What are some religions that include all of these "requirements"? (Read on)

[Grapefruit]

So. I have been searching my entire life for "the religion". And by that, I mean the one that fits me most. I have tried so, so, so many religions. None of them fulfill my need for a higher power or spirituality. I just can't find it. It is so hard for me to. So, for the list. It is basically a list of things I urge for in this religion or philosophy.

• Ancestor worship or ancestor veneration
• Meditation (similar to Buddhist meditation)
• Involves nature somehow
• Either multiple deities or none at all

Anything that would help would be great. Thank you for reading.

*NOTE: The religions can just include these, not be only these.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

So. I have been searching my entire life for "the religion". And by that, I mean the one that fits me most. I have tried so, so, so many religions. None of them fulfill my need for a higher power or spirituality. I just can't find it. It is so hard for me to. So, for the list. It is basically a list of things I urge for in this religion or philosophy.

• Ancestor worship or ancestor veneration
• Meditation (similar to Buddhist meditation)
• Involves nature somehow
• Either multiple deities or none at all

Anything that would help would be great. Thank you for reading.

Based purely off of that list? I'd say Paganism or some kinds of Hinduism would be your best bet.

 

[Grapefruit]

Based purely off of that list? I'd say Paganism or some kinds of Hinduism would be your best bet.

Well I would like a religion to include those, not just be those.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

Well I would like a religion to include those, not just be those.

Well that's relieving to see! I would've had to deploy the 'you're gonna have a bad time' meme otherwise, ha Fortunately, there is more to the two groups than these four features but they are most of the very, very few categories that fulfil all the criteria you state. I'm not sure if I can think of any others. Oh, I consider Shinto to be a Pagan religion so it's in there as well.

 

[Grapefruit]

Well that's relieving to see! I would've had to deploy the 'you're gonna have a bad time' meme otherwise, ha Fortunately, there is more to the two groups than these four features but they are most of the very, very few categories that fulfil all the criteria you state. I'm not sure if I can think of any others. Oh, I consider Shinto to be a Pagan religion so it's in there as well.

Gotcha. Well, thank you for your help Scottie! (Sorry I had to do it, my friends name is Scot but he goes by Scotsman). xD

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Shintoism has most or all of those elements, but it's a little inaccessible outside Japanese culture, unfortunately.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

Gotcha. Well, thank you for your help Scottie! (Sorry I had to do it, my friends name is Scot but he goes by Scotsman). xD

Spoiler: Your answer makes me feel ruff!

 

[Grapefruit]

Spoiler: Your answer makes me feel ruff!

lol

 

[Grapefruit]

Shintoism has most or all of those elements, but it's a little inaccessible outside Japanese culture, unfortunately.

Dang. If only I could appear in Japan! Do you think that there would be a way to possibly practice Shinto in middle of nowhere (where I live lol)?

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Dang. If only I could appear in Japan! Do you think that there would be a way to possibly practice Shinto in middle of nowhere (where I live lol)?

You can probably find some online courses and network with other practitioners online, though Buddhism tends to have more access in that regard. In fact you can incorporate most elements of Shintoism into Buddhism (and Shin-Buddhism was quite common in Japan). You might even have a Buddhist temple near you.

 

[Grapefruit]

You can probably find some online courses and network with other practitioners online, though Buddhism tends to have more access in that regard. In fact you can incorporate most elements of Shintoism into Buddhism (and Shin-Buddhism was quite common in Japan). You might even have a Buddhist temple near you.

I'll snoop around on the interwebz for a bit. Do you recommend talking to Shinto practitioners here? Also, I wish I could find a Buddhist temple near me... unlikely though as I live 2 hours away from the nearest town (which is not even that big, its like 20 buildings lol). Anyways thank you so much!

 

[ADigitalArtist]

I'll snoop around on the interwebz for a bit. Do you recommend talking to Shinto practitioners here? Also, I wish I could find a Buddhist temple near me... unlikely though as I live 2 hours away from the nearest town (which is not even that big, its like 20 buildings lol). Anyways thank you so much!

Hey no problem! I'm not sure we have a Shinto practitioner here but I wouldn't be surprised! Might snoop around here and online a bit too. Send some emails. If you can't, I know there's some books through amazon, google books and elsewhere you can try. In the mean time, you might gain a lot by looking into Buddhism while you gather Shinto information as well, as it's got valuable skills for sharpening your mind, meditation, considering ways of spiritual progression as well as ritual guidance that would benefit you if you decided to take a Shinto path as well.

 

[Grapefruit]

Hey no problem! I'm not sure we have a Shinto practitioner here but I wouldn't be surprised! Might snoop around here and online a bit too. Send some emails. If you can't, I know there's some books through amazon, google books and elsewhere you can try. In the mean time, you might gain a lot by looking into Buddhism while you gather Shinto information as well, as it's got valuable skills for sharpening your mind, meditation, considering ways of spiritual progression as well as ritual guidance that would benefit you if you decided to take a Shinto path as well.

