"If you are a Christian, you are free to think that all these religions, even the queerest ones, contain at least some hint of the truth." -C.S. Lewis
“Although I was going to say I am not a Universalist... but I am, and I am also a Presbyterian, and a Roman Catholic, and a Methodist, in short, I believe in every true principle that is imbibed by any person or sect, and reject the false. If there is any truth in heaven, earth, or hell, I want to embrace it, I care not what shape it comes in to me, who brings it, or who believes in it, whether it is popular or unpopular. Truth, eternal truth, I wish to float in and enjoy.” - John Taylor
Quotes I've been chewing on lately.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Identity
Lately I've been trying to come to terms with who I am. I know... what twenty-something year old isn't? I think there's a whole social movement of adolescents that champion self-discovery and self-exploration.
But I'm not really talking about all of the abstract components of myself. Lately, I've been digging back into my ancestry for answers to my connection to the earth and spirituality. Being in Scotland was a dream. I met a version of myself I had never known. And I saw all kinds of people and events that resonated within me. I always said I felt like my venture to Scotland was ... to quote a John Denver lyric... like "coming home to a place [I'd] never been before."
But that is not the only ancestral piece of myself I have been unearthing. Through research I've discovered just how much Cherokee I have. It's kind of astounding that it's such a dominant role and yet I know so very little. This past summer I made an attempt to reconcile this. I went to the National Museum of AmerIndian Studies. Wonderful building. Hauntingly beautiful and joyfully expressive all at once. I spent hours. I know my mum was kind of bored. Or at least tired of being on her feet. But I couldn't stop absorbing everything. I went to every floor. Looked at every major exhibit. Watched a couple films. I saved the Cherokee exhibit for last. I was so excited. There were so many questions I wanted answered. So many things I wanted to connect with.
But there was no Cherokee exhibit. All there was was a solitary bulletin board where three pictures of Cherokee women were quoted and posted. It was so unsettling. I mean I know there are other ways to connect with this people. But all of a sudden I just felt so lonely in my search. And I realise that 1/16 Cherokee isn't much to push someone along in their search.
But it meant something to me. It's been something that I've wanted to understand.
How are my religious philosophies shaped? Where does my connection to the earth come from? I know it's a combination of all of my ancestor's and probably countless years of agrarian involvement. But what else?
Who are these people and how am I connected to them?
But I'm not really talking about all of the abstract components of myself. Lately, I've been digging back into my ancestry for answers to my connection to the earth and spirituality. Being in Scotland was a dream. I met a version of myself I had never known. And I saw all kinds of people and events that resonated within me. I always said I felt like my venture to Scotland was ... to quote a John Denver lyric... like "coming home to a place [I'd] never been before."
But that is not the only ancestral piece of myself I have been unearthing. Through research I've discovered just how much Cherokee I have. It's kind of astounding that it's such a dominant role and yet I know so very little. This past summer I made an attempt to reconcile this. I went to the National Museum of AmerIndian Studies. Wonderful building. Hauntingly beautiful and joyfully expressive all at once. I spent hours. I know my mum was kind of bored. Or at least tired of being on her feet. But I couldn't stop absorbing everything. I went to every floor. Looked at every major exhibit. Watched a couple films. I saved the Cherokee exhibit for last. I was so excited. There were so many questions I wanted answered. So many things I wanted to connect with.
But there was no Cherokee exhibit. All there was was a solitary bulletin board where three pictures of Cherokee women were quoted and posted. It was so unsettling. I mean I know there are other ways to connect with this people. But all of a sudden I just felt so lonely in my search. And I realise that 1/16 Cherokee isn't much to push someone along in their search.
But it meant something to me. It's been something that I've wanted to understand.How are my religious philosophies shaped? Where does my connection to the earth come from? I know it's a combination of all of my ancestor's and probably countless years of agrarian involvement. But what else?
Who are these people and how am I connected to them?
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Dialogue between the Spirit and the Dust
The title of my blog comes from an Emily Dickenson poem. Emily is someone I have grown to love over the years. And in this simple poem she expresses the intent I have with my blog.
This is an expression of my spirituality. My thoughts, my doubts, my arguments, my ravings, my joys. It's meant to be a place of peace for me. But I welcome disagreement and varying opinions. I think I've shrouded myself for too long in the quiet corners of belief (and disbelief... as has frequently been my case).
As I figure out things with God in mind I'd like to share that with those who feel to share it with me. And writing things down is a way for me to cherish the difficulties and pleasures of a life full of discoveries. The only thing I ask of myself is honesty, fortitude, and gentleness. I hope that can be something shared in comments as well.
Death is a Dialogue between
The Spirit and the Dust.
"Dissolve" says Death—The Spirit "Sir
I have another Trust"—
Death doubts it—Argues from the Ground—
The Spirit turns away
Just laying off for evidence
An Overcoat of Clay.
This is an expression of my spirituality. My thoughts, my doubts, my arguments, my ravings, my joys. It's meant to be a place of peace for me. But I welcome disagreement and varying opinions. I think I've shrouded myself for too long in the quiet corners of belief (and disbelief... as has frequently been my case).
As I figure out things with God in mind I'd like to share that with those who feel to share it with me. And writing things down is a way for me to cherish the difficulties and pleasures of a life full of discoveries. The only thing I ask of myself is honesty, fortitude, and gentleness. I hope that can be something shared in comments as well.
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