The essence of the Spiritual Warrior

What makes someone a “Spiritual Warrior?” Is it something one does, or something one decides? You will have joy only when you focus on having it and settle for nothing less. –Orin, as channeled by Sanaya Roman in the book Living with Joy Making sense of the term “Spiritual Warrior” has always been a challenge for me because each word seems [...]

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The Spiritual Superiority Syndrome

To believe that one has found the single spiritual truth or “correct way of being” and to then react emotionally when others don’t agree is to walk on dangerous ground. This self-righteousness seeks and often finds our greatest weaknesses and latches on. I’ve observed its poison course through myself, others, and humanity as a whole time and again. We can see the [...]

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Is naming God, limiting God?

Give a definite name to Deity, He would be no more than what the name implies. To [name] the Deity is to give him tradition, nationality, limitation, and fixity, and it never brings us nearer to Him. –Kaiten Nukariya in The Religion of the Samurai An unfortunate side-effect of critical thought – one more prevalent [...]

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The difference between Truth and Belief

Truth empowers. Belief stifles.  Truth is innate. Belief is acquired. Truth is to peace as Belief is to conflict.  Truth is to spirituality as Belief is to dogma. We yearn for Truth, but sabotage ourselves with Belief. Truth transcends critical thought. Belief is a construct of the mind. Truth is simple and self-evident. Belief is complex and requires justification.

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The Spiritual Mirror

At different points throughout my 31 years I’ve been immersed in Christianity, Paganism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Zen. Masters who walk two of these paths have called me student. This might lead some to the conclusion that I’ve amassed a good deal of wisdom – but that conclusion would be incorrect. Recognition of the novice I really am has recently humbled me in a big way. The Cup of Tea, a Zen [...]

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The Threefold Law: the Patriarchy’s gift to Wicca?

Most Wiccans recognize two related moral codes – the Wiccan Rede and the Threefold Law. The Rede states “As it harms none, do what you will.” In simple terms this means “do what you like as long as no one gets hurt, including yourself.” The Threefold Law states that whatever energy one puts forth (in words, thoughts, [...]

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Understanding Panentheism

While reading Wicca’s Charm, a Christian commentary on Wicca, I came across a term I hadn’t encountered before: panentheism. I decided to visit Technorati to see what other bloggers had written on the topic. Of the posts I read, this one seemed to offer the best explanation of the term. Its author compared and contrasted it with another term it’s apparently often mistaken for, pantheism. [...]

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The Wiccan Rede, Part II: Meaning

In part two of this three part post, I’ll examine the meaning of the maxim many Wiccans strive to live by: As it harms none, do what you will.  From attorney, activist, and Wiccan author Phyllis Curott in her interview with Guy Spiro of The Monthly Aspectarian: We are indicted in the rest of the religious community for that. [...]

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The Wiccan Rede, Part I: Corresponding Forms

If there’s one thing most religions can agree on, it’s the Ethic of Reciprocity, commonly known as “The Golden Rule.” In Wicca, it’s called the Wiccan Rede: As it harms none, do what you will.

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The “Source of Evil”

Today two women from the local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses visited my front door and offered two pamphlets, one entitled “What is the Source of Evil?” On its cover is a figure in a black coat with black gloves, holding a gun and advancing toward children playing near a park slide. Satan, the anti-Christ [...]

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