Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
Some of the most beautiful things about faith is that we can learn from what we used to believe and practice, find value in those beliefs we and experiences we hold dear, and go forth to live the faith we are called to practice. This is a journal/blog about the faiths I used to practice and that which I do. There isn't a lot of reading (I hope).
Catholic by Vows
"...For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ; yet, I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith int eh Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me." ~Galations 2:19-21
I was a Catholic; I am a Catholic; and, I will always be a Catholic. One thing I love about the Church (Orthodox or Roman) is that once you are a Catholic, you will always be a Catholic. The above verses is what brought me back to God and reminded me of the vows I wanted to take as a child. I was not raised religious; and, I always wanted to be a nun to study the Word. Then I wanted to be a priest. There is a calling to help others in their spiritual paths; and, when I finally made the jump after a long break, I realized these vows will never be forgotten and these vows I will never live. I did take from my experiences how spiritual devotion changes ones' life. I learned different views of how people see Christ. I learned and experienced the charity, humility, and love that the Church gives.
It wasn't because of the Catholic Church that I left Christ. I love the Church dearly. It was that I did not feel connected to scripture. I did not know of the God of the Bible. My premature attempt to learn about God lead me to a mature attempt to be a Bodhisattva of the Earth.
Buddhist by Faith
The Gohonzon
The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon | WND I | Nichiren Buddhism Library
This scroll written in Sanskrit and Japanese depicts the Ceremony in the Air. We--you and I--are the Bodhisattva of the Earth. We are Buddhas, one's of pure natures whose mission is to save others by helping others help them find the wisdom in themselves as Buddhas.
Pagan by Practice:
The word pagan has been given such a bad rep. It is also defined in so many ways that to say "I am a pagan" will cause faces to squirm or tilt their head in confusion. So, I define pagan as one, someone who is not Christian (or maybe not practicing?), Muslim, or Jew. A person who practices magic whether we call it Magick, magic, root work, or craft. A Pagan, in the modern sense of the term, is distinct in his or her path. He could be Wiccan, Druid, or Astru. She could be a Witch or no name such as polytheistic whose shares no monotheistic outlook in belief in Gods.
I actually don't share these views. I just practice ancestral veneration. I give my respects the spirits "The Spirits are the Keepers of my Soul." I give thanks to my grandmothers. I really have nothing special about honoring my ancestors other than it is very personal in how one does so. I wish others have the same sentiments as I, because we may believe we come from God no matter how we define him or her; but we will know and have faith that we come from our family because they are our blood; they are a part of us, spirit and soul.
It is true that one cannot worship God, follow the Buddha, and practice magic simultaneously without disobeying the first two. It is also true that our religious experiences and how we see them will make our spiritual life grow stronger. As long as we know our true faith, the other ones are back ups to support who you are and how you live your life.
This is one of my favorite parts of Mass.
The Eucharistic Prayer (summarized):
The Priest says:
Consecration
You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall,
so that they may become for us the Body and + Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He joins his hands.
At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it,and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take this, all of you and eat of it, for this is my body which will be given up for you. Do this in memory of me.
He continues:
In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and, once more giving thanks,he gave it to his disciples, saying: He bows slightly. Take this, all of you, and drink from it. For this is the Chalice of my Blood. The blood of the New and Eternal Covernent which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.
The mystery of faith.
My favorite part of Mass where we all kneel and watch the hosts become that of the Spirit of Christ. Where we see Christ raise the bread and wine in His hands and in our hearts.
Catholic by Vows
"...For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ; yet, I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith int eh Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me." ~Galations 2:19-21
I was a Catholic; I am a Catholic; and, I will always be a Catholic. One thing I love about the Church (Orthodox or Roman) is that once you are a Catholic, you will always be a Catholic. The above verses is what brought me back to God and reminded me of the vows I wanted to take as a child. I was not raised religious; and, I always wanted to be a nun to study the Word. Then I wanted to be a priest. There is a calling to help others in their spiritual paths; and, when I finally made the jump after a long break, I realized these vows will never be forgotten and these vows I will never live. I did take from my experiences how spiritual devotion changes ones' life. I learned different views of how people see Christ. I learned and experienced the charity, humility, and love that the Church gives.
It wasn't because of the Catholic Church that I left Christ. I love the Church dearly. It was that I did not feel connected to scripture. I did not know of the God of the Bible. My premature attempt to learn about God lead me to a mature attempt to be a Bodhisattva of the Earth.
Buddhist by Faith
"The Law of the Buddhas is constantly of a single flavor causing the many worlds to attain full sanctification everywhere; by practicing gradually and stage by stage, all beings can gain the fruits of the way...If there are Bodhisattva who are steadfast and firm in wisdom who fully comprehend the threefold world and seek the supreme vehicle these we call the small trees that achieve growth and maturity. Again, those who dwell in meditation who have gained the strength of transcendental powers, have heard of the emptiness of all phenomena, greatly rejoice in it in their minds, and emit countless rays of light, to save living beings--these we call large trees....what you are practicing is the Bodhisattva way, and as you gradually advance in practice and learning you are all certain to attain Buddhahood." ~The Lotus Sutra
The Gohonzon
The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon | WND I | Nichiren Buddhism Library
This scroll written in Sanskrit and Japanese depicts the Ceremony in the Air. We--you and I--are the Bodhisattva of the Earth. We are Buddhas, one's of pure natures whose mission is to save others by helping others help them find the wisdom in themselves as Buddhas.
Pagan by Practice:
The word pagan has been given such a bad rep. It is also defined in so many ways that to say "I am a pagan" will cause faces to squirm or tilt their head in confusion. So, I define pagan as one, someone who is not Christian (or maybe not practicing?), Muslim, or Jew. A person who practices magic whether we call it Magick, magic, root work, or craft. A Pagan, in the modern sense of the term, is distinct in his or her path. He could be Wiccan, Druid, or Astru. She could be a Witch or no name such as polytheistic whose shares no monotheistic outlook in belief in Gods.
I actually don't share these views. I just practice ancestral veneration. I give my respects the spirits "The Spirits are the Keepers of my Soul." I give thanks to my grandmothers. I really have nothing special about honoring my ancestors other than it is very personal in how one does so. I wish others have the same sentiments as I, because we may believe we come from God no matter how we define him or her; but we will know and have faith that we come from our family because they are our blood; they are a part of us, spirit and soul.
It is true that one cannot worship God, follow the Buddha, and practice magic simultaneously without disobeying the first two. It is also true that our religious experiences and how we see them will make our spiritual life grow stronger. As long as we know our true faith, the other ones are back ups to support who you are and how you live your life.
This is one of my favorite parts of Mass.
The Eucharistic Prayer (summarized):
The Priest says:
Consecration
You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall,
so that they may become for us the Body and + Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He joins his hands.
At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it,and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take this, all of you and eat of it, for this is my body which will be given up for you. Do this in memory of me.
He continues:
In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and, once more giving thanks,he gave it to his disciples, saying: He bows slightly. Take this, all of you, and drink from it. For this is the Chalice of my Blood. The blood of the New and Eternal Covernent which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.
The mystery of faith.
My favorite part of Mass where we all kneel and watch the hosts become that of the Spirit of Christ. Where we see Christ raise the bread and wine in His hands and in our hearts.
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