in every sense, all ups and downs with my boss and all the crew and the community i belong to; have to ponder on this and hope to find space to reply to later more. May you all have a beautiful day.
In my teens I belonged to a youth group at a congregational church I loved. Growing up my siblings and I went to Sunday Mass and CCD but I didn’t connect with it at all. My ex husband and I tried all different churches while we were married. His parents didn’t go to church. It wasn’t until after my Mother died that I started going back to Catholic Church regularly. My Mother was a devout Catholic and sang in the choir and I knew she would want her grandchildren to go to religion classes. One of the requirements was that all parents had to go thru a series of Theology Classes with the Pastor. Father Creeden was the best, very down to earth and funny. I learned a lot and knew this church was the right fit for me.
To me, the wording of the question is confusing. I think of practices (meditation, church going, nature walks) as expressing spirituality, not shaping it. What has shaped my spirituality is seeing how I have been guided always and great teachers like CS Lewis and Richard Rohr.
I was born into Catholicism…and my life has been shaped by that belief system. I also have found much in the Church that I do not find helpful or good. So there starts the internal dialogue. I was a “good” Catholic for many of my years…When I went to get married at age 52….I was marrying a man who was divorced (who is also Catholic). In order to be married in the Church…my sincere hope.. Marrying in the Church was not a possibility…my husband would have to get an Annulment..something he did not believe in. He believed in his marriage and loved his wife and they had two children..he did not want to “null and void” that relationship. We were married in a beautiful Methodist ceremony with Communion..which was very important to me. My husband has given up on the Catholic Faith…I will always be a Catholic- but do not go to Church often. We live 40 minutes from a Church..Unfortunately, as has been my historu in the Church…there is no sense of Community. If you are not “from here”…and not well known..no one even says hello. I would leave Mass, Sunday after Sunday and would say hello, or good morning and I would get strange looks. I was told West Virginia people are the friendliest people anywhere…not true. I will always pray and I believe in God..I go outside and stand on my porch and look at the forest and hear the birds and look at the sky..I know that there is a God. He does not have to be Catholic for me to love him. My experiences as a child going to Catholic School also has impacted me. When in second or third grade…my teacher (a nun) asked me in front of the class “Where is your tuition?”…I was a child! My mother died two and a half months after I graduated from grammar school (the same school)…I went to that school for 9 years..and was in a class of about 30…I never heard from one person from that class and certainly not the nuns…who lived a block from me. So I have been jaded… However; as I said..I will never deny my faith or my God. So sorry for this long post..I think it was a bit of therapy. Thank you for listening. Blessings to all of you.
Nannette, I am also the product of Catholic grade school & the awful nuns & priests too. I have many “stories”. My sister suffered greatly at their hands.
Anyway, I have worked very very hard on my faith & undoing the “damage” from Catholic grade school.
I wish you all the best…❤️
Another product of a Catholic Parochial school here….2nd through 7th……the Sisters of Notre Dame……Sister Rose Anthony was the Mother Superior….St Rose of Lima Parish………..it did not stick.
My father remarried a catholic after my Mother died and also had difficulty because she was divorced. Things are changing however slowly. I am fortunate to belong to a vibrant church for many years that has a huge focus on community and close to a University w/ a catholic Chaplain. I have been to some catholic churches where I didn’t like the vibe. I understand exactly!
Some experiences that shaped my spiritual life include family abuse and strangers’ kindness. I grew up in an environment where men were always the kings of their families, both within my own family and others I knew. Good men were seen as those who went out and made money but didn’t do anything at home to help their wives. That’s fine! However, the terrible ones indulged in a party lifestyle, returning home to insult and even beat their wives. From that experience, I yearned for a good man: he may not have a lot of money or a degree, but he must be gentle with his wife and willing to lend a hand with household tasks. That’s all!
Regarding strangers’ kindness, I grew up on rice donated by many people I don’t know. So, from this experience, I always remember to offer help whenever I’m able to. It’s “Pay It Forward.”
