When does one’s spiritual journey become a slue of excuses, instead of fulfillment towards a deeper understanding of the cosmic flow? As a priestess and someone who runs a public pagan space in the last few years, we have seen an uprise in the need for pagan spaces. During covid, people started to question their own spiritual beliefs or lack thereof. In many instances, we find that people are running towards what is deemed as non-dogmatic spirituality. While paganism does offer certain freedoms it also does not differ in the needs of principles and discipline. Now the debate on if that is acquired by oneself or the path they have chosen depends solely on the journey they follow. As we know there are many branches that fall under the paganism umbrella. Each has its own history and morals depending if the oral or written tradition of that time survived. Many times we find historical clues in writings such as Plato but not limited to, In the search for more understanding.
Much like the people who have come before us we as people look to live within the moment and explore the treasures of this realm. But unlike those who have come before us, time and tradition can be swayed by convenience and escapism. The advancements that we have such as travel, technology, and the ability to attend events on any given day or time. That just makes it a little easier to push things to the side that don't seem too urgent. Most know spirituality is a lifelong quest and can be explored at any moment within time. But what we forget is that spirituality and practice can enrich experiences and minds amongst our travels. This is where the spiritual time excuse gets its bases from and can easily be neglected.
One of the main things I hear around me in terms of spirituality is the lack of time and not being able to find the time. But when those are presented with how time is workable and we can find time for many things in our life. This is where it becomes a defense of shutdown and moves onward instead of the true issue. Time has never changed how it works or the way it flows, when it comes to finding the time it's a practitioner issue, not a time issue. Dedication to one's spiritual path and devoting time to it is a choice one has to make. We know we have to work to live! Which in itself takes up time and thus we give time to it and the same goes for family, friends, and our time to ourselves. It goes without saying many things can happen and sometimes we skip a few weeks in our spiritual path. This doesn't mean you are neglecting the path you walk. But its acknowledgment that we are in control of our spiritual journey and when we use the excuse of time. What we are really doing is not making the time to dedicate ourselves and the knowledge that is gained from that time.
Many times within my own path I have found myself in a slump of numbness and just going thru the motions of life. When I compare those times to the times I take time for my own spiritual nourishment I’ve found a few things to be true. When presented with moments of anger I find a wave of calmness that overtakes. Almost as if the spirits or gods are bringing me down to a level of tranquility that even I find puzzling. In moments where a loved one has passed, My spirituality has brought me closer to knowing energy still lingers even after the body is detached from the soul. Then there are the times where things I’ve read come into play to help someone I encounter days later and bring them some peace of mind. There are also times when I’ve spiraled into a depression and asked for help to guide me out of the darkness I'm drowning in. To have people in that exact moment reach out to me and talk with me because they felt a nagging pull. Spirituality or paganism whatever you choose to call it is more than just crystals and circle casting. It's your whole life and experience that you will spend countless hours of thought on and wonder how at that moment you were connected to the universe.
Spirituality becomes overwhelming when you feel it is all work and no substance. But the substance isn't the practice itself but how that practice shapes your experience in it. For many of us, it has allowed us to expand our minds and acknowledge the unknown is to not be feared but embraced. That time in itself is just another tool to be used and manipulated to work for us and not against us. Once you find the to manipulate that time, that is when you will be able to manipulate the experiences which consume your time. There are 43,800 minutes within a month's time which equates to 10,950 minutes a week, if you can take the time to spend 10 minutes of that a day by the end of the year you’ve spent 60 hours on your path. In the end, no one will make you work your path this is why no matter what coven or temple we go to this is a solitary decision. That only you can make for yourself and your path, so question is , “can you find the time?
Author: Samora Knight
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