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Daily Question, December 26

What are some experiences that have shaped my spiritual life?

  • Adrienne

    Loss of loved ones starting at age 4~being the youngest of 10 children has its blessings and very high expectations to be able to carry the heaviest weight in most cases?

  • Warrior Woman

    Loneliness, poverty, homelessness, loss AND love <3

  • Malag

    Adversity has drawn me more into a spiritual life: adversity from deaths of those dear to me; health issues; big changes. These led me into other experiences such as retreats, which in turn lead me into practices such as meditation and reading spiritually uplifting material; this gratefulness community; connecting with the natural world etc.

  • Ann
    One of the many experiences I’ve had that stands out in my memory happened when watching a video in a high school chemistry class. We were presented with the image of a classical painting, probably a Monet. The focus of the image slowly became one of colored dots. Then, the focus went deeper into image, becoming molecules, atoms, and then electrons and protons with the understanding that there is an underlying and ongoing energy force. At that point, it seemed to me that the foundation of ever...

    One of the many experiences I’ve had that stands out in my memory happened when watching a video in a high school chemistry class. We were presented with the image of a classical painting, probably a Monet. The focus of the image slowly became one of colored dots. Then, the focus went deeper into image, becoming molecules, atoms, and then electrons and protons with the understanding that there is an underlying and ongoing energy force. At that point, it seemed to me that the foundation of everything was some kind of energy force. Following that belief, I’d explain to friends the unity of all that is by putting my hand on a table and stating that there was no difference, in essence, between my hand, the table and the air–that ALL IS ONE.

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    • Blooming

      I am so grateful for your sharing. What an uplifting thing to read this morning! I think I’m most grateful for your depth of perception and ability to express it. Thank you.

      • Ann

        Thank you, Blooming, for your kind comment. As the saying goes: “It takes one to know one,” that is, in this way, for you to see such things in me means that it must be in you. With great-felt appreciation, Ann

  • devy
    I grew up in a fairly Christian household but then later on became somewhat delusional after seeing how religion has been used in a negative , destructive and even evil ways by certain people or groups. Since then, for the longest time so suffered through negativity, anxiety and depression. I became hooked to alcohol in a means to find myself and feel part of a greater society. The results were more depression, more anxiety, physical health damage and almost the loss of s second marriage. The ...

    I grew up in a fairly Christian household but then later on became somewhat delusional after seeing how religion has been used in a negative , destructive and even evil ways by certain people or groups. Since then, for the longest time so suffered through negativity, anxiety and depression. I became hooked to alcohol in a means to find myself and feel part of a greater society. The results were more depression, more anxiety, physical health damage and almost the loss of s second marriage. The ultimatum was given to me so 9 years ago I had my last drink. The next years were difficult. I went to several physiologist but their schools were not helping me with the anxiety and depression. Tw0 years ago I made friends with a person who was sn Anglican priest practicing mindfullness. I listened to him and started. Last year I started seeing a counsellor who practiced holistic means. Finally at 62 years of age and after meditating daily, reading material and letting gratitude enter my life a revelation occurred. My life has changed, my friends and my wife have noticed a change. I spread positivity and gratitude. Yes there are some days where the little past demons come back but i am able to redirect my day . A lifelong practice to continue

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  • knowing that I have come home is my deepest spiritual experience. it’s beyond words and a experience of surrender rather than of ‘being shaped’. it defies all difficulties, even those turbulences in spiritual relationships (these ‘shape’ me…)

  • Carla
    A handful of my Experiences of the Divine have shaped my spiritual journey: age 4-physical sensation of my heart beating connected to the warmth of a very cold window pane; a younger than 4 memory recalling a Being lifting me away from the bathroom vanity while my tiny hand clutched an aspirin bottle on a high shelf; at 26 my mother requesting I not visit her home again which led me to hitting my physical emotional & spiritual bottom. Lesson she taught was “it takes more love to let go tha...