My Ngoc, I love this post so much. That’s Asian cultures. Old roots are still there, but there’s certainly been improvement within the younger generations. We’re learning from western cultures. 1 step at a time.
Many! My tradition is Catholicism. But it is enhanced by many writers and daily living. The one that comes to mind is when my oldest was in Iraq, as a construction worker. I prayed for his safety and would look at the night sky. I realized he saw that same sky. I just knew there was a higher being. These days I call it a presence with no name. To me the names I know are too confining. That is one way I am shaped.
Yram, I too have a Catholic tradition…and I appreciate that you find the names of “the Presence” too confining…what a wonderful way to look at that. I am going to think long and hard about your wisdom. It makes so much sense to me. Thank you for sharing this.
It’s difficult to point to a few. I would say
both the highs and the lows, have given
me the most. And people. People I have
met along the way. A few key words at
the right moment.
But I think the most important, was the
decision to stop resisting. To stop
reflexively saying “no, that’s not for me.”
This has opened me up to seeking and
learning about practices and philosophies
that I might have discounted.
Paw Mu and my zen practices are experiences that jump out that have shaped my spiritual life. As I’ve continued to read “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind”, I’m only realizing how similar Paw Mu and Shunryu Suzuki are in their messages and delivery style. Right understanding makes me realize even greater that the learning journey is endless.
Repetition is another concept I learned from “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” that is crucial in zen practice. With that being said, Paw Mu was trying to help me with consistent application. Another goal within reach I can certainly work on is reducing irritability. Cherrypicking opens up a can of worms. It all starts with the “I know…” mindset.
Both Paw Mu’s parents passed away from sickness; her mom when she was 6 and her dad when she was 19. Her parents are buddhists. Therefore, it’s entirely possible that she borrowed from Shunryu Suzuki. She converted to Christianity when she moved in with her brothers and lived everywhere with different relative members. This also explains why she was passing on all this wisdom to me. Yes, I try to stay away from the youth excuse, but however, all that was hard for the Asian mamba to process being strongly conditioned in a western environment at the time.
Years of trials, tribulations, and cultural misunderstandings with Ngoc, the Asian Mamba has wisened up and embraced tough love. The real Kobe Bryant didn’t listen to Phil Jackson at a younger age too. Just like me, when he put his ego aside starting in 2005, the summer when the zen master returned to coach the Lakers the 2nd time, the benefits came the more he bought into Phil’s teachings. Black mamba won 2 more rings without Shaq and one more than Shaq giving him 5 total. Now, we know him as the 2nd GOAT right behind Jordan. If the black mamba chose to do things his way, it’s entirely possible that not only he wouldn’t ever win another ring, he’d be putting up empty stats for years and flame out much faster somewhere estimated in the ballpark of the early 2010s.
Having my Papaw visit me in a dream after he passed on from this life.
Witnessing childbirth when a friend asked me to be in the room with her and her family.
Surfing and the ocean. Just staring into the ocean can cause a spiritual experience!
Yoga and meditation.
Going to church. I have been in and out over the years, but always end up going back.
Sunnapatti, the childhood birth one sounds amazing. Being the younger of 2 boys, I’ve never witnessed that before. Ngoc has as the oldest of 5 children.
I was born into a large Catholic family with grandparents who taught me so much. I loved the music of church, the gatherings, the familiarity of the language. I love/d the outdoors, which has always felt like “church” or “holiness.” Like home, one could say. And coming from families that were also filled with music of every kind was also a part of that. Long story short, for me now, at age 73, the outdoors continues to be akin to church, to beauty, to holiness, to a kind of breathtaking aliveness. A gift, indeed. I am humbled and grateful.
