spiritualcuriosities reblogged
Linda Gregg from All of it Singing: New and Selected Poems
spiritualcuriosities reblogged
I keep saying and saying that i will never convert and i know there is even less of a space for me in judaism now than there was before and i live far away from any synagogues that will have me and i do not have money for conversion and i want so badly to be satisfied with my lot and there are things i love so deeply in my lot there are but by gd sometimes i read things and i remember i imagine being yocheved or batsheva and i could weep i really could. i can’t be everything at all but half a decade and i haven’t managed to do anything but make wavering choices
spiritualcuriosities reblogged
“For I created your soul with a capacity for loving—so much so that you cannot live without love. Indeed, love is your food.”
— Catherine of Siena, tr. Suzanne Noffke | The Dialogue
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"the core of my faith isn't that so many people miss God, I now believe that God doesn't miss anyone" is a beautiful sentence that really gave words to what I've been feeling. Thank you, sincerely.
That’s what it’s really all about!! It’s definitely been a long overdue belief for me, but I’m glad I’m in such good company now that im here.
spiritualcuriosities reblogged
violentwavesofemotion-deactivat
Shams-ud-din Muhammad Hafiz, tr. by Daniel Ladinsky, from Poems from God; “Troubled,”
spiritualcuriosities reblogged
I can’t stop thinking about Elijah sitting underneath the juniper tree & asking God to die. God sent an angel who says, “This journey is too much for you.” & that he must eat. Elijah does, then he rests. He wakes up still feeling hopeless, & the angel repeats himself.
It took Elijah longer than he wanted to get better. Sometimes we want to move but we can’t. Sometimes the journey is too much. It is not a sin to understand your limitations. Start there, get stronger, then get up.
spiritualcuriosities reblogged
Turning to God is turning to love, forgiveness, peace, and life.
spiritualcuriosities reblogged
You know what’s great?
-being religious
-being agnostic
Being atheist
YOU KNOW WHATS NOT GREAT?
-expecting everyone to be religious
-Expecting everyone to be atheist
-THINKING YOURE IN ANY WAY SUPERIOR TO SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE OF RELIGIOUS BELIEF
This has been a PSA
Also:
THINKING SOMEONE ELSE IS INFERIOR DUE TO THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEF
I've seen ppl feel they are not superior to others due to belief but feel that specifically Muslim or Jewish ppl, etc are inferior due to theirs.
spiritualcuriosities reblogged
Differences Between Konkokyo and Jinja Shinto
- Konkokyo worship halls/Kyokai/Hiromae don’t enshrine Tenchi Kane no Kami, Konkokyo holds the universe is Kami’s shrine. Jinja Shinto enshrines their kami’s essence in shrines. However, some Konkokyo kyokai enshrine mitama-no-kami, or ancestral spirits.
- Konkokyo doesn’t need to mark off sacred/profane grounds, because Konkokyo believes all space is sacred and part of Tenchi Kane no Kami. Thus, shimenawa and torii are optional, but not necessary, though they may be included. In Shinto, the torii and shimenawa are necessary to mark off the sacred space for kami.
- Konkokyo has only the need to purify your heart. You need to try and purify your heart and soul to really understand Tenchi Kane no Kami. Konkokyo teaches to practice austerities in your heart and soul to gain purification. Konko does have Onusa purification rite, to symbolically cleanse our hearts and souls. Shinto puts emphasis on physical purification, that in turn is supposed to help with heart/soul purification. These practices are the waterfall austerity Misogi, climbing mountains, rinsing mouth and hands at Temizuya fountains before prayer, passing through a chinowa wreath at solstices, New Years Purification, and like Konko, the Onusa purification rite. Konkokyo can practice these Shinto austeries, but it is not necessary. In Shinto, it is a big part of the religion.
- Konkokyo has the sacred rite of Toritsugi Mediation. (Mediation as in, a person who is a go-between, not meditation) Where a believer can come and speak to the minister or priest(ess) of the kyokai to speak to Kami-sama. Kami will speak through the minister so the believer can receive divine advice and messages. Shinto does not have this practice. In the past, miko and yamabushi acted as mediators between kami and man, but no longer, and never was as direct as Toritsugi Mediation. Only Konkokyo kyokai have a space in the worship hall for the mediation seat.
