It seems that some people have a problem with eclecticism. These days it seems there are so many who are pressuring people to just "pick one". I'll admit I've seen some erroneous claims, ill researched rituals, and practices based on stereotypes of other cultures. However, I've seen an equal number of people doing careful research consulting followers of the paths they borrow from, and being cautious. I do believe people have the right to follow any path that makes sense to them and I do mean ANY. There's one question I have for people who have taken issue with my ecleciticism. What if you simply don't agree with any currently existing path enough to convert to, be initiated into, declare membership in, or be baptized into them? I have been searching for all my life with myself and the Divine itself as my only teachers. I have studied so many and yet have not found one I agree with enough to feel that I can call myself an adherent without utterly misrepresenting them. I agree with Hinduism on so many points, but do not believe in reincarnation. I have agreed with Buddhism on many points but cannot bring myself to believe in Anatt or that attachments are always bad. I share much of Wicca's practice, but once again, there are doctrines I differ on. It also doesn't have a clear path for the inclusion of non-binary people. I may be a cis straight man, but it is important for me to include them in some way. Feri tradition does have that, but I do not believe in this division between fertility and ecstasy paths. I see only wisdom paths. Ecstasy is important, but I do not think it to be the absolute. It's emphasis on sexuality sort of leaves out asexual people. Also, where do I find a Feri practitioner without moving to the west coast? Something I do not have the financial resources to do. Don't even get me started on the aspects of Chaos Magic I don't agree with. For all my love of certain Catholic teachings and coming from a heavily Catholic family, I found that Christianity didn't line up with the reality I had perceived enough. For all my love of the Celtic wisdom, my admiration for my Celtic ancestors, for all the beauty I find in practice, once again I feel as if I differ too much.
Then there are traditions I may or may not be a part of. I could in a sense call myself a Thelemite since the Book of The Law is one of the most important texts to practice and convictions and I agree with a number of it's doctrines, but am I one because I declare myself one?
The same thing with Taoism. Am I a Taoist because I've read the writings of Zhuangzi and the Tao Te Ching and agreed heavily with them or am I only a Taoist sect if I joint a sect? I read the Tao Te Ching often when confronted with a philosophical or moral conundrum. I do the same with the Liber Al Legis, the Spiral Dance, the Baghavad Gita, the Lotus Sutra, the Bible, Evolutionary Witchcraft, the Temple of Witchcraft series, the Havamal, and many others for I have found wisdom in all of them. One sometimes contains the answer the others lack. Some times I find something shared between all or most of them.
I am indeed a pagan. I have found that I agree with western esoteric and pagan doctrines most of all, but i still have yet to find this "one path" that some people insist on me joining. If you know where this perfect teacher or path that lines up with the theology I have been developing all these years, seeking to create a unified theory of the Divine, then please do tell me where they are, what book I should read, or what I should do. I do not go about haphazardly adopting elements and practices. I incorporate, refine, reassemble, and study continuously, as if I am a blacksmith attempting to create a most perfect blade. There are those who act without caution, who understand nothing of what they adopt, and appropriate without regard for anyone but them selves. However, eclecticism can be ethical and some times we simply don't agree with existing paths enough join them without feeling that we are misrepresenting them. Maybe there is a path out there waiting for me. The one mysterious tradition that I've simply never heard of, but I have not found it yet.
Then there are traditions I may or may not be a part of. I could in a sense call myself a Thelemite since the Book of The Law is one of the most important texts to practice and convictions and I agree with a number of it's doctrines, but am I one because I declare myself one?
The same thing with Taoism. Am I a Taoist because I've read the writings of Zhuangzi and the Tao Te Ching and agreed heavily with them or am I only a Taoist sect if I joint a sect? I read the Tao Te Ching often when confronted with a philosophical or moral conundrum. I do the same with the Liber Al Legis, the Spiral Dance, the Baghavad Gita, the Lotus Sutra, the Bible, Evolutionary Witchcraft, the Temple of Witchcraft series, the Havamal, and many others for I have found wisdom in all of them. One sometimes contains the answer the others lack. Some times I find something shared between all or most of them.
I am indeed a pagan. I have found that I agree with western esoteric and pagan doctrines most of all, but i still have yet to find this "one path" that some people insist on me joining. If you know where this perfect teacher or path that lines up with the theology I have been developing all these years, seeking to create a unified theory of the Divine, then please do tell me where they are, what book I should read, or what I should do. I do not go about haphazardly adopting elements and practices. I incorporate, refine, reassemble, and study continuously, as if I am a blacksmith attempting to create a most perfect blade. There are those who act without caution, who understand nothing of what they adopt, and appropriate without regard for anyone but them selves. However, eclecticism can be ethical and some times we simply don't agree with existing paths enough join them without feeling that we are misrepresenting them. Maybe there is a path out there waiting for me. The one mysterious tradition that I've simply never heard of, but I have not found it yet.
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