My search for a meaningful spiritual path.

A Golden Rule. Most religions have a golden rule. It is a statement, a code of ethic, that describe how we should interrelate with each other. Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

A 'cause and effect' rule. 'You shall reap what you sow.' Karma. These statements of reciprocity repeat an universal rule: action=reaction. Sometime the reaction is indirect and a long time coming.

To be of service to each other. To work for the goodness of All. This comes into plain view in times of natural disasters. Serving the need of the community can be rewarding.   But too often we serve greed, power and selfishness.

A belief in something greater than us. Each religion has a name for this 'Greater than us' being; example: God, Allah, Brahman. An atheist might call it a Cosmic energy system. In some religions it shows up as a reverence for ancestors and their spirits. Also each religions have a creation myth.

A purpose to life. To some people this seems nonexistent. When you're up to your waist in alligators, it's easy to forget that your main purpose was to drain the pool; never mind why.
There is more to life than creating life, or surviving. All religions talk about growing and improving one self.

Prophecies are also common throughout the world. Prophecies, when seen clearly by many through the ages, are inevitable events. In the spirit world these events are reality; and it's just a matter to wait for linear time to see these events manifest themselves. BUT what will happen in about 20 years from now has not been foretold (NO it's not the end of the world yet). That's because the future is still dependent on our thought and actions of today. Will we wake up, help each other out and become a global community? or will we defend fiercely the little resources that will remain blaming each other for past events?

There is hope. I think the solution is to change some of our values until it reaches a majority of people including politicians. Currently we put humans at the center of this world, including a charismatic teacher who was proclaimed a god by the church (Council of Nicea circa 251). We are just a small part of Creation. Sure we are smart, we can express ourselves vocally and we walk on two leg. But that doesn't make us superior to everything else. I've too often heard "What's wrong with cutting a few trees? There's lots." Well... not anymore.

In my search for a spiritual path and their common elements, I found a few points that were lacking or overlooked in some mainstream religions:

The Earth. Many religions include other living being as part of their family. Long before mainstream religions became widespread across the globe, people depended on the Earth and lived in harmony with nature. To them all natural life was sacred. There are very few tribes left that hold these beliefs.

Self-expression. We are the only animal who has the capability to speak.  I believe it  is a given right to express ourselves.  We all have free will, that is, the power to reason.  How we express our will affect our society and our environment. People who use their power to constraint or oppress others are working against the goodness of all. The cry for freedom is heard worldwide. A cry for freedom of speech, toughs and expression. A cry against oppression, abuse of power.

Respect, not necessarily acceptance, of someone else's tradition, lifestyle, ideology, or emotion.  Respect is acknowledging that someone else has different values and beliefs.  It is their right to have such beliefs, lifestyle, etc, just as it is your right to yours.  Here is an example of Tolerance.

So far the only belief system I found that includes the last three points are the neo-pagan religions.

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Copyright © 2003
by Mark of Carnac

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The last time I changed this date was May 9, 2004