photo: Waiting for the Word on flickr
Dear Meli,
I’m writing you because I want to be more spiritual. I have friends who are into spiritual stuff and it seems to make them really happy. But I haven’t been able to get into it. It feels like I have to be fake, or be someone I’m not. Also, I’m really not into God. I was raised in a strict, religious home and the whole idea of someone or something that I’m supposed to be submissive to doesn’t work for me at all. And yet I feel like I’m missing out. Can I be spiritual if I hate God?
Questioning in Quebec
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Dear Questioning,
Thank you so much for this rich and honest question.
Yes! You can be spiritual no matter how you feel about God!
I imagine that the “God” you hate is not the same God, or Divine Spirit, that I consider to be the love of my life. So many of us grew up hearing about a God that is punishing and harsh. When I was a kid, this God made me feel terrible and terrified! I think it’s healthy to avoid feeling terrible and terrified whenever possible! So good for you for avoiding feeling bad!
The Spirit (God) that I talk about is the power or causative energy that is the creative source of the Universe. All that exists is made of this One. So you are already filled with this Spirit!
Anything you can do to increase your awareness of this Spirit is going to support you in your happiness. This can take endless forms! For many, their favorite spiritual practice is walking in nature, where this power of Life is so evident. For others, they meditate, or practice yoga. Some sing. Others pray. I like all of these.
As you allow yourself to begin to explore this awareness, regardless of which activities you choose, you will become more and more aware of which activities work best for you. As you explore this territory, you’ll find things you don’t like at all. You’ll also find things you love. Always follow the direction of your happiness. This is your own Spirit guiding you to your personal path of divinity.
Over time, you may even come to realize that you love God. 🙂
Blessings and Love in All You Do,
Meli
What is your concept of God? How does this serve you? Or not? Share your comments below!
Have a question for Meli? Interested in a private session (in person or Skype)? Contact her at meli@ohmygodlife.com
I too was raised with the message of a judgmental and punishing/rewarding God. And of course a God “outside of myself”…living in the sky.
Despite these deeply ingrained terrified interpretations of “my Creator”, I have little by little through the “new thought” avenues come to have a more friendly and even at times very loving and supportive relationship with me creator. It I has been a long hard road and frankly I have expected my devotion to “the practices” and attainment of knowledge from the large number of authors, attendance to countless classes, workshops and siminars …would have brought a higher and more consistent level of peace and ease by now.
I now consider a possible punitive Karmic debt to be worked out is at play.
Hi Steve!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience here. It sounds to me like you’ve had quite a dramatic transformation in this! From judgmental dude in the sky, to friendly, and at times loving and supportive – that’s big change! Yay you for all that you’ve done, and do, for this blessing.
These days, in addition to classes, books and such, I include my relationship with Spirit in my regular prayer practice – affirming and imagining a blissful connection and relationship in which I always feel connected and safe. This practice has also seemed to make a big difference for me.
BIG Love to you!, Meli
Dear Meli, In my 83 years I have never had a fear of God. I know that God is in me, around me, and always loving and caring about me. You are forever in my prayers.
Dear Connie,
Wow! How WONDERFUL to have NEVER had a fear of God! That’s awesome! Yay you! I, too, know that God is in you and around you, always loving and caring about you.
Thank you so much for holding me/us in your prayers! You are always in mine as well.
Love & Blessings to you always!, Meli
Thanks for that question. I really like your advice to do what feels good. I know the way I connect to what people traditionally call god is by understanding it as energy. That feels much truer to me. I find my spirituality in all aspects of life. And my spirituality has nothing to do with god. When I was able to see spirituality in this way I was able to let go of hating the god concept and I was able to develop my own beautiful spiritual practice that fits me perfectly. I trust it will be a fun exploration to finding your own spirituality and path. Enjoy!
Hi Becke,
Thank you for writing! These days, I also think of God more as energy…it’s a little more complicated for me, but that’s the best word we have in our language for it, given that no word actually covers It. LOL
I spent years not using the word ‘God’ at all, because I needed to change the way I held that concept. It helped me to use other names. Now the word God aligns with my new & improved version of the divine.
I also love the description of your shift supporting you in your discovering your own spirality, too! Beautiful!
Thanks again for connecting here.
Blessings!
Meli