Spirituality is often portrayed as difficult and eve alien.? We have been taught in this culture that a mediator is required – someone to talk to God / All That Is for us.
If we do have the audacity to address God directly, we are basically taught two methods – one is to use rote prayers, like the Hail Mary and Our Father.? The other is to beg and plead, like a victim begging for mercy from a harsh judge.
In the African American church in this country, in many ways God is different.? ‘God Is Able’ knows what God can do, and expects just that – and is sung and danced in joyful, confident tones.? Still, the mediator is present and a certain formal tone is expected.
The white churches, mainstream and evangelical, Protestant and Catholic, are basically bleeding people.? Folk are just not showing up.? Those folk not showing up in those pews are exploring many different relationships with God / Goddess / the Universe, and are not waiting for a mediator, but are having direct communication with their loving deity – addressed as Mother, Father, Lover, Sister, Brother, Daughter, Son, Friend, Partner, All in All, the Universe. their own Higher Selves.
They are using visualizations, meditations, dance, exercise, stillness, walks.? And they know that every prayer is answered, that prayer is talking, meditation is listening.? These people focus on what they want, working not to create through their fear those situations they don’t want.
The original sin we have been taught we carry with us as a dark stain, the notion that life is pain and suffering, that sacrifice is the way to heaven and to avoid hell (there is no hell) is sooooo 20th century.
This is the 21st century.? It’s time for Joy.? Go for it.