I have always spent as much time out of doors as I could. This led to a lifestyle of working and living one with the earth. I rejected the model of organized religion, age 14 or so. In my forties I read and studied many books on the histories of many faiths and beliefs. One I recall in particular was The History of God, A history of the three mono-theistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It was loaned to me by a Mennonite woman. To this day I have no need to attend services on a regular basis. I am however going to attend a funeral for one of Cheryl’s first cousins this morning at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 3 miles east in the unincorporated town of Capulin. The same church we were married in, which is 114 years old and made of sandstone blocks quarried in the Hot Creek canyon a couple miles west of where we live. You can still see the markings of man if you venture up the canyon to the quarry site. It is a beautiful building. Namaste.
Joseph, that Church sounds absolutely beautiful and with a beautiful memoru of being married there. Thank you for sharing that vison – and as always your response to todays question is thoughtful and wise.
Birth
Death
Ending of relationships
Finding this website and making Gratefulness part of my daily routine
Asking for prayers today – I have my biopsy later this afternoon. Send lots of courage and calmness to me as I’m very nervous and anxious.
Thank you in advance!
Thank you soooo much everyone! Prayers work, I ended up not having to have the biopsy! I went in the OR room and it was an US [ultrasound] guided biopsy so they were doing the US and could not find it – the DR came in and she too took the US and could not find it from the original scan – apparently sometimes breast tissue can cover up/lean against the milk ducts. I was so relieved when she said no biopsy needed – we’ll see you in 6 mths. My son and I went out to lunch afterwards, Outback, and enjoyed a nice meal together.
Thank God – seeing all your responses/prayers/support is so heartwarming and makes me very grateful to be part of this wonderful Community.
Loving kindness to each of you 💗💖
My prayers are with you, too, dear Michele, that all will be well. My heart goes out to you, being with you in this fearful moment. Sending also faith and courage your way and much warmth. May all blessings be with you, dear friend ✨
Michele, You are in my prayers. I pray all will be well….but you are WOMAN..and you are strong…and although not physically present with you…we are all here to support you. Sending love and courage. God Bless You
Courage, calmness, and I’ll add my mom’s wisdom about not borrowing trouble if you’re able to set aside anticipation of various outcomes. They’ll come if and when they come–why worry twice when once will do? Easier to say than to practice! I’ll be thinking of you today.
EJP, the part about great pain reminds me of my response on Iamme’s answer about the 2 western girls I met at the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind school with one being the one who went great lengths to get her way and the Big Island girl who happens to be besties. Going through all that shaped my spiritual growth as well. Paw Mu was the one who gave me the biggest lesson on looking beyond the surface. BTW, Paw Mu has short hair and a strong voice.
I found myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually bankrupt at the age of twenty-six in the mid 1980’s. While ministering to my age peers who were living and dying with HIV AIDS, I was invited and encouraged to learn how to Trust Infinite God and not my self will run riot finite self. This became my road less traveled. My heart found Gratitude. My eyes were opened to “…see the dewdrops in the grass outside my front door,” as stated in today’s quote.
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in every sense, all ups and downs with my boss and all the crew and the community i belong to; have to ponder on this and hope to find space to reply to later more. May you all have a beautiful day.
In my teens I belonged to a youth group at a congregational church I loved. Growing up my siblings and I went to Sunday Mass and CCD but I didn’t connect with it at all. My ex husband and I tried all different churches while we were married. His parents didn’t go to church. It wasn’t until after my Mother died that I started going back to Catholic Church regularly. My Mother was a devout Catholic and sang in the choir and I knew she would want her grandchildren to go to religion classes. One of the requirements was that all parents had to go thru a series of Theology Classes with the Pastor. Father Creeden was the best, very down to earth and funny. I learned a lot and knew this church was the right fit for me.
To me, the wording of the question is confusing. I think of practices (meditation, church going, nature walks) as expressing spirituality, not shaping it. What has shaped my spirituality is seeing how I have been guided always and great teachers like CS Lewis and Richard Rohr.
