Questions about my personal path

EverChanging · Mar 27, 2019

I've been thinking about creating a thread on another discussion forum about my personal religious path, but I've been feeling a little vulnerable to do that, so instead I'm going to start a thread to allow others to ask about my path, I'll give answers should anyone be interested, and that might give me some ideas about how to start a thread.

I'll give a little information to help get the questions started should anyone take interest in what I do, and I won't be offended should no one be interested. It is after all a very personal path, and the rituals rarely involve anyone but myself.

When I say personal path I'm specifying that because I also have a communal path. My communal home is in the Episcopal Church. In order to remain there I have to interpret that path in a very liberal and esoteric way, and sometimes it's difficult, but I do it because I find the community and communal religious structure grounding.

This thread is going to be about my personal path. My personal path involves a religious cycle and calendar. It utilizes symbols and metaphors, and it involves trinitarian imagery of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The ritual cycle involves certain changes in the rites that change from day to day and season to season, so there are different readings for each day. Part of the cycle begins anew with each week, part of it changes depending on the liturgical season, and there are also several days in the year that are their own fixed holy day. This implies that if I'm staying disciplined I am performing at least one and sometimes two rituals each day.

This path is derived from Christianity, but intermingled with my personal philosophy with a smidge of influence from Thelema in regard to the Will as filtered through my own beliefs and interpretation. I am in no way claiming that my concept of Will is actually in accord with Thelema, though it resonates with some Thelemic individuals' interpretations of Will that I've encountered online.

The path is essentially pantheistic, but with an accommodation of anthropomorphic representations of God with a devotional emphasis, thus the emphasis on trinitarian imagery. There is also accommodation for polytheism. Because of these influences this path may possibly be classified as neo-pagan with Christian elements, though I shy away from the term Christo-pagan for various reasons. I don't have a name for this path.

I think that should be sufficient information to help prompt any questions regarding my personal path, so if you should be interested I'm inviting you to ask any questions you have about this ritual system or philosophy.

In any case I hope someone takes an interest because I would love the opportunity to actually discuss this path with others. When one is practicing a tradition with only one follower it can get lonely!

TransmutingSoul · Mar 27, 2019

I will wish you always well and happy.

I see life is a path we are all on, this we do share.

Regards Tony

TransmutingSoul · Mar 27, 2019

EverChanging said:
I've been thinking about creating a thread on another discussion forum about my personal religious path, but I've been feeling a little vulnerable to do that, so instead I'm going to start a thread to allow others to ask about my path, I'll give answers should anyone be interested, and that might give me some ideas about how to start a thread.

I'll give a little information to help get the questions started should anyone take interest in what I do, and I won't be offended should no one be interested. It is after all a very personal path, and the rituals rarely involve anyone but myself.

When I say personal path I'm specifying that because I also have a communal path. My communal home is in the Episcopal Church. In order to remain there I have to interpret that path in a very liberal and esoteric way, and sometimes it's difficult, but I do it because I find the community and communal religious structure grounding.

This thread is going to be about my personal path. My personal path involves a religious cycle and calendar. It utilizes symbols and metaphors, and it involves trinitarian imagery of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The ritual cycle involves certain changes in the rites that change from day to day and season to season, so there are different readings for each day. Part of the cycle begins anew with each week, part of it changes depending on the liturgical season, and there are also several days in the year that are their own fixed holy day. This implies that if I'm staying disciplined I am performing at least one and sometimes two rituals each day.

This path is derived from Christianity, but intermingled with my personal philosophy with a smidge of influence from Thelema in regard to the Will as filtered through my own beliefs and interpretation. I am in no way claiming that my concept of Will is actually in accord with Thelema, though it resonates with some Thelemic individuals' interpretations of Will that I've encountered online.

The path is essentially pantheistic, but with an accommodation of anthropomorphic representations of God with a devotional emphasis, thus the emphasis on trinitarian imagery. There is also accommodation for polytheism. Because of these influences this path may possibly be classified as neo-pagan with Christian elements, though I shy away from the term Christo-pagan for various reasons. I don't have a name for this path.

