[alexbookhyip]

Tjhe spiritula life always belongs to the individula, no matter is he/she visits a coven, a churrch, a temple or whatever the spiritual community might be. To abandon our individula freedom is jto abandon our essential spirituality. That should never be abandoned.

[lizadax]

I have read recently that all covens are, are a bunch of solitaries who get together occasionally.
This is in a Wiccan context. I like this idea, because it places some emphasis on you, to get a healthy solitary practice happening.

I can't help but think, whatever your intentions, that participating in a group religious setting means that you will get burnt eventually by people. Of course if you are one of these types where you ignore other people's behaviour, you may escape this, but most people are not like that. No matter what you do, eventually some rogue person will be bringing their drama to your doorstep.

Whereas a solitary, or someone who has a house church, or rituals in the family, will have the most control over their religious setting and the chances for being burnt are almost zero.

Religious abuse, spiritual abuse, cult like behaviour always happens when the individual gives up some power to follow a group.

Do you think the future of spiritual religious movement will be individual led?

Forums like this are a great way for solitaries to mix with others, whilst still maintaining a concrete boundary.

[GoodLover]

I have always been a solo artist. I pretty much agree with what you have said.

[Imampaictjg]

Forums like this are a great way for solitaries to mix with others, whilst still maintaining a concrete boundary.

I agree. Everyone has a need for socialization. Forums provide.

Funny though, I'm thinking I need real people to socialize with too, other than my close knit family.

[Lenny Hensley]

Any properly functioning coven should have the feeling of an extended family. In many ways, the best of them become intended families.

Too bad there are so few of either, given that dysfunction, egoism, power-grubbing, manipulation, anarchy, childishness and selfishness are the rule all too often. I guess that 'perfect' human beings are in short supply.

I have had only two group experiences, neither of which were all that wholesome. Both largely because of the self-centeredness of the HPSs, and some bad interactions among the other members.

But being as isolated and alone as I have always been, I still find a need within myself for some kind of community in which I can belong, and feel both comfortable and welcome in. So far, there's no such animal, although I once had hopes among the cast and crew of the one (now defunct) Renaissance Faire I performed in for six years. This desire has also been a large part of my "insane writing project" which began around 1973.

[GenryDont]

So far, I'd have to say I agree with what has been said.

Most esoteric endeavors are fraught with the possibilities of someone, or group, getting out of control or way ahead of themselves. Anytime there is not a clear history and/or set of standards we will be faced with making decisions based on unknowns or best guess opinions.

I've been a solitary 'scholar' for many years now, taking the time and effort to absorb everything I can get my hands, and brain, on concerning the Old Ways of the Nordics and specifically the runes and Viking culture. However, having spent a year in Norway/Sweden, studying for myself, finding answers not written in books, meeting professors of Nordic history, digging with archaeologists, attending Pagan festivals etc., I am now absolutely convinced that I may never truly know much more than the basics about my ancestors way of life.

On the other hand, in order to truly get oneself educated, on any subject, there comes that dismal day we must rub shoulders with others. Especially the more esoteric Orders, Gilds or Covens, finding a group that best fits our personal goals or need is indeed difficult.

A 'goodesotericgroup', in my opinion, is one that:

1.) Has an well developed outline of the subject matter, principles and listed goals for the group/coven/hof/guild/etc

2.) Has extensive resources on what is known about the subject and is accepted by the majority of experts in that field

3.) Has open minded, well versed and highly educated leadership (in that subject and by academic standards)

4.) Promotes all apprentices/students that show a given talent or expertise...even if it may be a bit off the mainstream line of thinking

5.) Values each 'member' as an integral part of the learning process for all (excluding the obvious or blatant disruptor/distractor etc)

6.) Allows for a broad range of individual expressions for the ideas and principles that are the main goal or purpose of the group

For instance; In my arena, the rune-staves and runic divination, there is very little historical reference to the uses of the symbols beyond that of a writing system primarily inscribed by Dark Age through Medieval (ca. 400CE-1100CE) Scandinavians, Germanics and Celts. Little is known in academic circles of the esoteric gilds and divination aspects that have existed since roughly 500BCE concerning majikal uses of the runes.

However, get oneself promoted, through hard work, diligent study and of course the right connections, to a place of being invited inside the core groups of Drightens, Vitki's, Druids and Shaman, and whole new world opens up to begin yet another adventure in learning. A person may just happen to find that what mainstream academics know, and what your Drighten (professor/leader/top-dog) knows, are two vastly separate and different worlds of exposure and education.

When studying and researching by yourself though, you must be able to discern the difference of Internet garbage knowledge and the real thing. In my area, I'd say >95% of what is available via Internet is absolute trash. This is because of vast difference between those that wish to promote themselves and enhance their personal financial goals and those who have a hands on working knowledge of the topic.

