I’m briefly quoted in an interesting article on Neopagans who embrace Quaker spirituality. Cat Chapin-Bishop, who frequently hangs out at this blog and who is herself a Quaker Pagan, is featured in it as well.
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THE WEBSITE OF UNKNOWING (www.anamchara.com) is all about Celtic, contemplative, emergent, and mystical spirituality, and assorted other topics.
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Introduction to Christian Mysticism through Emory University's "Evening at Emory" Program.
The renowned twentieth century German theologian Karl Rahner said, “The Christian of the future will be a mystic or will not exist at all.” What could he have meant by this? In the popular mind, mysticism is associated with eastern spirituality, like Yoga or Zen. But there is a little-known tradition of meditation and spiritual awakening even within Christianity. This non-sectarian class will survey the history of Christian mysticism from Biblical times to the present, explore the meaning of mysticism and why Christians often view it with suspicion, and consider the role that mysticism might play in Christianity of the present and future.
Textbook: The Big Book of Christian Mysticism.
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September 23-October 21, 2010
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WOW! I’ve been reading for hours. Cat Chapin-Bishop is one heck of a writer. Then I went on other links connected. I sure got an education of paganism,Quakers,nature and people searching for meaning in their lives(maybe I put that wrong) I don’t know how else to say it. What strikes me is how much we are all alike! Everyone I read of seems to innately want good and a sense of belonging and a power greater than themselves. You know I liked all these people. Really interesting. love, judy
Wow back! And a blush and a thank you, at least on behalf of my own blog.
I’m really happy you found something you could relate to in your explorations. You know, without meaning to trivialize the different disciplines that distinct religious traditions have to offer, I suspect that Spirit finds our distinctions, at least on some level… quaint. I think we _are_ alike, those of us who are honestly and sincerely trying to heed the leadings of Spirit in the world, at least insofar as there is one Spirit (or one spiritual world, depending on how you want to phrase it) that has us all under its care.
Again, I’m not trying to say that Christianity, Paganism, Islam, or Buddhism (for instance) are really “all the same”, or that there’s no point in studying your own religious tradition in depth. But I do think that a loving presence is here among us, and can bring us together if we allow it.
Sorry. I think I’m saying it badly. But maybe you already know what I’m trying to find words for, here…
Pingback: More Thoughts About Christianity and Paganism « Anamchara • The Website of Unknowing
I’ve sat here for an hour deciding whether to open my mouth again. I really don’t like attention,good or bad.But since I went this far out on a limb maybe I’ll go a little further. I would go to Cat Chapin-Bishop’s blog but I am afraid. Mind you not of Cat as I believe she has gobs of integrity but of myself. I can be carried away so easily and I feel safe here. I tend to fall in love with ideas and beautifully construed words.Like the time I fell in love with a rather prominent Jewish leader because of his articles in our newspaper. My husband said,”now I suppose you will become Jewish”, there was truth in that. I told him” I just won’t mention Jesus” I must stay loyal to my experience, not that my metaphysical experience told me all the truth but rather showed me Christ was the Truth. I’m getting too old and my mind gets strained to take in everything. Respectfully, judy
It was an interesting article, and a finely balanced piece of journalism, giving equal respect to both aspects of the RSoF.
Dear Judith – you are getting carried away because you can recognise truth wherever it comes from. The Quakers have a saying, “be open to new light, wherever it may come from.”
There’s nothing wrong with recognising truth in other traditions, maybe even hanging out with them for a bit, and then returning refreshed to your own beloved tradition. Last year I went on what I can only describe as a spiritual roller-coaster ride, visiting Orthodoxy, finding it too doctrinal (and full of doctrines that I found it impossible to believe in), then finding a home in Unitarianism and all the while trying to balance these adventures with my beloved Wicca. But Unitarianism and Wicca fit together very comfortably – others have walked that particular dual path before.
Thanks Yvonne, it’s so good in this realm with everybody understanding. Actually my nephew says I’m under the illusion that I am catholic and that I am really a Taoist. grateful. judy
wow a Quaker pagan Buddhist Wicca Orthodox Taoist Catholic etc etc more than I can handle…
Just don’t forget to listen to what Jesus has to say!
love, Peter
Going back into the archives looking for the post where people listed their favorite 10 books(which I cannot find) I came across Quakers and Pagans and I recalled my thoughts at this time. Having never stated the books I wanted to take with me if I had to rush out of the house in a fire or something (the post I was searching for) I thought I would list at least one here which tied together with a thought on Quakers and Pagans. The book is Heliotropium by an ascetical writer in the 1600′s, Jeremias Drexelius. This book is about the will of God. Now, at the time I made a comment on the Quakers and Pagans I was rather embarrassed having talked so openly even though I wanted to say more. I will just say it now. Cat-Chapin Bishop’s blog (which I read, I believe everything on it) has a statement on it that at the time pierced my heart being a mother of 4 and a grandmother to 7. Cat told the story about little girls in her neighborhood making their first communion and how she didn’t quite fit in. Later I thought of God’s love for her and how she loved nature and how her life eventually went down the path or up (one could say) into Paganism, where she got to embrace everything she held dear. In the book Heliotropium I first mentioned, there is much to say of God’s Providence. The book is more than slightly redundant and a bit harsh at times (or so it seems) but one comes away with the feeling that all things are well ordered and for a reason. I hope you can make sense out of all this!