I think that should be sufficient information to help prompt any questions regarding my personal path, so if you should be interested I'm inviting you to ask any questions you have about this ritual system or philosophy.

In any case I hope someone takes an interest because I would love the opportunity to actually discuss this path with others. When one is practicing a tradition with only one follower it can get lonely!

I guess the one question it would raise in my mind is why do you see the need to add to what Christ offered, which in turn is what we can see God offered?

Regards Tony

TransmutingSoul · Mar 27, 2019

EverChanging said:
I am not here to debate but to discuss and explain my personal path should anyone take interest so quite frankly I find you rude and disrespectful. I was under the impression that this subforum is not for debate, but if I'm mistaken, could I please have this thread moved by a mod?

If you use the Tool button, there is a report function which can have a post moderated.

Regards Tony

Workman · Mar 27, 2019

Good to hear you have the full control to belief..
what was the biggest change for you in your pathway?

sealchan · Mar 27, 2019

EverChanging said:
I've been thinking about creating a thread on another discussion forum about my personal religious path, but I've been feeling a little vulnerable to do that, so instead I'm going to start a thread to allow others to ask about my path, I'll give answers should anyone be interested, and that might give me some ideas about how to start a thread.

I'll give a little information to help get the questions started should anyone take interest in what I do, and I won't be offended should no one be interested. It is after all a very personal path, and the rituals rarely involve anyone but myself.

When I say personal path I'm specifying that because I also have a communal path. My communal home is in the Episcopal Church. In order to remain there I have to interpret that path in a very liberal and esoteric way, and sometimes it's difficult, but I do it because I find the community and communal religious structure grounding.

This thread is going to be about my personal path. My personal path involves a religious cycle and calendar. It utilizes symbols and metaphors, and it involves trinitarian imagery of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The ritual cycle involves certain changes in the rites that change from day to day and season to season, so there are different readings for each day. Part of the cycle begins anew with each week, part of it changes depending on the liturgical season, and there are also several days in the year that are their own fixed holy day. This implies that if I'm staying disciplined I am performing at least one and sometimes two rituals each day.

This path is derived from Christianity, but intermingled with my personal philosophy with a smidge of influence from Thelema in regard to the Will as filtered through my own beliefs and interpretation. I am in no way claiming that my concept of Will is actually in accord with Thelema, though it resonates with some Thelemic individuals' interpretations of Will that I've encountered online.

The path is essentially pantheistic, but with an accommodation of anthropomorphic representations of God with a devotional emphasis, thus the emphasis on trinitarian imagery. There is also accommodation for polytheism. Because of these influences this path may possibly be classified as neo-pagan with Christian elements, though I shy away from the term Christo-pagan for various reasons. I don't have a name for this path.

I think that should be sufficient information to help prompt any questions regarding my personal path, so if you should be interested I'm inviting you to ask any questions you have about this ritual system or philosophy.

In any case I hope someone takes an interest because I would love the opportunity to actually discuss this path with others. When one is practicing a tradition with only one follower it can get lonely!

This all sounds very detailed and complex...is it? If so, is there a reason why you feel such a detailed and complex system of rituals is what is right for you that you would care to share?

EverChanging · Mar 27, 2019

Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
I guess the one question it would raise in my mind is why do you see the need to add to what Christ offered, which in turn is what we can see God offered?

Regards Tony

I am not sure exactly what you mean by your question, but I think you mean that Christ had a certain message and set of teachings, and why do I want to add to that?

The thing is I do not take religion literally. And scholars argue that the Christ we have in John is certainly different in many respects from the Christ we see in the synoptic gospels. And certainly the Christ we find in the various so-called gnostic gospels is a very different Christ with a very different message than what we find in the canonical gospels. And the modern conceptions people have of Christ is likely different from that of the canonical gospels and different from the man who was a first century Jew.

