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Hello!

I've just finished writing up a review of Elizabeth Owens' brand new book Discover Your Spiritual Life - Illuminate Your Soul's Path. Positive and practical, this book offers the guidance you need to live a more spiritual, meaningful, and peaceful life by becoming a balanced observer rather than a concerned worrier.

Some questions for you:

What made you begin a journey on a spiritual path?

How has your spiritual journey developed and progressed?

What tools and practices do you use to incorporate the sacred into your life?

I'd love to hear of your experience! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Morning, Janet! Great questions!

Wow, you know, it seems I've been on a spiritual journey for as long as I can remember! I was taken to Sunday School as a young child, and I remember asking Jesus to be my Savior EVERY time! LOL I clearly remember the first time I heard "God" speak to me....my father was in the hospital sick (I was a preteen..can't remember the exact age). I picked up my little Bible,(naturally guided there for wisdom and answers???), and these words lept off the page "He shall not die." Some may question, but I experienced something significant that to this day, I consider Divine communication.

But as I entered my teens, my Rebel and my Seeker joined forces, and I rejected organized religion....too much hypocrisy (kind of the same reason I 'rejected' it again a couple of years ago, coming out of the AOG and ministry....) My quest took me into what was considered occultic practices (with the accompanying fear and guilt from the "voices" in my head), to Eastern spiritual thoughts, to generalized "Peace and Love" hippie stuff....Always always always looking for that special connection with Divine...that understanding of why I'm here and what Life is all about.

In my 20s, fully rebelled and into all kinds of stuff, I got "saved" again. I spent the next 15 years or so in the Church, where as time went on, I felt I had a pretty good understanding of "Life, the Universe, and Everything" (any Doug Adams fans out there??) But a couple of years ago (Spring after 9/11), all the forces in my life collided and I literally fell apart from the inside out. I lost all faith in everything and everyone. It was the darkest dark night I've ever travelled through.

The good news is, it broke me wide open without any guilt! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I've spent this last year exploring and seeking and finding the most amazing spiritual ideas and practices! It's like an invisible tracking system inside of me, leading me to the people and ideas who have some of what I want and are offering to share! I feel healthier and more at peace than I can remember...

I use meditation and prayer, I work with my chakras and archetypes, I use aromatherapy, I'm investigating Tarot and Astrology more deeply (as a life tool for making decisions, not the decisions themselves! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ...) Walking in peace, letting go, and accepting the Abundance of Life are my mantras these days!

(whew, I haven't previewed this...hope it's not too long! this is quite a subject....thanks in advance for everyone's patience...are your eyes crossed yet? LOL)

Hugs!
Janey

Oh...my...goodness, Janey!! Are we long lost twins?! Did I just read that you came out of the Assemblies of God and you were a minister?! Would you believe that was my very same path?--including accepting Jesus every single time LOL, being drawn to the Bible from a young age, hearing God's voice since I was young, having Rebel and Seeker merge, rejecting religion and man-made "stuff", having a Dark Night of the Soul, exploring "occult" tools like Astrology and Tarot, feeling guilt, then progressing to a point where the guilt stopped and I found myself on a brand new path...

Absolutely amazing the parallels between you and I! I'd love to hear more if you're inclined! (And nope, my eyes aren't crossed. LOL <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> )

No wonder I like you so much without really knowing you, Janet! And here I though it was because of our shared Queenieness! LOL :love:

Wow, that truly is amazing, isn't it??? The parallels between us are wild! (my other arkies are the Jester, Artist/Writer, Guide (it came close to being Sage or Teacher), Addict, Rescuer (almost chose Healer), Seeker, and Rebel. Child is Wounded and I almost made Queen a Warrior!)

Funny, I'm running into women like us EVERYWHERE these days! Now THAT would be something interesting to analyze for a bit...what is UP with THAT? From the women I know, the disconnect from the organized 'church' (and so far, all AOG or Charismatic types! <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ) has come because of some really painful and shocking revelations about the 'leadership' etc. We've felt wounded, betrayed, fooled....hum....why did you leave (if you're into sharing here!) Many of us are divorced (I'm not but I believe a seperation is coming soon). All of these women, seeking higher purpose and powers in their lives outside the traditional church model...and doing a great job at it too! Really demonstrating 'Christ' in acts of service, in showering of love, in showing healing and tolerance towards each other. Kinda makes me go "Hummmmm....."

During my dark night of the soul, I told God, "Look, I am SO done! I must have missed it! I can't seem to get this right! All those times I thought I heard you, I must have missed it" (this particularly pertained to the ministry I felt called to, and my marriage) I really felt like all those years, all those prayers and tears and serving had really been for naught, although I saw literal miracles take place! (coming from a heart of love for people, by the way...not from out of a 'works' place - at least I don't THINK so! Prostitute is in my 9th house! :rolleyes: LOL Uh, God? If I'm a really really good girl, will you love me? will you provide for me? *sigh*) But personally, I felt bereft....like God had departed. My Wounded Child felt abandoned. I felt like a failure, like somehow I hadn't measured up...that all in leadership (from my experience) were tweaked.

