I am, from the traditions that I continue to perform to the values that I uphold.
However, this is not to say that I have chosen to remain ignorant to the rest of the world's varied faiths. Some philosophies speak strongly to me too- the lure of karma forever reminds me to be careful of the repercussions of my actions. I am enamored with the Muslim's total and complete surrender to their faith. I continue to be in awe by the deaths of so many Jews in the name of their religion and I am inspired with the beauty of Shintoism's affinity to nature and the Spirits.
There are some things too that I draw the line at. An attraction to a red evil eye bracelet, or to put it more succinctly, an admiration for the sweet young thing who dons the said bracelet shouldn't be the reason to embrace a new religion. Neither is a celebrity's newfound svelte figure that he credits to some bizarre yoga exercise that was dictated by his supposed newfound spirituality.While it is an appealing idea to share something as intimate as spirituality as someone that we admire, isn't that kind of going besides the point of faith?! Faith is something that you carry with you forever-much like a tattoo and not some fashion accessory that you take off once the season is over.
At the end of the day, I don't think that it should be an organized body of beliefs and traditions created and promoted by mere humans that defines our spirituality. I think it should be a mish-mash of whatever and whoever it is that calls out and actually stirs our hearts (remember, i said hearts and not our fashion sensibilities!). There is certainly no harm in taking a little from this and a bit of that for upon close inspection, isn't that exactly what the world's major faith have done with one another?! Amen. :)
Labels: faith, random, religion, spirituality
sam