I do not take the gospels as purely historical texts, and what Jesus actually did and said is not known to us. What I am interested in in regard to Jesus is the mythological meanings and associations, and given that I have influence over my own subjective universe through the creation of narrative and ritual structures I have arrived at my own interpretation of the Christ just as the so-called gnostics felt the freedom to do the same. Even the canonical gospels put their own theological spin on Jesus' teachings and differ from one another in important respects. So in my thinking why should I not do the same and arrive at my own understanding of what the Christ is?

My rites are not concerned with history or the historical Jesus. I am more concerned with the Christ, and in my philosophy we are all Christs or Stars -- sentient, self-reflecting beings. The question is what are we going to do with that reality?

EverChanging · Mar 27, 2019

Workman said:
Good to hear you have the full control to belief..
what was the biggest change for you in your pathway?

That would depend on what period of life we're looking at, but my most dramatic change was departing from the literalism, dogmatism, and fundamentalism of my childhood and later on embracing the mythic and symbolic approach to religion.

EverChanging · Mar 27, 2019

sealchan said:
This all sounds very detailed and complex...is it? If so, is there a reason why you feel such a detailed and complex system of rituals is what is right for you that you would care to share?

I wouldn't exactly call it complex because most of the rituals stay the same, and the evening ritual does not vary at all or only slightly at this time.

The section that varies is the readings. My ritual is based loosely on the mass as found in the Book of Common Prayer, and in the Book of Common Prayer the main part of the mass that changes from week to week would be the readings and a few other elements.

The readings are what vary in my ritual from day to day, season to season, and on certain holy days. So all that one needs to do when performing the ritual is to follow the fixed parts as they are and in the appropriate place say the reading, prayer, or poem for the day.

All that one needs to perform one of these rituals is to say the prayers and have some unleavened bread and wine (or water as a substitution) and in the evening rite unleavened bread, water, and salt. Incense is optional. So there you have it.

The reason I like this ritual system is that it provides me with a means of self-expression. The narrative and symbolic structure that arises from this system of ritual provides me with a theological framework with which to relate to the world, to the cosmos, to everything. While I may not have control over many things, I have control over the narratives I create which is partly what I'm doing in these rituals, and that influences my subjective experiences.

Think of it as like an art form. Why create art? or why write? Some art and writing can even be complex. I think many people who would create say that they feel a release in expressing themselves. That's how I feel. I am expressing my beliefs and observations about the world through ritual narratives, and that also gives me a sense of meaning, fulfillment, and a sense of where I fit into the big picture -- and not only me, but you as well and all those I care about.

Workman · Mar 27, 2019

EverChanging said:
That would depend on what period of life we're looking at, but my most dramatic change was departing from the literalism, dogmatism, and fundamentalism of my childhood and later on embracing the mythic and symbolic approach to religion.

So then with your opinion; how can one be aware when being in the unawarenesses?

EverChanging · Mar 27, 2019

Workman said:
So then with your opinion; how can one be aware when being in the unawarenesses?

Could you please clarify what you mean by that?

Workman · Mar 27, 2019

EverChanging said:
Could you please clarify what you mean by that?

Sorry I was meaning how did you choose in what to be aware of and why did you choose it?

EverChanging · Mar 27, 2019

Workman said:
Sorry I was meaning how did you choose in what to be aware of and why did you choose it?

I don't believe I chose what I am aware of. I either have awareness or I don't of a particular matter or thing.

When I refer to a being that is sentient and self-reflecting (a Star) I mean that (s)he is conscious and can reflect on who she is, what that means, and her place in the world.

TransmutingSoul · Mar 27, 2019

EverChanging said:
So in my thinking why should I not do the same and arrive at my own understanding of what the Christ is?

That is a good question, a question we must ask.

I think it is important we do find that answer for our own selves and I see we are guided in our own ways.

Reagrds Tony

sealchan · Mar 27, 2019

EverChanging said:
I wouldn't exactly call it complex because most of the rituals stay the same, and the evening ritual does not vary at all or only slightly at this time.

The section that varies is the readings. My ritual is based loosely on the mass as found in the Book of Common Prayer, and in the Book of Common Prayer the main part of the mass that changes from week to week would be the readings and a few other elements.

