Embracing the Spectrum of Spiritual Connection

I've realized that having a spiritual connection is not just beneficial; it's essential for our wellbeing. It provides a sense of purpose, grounding, and guidance in the complexities of life. In my journey through life, I've observed and tested a fascinating array of beliefs and understandings about the divine or higher powers. These reflections are not just philosophical or academic; they resonate deeply within me, shaped by my many personal experiences, cultural heritage, and individual worldview. It has led me to understand and empathize with a vast variety of spiritual connections.

In my conversations with people from various backgrounds, I've encountered a rich spectrum of beliefs about God. I've been personally immersed at a high level hierarchy in Indian temples, both Sikh temple, Hindu temple, Catholic Church, Buddhist temple, Confucianism and Taoism, Protestant Church and in Allahs Temple as well as being initiated in the Torah. On the mystical side I've encountered groups that follows the Kabbalah as well as groups that follows Sufism, also other secular spiritual gatherings. In addition, I've had the opportunity to study and heal in various Indigenous and shamanic philosophy. I've meditated, prayed and cried in all of these otherwise segregated Sacred Places. And what's even more mind boggling, I've felt profound Godly connection in all these vastly different environments.

For some, God is a benevolent guardian, omnipotent and ever-present. For others, God is an abstract force, more an energy than a being with human-like qualities. And then, there are those who find their sense of divinity not in a deity but in the profound essence of life itself or the natural world around us. This tapestry of beliefs highlights how personal and subjective our spiritual journeys are.

Thinking about the qualities often attributed to God, I imagine a being of immense love and compassion, one who embodies wisdom and a steadfast commitment to truth and fairness. This being, in my mind, possesses an innate strength, capable of both nurturing and transforming the world. They exhibit forgiveness, offering second chances and redemption with an open heart. In them, I see a figure of clarity, resilience, and profound connection to all life.

In my reflections, I've differentiated between the traditional concept of God and the pursuit of Enlightenment. While the former often aligns with the idea of a divine creator, Enlightenment, to me, seems more like a secular path to self-discovery, free from the confines of specific religious doctrines. Similarly, while the former often offers a strong community, Enlightenment is often a solitary path.

I've also often pondered the difference between seeking external salvation and cultivating inner enlightenment. In religious practices, there's a focus on prayer and faith as mechanisms to cope with life's trials. As well as waiting for a savior to save us from human suffering. In contrast, enlightenment encourages a more introspective approach, dealing with personal and societal challenges through self-awareness and detachment.

The path to Enlightenment often speaks to the hyper-independent personality that can sometimes be driven by an underlying relational trauma, leading them to think they have to do it all alone in order for it to be done right.

In the religious community one is often encouraged to pray to God to have needs met, unfortunately often keeping the individual in a codependent, disempowered state where they don't think they can find the resources within to deal with things, whether it is personal, societal or global. In the path of enlightenment one has to practice detachment and letting go which can foster a certain emotional detachment where one is not encouraged to do anything with the situation at hand, just allowing everything to unfold within its own natural pace.

What I've noticed is that in both of these groups, there's a majority of people not knowing or having the awareness they need to take care of their emotional wellbeing.

My next thesis would be: Could any human being grow into effortlessly expressing God-like characteristics? Kindly note, growing is never effortless, but could it become a skill, something that would become effortless after a lot of effort? And why would anyone even bother to give it a go?

But that's another article.

Through my own experiences, I've come to realize that we are simultaneously individual beings and integral parts of a larger community. Our actions and emotions ripple through those around us, influencing and being influenced. Embracing emotional awareness is key not only to our personal growth but also to how we connect and find our place within society.

Whatever kind of Place of Worship you belong to (or don't belong to), whether its a church, temple, mosque, shrine or nature, I encourage you, as I have myself, to start on a path of emotional awareness. It is vital to understand the ways we are emotionally unwell in order to connect with peers and live a fulfilling, satisfying, and to some extent Holy life. And by Holy, I mean wholesome, and somewhat reaching our optimal relational potential as well as regularly experiencing the feeling of awe.

As this year draws to a close, let's take a moment to reflect on our personal growth and the untapped depths of human connection. Whether you're celebrating Christmas or simply the passage of time, I hope this season brings you moments of warmth and deep reflection.

We entered this world far from perfect, and it's only now that we're beginning to truly understand and value our emotional language.

The best of us is yet to come.

Warmly welcome to embark on our emotional education journey

www.emotionaleducation.no

Maria