    A handful of my Experiences of the Divine have shaped my spiritual journey: age 4-physical sensation of my heart beating connected to the warmth of a very cold window pane; a younger than 4 memory recalling a Being lifting me away from the bathroom vanity while my tiny hand clutched an aspirin bottle on a high shelf; at 26 my mother requesting I not visit her home again which led me to hitting my physical emotional & spiritual bottom. Lesson she taught was “it takes more love to let go than to hold on.” I re-experienced that depth of love years later,when our relationship was repaired. I was her medical power of attorney, supporting her ‘letting go’ of medical treatments for a heart condition. Each event & many others have shaped me & continue to shape me.

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  • Antoinette
    Deep suffering has ironically shaped much of my practice. Zen master Thay says that we can’t grow a Lotus without the mud. We have a choice of what kind of habit energy we want to grow. Do we want to keep practicing what harms us and others or do we want to use the mud to grow a flower. I’m truly grateful for all holy and ordinary beings because they also nourish my spiritual practice. When I’m able to sit in the present moment with whatever is occurring and let go of judgment it b...

    Deep suffering has ironically shaped much of my practice.
    Zen master Thay says that we can’t grow a Lotus without the mud.
    We have a choice of what kind of habit energy we want to grow. Do we want to keep practicing what harms us and others or do we want to use the mud to grow a flower.
    I’m truly grateful for all holy and ordinary beings because they also nourish my spiritual practice.
    When I’m able to sit in the present moment with whatever is occurring and let go of judgment it because like fertilizer.
    Life is truly a gift and thanks for being here and I’m grateful for brother David for his insightful teachings.
    Today is an annual lunar eclipse.
    May all beings be happy and free from suffering.
    May all beings have joy and equanimity/ free from biased attachments and anger.
    May 2020 be an awakening of the true heart for all sentient beings.

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    • reality

      Beautifully calm and free flowing, thanx; yes, letting go of judgement, not discernment- excellent, the way is love, thanx ? reality

    • Michele

      beautifully written Antoinette:)

  • Deb

    I have been aware of the Presence since I was a young child. It has guided me throughout my life always search and finding in part that which we name God. As I continue my journey in this embodied life I find myself drawn more and more to the stillness and silence of the Friends.

  • Katrina

    Being taken to a loving church community every Sunday of my life through my teen years; the death of my daddy at age 12; spending time in the mountains or at the beach or as an adult in any nature setting; leading worship; being handed the trust of individuals who asked me to pray for them; these are just some…

  • Mark Piper

    I’ve never had a mystical experience, yet in college on a retreat, I was alone in a chapel one evening and I felt what I believe was God’s presence.

    I’ve also had a handful of good mentors who happened to be deeply spiritual people and time spend with them was water upon my parching soul.

  • reality
    Happy HanKwanMas to All. To not mention less positives, a pivotal one was being under the Christmas tree as a kid. I didn’t know that sub and unconsciously I was hiding there from my actual world. I just thought I was finding a spiritual place, even though I obviously didn’t know that word, or Spirit then. The nature of the tree and it’s taking in water to live a little longer per force, was probably most of it. Although I did imagine climbing it, was thrilled by the lights and orname...

    Happy HanKwanMas to All. To not mention less positives, a pivotal one was being under the Christmas tree as a kid. I didn’t know that sub and unconsciously I was hiding there from my actual world. I just thought I was finding a spiritual place, even though I obviously didn’t know that word, or Spirit then. The nature of the tree and it’s taking in water to live a little longer per force, was probably most of it. Although I did imagine climbing it, was thrilled by the lights and ornaments vividness, etc.. Have written a couple Christian/Christmas poems about it. Blessings and miracles be, thanx for all you All do. Have a good eve’ ? reality

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  • GCharlotte

    My experiences going to Mass on the days of Holy Obligation for over 15 years has shaped me spiritually.For several years going to Mass daily has formed me.Studying the great artists of religion. My life with my daughter&spouse laid the foundation.

  • Pilgrim
    Experiences, very young, of the numinous - someone/something more and not being alone, especially when being out in the natural world. The ancient hymns at church. Spending time on my grandparents' land, among the gardens and trees, experiencing the changes and gifts of each season. More books than I can remember. The freedom of exploration at our family cottage. The death of my dad, too young. Being a mother - a great and unexpected gift. Walking beside people in their spiritual journeys in min...