The readings are what vary in my ritual from day to day, season to season, and on certain holy days. So all that one needs to do when performing the ritual is to follow the fixed parts as they are and in the appropriate place say the reading, prayer, or poem for the day.

All that one needs to perform one of these rituals is to say the prayers and have some unleavened bread and wine (or water as a substitution) and in the evening rite unleavened bread, water, and salt. Incense is optional. So there you have it.

The reason I like this ritual system is that it provides me with a means of self-expression. The narrative and symbolic structure that arises from this system of ritual provides me with a theological framework with which to relate to the world, to the cosmos, to everything. While I may not have control over many things, I have control over the narratives I create which is partly what I'm doing in these rituals, and that influences my subjective experiences.

Think of it as like an art form. Why create art? or why write? Some art and writing can even be complex. I think many people who would create say that they feel a release in expressing themselves. That's how I feel. I am expressing my beliefs and observations about the world through ritual narratives, and that also gives me a sense of meaning, fulfillment, and a sense of where I fit into the big picture -- and not only me, but you as well and all those I care about.

How much personal input have you put into this annual cycle of ritual. It sounds like the biggest part of it is already laid out. Will you make alterations along the way to stick to a strictly defined schedule?

I do like the basic idea you have. I'm curious about what you have changed if anything.

EverChanging · Mar 28, 2019

sealchan said:
How much personal input have you put into this annual cycle of ritual. It sounds like the biggest part of it is already laid out. Will you make alterations along the way to stick to a strictly defined schedule?

I do like the basic idea you have. I'm curious about what you have changed if anything.

The annual cycle of readings was written by me, but some of them are based on psalms or almost entirely psalms with some editorial changes. Some of them are based on selections from the Odes of Solomon. Others were written from scratch.

I will most likely make alterations along the way to improve the language style or to add holy days or tweak some things. The rites slowly evolve. Every part of the rites has evolved, but the core of the Marian Rite (the evening rite) has remained substantially the same since its creation.

EverChanging · Mar 28, 2019

EverChanging said:
The annual cycle of readings was written by me, but some of them are based on psalms or almost entirely psalms with some editorial changes. Some of them are based on selections from the Odes of Solomon. Others were written from scratch.

I will most likely make alterations along the way to improve the language style or to add holy days or tweak some things. The rites slowly evolve. Every part of the rites has evolved, but the core of the Marian Rite (the evening rite) has remained substantially the same since its creation.

I should add that there are not 365 readings. There is a cycle that repeats weekly and then other cycles that repeat once a week and a few that are on fixed days and then a set of them for each day of Holy Week.

Samantha Rinne · Mar 28, 2019

Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
I guess the one question it would raise in my mind is why do you see the need to add to what Christ offered, which in turn is what we can see God offered?

Regards Tony

Probably the same reason as me. I came from the church, grew up in it, but things didn't entirely click because there was a sense of "How can a loving God sentence other faiths to destruction?" I ultimately concluded that except when deeply antichristian that cannot be so, and resolved to study other religions while not leaving the church. I've taken ideas from other faiths while still being ( mostly, I'm slightly panentheistic) Trinitarian monotheistic.

TransmutingSoul · Mar 28, 2019

Samantha Rinne said:
Probably the same reason as me. I came from the church, grew up in it, but things didn't entirely click because there was a sense of "How can a loving God sentence other faiths to destruction?" I ultimately concluded that except when deeply antichristian that cannot be so, and resolved to study other religions while not leaving the church. I've taken ideas from other faiths while still being ( mostly, I'm slightly panentheistic) Trinitarian monotheistic.

Well done, good on you. Personally my journey is acknowledging One God and that if we look, we will find.

I am such a nerd with titles used to call people of Faith, that I would have to look up what words like panentheistic mean

that is all over my head.

I wish you strong faith and a rewarding life.

Regards Tony

metis · Mar 28, 2019

EverChanging said:
In any case I hope someone takes an interest because I would love the opportunity to actually discuss this path with others. When one is practicing a tradition with only one follower it can get lonely!

IMO, it's great that you're challenging yourself and looking for answers, and in this area that's a real challenge. Good luck on your search.

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