- Shinto has a specific type of worship style: sanbo offering boxes, shimenawa, torii, shrines, mirrors, ofuda, omamori, etc. While most Konkokyo kyokai incorporate, if not completely look the same as Jinja Shinto shrines, they can also look wildly different. Some Konkokyo kyokai can look more like a Christian altar, a Buddhist altar, or even just a small table with cherished items. The style of worship in Konkokyo can vary greatly. Shinto can only vary to a certain extent.
- Konkokyo doesn’t have ofuda or omamori like Shinto shrines do. Konkokyo does have goshinmai (sacred rice packets) that act as a three-in one. They as an ofuda which calls Kami-sama’s essence, they act as a protective symbol like omamori, and like Shinto goshinmai, the rice inside can heal from illnesses or pain. The idea is your heart is the biggest ofuda or omamori you can possess in Konkokyo.
- Konkokyo, like most Shinto born sects or religions has a founder, while Shinto doesn’t. Konkokyo’s founder is Ikigami Konko Daijin-sama, who began the practice of Toritsugi Mediation and gained a deep connection with Tenchi Kane no Kami-sama. In Konkokyo, you can pray to Ikigami Konko Daijin-sama for divine mediation to Tenchi Kane no Kami-sama, and also call his name for protection, much like how people call the Buddha’s name for protection.
- Konkokyo has a current spiritual leader, who is a successor to Ikigami Konko Daijin-sama, and is the head mediator in all of Konkokyo. Jinja Shinto does not have a current spiritual leader.
- If you’re part of the Konkokyo religion, it is not forbidden to visit other shrines, temples, or churches, since Konkokyo believes all of these places of worship and the deities within are a part of Tenchi Kane no Kami-sama, who is a broad and universal kami/god. Likewise in Jinja Shinto, many go to temples as well as the shrine. Some Jinja Shinto members even seek Toritsugi Mediation at Konkokyo Kyokai. In fact, a Konkokyo group often takes shrine and temple tours around Japan.
- Konkokyo kyokai have various roles and positions. They are Head Priest(ess)/Minister/Mediator. The Head Priest is also the Head Mediator of a kyokai, and usually runs the kyokai, gives toritsugi mediation, leads services, and does most administrative work. Then there is associate priest(ess)/minister/mediator. They assist with the Head’s duties and also can give toritsugi mediation and assist with services. Then there is the Shinto so-dai, which is a group of believers who act as the secretary, treasurer, organizer, etc. for the kyokai. Then there is attendants/miko, who offer music and dance during Grand Ceremonies, and assist with serving naorai (offering) lunch, clean-ups, and offerings. Then there is the believers/congregation, who are very important, and they also help clean up before big ceremonies, or give offerings to Kami-sama, or donations and prayers. Jinja Shinto has Head Priest(ess), which run the shrine, do admin work, and lead services, and have associate priest(ess) who help in Konkokyo. There is no Shinto sodai in Jinja Shinto, but there is sometimes laypeople who help with that work in small shrines. Miko and shrine attendants in Jinja Shinto are public volunteer positions, while in Konkokyo you can only be a miko or attendant if you ask the Head Minister to be one and help in that way. The congregation in Jinja Shinto cannot give offerings to the altar unless it’s a specific ceremony, but do give monetary donations like in Konkokyo. Although, they cannot help clean up the shrine grounds.
spiritualcuriosities reblogged
matthewsatori-deactivated202003
“God became man so that man could become God.”
—
St. Athanasius of Alexandria
Nobody:
Me, reading 40 different articles at once on completely different theologies and religions, searching for something that fits: let's fill my queue with every relatable religion/spirituality post that I can get my poor, confused hands on!
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I’m landlocked so getting to see the coast is pretty rare for me, but you know that feeling you get when you see the ocean? That kind of internal, all-consuming sort of tumultuous peace?
Thats God.
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Fortunately, some are born with spiritual immune systems that sooner or later give rejection to the illusory worldview grafted upon them from birth through social conditioning. They begin sensing that something is amiss, and start looking for answers. Inner knowledge and anomalous outer experiences show them a side of reality others are oblivious to, and so begins their journey of awakening. Each step of the journey is made by following the heart instead of following the crowd and by choosing knowledge over the veils of ignorance.
