The word eclectic is normally used as a furniture style, but it is also
related to thoughts and tastes etc. Syncretistic is an amalgamation of various
religious traditions, cultures, and schools of thought such as philosophy. So
syncretistic and eclectic spirituality is an amalgamation of beliefs. It is my
belief that this approach makes by far the most sense in choosing a spiritual
path and spiritual practices.
The reason for this is simple. All mystics are first and foremost human
beings. This means that they are not only influenced by mystical input but also
have the cultural and life experiences of their place in history, their
community, and their familial and ancestorial traditions. It also includes all
of the religious ideas they were exposed to by their environment.
While this does not mean that they cannot rise above these factors, it
likely means that all of the above factors will spill over into their
mysticism. It is also dependent on the intellectual and technological
advancements of their society and culture. Therefore, one can rest assured that
all so-called sacred texts have within them a certain amount of human and
cultural input. All means all and it is especially true of the bible.
This is where eclectic spirituality can be so important in one’s spiritual
path. All religions have mystical revelation from the source within their
teachings. Likewise, they all have human and cultural input. Our intuition is
able to distinguish which is which if we but learn to trust it.
Since I was raised in evangelical Christianity, I have found that while
there is mystical revelation in the bible there is likewise cultural input that
is not necessarily pertinent today. However, I have also found that for me,
Christianity is not complete and that I can find additional revelation in other
religions and religious texts, and yes, even in science. We continually are
advancing in knowledge and experience. This is true of us as individuals, and
it is likewise true of us in various cultures as well as humanity as a whole.
I will give you an example of my eclectic spirituality. I draw mystical
revelation from Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, and Hermeticism. I have
actually come to believe that Hermeticism is foundational to western religion
and philosophy. But I also see that there is potential to reinforce mystical
revelation from quantum mechanics, philosophy, cognitive science, and biology.
For me, I see reincarnation as a very likely phenomenon. So, I draw on some
of eastern thought as well. However, I am not a fan of the perpetual circle of
karma. This forces me to use my intuition and the mystic within me to find a
better solution to the purpose of reincarnation. I have done this and have
addressed it in other blog posts. There are countless other examples, but I
will not pursue them here.
I mainly want to point out that we each have divinity within each of us.
This divinity makes us all mystics. We are effective in mysticism to the degree
that we believe we are divine, trust out intuition. I want to encourage you to
make sure that you allow your intuition and your individuality to help you
ascend along your spiritual path and find the perfect place of integration
between your higher and lower self. Both are equally important to the human
experience. Part of the lower self, or the human self is what Carl Jung called
the shadow self, and we likewise need to embrace and accept it as well. That
doesn't mean that we cannot improve and change the things we don’t like, but it
does mean that we should embrace wholeheartedly our humanity.
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