I was born into Catholicism…and my life has been shaped by that belief system. I also have found much in the Church that I do not find helpful or good. So there starts the internal dialogue. I was a “good” Catholic for many of my years…When I went to get married at age 52….I was marrying a man who was divorced (who is also Catholic). In order to be married in the Church…my sincere hope.. Marrying in the Church was not a possibility…my husband would have to get an Annulment..something he did not believe in. He believed in his marriage and loved his wife and they had two children..he did not want to “null and void” that relationship. We were married in a beautiful Methodist ceremony with Communion..which was very important to me. My husband has given up on the Catholic Faith…I will always be a Catholic- but do not go to Church often. We live 40 minutes from a Church..Unfortunately, as has been my historu in the Church…there is no sense of Community. If you are not “from here”…and not well known..no one even says hello. I would leave Mass, Sunday after Sunday and would say hello, or good morning and I would get strange looks. I was told West Virginia people are the friendliest people anywhere…not true. I will always pray and I believe in God..I go outside and stand on my porch and look at the forest and hear the birds and look at the sky..I know that there is a God. He does not have to be Catholic for me to love him. My experiences as a child going to Catholic School also has impacted me. When in second or third grade…my teacher (a nun) asked me in front of the class “Where is your tuition?”…I was a child! My mother died two and a half months after I graduated from grammar school (the same school)…I went to that school for 9 years..and was in a class of about 30…I never heard from one person from that class and certainly not the nuns…who lived a block from me. So I have been jaded… However; as I said..I will never deny my faith or my God. So sorry for this long post..I think it was a bit of therapy. Thank you for listening. Blessings to all of you.
Nannette, I am also the product of Catholic grade school & the awful nuns & priests too. I have many “stories”. My sister suffered greatly at their hands.
Anyway, I have worked very very hard on my faith & undoing the “damage” from Catholic grade school.
I wish you all the best…❤️
Another product of a Catholic Parochial school here….2nd through 7th……the Sisters of Notre Dame……Sister Rose Anthony was the Mother Superior….St Rose of Lima Parish………..it did not stick.
I went kindergarten thru 3rd grade, such fun memories lol- not so much!
My father remarried a catholic after my Mother died and also had difficulty because she was divorced. Things are changing however slowly. I am fortunate to belong to a vibrant church for many years that has a huge focus on community and close to a University w/ a catholic Chaplain. I have been to some catholic churches where I didn’t like the vibe. I understand exactly!
Some experiences that shaped my spiritual life include family abuse and strangers’ kindness. I grew up in an environment where men were always the kings of their families, both within my own family and others I knew. Good men were seen as those who went out and made money but didn’t do anything at home to help their wives. That’s fine! However, the terrible ones indulged in a party lifestyle, returning home to insult and even beat their wives. From that experience, I yearned for a good man: he may not have a lot of money or a degree, but he must be gentle with his wife and willing to lend a hand with household tasks. That’s all!
Regarding strangers’ kindness, I grew up on rice donated by many people I don’t know. So, from this experience, I always remember to offer help whenever I’m able to. It’s “Pay It Forward.”
Thank you for sharing your story Ngoc, sorry you experienced that sadness. I believe in pay it forward also!
My Ngoc, I love this post so much. That’s Asian cultures. Old roots are still there, but there’s certainly been improvement within the younger generations. We’re learning from western cultures. 1 step at a time.
Many! My tradition is Catholicism. But it is enhanced by many writers and daily living. The one that comes to mind is when my oldest was in Iraq, as a construction worker. I prayed for his safety and would look at the night sky. I realized he saw that same sky. I just knew there was a higher being. These days I call it a presence with no name. To me the names I know are too confining. That is one way I am shaped.
Yram, I too have a Catholic tradition…and I appreciate that you find the names of “the Presence” too confining…what a wonderful way to look at that. I am going to think long and hard about your wisdom. It makes so much sense to me. Thank you for sharing this.
