| Articles
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Spiritual VersatilityBy Amy Garcia |
I was recently driving my teenage daughter
and her friend on an outing. The conversation turned to my
work coordinating metaphysical events. Her friend proceeded to ask, "Are you Christian or Catholic?" I listened intently because I was curious about how my daughter would respond. She thought about it for a moment and then brightly declared, "We're versatile!' I had to laugh out loud. "That's a good answer." I said. "I'll have to remember that one."
Over the past few years I have been in conversations with fundamentalist thinkers who wonder if I am still following the Rules that will lead to my salvation. Some old friends have expressed concern that I have strayed from the doctrines that have been developed around Jesus Christ. Since I didn't feel the need to attack or defend, I usually said very little in response. Religious debate is not something I indulge in.
The truth is that since I have been studying the Course in Miracles and other New Thought principles, I find that I have a closer connection with Christ than I have ever experienced. I agree that the traditional texts are valuable resources for wisdom, but I think we are limiting ourselves if we don't explore the myriad ways to connect with our Creator.
When I began organizing programs, it was my intention to create a spiritual gathering place where all paths to God are honored. As I have shared this work, I have become less reticent to discuss my beliefs and alternative spiritual practices. I am realizing that if I don't make the information easily available to people, it may be depriving them of venues for greater spiritual awareness and development. It doesn't feel authentic to withhold my truth just because they might think that I am odd. Once people explore other possibilities for themselves, they don't remain skeptics for long.
In my life, the study of metaphysics has brought me greater joy, peace and connection with God. I use discernment when presented with any idea, whether it is old or new. To do this I go within myself for guidance and decide if it resonates with my personal truth. The bottom line is that no external authority has the formula that will create our relationship with the Divine. That answer is only found within.
In her book, Questions from Earth, Answers from Heaven, Char Margolis, writes, "As a professional psychic intuitive for the past twenty-five years, I have been associated with many people who were part of what's called the "New Age" movement. Truthfully, however, I believe much of the "New Age" was really "Old Age" in disguise. People sought to return to humanity's deepest roots of culture, religion, and nature, trying to connect with the power they sensed in themselves and in the universe. But all too often it seems that they got caught up in the forms they chose. They failed to recognize that all paths lead to the same place, and the best, most direct path to God does not rely on outer forms, but on a direct connection with the universe from within ourselves. A connection that flows naturally through our own intuitive channels, as long as we don't block them with doubts, fears and misconceptions."
I would encourage all of us to speak our truth without fear. This does not involve evangelizing or arguing, just gentle sharing of alternative ways of Being. As we examine the spiritual paths and traditions of all cultures, we create tolerance and understanding. The key to expansion is to remain versatile and open to change. As we explore the infinite possibilities in our world, we can find the basic underlying universal truths that connect us all.
Amy Garcia is a writer, teacher and healer who coordinates festivals and programs for the Southern California metaphysical community. Please feel free to contact her at (951) 688-7441 or AWaterlily444@aol.com to receive information on upcoming events.
Over the past few years I have been in conversations with fundamentalist thinkers who wonder if I am still following the Rules that will lead to my salvation. Some old friends have expressed concern that I have strayed from the doctrines that have been developed around Jesus Christ. Since I didn't feel the need to attack or defend, I usually said very little in response. Religious debate is not something I indulge in.
The truth is that since I have been studying the Course in Miracles and other New Thought principles, I find that I have a closer connection with Christ than I have ever experienced. I agree that the traditional texts are valuable resources for wisdom, but I think we are limiting ourselves if we don't explore the myriad ways to connect with our Creator.
When I began organizing programs, it was my intention to create a spiritual gathering place where all paths to God are honored. As I have shared this work, I have become less reticent to discuss my beliefs and alternative spiritual practices. I am realizing that if I don't make the information easily available to people, it may be depriving them of venues for greater spiritual awareness and development. It doesn't feel authentic to withhold my truth just because they might think that I am odd. Once people explore other possibilities for themselves, they don't remain skeptics for long.
In my life, the study of metaphysics has brought me greater joy, peace and connection with God. I use discernment when presented with any idea, whether it is old or new. To do this I go within myself for guidance and decide if it resonates with my personal truth. The bottom line is that no external authority has the formula that will create our relationship with the Divine. That answer is only found within.
In her book, Questions from Earth, Answers from Heaven, Char Margolis, writes, "As a professional psychic intuitive for the past twenty-five years, I have been associated with many people who were part of what's called the "New Age" movement. Truthfully, however, I believe much of the "New Age" was really "Old Age" in disguise. People sought to return to humanity's deepest roots of culture, religion, and nature, trying to connect with the power they sensed in themselves and in the universe. But all too often it seems that they got caught up in the forms they chose. They failed to recognize that all paths lead to the same place, and the best, most direct path to God does not rely on outer forms, but on a direct connection with the universe from within ourselves. A connection that flows naturally through our own intuitive channels, as long as we don't block them with doubts, fears and misconceptions."
I would encourage all of us to speak our truth without fear. This does not involve evangelizing or arguing, just gentle sharing of alternative ways of Being. As we examine the spiritual paths and traditions of all cultures, we create tolerance and understanding. The key to expansion is to remain versatile and open to change. As we explore the infinite possibilities in our world, we can find the basic underlying universal truths that connect us all.
Amy Garcia is a writer, teacher and healer who coordinates festivals and programs for the Southern California metaphysical community. Please feel free to contact her at (951) 688-7441 or AWaterlily444@aol.com to receive information on upcoming events.
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