Sweet thanks! I will definitely look into Shinto Buddhism.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

Dang. If only I could appear in Japan! Do you think that there would be a way to possibly practice Shinto in middle of nowhere (where I live lol)?

Well there's actually a Shinto temple complex in Washington state and a less well-known shrine attached to what I think is a Buddhist retreat centre or monastery in Colorado. There are also eight shrines on Hawaii.

 

[Grapefruit]

Well there's actually a Shinto temple complex in Washington state and a less well-known shrine attached to what I think is a Buddhist retreat centre or monastery in Colorado. There are also eight shrines on Hawaii.

I see! Thanks!

 

[Maponos]

So. I have been searching my entire life for "the religion". And by that, I mean the one that fits me most. I have tried so, so, so many religions. None of them fulfill my need for a higher power or spirituality. I just can't find it. It is so hard for me to. So, for the list. It is basically a list of things I urge for in this religion or philosophy.

• Ancestor worship or ancestor veneration
• Meditation (similar to Buddhist meditation)
• Involves nature somehow
• Either multiple deities or none at all

Anything that would help would be great. Thank you for reading.

*NOTE: The religions can just include these, not be only these.

Shinto with Zen Buddhism.

 

[arthra]

So. I have been searching my entire life for "the religion". And by that, I mean the one that fits me most. I have tried so, so, so many religions. None of them fulfill my need for a higher power or spirituality. I just can't find it. It is so hard for me to. So, for the list. It is basically a list of things I urge for in this religion or philosophy.

• Ancestor worship or ancestor veneration
• Meditation (similar to Buddhist meditation)
• Involves nature somehow
• Either multiple deities or none at all

Anything that would help would be great. Thank you for reading.

*NOTE: The religions can just include these, not be only these.

Grapefruit... Welcome to Religious Forums! and on your first day you've posted over ten times!

You've posted an interesting question:

I have been searching my entire life for "the religion". And by that, I mean the one that fits me most.

I've also done my share of searching for truth.... If you found a religion that suited you perfectly and fit you, would you or could you "grow" in it?

Of course I have to plead guilty myself to an extent... The first time I heard about the Baha'i Faith I was impressed... It promotes world peace... equality of men and women... race unity... reducing the extremes of wealth and poverty... recognition of all the great religions of the world as having the same spiritual origin. Every thing I believed.... So I became a Baha'i!

But that was only the beginning.... I then learned more about what it was like to live a Baha'i life and follow some of the laws of the Faith...Yes there are some expectations in the Faith.. We don't drink alcohol. We are celibate outside marriage. We have daily obligatory prayers. Not everyone likes having to accept regulations. Sometimes other members may not be to your liking...

So for me it's been a growing experience.. and not just for me... for my family as well.

 

[Valjean]

Welcome, Grapefruit.
I'm a little confused. You say you're looking for a religion that "fits" you, and you list four features you seek, but you don't indicate why you're looking for these, so we can't judge weather anything else might be substituted.
Some, like "Involves Nature," are rather vague; "meditation" doesn't indicate what you want the practice to accomplish, and "multiple deities or none at all" seems downright contradictory. Which do you actually believe, given a critical analysis of empirical data?

I don't understand what you're looking for in a religion. Are you looking for a hobby? a social club? a scientifically accurate description of reality?

 

[buddhist]

So. I have been searching my entire life for "the religion". And by that, I mean the one that fits me most. I have tried so, so, so many religions. None of them fulfill my need for a higher power or spirituality. I just can't find it. It is so hard for me to. So, for the list. It is basically a list of things I urge for in this religion or philosophy.

• Ancestor worship or ancestor veneration
• Meditation (similar to Buddhist meditation)
• Involves nature somehow
• Either multiple deities or none at all

Anything that would help would be great. Thank you for reading.

*NOTE: The religions can just include these, not be only these.

Early Buddhism could fit your requirements.

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

1. Ancestor worship or ancestor veneration
2. Meditation (similar to Buddhist meditation)
3. Involves nature somehow
4. Either multiple deities or none at all

Heathenry (specifically Norse Heathenry) includes these. (Note: This is purely for information, not a claim of exclusive truth or proselytization)

1. Our ancestors are very central to Heathenry; we honor them through our actions, and carry them with us in the modern age through our genetics - and spiritually with the fortune attached to our family names.
2. Heathenry's meditation is somewhat different, I assume, but present. It is called "Outsitting". One sits in a secluded place - namely out in nature - and enters into a meditative or trance-like state. Typically, a hood or hat is pulled low over the eyes, so that one can focus on the world around them. This can be accented with alcohol (though not too much), and/or chanting. The goal is to receive visions or wisdom that might aid oneself.
3. The Gods emulate and create nature; they are as much a part of it as it is of them. Through nature, we know the Gods in this reality in a physical sense, and know the sustenance that we receive from them daily. Worship of the Gods is thus thanks and praise for this, and celebration of it. True celebration, as well; not kneeling and pining to the Gods for favor.
4. Heathenry is polytheistic.