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Author Topic: Finding a path that works for me  (Read 1192 times)

DJ_Bonneromics

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Finding a path that works for me
« on: August 12, 2012, 03:56:44 am »
I'm trying to get a good start in a Pagan path.  To give you a little background about me:

I'm 30 years old, male, and identify as a gay-leaning bisexual, currently single and not immediately looking for a relationship.  My formal educational background is in economics though I've always been fascinated by many other fields:  math, astronomy, weather and music.  

Growing up I was a bit of a fantasy video game nerd, playing Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy and Secret of Mana and Chrono Trigger with great enthusiasm.  I've been toying with the notion that perhaps the mythology from these games could find a place in my real-world spiritual discipline, since all fantasy is a reflection on reality in one form or another.

I'm also learning how to DJ after having discovered a love for underground hip-hop.  I'm very critical of the sexism and homophobia that has festered in hip-hop culture, but that hasn't deterred my love of the culture and my yearning to be a part of it....

All this stuff may sound like it better belongs in the "Introducing New Members" forum, but I'm writing it here because I think it could all be relevant to my forming a Pagan discipline that best allows for spiritual growth.

Should I do some research on various Gods and Goddesses, including the ones alluded to in the video games I grew up on?  Another thing I might be interested in is elemental magic and alchemy.  And what about developing prayer and meditation skills?

Liadine (dragonflyeyes)

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Re: Finding a path that works for me
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2012, 05:00:38 am »
Quote from: DJ_Bonneromics;68466
Should I do some research on various Gods and Goddesses, including the ones alluded to in the video games I grew up on?  Another thing I might be interested in is elemental magic and alchemy.  And what about developing prayer and meditation skills?


Welcome!

First off, there's some great information in The Cauldron's own Pagan Primer and Teens and Paganism FAQ (don't be put off by the name - some of it is definitely geared towards teens, but there's a lot of really useful information in there). Jennet's Seeking site is also a treasure trove.

What worked well for me was doing research into as many different religions and paths as possible, then making a list of the ones that caught my attention the most and looking at the similarities/differences. Even though I ultimately went my own way, it allowed me to get a better idea of what I was looking for and what was important to me.

Doing some research into deities you're interested in and the cultures they're associated with can be a great starting point, but I know I ended up frustrated until I started focusing less on deity and more on the paths themselves. Even if you know for sure that you want to work with/follow/worship a specific deity, it can be overwhelming if you don't have a structure to base that work on.

(I hope all of that made sense, I'm running on a bit of a sleep deficit.)
We owe it to each other to tell stories [Neil Gaiman]
night's a good herd [my religious tumblr]

wadjet

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Re: Finding a path that works for me
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2012, 05:12:52 am »
Quote from: DJ_Bonneromics;68466

Should I do some research on various Gods and Goddesses, including the ones alluded to in the video games I grew up on?  Another thing I might be interested in is elemental magic and alchemy.  And what about developing prayer and meditation skills?

 
I personally see nothing at all about your interests that seems to indicate any direction in particular. I have two very strong recommendations for you:

First, yes, absolutely start with research. Start reading mythology - try something that covers a lot of cultures like Comparative Mythology. Start researching the origins of Neo-Paganism, and some of the important literature, like The Golden Bough or Paul Huson's Mastering Witchcraft. If you do this you'll start to get a feel for what aspects of Paganism speak to you.

Second, try to evaluate what is important to you and what your values are. Saying you enjoy video games and hip-hop doesn't actually tell us anything about who you are as a person. You mention your dislike of homophobia and sexism...is activism something important to you? Would you physically fight to defend yourself against violent hate, or do you believe more strongly in non-violence and pacifism? These are the sorts of things that will guide you toward spiritual paths and groups that share and support your beliefs.

StudiodeKadent

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Re: Finding a path that works for me
« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2012, 05:42:37 am »
Quote from: DJ_Bonneromics;68466
I'm trying to get a good start in a Pagan path.  To give you a little background about me:

I'm 30 years old, male, and identify as a gay-leaning bisexual, currently single and not immediately looking for a relationship.  My formal educational background is in economics though I've always been fascinated by many other fields:  math, astronomy, weather and music.  


Economist here too! Yay, economics!

Laveth

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Re: Finding a path that works for me
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2012, 01:18:07 am »
Quote from: DJ_Bonneromics;68466

All this stuff may sound like it better belongs in the "Introducing New Members" forum, but I'm writing it here because I think it could all be relevant to my forming a Pagan discipline that best allows for spiritual growth.

Should I do some research on various Gods and Goddesses, including the ones alluded to in the video games I grew up on?  Another thing I might be interested in is elemental magic and alchemy.  And what about developing prayer and meditation skills?

 

None of the information you've posted really seems all that crucial for the development of any particular belief system. You need to dig beneath all that and find out what you are particularly drawn to.

Read up on the elements, meditation, alchemy, and whatever else piques your interest at this point. And do not worry about labeling yourself as a specific .

