Masculine spirituality, feminine spirituality?

[Gaura Priya]

I don't understand.

What makes a certain spirituality more 'masculine,' or more 'feminine'? Is it that certain rituals, chants, or actions are more applicable to men as opposed to women, and vice versa, or is it that there are certain traits and/or qualities that are gender-innate that are expressed in religious practice?

From Prayers of Strength for Men, to Prayers for Woman, from gender-specific Devotionals and meeting groups to raw delineation of gender roles in religious cultures, in a post-modern world (or at least a progressive one) you would think that our idea of gender would be more fluid when it comes to spiritual practice.

Are such things still needed today?

[Songbird]

Men tend to like some things and women other things, but labeling the spiritual practices themselves as masculine/feminine is arbitrary and usually harmful, imo, because it places limits and rules on something that I think should be a freeing and individual journey - not rigid or externally prescribed.

[Gaura Priya]

I often think also of Freemasonry, Dianic Wicca... spiritual communities that tend to either worship strongly of a feminine principle, or a masculine principle over the other gender.

However, I understand also that in our society, men and women do approach different subjects in life, and the same ones with different perspectives. Not to label generalisations of gender, but in our Western society, men and women simply do different things.

This reminds of our NDP party where unfortunately there are 'boy ministries' and 'girl ministries' labelled for the differences of services provided by the political party; economic circumstances, finances, etc. are usually given for men to address in the party, and and social issues are given to women. As much as there was an outcry in the paper this morning on its apparent sexism, unfortunately the reality is that this is still the case.

[Vinayaka]

It depends what current (ida or pingala) your awareness is flowing in.

[ratikala]

Originally Posted by Gaura Priya

I don't understand.

no I dont understand either

From Prayers of Strength for Men, to Prayers for Woman, from gender-specific Devotionals and meeting groups to raw delineation of gender roles in religious cultures, in a post-modern world (or at least a progressive one) you would think that our idea of gender would be more fluid when it comes to spiritual practice.

apart from being simply etiquette , a way allso of dealing with our present birth ,
a way of regulating society ,
from a personal veiw point 'ultimately' I dont see any difference between one devotee and another their gender is imaterial , as is their age or cultural background , however on a 'conventional level' we do need to make allowances for cultural conditioning , and levels of need or atainment in each individual .

Are such things still needed today?

for some yes , for others no , the world is not the simpleplace it was , therefore there is a greater need for understanding and in some cases acceptance .

personaly I dont like to make an issue out of it , as I feel we are limited as much by things like age as we are by gender , it is all material .
our faith trancends all material concernes .

hope that makes some sence ?

namaskars ....ratikala

[Shadow Wolf]

Labeling anything as masculine, feminine, or neutral is arbitrary and will vary from person-to-person, culture-to-culture. As for spirituality I would reason the need to appeal to a more feminine or masculine aspect is probably rooted in a deeper psychological or cultural desire or need. A person or group that wants to boast their masculinity may make appeals to their deity that has been ascribed more masculine traits, while another person or group that wants to embrace their femininity may take part in rituals that celebrate a deity that is viewed as feminine.

[painted wolf]

There are some differences between the sexes that are valid.

Men don't need ritual or prayers associated with menses or giving birth for example.

Those minor differences however don't mean that all religious expression needs to be gendered.

wa:do

[Averroes]

I believe feminine spirituality is the result of the popularity of patriarchal type spiritual beliefs e.g Abrahamic Religions

[painted wolf]

Originally Posted by Averroes

I believe feminine spirituality is the result of the popularity of patriarchal type spiritual beliefs e.g Abrahamic Religions

Except in traditional indigenous communities there is usually a division of "spiritual labor" between the genders. With certain ceremonies being exclusive to each group.

wa:do

[Shadow Wolf]

I believe feminine spirituality is the result of the popularity of patriarchal type spiritual beliefs e.g Abrahamic Religions

There have been many non-patriarchal societies that have still had an emphasis on the feminine and masculine. Some of them are even egalitarian and are very gender segregated.