If There is one thing that I have learned in my 50 + years on this Planet is that there is a broadening Spirituality and Faith, brought on, not only by diversity, but by need. Let's face it, one size does not fit all ! One other thing I have noticed in my studies, teachings and research of my own path and what have you, is that not only have I seen folks secure in their Spirituality and Faith, I have seen a growing number of folks who are not secure in theirs. From what I have noticed through reading and listening, is that, the number of the later is growing more quickly.,
Is it the change of the times that is responsible? Is it the Family structure ? Is it Society that is to blame? maybe Culture....I have heard these and many other reasons given for this shift.
I have visited many Churches in my lifetime, and through the years I have noticed one very pronounced thing. The age of those who attend Church regularly. The mean age is between 50 and 70 years of age. Is this because the older generation is more in tune with their Faith? Perhaps ! Could it also be the fear of change? Let's face it, At 53, I'm pretty set in my ways, and in some ways not eager for change in certain things. Up until a few years ago, my Belief system was foremost in that " Hell No " I'm not going to change the way I practice my Religious beliefs. Then I woke up! I knew the World was changing rapidly, and I was ok with that for the most part, However, I couldn't see how Religion wasn't changing with the times. Or was it I didn't want to see it change? I was secure in my belief, My Spirituality was rock solid! Or was it? Was I afraid to see change from the old standard to a more realistic belief? I was afraid, I was afraid that if I changed the way I thought about my Religion and the way it played in Modern soceity, then I would change, I wouldn't be as secure in my Faith as I had been for so many years, and happy about that security. I would get angry when change came to the Church, ( Episcopal/ Anglican). I had Gay friends, I had Women friends, Yet when the Church allowed both to become Priests I found myself questioning the Church about the choice to allow it. Again I turned to the Bible and thought, Hey, this isn't allowed. Until one day I realized that I was wrong....Very wrong indeed. If I can be friends with everybody, than why can't everybody have the same right and ability to pray, worship and serve their Lord as I do? That was a pivotal moment in my life. Then I began my studies of Shamanism and realized that the energy that I have always felt around me, and allowed me to ecept my abilities was given me by the Creator of all things......Grandfather....That which I thought I was secure in before, just became more secure and solid.
Now I am finding that those who attack and ridecule my belief are the ones that are most insecure in their Spirituality and or Faith..It's kind of like the Have not's attacking those who have. This has happened throughout the ages and unfortunately will continue to do so unless those who have not, begin to think outside the box and except change for what it is, Inevitable....And unless We as Humans are willing to bend and flex with that change, we will break...To me Security in Spirituality and Faith is my ability to understand change within the scope of my Faith and to also understand that unless I flex with the reality of that change than I shall become bitter and unflexible. Not only does that do me no good at all, it does no good for those around me. It's kind of like the Earthquake syndrome.....When buildings were built on solid rigid foundations on the faults of the Earth, Buildings crumbled when an Earthquake came. But when the buildings were built on more flexible foundations, when the Earthquake came, the buildings moved with the rippling effect of the quake, yet survived to be shaken another day.......
How Secure are we all Really in our Spirituality and Faith ? Are we Rigid and solid, unmoveable......or are we Flexible, able to sway with the movement of our Faith when change comes.?
Have a Great Day............ Da Taz.....