Sometimes, your interests and what calls to you determines which practices, rites, and lore you fancy. And after awhile, you can start to categorize it and then decide which path is right for you. In the meantime, enjoy the ride and see where it takes you. There's no reason to rush towards labeling yourself. :)

Fireof9

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Re: Finding a path that works for me
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2012, 12:32:15 pm »
Quote from: DJ_Bonneromics;68466
I'm trying to get a good start in a Pagan path.  To give you a little background about me:

I'm 30 years old, male, and identify as a gay-leaning bisexual, currently single and not immediately looking for a relationship.  My formal educational background is in economics though I've always been fascinated by many other fields:  math, astronomy, weather and music.  

Growing up I was a bit of a fantasy video game nerd, playing Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy and Secret of Mana and Chrono Trigger with great enthusiasm.  I've been toying with the notion that perhaps the mythology from these games could find a place in my real-world spiritual discipline, since all fantasy is a reflection on reality in one form or another.

I'm also learning how to DJ after having discovered a love for underground hip-hop.  I'm very critical of the sexism and homophobia that has festered in hip-hop culture, but that hasn't deterred my love of the culture and my yearning to be a part of it....

All this stuff may sound like it better belongs in the "Introducing New Members" forum, but I'm writing it here because I think it could all be relevant to my forming a Pagan discipline that best allows for spiritual growth.

Should I do some research on various Gods and Goddesses, including the ones alluded to in the video games I grew up on?  Another thing I might be interested in is elemental magic and alchemy.  And what about developing prayer and meditation skills?


I am going to disagree with some of the other comments here. I think that maybe you should look into the deities etc. that attracted you in the video games. Though often as not the characterized version in video games are not really very true to the actual deity, there could be a reason that they piqued your intrest. If you look into the actual lore of them you may find a direction, at the very least you will learn some things.

Also something I found really helpful when I was starting out was simply reading this site. There is so many different paths represented here. I just read peoples posts, and the the ones that made the most sense to me I looked into their path until I ended up where I am now. TC is a great place to learn.

Welcome and enjoy.
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Shadow

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Re: Finding a path that works for me
« Reply #6 on: August 19, 2012, 12:40:20 pm »
Quote from: Fireof9;69764

Also something I found really helpful when I was starting out was simply reading this site. There is so many different paths represented here. I just read peoples posts, and the the ones that made the most sense to me I looked into their path until I ended up where I am now. TC is a great place to learn.

 
I would second this. I don't post much for a number of reasons but I read nearly all posts and have learnt a LOT since joining TC just over a year ago. My path is one that is continuously evolving and the posts here often inspire me to look in to things I would never have considered otherwise.

monsnoleedra

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Re: Finding a path that works for me
« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2012, 01:37:15 pm »
Quote from: DJ_Bonneromics;68466
I'm trying to get a good start in a Pagan path.  To give you a little background about me:

I'm 30 years old, male, and identify as a gay-leaning bisexual, currently single and not immediately looking for a relationship.  My formal educational background is in economics though I've always been fascinated by many other fields:  math, astronomy, weather and music.
 

My personal opinion is that education really has little to do with ones spiritual pathway.  Especially do to the fact so often our educational background is developed and driven by outside factors such as the economy or parental pressure.

Now if one says thier hobby is a certain field of study or something that has called to them since early youth then that is different.

Quote
Growing up I was a bit of a fantasy video game nerd, playing Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy and Secret of Mana and Chrono Trigger with great enthusiasm.  I've been toying with the notion that perhaps the mythology from these games could find a place in my real-world spiritual discipline, since all fantasy is a reflection on reality in one form or another.


What i'd ask is why are any of these important to you?  One might conclude that all those have in common is an escapist slant to take you from realility.  That does not make a very stable foundation for ones spiritual pathway.

If I were to utilize the possible mythology aspect of them as an indicator I would think you'd hang off of that aspect.  Since i am not familiar with any of them beyond Final Fantasy I can't speak much beyond the escapism aspect.

Quote
I'm also learning how to DJ after having discovered a love for underground hip-hop.  I'm very critical of the sexism and homophobia that has festered in hip-hop culture, but that hasn't deterred my love of the culture and my yearning to be a part of it....


Again i'd ask why is being a DJ an influence upon a pathway?  IS it the fact of being a DJ or the sub-grouping that appeals to you?  Then ask what is it about the sub-grouping that pulls you in or calls to you and if that same or similiar pull exists elsewhere?

Quote
Should I do some research on various Gods and Goddesses, including the ones alluded to in the video games I grew up on?  Another thing I might be interested in is elemental magic and alchemy.  And what about developing prayer and meditation skills?


Some might disagree but I think you'd do better to discover your own self and what you actually desire than worry about researchign various gods / goddesses.  So far most of your responses read the "I think I am .." which means you really do not know.  It also implies, to me anyway, that you have not really given deep though to it but are only attracted to some escapist surface aspect of this.

The one significant thing all your indicators hold is they are all things you can stop and walk away from at any time and only hold limited influence over you.  Once the gig is done your done as a DJ, once the game is over or you tire of it, the game is over.  They also point to a series of dropping one and moving to another without appearig to hold any significance to you or influence over you.

No spiritual or religious pathway is so easily dropped or stepped away from when its convient.

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