    Experiences, very young, of the numinous – someone/something more and not being alone, especially when being out in the natural world. The ancient hymns at church. Spending time on my grandparents’ land, among the gardens and trees, experiencing the changes and gifts of each season. More books than I can remember. The freedom of exploration at our family cottage. The death of my dad, too young. Being a mother – a great and unexpected gift. Walking beside people in their spiritual journeys in ministry.

    Read More
  • Michele

    Raised catholic, drawn to The Old Ways. Nature is my spiritual life.

  • Cathy
    My current spiritual life, young as it may be, has been shaped by what I was spoon-fed over a lifetime, and my ultimate awakening and gradual transition from that. For 50+ years, I thought myself and my church superior to everyone who did not believe and worship as I did. There was a rigid set of rules and instructions that I daily followed so that I could remain in what I thought to be good spiritual standing. I also carried around tremendous shame, guilt, anxiety, sadness, and depression. W...

    My current spiritual life, young as it may be, has been shaped by what I was spoon-fed over a lifetime, and my ultimate awakening and gradual transition from that.

    For 50+ years, I thought myself and my church superior to everyone who did not believe and worship as I did. There was a rigid set of rules and instructions that I daily followed so that I could remain in what I thought to be good spiritual standing. I also carried around tremendous shame, guilt, anxiety, sadness, and depression. What was promoted to be liberating only squeezed those chains of bondage tighter and tighter.

    Sometimes I regret all those seemingly wasted years. In retrospect, perhaps for me and the way I was created, those experiences were necessary to shape what I now know to be true, and how I choose to live and practice.

    I am beyond thankful and filled with great Joy to finally experience Peace and be mindfully aware of the vastness of our Universe, understanding that all beings’ paths are unique.

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  • Samuel
    My spiritual life has developed slowly over a lifetime journey. I cannot claim any kind of monumental epiphany that precipitated a major spiritual awakening. It just never happened. Instead it HAS been a journey. A long, slow one with many fits and starts and wrong turns and dead ends. Having been raised to be a self-starting, self-sufficient person has made it difficult for me to willingly surrender control of my life to trust in a far-off unknown Higher Power/Spirit. My most significant recen...

    My spiritual life has developed slowly over a lifetime journey. I cannot claim any kind of monumental epiphany that precipitated a major spiritual awakening. It just never happened. Instead it HAS been a journey. A long, slow one with many fits and starts and wrong turns and dead ends. Having been raised to be a self-starting, self-sufficient person has made it difficult for me to willingly surrender control of my life to trust in a far-off unknown Higher Power/Spirit.
    My most significant recent experience was almost two years ago shortly after the death of my beloved Penny Luv after 53 years of marriage. I was mourning her death late one night when I suddenly realized how blessed I had been that our marriage had continued for 23 more wonderful years after her original battle with her cancer in 1994. Although her loss still hurts, and always will, in my heart and mind it has since been tempered a bit by the realization of, and gratitude for, God’s gift of our additional 23 years of togetherness following her initial illness during the year of our 30th Anniversary…
    sb

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  • Kevin

    My spiritual life over the years has been shaped by:

    Working with/ministering to children and families for decades.
    Becoming a Quaker and later becoming a Quaker Minister.
    Farming.
    Providing pastoral care among persons in need.
    Praying.
    Experiencing the Holy Spirit at work among people of different faith traditions.
    Worshiping among Friends (Quakers).

  • Debra

    A early childhood experience of a visitation from an angel. I awoke to the feeling of warmth and light emanating from the corner of my bedroom. There was an ethereal presence combed in pulsating light and fire. I was reassured from this Spirit that my life had purpose and to be cognizant of that realization going forward. It changed me forever.

    • Samuel

      Debra, what a amazing revelation! To actually be aware of and able to recall an angelic visitation is such a gift. And to come away with an assurance of one’s successful future even more so…
      sb

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