Unfortunately, this is true is Wicca, Druidism, Runic, Satanism and the myriad of esoteric subjects. There is more "Prof. Smith is wrong" and "Dr. Jones is right" than actual, firmly held knowledge on these areas of study. Having an open mind and a real good bs detector is the quantum physics of any esoteric study or Path.

Outside of that, any group that follows the list above, in loose to firmly held beliefs, should give a person years of enjoyment as well as a sound education.

Go forth and be ed-jum-a-kated thou Solitary Soldier of Study!!!

Blessing of Peace,

[googlopharm]

while i agree that forums such as this can provide a sense of"community",i also think that sometimes we need to meet with others.

i have found a group that works with chakras,and we meet once a month.when or if i'm not working,i really enjoy the time,and the people who attend.i find it to be a great form of meditation.

[AcecePesFeacy]

[QUOTE=rev mark;185051]while i agree that forums such as this can provide a sense of"community",i also think that sometimes we need to meet with others.


I come to these forums to be with my church. Not by any means my whole social life. I do miss it when I'm off line.

[WeissVine]

I have a balance between solitary practice and community practice. My temple is far away from were I reside, so most of my practice is done in the home shrine. I like going to temple once and a while the celebrations.

Hermano Luis

[Brutton]

while i agree that forums such as this can provide a sense of"community",i also think that sometimes we need to meet with others.

i have found a group that works with chakras,and we meet once a month.when or if i'm not working,i really enjoy the time,and the people who attend.i find it to be a great form of meditation.

I think that the sense of "community" is a need for most people, and a reflection of the collective consciousness we all share. (Sorry JimBob!) We do need physical contact too. And as Jonathan has pointed out our socialness comes via more than one source. (especially with technology these days!)

[finnmontserrat]

... and a reflection of the collective consciousness we all share. (Sorry JimBob!)

Yeah, I saw that. Hehehe.

[TheReallyBest]

I very much appreciate the sense of community I get here, and I have to admit the couple other forums I follow, but yes, people/personal contact is a plus as well....within set limits.

My wife and I have always been "solitaries" as neither of us have ever felt we 'fit in' with most other "in person" groups. It's not that we're anti-social, we're anti-socializing. It seems we've found a good medium or center line balance point where we have rented and lived...in a gated "senior" community... for the past 5 years. Beginning in 2003, a construction company purchased the old base housing for Castle Air Force Base and remodeled the entire development. It's actually very nice and what joy having the Castle Air Museum just 2 blocks from our front door...betcha you don't have a SR-71 Blackbird, B-25, F-14 and B-50 parked across the street from your house!

Our neighbors keep to themselves, except when we're out to the mail box or walking pets. There's a group that does Bingo and cards games every Tues and Thurs at the "Hobby House" another that does "Swim-cercise" classes 3x's a week and every other month a group that does a bus trip to Reno...sign up sheets available at the office.

We joined the "Neighborhood Watch" Program and attend a meeting every other month and do a voluntary patrol once a week to 6-7 times per month as we feel able. Depending on the hours we go out we've met quite a few members of our community. As we're on the younger side (mid-50's) and live on the "Senior Side" we also keep and eye on our 3 elderly immediate neighbors.

"Miss Millie" is an exceptional gal having just celebrated her 88th birthday and is a retired Head Matron of an all girls College of Etiquette on the East Coast somewhere. She moved here to be closer to her son and daughter. She so gently tells stories of her being raised in a small So. Carolina town and recalls the days of segregation, without anger and with a degree of dignity found in few people today. She holds her head high when she speaks of her Evangelist preacher father and takes you by the hand to show you the pictures of her parents at the side of Dr. King just months before his assassination.

She is "aghast" that neighbors walk to the mailbox in their pajamas! Though blind since the age of 12, she can tell what you are wearing with a touch of a finger when shaking her hand. One would think Miss Millie would have every reason to distrust, even hate some people, as her own infirmary was caused by the callous, cowardly and disgusting actions of a group of boys from the "public school" on her way home from her 6th grade class at the "other (I can't and won't say what she said) school as it was known in those days." In the end though it was what gave her and her future husband the incentive to make sure both of their children not only went to college, but medical school and beyond. Her son is one of California's leading specialists in neuro-optical implants and various other corrective eye surgery today.

Kay and I find ourselves simply mesmerized by sitting and talking with her, she is one lady that has a lifetime of hardship in story, but tells of each victory like a true hero that is humble to the bone. Miss Millie also keeps track of the time, keeping socializing visits to just under an hour, which is "proper" in her way of thinking. Never rude, always polite, always smiling and upbeat....goodness...if more people were like this rock of community, maybe we wouldn't dislike socializing so much!!

So that's a bit about our community and one of the people that live here, a tidbit on others.

Socializing is a delicate flower that can't have too much water or too little sunlight...if it does, it simply wilts!

Blessings of Peace,