It’s difficult to point to a few. I would say
both the highs and the lows, have given
me the most. And people. People I have
met along the way. A few key words at
the right moment.
But I think the most important, was the
decision to stop resisting. To stop
reflexively saying “no, that’s not for me.”
This has opened me up to seeking and
learning about practices and philosophies
that I might have discounted.
Paw Mu and my zen practices are experiences that jump out that have shaped my spiritual life. As I’ve continued to read “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind”, I’m only realizing how similar Paw Mu and Shunryu Suzuki are in their messages and delivery style. Right understanding makes me realize even greater that the learning journey is endless.
Repetition is another concept I learned from “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” that is crucial in zen practice. With that being said, Paw Mu was trying to help me with consistent application. Another goal within reach I can certainly work on is reducing irritability. Cherrypicking opens up a can of worms. It all starts with the “I know…” mindset.
Both Paw Mu’s parents passed away from sickness; her mom when she was 6 and her dad when she was 19. Her parents are buddhists. Therefore, it’s entirely possible that she borrowed from Shunryu Suzuki. She converted to Christianity when she moved in with her brothers and lived everywhere with different relative members. This also explains why she was passing on all this wisdom to me. Yes, I try to stay away from the youth excuse, but however, all that was hard for the Asian mamba to process being strongly conditioned in a western environment at the time.
Years of trials, tribulations, and cultural misunderstandings with Ngoc, the Asian Mamba has wisened up and embraced tough love. The real Kobe Bryant didn’t listen to Phil Jackson at a younger age too. Just like me, when he put his ego aside starting in 2005, the summer when the zen master returned to coach the Lakers the 2nd time, the benefits came the more he bought into Phil’s teachings. Black mamba won 2 more rings without Shaq and one more than Shaq giving him 5 total. Now, we know him as the 2nd GOAT right behind Jordan. If the black mamba chose to do things his way, it’s entirely possible that not only he wouldn’t ever win another ring, he’d be putting up empty stats for years and flame out much faster somewhere estimated in the ballpark of the early 2010s.
Having my Papaw visit me in a dream after he passed on from this life.
Witnessing childbirth when a friend asked me to be in the room with her and her family.
Surfing and the ocean. Just staring into the ocean can cause a spiritual experience!
Yoga and meditation.
Going to church. I have been in and out over the years, but always end up going back.
Sunnapatti, the childhood birth one sounds amazing. Being the younger of 2 boys, I’ve never witnessed that before. Ngoc has as the oldest of 5 children.
I was born into a large Catholic family with grandparents who taught me so much. I loved the music of church, the gatherings, the familiarity of the language. I love/d the outdoors, which has always felt like “church” or “holiness.” Like home, one could say. And coming from families that were also filled with music of every kind was also a part of that. Long story short, for me now, at age 73, the outdoors continues to be akin to church, to beauty, to holiness, to a kind of breathtaking aliveness. A gift, indeed. I am humbled and grateful.
I have always spent as much time out of doors as I could. This led to a lifestyle of working and living one with the earth. I rejected the model of organized religion, age 14 or so. In my forties I read and studied many books on the histories of many faiths and beliefs. One I recall in particular was The History of God, A history of the three mono-theistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It was loaned to me by a Mennonite woman. To this day I have no need to attend services on a regular basis. I am however going to attend a funeral for one of Cheryl’s first cousins this morning at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 3 miles east in the unincorporated town of Capulin. The same church we were married in, which is 114 years old and made of sandstone blocks quarried in the Hot Creek canyon a couple miles west of where we live. You can still see the markings of man if you venture up the canyon to the quarry site. It is a beautiful building. Namaste.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St._Joseph_Catholic_Church_-_Capulin,_Colorado,_2016.jpg
found a pic of it
Wow, that church does sound absolutely beautiful!
Joseph, that Church sounds absolutely beautiful and with a beautiful memoru of being married there. Thank you for sharing that vison – and as always your response to todays question is thoughtful and wise.