Henri Bergson.
spiritualcuriosities reblogged
There are three major types of spiritual practice: first, reaching the spirit by rewarding the body, through ritual feasting, drug-taking and sex; second, reaching the spirit by denying the body, through fasting, cleansing and purification; and third, by abandoning the physical entirely and attempting to reach the numinous entirely via the life of the mind. In this essay, entitled “Bed, Bath and Beyond”, I will
we’re waiting…
Urgh. I've been in a real rut spiritually the past few weeks. A couple months ago, I was speaking to my Guides, to God, my companions, getting solid understandable feedback. It was great. I had the energy and the focus to astral travel and use tarot and psychic communication. And now I barely have the energy to go to my personal astral space or to read Tarot. It almost feels like this has been a constant issue, but I flipped through my journal, and there was an entry where it was going so good. It's frustrating. And I'm left wondering if it's because of environmental influences, if Im just too focused on functioning at all, or if it's just that my soul is like "we need to take a break" or what.
spiritualcuriosities reblogged
spiritvexer
Random UPG and spiritual ramblings
Spirituality is not just experienced when you have your candles lit and incense burning, spellbook in hand. Spirituality is not just experienced through visions and dreams. Spirituality is your life. Your everyday life. And I see so many people saying “how can I bring magic in to my everyday life?” It’s already there. Just breathe.
Connection is so, so important. I don’t know what it is or how to describe it because it is felt, not understood. I can’t tell you to seek it out. I just want you to know that for me, on my spiritual path, it is so, so, so, so important.
I didn’t understand how I would evolve. I thought I would be lil ole Crann with extra doodads and powers attached to me. I am a different being. I am in the transition of becoming a different being. It’s not leveling up. It’s transformation. True transformation.
GET YO COPING MECHANISMS IN ORDER. I speak right now from a place of obvious bias but ye…. when the hard times hit, they hit hard friends <3 from my experience at least. Know how to get to you good spaces and know how to get there hard and fast.
The ego talks and talks and talks… how exhausted it must be! And the rest of your vast natural jungle mind cannot shine through it. Teach the ego to be quiet sometimes. Let sunshine on your jungle. Let the ego rest, it’s so tired of talking. It just doesn’t know how to stop.
Spirituality is a tool. A sacred and divine tool, but it’s a tool. Don’t confuse spirituality with the Truth. My spirituality is how I choose to filter and interpret my Truth. There is a difference between the message and how I perceive it.
Suffering isn’t noble. Suffering isn’t righteous. Some spiritual paths yes, because that is how they interpret their Truth and how they experience it. But in general man, if your path is bringing you suffering… don’t bear that cross. As your Beings for help. As the Universe for help. Seek guidance to get out of that.
Reality is highly fluid. If you seek higher spiritual awareness, your transformation will take you to new realities. It’s incredible. It’s terrifying. Seek guidance, seek balance.
Help is there. At every second help is there. You do not need a ritual before you can ask the blessings of your gods to get you through this…. help is there. Quiet your mind, let the sun shine on your spiritual wilderness, and help will appear.
Ask for help often. It is not weakness. You are not supposed to bear this alone. We are not growing to places of isolation, we are growing a connection to Nature. Nature is there for you because you are a part of it… nature cares for you as you care for yourself.
You are your first ally.
Isolation isn’t the way, man. And I’m not talking about getting 20 spirit companions… there are deeper allies. Allies found within. Allies found within Nature and the Universe. You can ally yourself with forces and powers more strong and more primal than anything we identify as a “person”. Something on a different level.
Be ready. If you are seeking true spiritual transformation, just be ready. I know it hits everyone different but man just…. be ready. This shit is for real. That’s all I can say. You don’t stay you. You change.
And like, if you don’t want to go down this freaky path… that’s so cool too ^-^ going the hardcore way isn’t for everyone! And you will NOT miss out on spiritual growth as long as you stay focused on growth and introspection :)
Doubt is good. Doubt is natural. Doubt is healthy. If you are afraid to doubt your spirituality, that is not good. Your spirituality should stand up for itself. Don’t let a love of your spirituality stand in the way of legitimate doubt that you are going down the wrong path.
It’s going to be okay. That’s the message.