UU Adult RE Spirit in Practice #4

For this week's journaling, return to your memory of a meaningful communal worship experience, or think of a new one. Weddings and funerals count as well as Sunday services and special holiday observances. How do you think the presence of a community affected your meaningful experience?

-Chanting with a Nichiren Buddhist group. At first it was kind of weird but after I got used to it, there was something energetic about many people chanting together. We were encouraged to chant alone but it's not the same. I used to chant along with a youtube video. Again, not the same as chanting with real people and experiencing that energy in person and in real-time.

-UU Sunday service. I enjoy it most when the house band UU2 plays. Jehovah's Witnesses would never* allow secular music in their "churches" so I was pretty surprised when UU2 played Pink Floyd. Various members give their gift of song and music. I've been called on a few times to read the children's story or a passage with the worship theme. Music speaks to me so I'm quite happy that my UU congregation is musically inclined.

-Pagan family's ritual. This was the first time I participated in a pagan group ritual. I believe the family was Wiccan. After the ritual, we shared a vegetarian meal. The event occurred at the beginning of my new spiritual journey so I really didn't know what to make of it. However, I wouldn't mind participating in other group rituals even though I am a solitary.
My preference is to perform rituals and practice alone. However, I really enjoy sharing and learning from others in the UU community whether in person or online. I think both are necessary to have a complete spiritual practice.
What do you appreciate most about worshipping with a community? What are some things you can do - actions within your own power to accomplish - that would help you to experience worship more deeply?

I appreciate being part of the energy that comes with being in a community where you truly belong. For years after I was formally expelled from JW, I still occasionally attended the meetings. The last one I attending was their 2010 celebration of Jesus' death. It felt all wrong and I never went back again. That was truly the first step of my new spiritual journey. 

My goal for this year is to visit neighboring UU congregations. Since each congregation is autonomous, the worship and energy will be different in each one. I would also like to participate more in programs sponsoring by my home congregation; my work schedule prevents me from even attending regularly.

Deism and Prayer

Deists have varying thoughts on prayer. Some believe that Deity does not interfere in human affairs and thus prayer is a waste of time. Others like myself believe that prayer connects to the Higher Self which can be view as the God/dess within.

I remember hearing a sermon that mentioned 4 types of prayer. I'm guessing this refers to Christian prayer but I'll go over each type and why it may or may not fit into my practice.

• Praise/Adoration/Love/Awe: When you tell Deity how great She and Her Works are. Chances are, She already knows but it doesn't hurt to be reminded every now and then. Deism is based in science so praising the beauty of the sunset or being in awe of the human birthing process would fit in with this belief system. In my Pagan rituals there are invocations that could be likened to prayers of adoration although I'm not really one for flowery speech.

• Thanks: Not sure if this form has a place in deism. The creative side of my brain whispers a quick Thank you to the Universe when things go my way unexpectedly. The rational side realizes that there is no proof that a Deity exists so who am I thanking? Does Deity even intervene? In case She does, no harm and saying Good looking out!

• Petition/Intercession: This is the I need, I want, or somebody else needs/wants prayer. I feel torn about this form. For example, I lost my job a few years back. Along with prayer and ritual, I looked for employment and asked friend for leads. Currently employed so was that me or Goddess? On the other hand, there's poverty, war, lack of drinking water, animal cruelty, crime, disease, and other bad things going on in the world. These things rarely make it into my prayers. Why? Because we humans caused them and it's not Goddess' responsibility to get rid of them. We have everything we need to get rid of man-made conditions.

• Confession: No such type in Paganism or deism. You would have to believe in some type of sin. Sin implies a wrongdoing again Deity. Many Pagans follow the rule of do what you want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. Although broad, this edict carries common sense. If some sort of wrongdoing took place, the only confession necessary would be to the person wronged and/or to law enforcement.

UU Adult RE: Spirit in Practice #3

What have your experiences been with meditation and prayer? What forms have you tried? What forms of meditation and prayer have been personally meaningful for you? How have your prayer and/or meditation practices affected you? 

