May 31, 2007

  • Thoughts from today

    I am rereading a book, The Odyssey of a New Religion" by Phillip Lucas.  The new religion he has written about is  The Holy Order of MANS, the group that I was a member of for 14 years.  It is a very insightful book about the journey of our order from New Age to Orthodoxy.  Reading this book has reminded me that it is a great part of who I am just as my first marriage of 5 years is a part of me.  Instead of trying to be who I think I  should be it would be better to spend my time accepting me and then being real.

    I enjoyed one of the sentences in the Introduction that stated "It also greatly aided my attempt to gain insight into the way members perceived reality."  After all, Reality is only Relative to the Eyes of the Beholder.

    I was filled with pride at the Order I joined and the goods works we accomplished.  I did find however that I became angry at the Director General and his secretive move of the Order to Orthodoxy.  I didn't want to be Russian or Greek Orthodox.  I liked being a New Age Christian person of the heretic persuasion so much so that I can honestly say I still am with the addition of eclectic added to the title.  Oh, yes, I have to add Crone to that title as well.

    I do not agree with the direction that Andrew took the Order and I was very angry with him.  However, he was the leader of the group and we didn't have to follow.   My family did not follow and left the Order after 14 years of living communally with a group of great but crazy spiritually motivated beings.  I enjoyed most of my experiences and disliked others which is totally normal in life.  I forgive Andrew for changing directions and forgive myself for holding this against him for so long.  I was only hurting myself.

    Anyway, if you are into religion, this is a great book to read.  Learning to forgive yourself is a great spiritual lesson for everyone to learn.  Namaste.