After pondering the question of "who" has influenced my spiritual and religious beliefs, I came to a lengthly conclusion. If I had to think so intensely about it without finding any immediate answers, do I even have any? Sure, I have had people in my life inform me, teach me, and invite me to believe a certain way. I have also had people belittle me, manipulate me, and exclude me because of how I choose to believe. So, I begin reminiscing the stepping stones leading to what I believe today.
I was baptized Ukrainian Orthodox in Chicago, Illinois. Two years later, my family relocated to Wisconsin. Because there were no Orthodox parishes in our area, we converted to Roman Catholicism (the closest thing). I grew up knowing that religion was an essential part of my life. However, the liberal and instinctive persona I was born with, as well as the conflictive stances regarding ethics that my family brought forth, provided me with a sense of questioning the "but" in religion.
I wondered why our priests had to remain celibate while my friends' pastors all had wives and children. Why did we kneel and genuflect while other churches did not? Why do we have communion every Sunday while others do not? If there was one God, why were there so many different ways of showing and respecting that? I had concluded that religion cannot be proven, nor is it required. Therefore, it is what you make of it. It is a personal choice. Perhaps it gives people comfort. Maybe it is what eases the mind of what happens after mortal death.
I have formed my beliefs based on the essence of religion and spiritual presence. Spirituality, as I practice it, does not discriminate, nor does it conform to one belief. It was through spirituality that I realized that I could give my daughter God or Goddess (or whatever she may choose) the way I feel. We teach and show love and respect for all things… human and not. We have formed our own traditions, and I have never been happier or more content.
I do not need anyone else to make a divine connection for me. I believe that there are a set of specific universal laws which, when properly applied, can produce joy, freedom, personal fulfillment, and heavenly states of bliss. Personal behavior is a function of knowing in your own heart what is right and wrong (and then following that inner guidance). Religious essence and spiritual personification should be reborn moment-by-moment, right-here-right-now with your own knowing that you are a divine human being.
One whom I have found to have the most realistic and similar way of thinking is an author (spiritual teacher) named Eckhart Tolle. Tolle's teachings focus on moving beyond the ego (the mind and thinking) to the deeper regions of consciousness hidden in the present moment. Though many consider Tolle's way of teaching to be a form of mysticism, I believe that all major religions have elements of mysticism. The distinguishing feature is the mystical experience. This "feature" of finding a sense of self and living in the now is crucial to me.
Whilst studying for my undergraduate degree, I took "religion" classes. I attended a Catholic university where we were required to have a minimum of three religion courses under our belt to graduate. One of the classes I chose was World Religion. This provided an element of surprise and even an "ah ha" for me. What I find most enlightening is that the universalist "impulse" or movement regards "all religious perspectives as valid" (Brodd, 2003, p. 272). Hmmmm…. all religions have validity. Interesting. So, I studied some more, and that is when I found UU (Unitarian Universalism). UU is founded on seven principles, and they are listed below:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
A free and responsibile search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience, the use of the democratic process within our congregations and society at large;
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
How cool is that? So, in a nutshell… each person is important, be kind in all you do, we're free to learn together, search for what is true, all people need a voice, build a fair and peaceful world, and we care for the earth. It sounds like my cup of tea! UUism has played a significant role in my adult life. The nearest congregration to me is about one hour one way…. too far to drive every week. Instead, I did some searching (Googling, actually) and found a "virtual" congregation called the CLF. I can participate in live worship, volunteer, connect with other UUers, and participate in groups. It is a like a community solely online.
I have finally found what I have been searching for all my life! Until next time…
Brodd, J. (2003). World religion: A voyage of discovery. Winona, MN: Saint Mary's Press.