Saturday, January 25, 2014

Inspiration and Tradition


This Sunday at the Gathering we will discuss ideas from Thomas Moore's new book, A Religion of One's Own. Since this book is so rich and many layered, I  did not want to reduce it to a synopsis. Instead, I will bring several short quotes from the book and questions about the ideas expressed in the quotes as triggers to start the discussion. Below is a collage of various sentences from the book I put together to give you a feel for the essential theme of the book:
"I foresee a new kind of spiritual creativity, in which we no longer decide whether to believe in a given creed and follow a certain tradition blindly. Now we allow ourselves a healthy skepticism. We no longer feel pressure to choose one tradition over another but is able to appreciate many routes to spiritual richness. This new religion is a blend of individual inspiration and inspiring tradition. . . I think we need a religion that comes out of our own hearts and minds and tailor-made to our own values and sensitivities. This approach looks to formal religions for insight, but it takes root and flourishes in an individual life. It means going deep rather than being right. It means studying your tradition or others that attract you without taking them as they are offered. Struggle with them, work hard at extracting only what is valuable in them, and be ready to discard the dross. Follow them in your own way sincerely and wholeheartedly.   The point is not to join the right group but to find resources that will take you deep into your own wisdom."

~ SUNDAY 26 JANUARY 2014 ~
~ 5:30 pm ~ 618 LOCUST STREET ~

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