Starting on my Path -- What is the Next Step?

[bluewave193]

So it's been a while since I first started out on my path. I've read countless books, drawn a more or less rough outline of what I believe and want from my path. Made a regular meditation session, and even put an alter together.

Where do I go from here?

Thanks!

-Blue

[Rhyshadow]

So it's been a while since I first started out on my path. I've read countless books, drawn a more or less rough outline of what I believe and want from my path. Made a regular meditation session, and even put an alter together.

Where do I go from here?

Thanks!

-Blue

Keep on keeping on really

Continue reading, never stop checking if the path you've chosen IS the right one, daily acknowledgments of your Deities or at least a daily meditation session.

It's not a destination, it's a course - sounds like the route you've chosen fits you, now to add color and depth to the view along the way.

[Shine]

So it's been a while since I first started out on my path. I've read countless books, drawn a more or less rough outline of what I believe and want from my path. Made a regular meditation session, and even put an alter together.

Where do I go from here?

Thanks!

-Blue

 
I'm definitely no expert, so feel free to take what I say with a grain of rock salt.

Does your path have any specific cultural basis (or any sort of platform from which you could expand)? For example, when I first started practicing Kemeticism, I started with simple prayers and reading once or twice a week. Now I'm trying (and failing, for the most part, thanks to college *sigh*) to incorporate more . . . stuff. Like festivals, visiting shrine more often, etc.

If you have a specific culture or "platform" to work from, just explore that deeper and incorporate more of it into your life. If you don't, then I'm not sure what to say. You could keep on expanding your practice, trying out different things, until you have something you're comfortable with.

[earth_dragon]

Keep on keeping on really

Continue reading, never stop checking if the path you've chosen IS the right one, daily acknowledgments of your Deities or at least a daily meditation session.

It's not a destination, it's a course - sounds like the route you've chosen fits you, now to add color and depth to the view along the way.

 
This sounds  like excellent advice to me. Right now I'm going thru something similar, having to recheck myself, making sure I'm still on the correct path. But it's all about the journey, as Rhyshadow said. May yours be blessed.  

[Aster Breo]

Where do I go from here?

 
That kinda depends on your path.  

As Shine suggested, if you feel ready, maybe it's time to start *doing*.

Does your path include honoring any deities?  If so, maybe start with some prayers and simple offerings.  Holidays?  They can be celebrated simply, to start, with simple crafts and foods, f'ex.  Rituals?  Again, you can start simply.  Do you have any kind of service component -- like picking up trash or volunteering somewhere, etc.?

I think it's really easy, especially while you're (general "you") still figuring out what kind of path is right for you, to get stuck on the *thinking* -- the reading and writing and discussing.  All of that is very important, of course, because that's how you work things out.  But at some point, you have to take the plunge and start living your path.

Only you can say what that means, though.

[dragonfaerie]

Where do I go from here?

Where do you want to go?

That's the beautiful, terrifying thing about carving your own path. It's about you, and what you want, and where you want to go. We can give you some ideas of what we've done, but in the end, it's your work.

I agree with Aster and Shine. Once you have your map plotted out, it's time to start the journey. Do something and see how it feels. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. That's how you learn, and if the Gods smote us every time we screwed up, there'd be very few modern Pagans running around in the world.

Karen

[bluewave193]

I'm definitely no expert, so feel free to take what I say with a grain of rock salt.

Does your path have any specific cultural basis (or any sort of platform from which you could expand)? For example, when I first started practicing Kemeticism, I started with simple prayers and reading once or twice a week. Now I'm trying (and failing, for the most part, thanks to college *sigh*) to incorporate more . . . stuff. Like festivals, visiting shrine more often, etc.

If you have a specific culture or "platform" to work from, just explore that deeper and incorporate more of it into your life. If you don't, then I'm not sure what to say. You could keep on expanding your practice, trying out different things, until you have something you're comfortable with.

 
I don't really have a "platform" mostly because I'm not sure what's out there. (ha and I know what you mean about college, I'm not there yet, but will be in the fall (I'm taking about 8 college credits now though).

I've had a vague interest in Shinto, but not quite sure where to look as far as rituals and what not.

thanks,

-Blue

[GaiaDianne]

So it's been a while since I first started out on my path. I've read countless books, drawn a more or less rough outline of what I believe and want from my path. Made a regular meditation session, and even put an alter together.

Where do I go from here?

Thanks!

-Blue

 


GAIA:

Hi and Merry Meet, Bluewave--

I would recommend working on the Basic Skills -- Meditation is only the beginning

Centering, Grounding, Cleansing, Shielding, creating Wards, Dreamwork, Journaling, etc are all basic skills required (at least imo) in pretty much all spiritual/ metaphysical work.

If you're interested, you can access an article i wrote on these, here:
http://www.ecauldron.com/forum/showthread.php?2340-Basic-Skills-Centering-Grounding-Cleansing-Shielding-Imagination

I hope that's helpful - Blessed Be, Gaia

[MadZealot]

GAIA:

Hi and Merry Meet, Bluewave--

I would recommend working on the Basic Skills -- Meditation is only the beginning

Centering, Grounding, Cleansing, Shielding, creating Wards, Dreamwork, Journaling, etc are all basic skills required (at least imo) in pretty much all spiritual/ metaphysical work.

If you're interested, you can access an article i wrote on these, here:
http://www.ecauldron.com/forum/showthread.php?2340-Basic-Skills-Centering-Grounding-Cleansing-Shielding-Imagination

I hope that's helpful - Blessed Be, Gaia

What Gaia said.  

Also: start a journal.  It might help to have a place to gather and collate your thoughts.  An added bonus is that, in a year, you can look back on your notes and feel great about how far you have moved down your own path.  :