Joseph, this time of year is perfect for the outdoors. Summers fly. Winters feel long.
Birth
Death
Ending of relationships
Finding this website and making Gratefulness part of my daily routine
Asking for prayers today – I have my biopsy later this afternoon. Send lots of courage and calmness to me as I’m very nervous and anxious.
Thank you in advance!
Thank you soooo much everyone! Prayers work, I ended up not having to have the biopsy! I went in the OR room and it was an US [ultrasound] guided biopsy so they were doing the US and could not find it – the DR came in and she too took the US and could not find it from the original scan – apparently sometimes breast tissue can cover up/lean against the milk ducts. I was so relieved when she said no biopsy needed – we’ll see you in 6 mths. My son and I went out to lunch afterwards, Outback, and enjoyed a nice meal together.
Thank God – seeing all your responses/prayers/support is so heartwarming and makes me very grateful to be part of this wonderful Community.
Loving kindness to each of you 💗💖
Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way Michele!
Sending warmth and beauty your way, Michele.
My prayers are with you, too, dear Michele, that all will be well. My heart goes out to you, being with you in this fearful moment. Sending also faith and courage your way and much warmth. May all blessings be with you, dear friend ✨
Michele, You are in my prayers. I pray all will be well….but you are WOMAN..and you are strong…and although not physically present with you…we are all here to support you. Sending love and courage. God Bless You
Praying for you dear Michele. Sending you a hug too.🤗🙏🏻 Bless you….✨
Prayers up, Michele. Sending calm and big deep breaths.
My thoughts and prayers for you dear Michele, from my heart.
Courage, calmness, and I’ll add my mom’s wisdom about not borrowing trouble if you’re able to set aside anticipation of various outcomes. They’ll come if and when they come–why worry twice when once will do? Easier to say than to practice! I’ll be thinking of you today.
I’m thinking of you, Michele, and sending positive thoughts your way. I hope everything goes well with your biopsy.
Michele, I’m lighting a candle for you. May your fears dissipate
Ahh YES! You are on the top of my prayer list.
Sending warm and healing thoughts
your way, Michele.
My thoughts go out to you, Michele. Wishing you the best of luck.
Very natural feelings, Michelle. Know you are taking the right step for your health and well-being. Blessings on you my Friend.
Calming, soothing thoughts your way dear Michele.
Prayers for you, Michele.
I add my prayerful support, Michele, knowing well the anxiety of facing a biopsy. May courage & calm be yours today.
Experiencing great pain and loss in the past has shaped my spiritual life, present and future.
EJP, the part about great pain reminds me of my response on Iamme’s answer about the 2 western girls I met at the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind school with one being the one who went great lengths to get her way and the Big Island girl who happens to be besties. Going through all that shaped my spiritual growth as well. Paw Mu was the one who gave me the biggest lesson on looking beyond the surface. BTW, Paw Mu has short hair and a strong voice.
Almost too many to count, yet these have, and continue still to shape my spiritual life:
In 1976 I walked in to a Quaker meetinghouse and instantly knew I had found my spiritual home.
Working with children, and families.
Staying near, and visiting daily, the ocean.
Strangely, undertaking disaster response training, and, unfortunately, needing to use it.
Farming, any kind.
Praying, worship, music.
Meeting people, “where they are.”
Kevin, I’m not there yet. You put it well. Based on 1st and 2nd hand experience, that’s exactly what happens as we age.
I found myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually bankrupt at the age of twenty-six in the mid 1980’s. While ministering to my age peers who were living and dying with HIV AIDS, I was invited and encouraged to learn how to Trust Infinite God and not my self will run riot finite self. This became my road less traveled. My heart found Gratitude. My eyes were opened to “…see the dewdrops in the grass outside my front door,” as stated in today’s quote.
Those were very difficult, raw years, Carla. Yet interesting how those living, and then dying with AIDS became among the best spiritual teachers.