Yesterday I was really struggling with my spirituality and was getting more depressed as I talked it over with my husband. He just didn’t seem to understand my frustration at being stuck in a church that I don’t really believe in. I would like to change denominations, because theologically I am night and day compared to the others in our church. I don’t believe in an eternal Hell, they do. I don’t believe that Christians are the only ones who are truly spiritual and in communion with God, they do believe that and constantly try and pound it in your head. But right now it’s just not possible for us to leave this church due to certain circumstances that I won’t go into right now. Let’s just say that we are stuck there for the moment. So to cheer myself up, and keep from fighting with my husband over the issue, I decided to just go out driving.
I ended up in the parking lot of a Unity church(one of the denominations I would consider switching to). I noticed they had a labyrinth in their back yard that was there for anyone to use. I started walking the labyrinth and as I walked it I started to feel more peaceful. There is something about walking a pattern that is so calming. After walking in circles for awhile, I finally reached the center. There in the center was a garden stone that said “All that matters is love”. I stood there staring at the rock, reading it over and over. How true a sentiment. Sometimes I get so caught up in the theological differences I have with those around me that I forget what is really important.
After walking the labyrinth I went and sat in the church’s prayer garden. They had several garden stones there that said things like “peace”, “love”, etc. And then I saw a stone that said “Om”. This made me laugh. I have been a practitioner of Buddhist Meditation off and on and have sat and chanted this mantra. It’s not something you expect to see in a Christian church, but it made me so happy to see a symbol of one faith I love, Buddhism, so close to another symbol I love, the cross. It made me feel so much better to know that somewhere they aren’t as prejudice and exclusive as what I am used to. It would be wonderful to go to a place so open to other beliefs & cultures. I just pray that someday I will get to go to a place that I really believe in. A place that can see beyond color, religion and other stupid little dividers.
I ended up in the parking lot of a Unity church(one of the denominations I would consider switching to). I noticed they had a labyrinth in their back yard that was there for anyone to use. I started walking the labyrinth and as I walked it I started to feel more peaceful. There is something about walking a pattern that is so calming. After walking in circles for awhile, I finally reached the center. There in the center was a garden stone that said “All that matters is love”. I stood there staring at the rock, reading it over and over. How true a sentiment. Sometimes I get so caught up in the theological differences I have with those around me that I forget what is really important.
After walking the labyrinth I went and sat in the church’s prayer garden. They had several garden stones there that said things like “peace”, “love”, etc. And then I saw a stone that said “Om”. This made me laugh. I have been a practitioner of Buddhist Meditation off and on and have sat and chanted this mantra. It’s not something you expect to see in a Christian church, but it made me so happy to see a symbol of one faith I love, Buddhism, so close to another symbol I love, the cross. It made me feel so much better to know that somewhere they aren’t as prejudice and exclusive as what I am used to. It would be wonderful to go to a place so open to other beliefs & cultures. I just pray that someday I will get to go to a place that I really believe in. A place that can see beyond color, religion and other stupid little dividers.
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