My views on prayer have changed drastically from when I was a kid. First I needed to define who or what I was praying to and for what. It's more meaningful to visualize a loving Creatrix not a patriarchal dictator. Deity resides within and without. Prayer accesses and connects the two forms. Prayer as a conversation between you and Deity should remain that way although interfaith group prayers embrace community. 

I suppose prayer can be a form of meditation. When I chanted daily, I was able to concentrate better, to sit still without fidgeting. One needs to still the monkey / kitten mind. In the stillness comes realizations and solutions to problems. 

Where would you like to go with a personal spiritual practice?
I would like to get into a daily routine of some kind of spiritual practice. Right now, it's hit or miss but it's better than nothing. So far, I'm enjoying my trip through the tarot. Maybe I'll delve into yoga.

Daily Meditation 1/24/15

Lunar month - Rehk Wer 5
Solar month - Aqu 5
Metonic - Year 1, Lunation 2

Tzolk'in - 1 Kan
Dreamspell - Blue Solar Monkey

Lunar phase --
Tarot - 0 Fool - Uranus. Change, new beginnings, carefree. Leave the past behind. 

I-Ching - 4 Inexperience (Water below Mountain): You don't have all the facts at your fingertips or your are lacking in experience to deal with this situation. Seek advice and further knowledge before proceeding but don't lose your enthusiasm.

UU Adult RE: Spirit in Practice #2

Write about the prospect or the experience of discussing spirituality with someone else. If spirituality isn't a meaningful term for you, write about discussing your participation in a congregation or revealing something else about yourself related to your search for meaning.

I have no problem discussing spirituality with others. It's a way to get to know others and opens the way to acceptance, not just tolerance. People should connect by finding common points instead of distancing by focusing on differences. Problems occur when the objective is to convert. No one likes being told they are wrong. If at the end of the discussion parties "agree to disagree," fine. But hopefully everyone will come out of it with a better understanding of the others.

Eight Spheres of Spiritual Practice
#5 Body Practices

I know, I know, I need to exercise more. I've been walking around my building on my 15 min break at work. When it gets warmer, I'll walk outside. Maybe I'll get a human walking partner by then. Weight Watchers program helps a bit with how to eat. Denying oneself food is a recipe for disaster, unless you are allergic to said foodstuffs. All things in moderation including eating. Therefore, no more carb-less meals for me. Ever. 

Other things that may fall under body practices:

• Body is a temple. Decorate it as you see fit. I usually don't wear makeup but I love gold jewelry (I have multiple piercings). Looking to get another tattoo.
• Smoking can be a ritualistic practice. Smoking what, you say? *wink*
• Limiting unnecessary medications. Instead of reaching for aspirin to clear a headache, I try to calm myself to see if will go away on its own. USA dispenses way too much medication each with its own side effects. So then we take more medication to combat the side effects.
• Safe, sane, consensual sex. Again - Safe. Sane. Consensual.
• Learning to love your body even through the changes. This is a struggle I deal with which is why you will hardly see any full length pictures of me. Here is a body meditation that you may find useful. It is not my own but I forgot where I read it. Stand in front of a mirror au naturel. Look at yourself from all angles. Study yourself as if you were a piece of artwork. You are Art and the mirror is a frame. Look at your "flaws" and how they make you, you. Look at them without judgement. Do not be afraid to see You. 

Daily Meditation 1/8/15

Lunar month - Shef Bedet 19
Solar month - Cap 19
Metonic - Year 1, Lunation 1

Tzolk'in - 11 Lamat
Dreamspell - Blue Rhythmic Eagle

Lunar phase --
Tarot --
I-Ching - 29 The Deep (Water below Water): You must take care; there is much danger about. Watch your step as you teeter on the edge of a deep pit. You must remove yourself from this situation but proceed with extreme caution.

Daily Meditation 1/7/15

Lunar month - Shef Bedet 18
Solar month - Cap 18
Metonic - Year 1, Lunation 1

Tzolk'in - 10 Manik 
Dreamspell - White Overtone Wizard

Lunar phase --
Tarot --
I-Ching - 3 Initial Difficulty (Thunder below Water): You must plan ahead. If you embark without seeing the difficulties you will fail. Look ahead and progress can be made. Birth is always painful but essential - enjoy the power.