Spiritual Life – Theory & Practice: Tea with a Druid 85
I think most of us would say that having a spiritual life is essential for our physical, emotional and mental well-being. Through it we can let our soul breathe and express itself in our lives and in the world. But what exactly is a spiritual life?
I would suggest that broadly our spiritual life consists of two things: theory and practice. The theory is the worldview, philosophy, approach to life that we develop through study, through discussion with others and through personal experience. Each of us builds up this theory of life, out of more or less conscious beliefs about how life works, what the deeper purpose of it might be, and so on. This is the value of spiritual teachings and books, of browsing the internet and of discussion with friends deep into the night. Over time we can refine, test, change our beliefs to build the most satisfying philosophy or world view, and then I guess most of us ‘plateau’, having reached what we find is a workable and helpful way to see life: for example, for someone that might be a belief in the fundamentally spiritual nature of all life, the idea of different dimensions or planes of existence, a belief in reincarnation, and some sort of law of the harvest or karma. It can be interesting to take a while to ask yourself: What are the key ideas or precepts that inform my worldview, my philosophy of life?
Then ask yourself: where have these ideas come from? Just one source? Or from a number of different teachings, philosophies or religions? I reckon for most people reading or hearing this, the answer will be the latter not the former. But I may be wrong – do tell me! Is your worldview built from ideas drawn from just one viewpoint – say Buddhism or Christianity – or from a number? Do share with us the influences that have helped build your worldview, the theoretical basis that your spiritual life is built upon. And do you feel you are still building this viewpoint, or have you plateaued, and are satisfied with where you’ve got to?
There’s theory and then there’s practice. While it can be rewarding to read and study and develop our worldview and philosophy of life, to fully benefit from spirituality, and indeed to feel we have a ‘spiritual life’, we need to practice it too. And how we do this will vary from person to person and from life stage to life stage. A certain cult may want us all to engage in exactly the same practice, but a hallmark of a healthy spiritual path should be, I believe, that each of us is called to practice in the way that feels right for us – and that may change over time. This is why those systems that offer just one technique have their limitations – it may be true that a certain prayer or meditation or ritual if done often will create certain beneficial effects, but as Jung said: “The shoe that fits one person pinches another…”
It’s also true that like any skill you need to learn from others and follow practices that later you may grow out of, or adapt in various ways, like an artist who at first learns the basic skills of drawing and painting before developing their own unique form of expression.
In this video I mention my book ‘Seek Teachings Everywhere.’ You can find out more about it here.
3 Responses to “Spiritual Life – Theory & Practice: Tea with a Druid 85”
Thank you, Philip, for piquing my interest as to where my spiritual life came from, and what exactly it is at this time. I think I’ve just evolved thru a lifetime of seeking without really thinking where certain shifts came into play, so this will be intriguing to ponder…
I love your reference to “fantasy” near the end of your tea. And I immediately thought of this quote…
“Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality, it’s a way of understanding it.”
I’m not sure of the exact wording, or even of the source, but I have it written on a scrap of paper on my bulletin board in my writing room, and that scrap of paper tells me that it’s a quote from a man called, Lloyd Alexander, Born 1924.
Anyway, thanks again! Bless you and your work.
🙂
Greetings Philip 🙂 Thank you for another wonderful “Tea Time” & meditation. I agree with/relate to all you have discussed. There are several paths I have followed throughout life, bringing me to my current Spiritual Life/Practices. I’ve been spiritually “Guided” to study/practice with various Teachers @ certain times, until I was able to fully understand/practice the path in a safe, mature way, before merging them with previous ones (& I’m sure we agree, It’s especially critical for those Teaching/Leading). I do the “Light Body” exercise & a general Druid ritual/meditation (& sometimes other meditations) daily. I focus on my Bardic, Ovate, & Druid aspects of Life as much as possible (especially in Nature), & follow the Druid Celebrations.
During my study with Teachers, (Eastern, Western, etc), I always had a general “Druid” sense of spirituality, along with the path I was studying. I fused my personal path, with whatever path I was studying/practicing @ the time. When completing the OBOD courses, it was very clear that I had a deep spiritual connection with Druidry, that had felt “familiar” all my life. I began “tuning into it,” as a teen. I am also “guided” to bring out certain Spiritual concepts/Ideas that do not belong to any current paths (which I merge with Druidry & current scientific metaphysical/quantum physics information, practices & meditations).
Working with Gaia, Goddesses (“Divine Feminine”) Faery/Dragon/Mermaid Realms, metaphysics, star systems, astrology, numerology, divination, Inner Guides, shamanism, etc., is being studied, practiced & experienced by more groups now. They are beginning to explore these aspects of reality/spirituality, as we have always done in Druidry. Our work affects the “Quantum Field,” and has brought Light, Love & acknowledgement to these Sacred Realms. I feel that You & the OBOD are doing a wonderful job of bringing much needed understanding, knowledge & truth about Druidry (past & present) to the world. Thank You! Brightest of Blessings, 🙂 Brigitara
P.S. I find that there is finally much more interest and work in the awareness & creation of “the Divine Masculine” on the planet. I feel that Druidry & a few other paths have contributed to the “Morphic Field” in ways that have helped create a New Wave of change, in feeling/thinking about the “Divine Male.” Our “Green Man” & other positive Male images (& Beings) are a refreshing, healthy alternative to the “Power-Over, Controlling, Vengeful, Angry, ‘to be Feared’ God, often portrayed in some paths.
Eventually, some Humans may even experience the “Essence” of the Balance of “Goddess/God within,” & as a “Universal Energy.” In the Quantum Field, some may discover a “Divine Self,” & also a “Universal Essence,” that is beyond gender, & human personality, mind & body. They may experience just the ‘Essence,’ with characteristics & Divine attributes of both, fused (yet beyond), in a bright light of Merciful Love.
“Goddessence” Blessings to All, Brigitara
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