So, I faced a decision. Do I carry on with life or do I run away or what???? I chose to stay <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> but I made it really easy on myself. I just started seeking serenity at first...anywhere I could. I decided I would just heal myself with whatever means I could find, and I fell right into Myss' work. I began understanding the sacredness of all creation, and my connection with the earth and the animals. (I discovered at this time that I have Hummingbird and Hawk medicine). I threw the restrictions off of what was defined as 'spiritual' and just sought a place of centeredness, peace, and love for all. I did some healing work with my Chakras. The Universe began putting some fabulous women in my life that were on the same path. My connection with God came back but in a very earthy and 'whole' way...I went to a Reiki practicioner, I've had a couple Tarot readings, etc. etc. And every where I go, my path has been confirmed, widened, become more joyful and full of synchronicities!

There....Chapter 2! LOL <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Janey

Hi again, Janey! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> It's truly a pleasure to talk to you.

Boy, I so, so relate...except for the marriage part.

Why did I leave "the church"? Wow. Tough Q. Up until last year, I was willing to give it another try from a ministerial POV. (I went to an A/G college and was a pastor at one time.) When it comes to churches, I have a strong Prophet Archetype, as well as Guide. You know how it goes in Pentecostal/Charismatic circles...they want just enough fire to warm them, but not enough to consume them!

I've had a series of events happen in my life and quite a few Dark Nights, actually. (I included Mystic in my original wheel...9th House.) I was called into ministry as a young girl, before my family even went to church. I was offended at the hypocrisy as a child...saying one thing, but doing something far, far different at home. I once read the passage from the Bible that said "Parents, provoke not your children to wrath." and I was confused. So I went out to ask my Mom why the Bible said to do one thing, but she did another (totally innocent here...I was probably only 6 or so!) and she slapped me across the face and said "Don't you ever use the Bible against me again."

Despite hearing God's voice as a young child, I was still vexed at the hypocrisy I saw. I was also troubled by feeling and hearing one thing from God, and seeing the Bible say another...especially the whole hell aspect. I remember getting very angry at God saying "You said that hell wasn't made for man! You're omniscient...how does he end up there?!" And I heard a voice clear as a bell say "One day you'll understand, Janet." (Didn't know that was clairaudience at the time!)

Lots of lots of stories... Hmm.

Being a woman minister was OK at first, since I was married to one. I got in through the "back door" so to speak. My first husband and I co-pastored a church, but towards the end of his service there, he started to get very sick. He ended up being diagnosed with leukemia, we went through hell for a year (including a Benny Hinn crusade...) and he ended up relapsing and dying. He died 1 month after our 7 year anniversary at the age of 27.

When I was a widow, despite my experience, talents, and credentials, male pastors wouldn't give me a chance. I had a Presbyter/pastor of an A/G church say to me "I'll never put you on staff. It's not the men who will give me grief, it's the women." (Jealous back-biting and all that.) It was a hard road through many churches.

A few years ago, I was in a service where the son-in-law of a friend was preaching. He had so much insight...no regurgitation of Scriptures or Sunday School repeats. This guy had some goods. I didn't know what it was, but I wanted some of it! I talked to him later that day and it turns out he was a part of what is known as the Kingdom movement. They don't believe in a literal hell, and they believe in the salvation of all mankind.

I felt like I went to a spiritual chiropractor. Right then I had a major paradigm shift. I was ready, and it felt great! Peace, clarity...I even heard God say "This is what I was telling you to wait for."

I had a friend last year who wanted me to co-pastor with him--he was on the verge of burnout. But like so many pastors in the A/G, it's the board that runs the show. He had planned on telling them he wanted me as co-pastor but they shot the idea down. (They knew me from before...I grew up in that church, used to be the WM President, etc. But too much fire!) He had come to my house, asked my advice, I drew up a plan, etc.

So the Pastor took my ideas and outlines and tried (is trying I hear) to implement them...but without me. It was then that I decided to (finally!) stop banging my head against the wall and just go in the proverbial cave. They couldn't hear anyway, so what did it matter?

Whew! I could just tell you lots. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I guess I wrote my own chapter here, too! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Whewwww Weeee, Janet....sounds like you've been on one E-ticket ride as well! I'm reminded of this (old) Grateful Dead song,"What a long, strange trip it's been!" LOL Thanks for sharing.....Kingdom movement, huh? Think I'll look into that myself....It's so wonderful so hear that you're in such a good place now...I'm really seeking my own place...still in incubation mode to some degree, but I know in my heart that my place of 'service' is in some area of healing...emotional, physical, spiritual....maybe a combination??? Not sure but I've just decided to throw myself into the arms of the Divine and see what happens....

Every day is like Christmas...something new happening. (Although some of the things feel alot like 'endings', which is a little uncomfortable to say the least! LOL)

So glad to have found your group here! (and chatted with YOU more!) It's been such a wonderful gift!

Hugs,
Janey

Yeah, it's definitely been interesting! I think as a 33 year old, I've been through more than some 80 year olds! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yes, everyday like Christmas... Love the analogy! And I totally get incubation period... I call that "Hermit mode". <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm so glad you found this board, Janey, and I look forward to more conversations with you! :love: