Spirituality Ain't for Sale...

[wyn]

No.

Seriously.

A person I know points me in the direction of Monk for a Month, and this is how it started...

Really? You get to be an actual monk for a whole month? You get to help out people less fortunate than you and learn how to be a decent, good and respectful person? You get to learn good morals and tenets and the basic principles of Honor and Commitment? Ohmygods! Sign me up!

NOT!

See, I have a problem with this whole buying Spirituality shit that's been a growing trend recently. Because, umm, hello? You can't buy Spirituality, people. Hmm, didn't Jesus say it best? (And yeah, I hate that they're making me drag out an example who's had their teachings corrupted as fuck by mankind for their own purposes and agendas, but in this instance, it does work.) "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's, give unto God what is God's."

You cannot charge for shit that is Spiritual. That's it, end of discussion. It's one of the reasons why I've never charged for readings, workings or anything else. Because it's an ability that was gifted to me to use as an aide for others who come seeking answers.

I don't charge for my advice, why would I charge for my readings?

Now what I want to know is this- why in the gods' green earth would you need to travel to Thailand for in order to learn how to be a decent human being? There are homeless shelters, animal shelters, soup kitchens, food pantries, youth organizations, senior centers, church programs and many other opportunities to help out in your own area.

So, really, other than bragging rights, why the hell would you need to travel to a distant country to learn how to help people? You want to be a Spiritual person? That's fine. Start by spending some time out in nature. Connect with Mother Earth again. Listen to the voices of her children, hear what they have to say. And for the love of gods, don't be so damn closed-minded! Each and every thing on this planet is a living, breathing entity. An ant has just as much value and a right to life as you do, just as the fly or spider hanging out in your attic. They were here before us, and they'll be here after we're long gone.

Respect them. Respect others who earn that respect. Know that all life is precious and make a conscious effort to reinforce that in your life. Think before you kill. Put yourself in that being's shoes. Animals and insects are a people just as you and I are. They have families, they have purposes, and they have lives.

That right there? That's enough of a start on the Spiritual Path to get you going.

And guess what? That $2,000.00 you just saved on a bogus trip to a Thailand Temple? You can donate it to a local charity instead.

And then, instead of having just bragging rights, you'll have made a difference.

Comments

[fireez.livejournal.com]

*stands up and applauds*

[drachenfang.livejournal.com]

Just another one of the joys of the world changing faster than the human psyche is able to change with it. Large empty gashes get torn in most people's hearts as they're tugged about by the world and people will do anything to fill them. Drugs, drink, sex, and spirituality. It's all the same to many. And because there's a need, so there is greed. One would think that the pricetag would be a warning signal to all intelligent folks out there but no. It's wallet's open with a croaked 'save me' on the lips. I just hope that one day more people will figure it out.

[shadows-wolf06.livejournal.com]

Heh.

::takes her hat off and takes a bow::

[shadows-wolf06.livejournal.com]

Y'know, I honestly understand wanting to fill the hole, I do. On top of that, I know it's a very valid, very wanted need. Because we do need to fill the voids in our hearts and souls at one point or another. But the bitch to it is, I also know that there's certain things that work, and certain things that are just escapism.

Drugs, sex, alcohol... that's escapism.

Spirituality, however, shouldn't be. Only they are making it into such. And that right there? That's what pisses me off.

If they were truly seeking for the answers, I'd be all for it. But the bitch to it is, they're simply looking for a quick fix to make things right. They don't want to do the work involved in actually walking the path of a Spiritual existence.

[drachenfang.livejournal.com]

Exactly. And what I find most regrettable is that it hasbecome/is becoming a part of our very culture. Everyone's looking for the path of least resistance. I see it every day with the students I teach.

[shadows-wolf06.livejournal.com]

Hmm, no. You could have left it as has become...part of our very culture. Because it's wormed its way fully and completely into most of our lives, whether we know it or not.

I can understand wanting to take the path of least resistance... Hell, I tried it myself. More than once, at that. But the difference is, I realized that it's not a True path, it's merely an Illusion. And in the end, you have to pay for trying to take the shortcut anyway.

I don't want to get to the end of this life, stand before my Creator and ancestors and have to explain why I was too much of a wussie to stand strong and keep to my own path, nevermind whether or not it was Hard or there were Challenges or other people were taking the Easy Way Out.

Life is Hard. It has to be, especially nowadays when this world is so screwed up and backwards in it's morals. But if you look in the places you least expect it, there's also Joy and Beauty and Light at times. And that? That far outdoes the shallow crap that the rest of the world keeps wanting to shove down everyone's throat...

[misquoted.livejournal.com]

Hi there. Adding you if you don't mind, and also wanted to let you know that 50_in_2010 is up and ready for next year (challenge yourself to read 50 books next year -- or whatever your reading goals might be).

We're just finishing up with 50_in_09 so you can check that out to see what we generally do with the community. It's mostly for tracking and accountability, but it's fun to see what other people are reading. Spread the word if you like!

[shadows-wolf06.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Thanks, hun, I'll definitely be joining the newest one =D

I'll be sure to spread the word as well :)

::Edit:: Also, go ahead and add me if you'd like. It's honestly a crapshoot as to when I update my journal as I mostly blog when I need to rather than every day, and it's really just one big menagerie of topics as well. Usually they run the gambit from Spirituality to work to what I had to eat last night, lol.

Anywho, can't wait to participate in the new forum next year =]