old ways

[heidi6]

I have read all of the last postings on this and I am very much in agreement that the "old ways" need to be re-applied to our lives. As for any male or female being able to attain a higher spirituality, how can any one say one way or another. Spirituality is so individualized that one can not judge if it's "higher" than another. I am part of a drumming circle here in the States. We practice no particular religion. What we do is call on the spirit guides to help us with our daily lives. We are very respective of nature; some of our spirit guides are animals. We are all in a different "state" of spirituality, that none of us is "higher" than another. We each bring different experiences from our lives and special gifts to the circle. I feel that the modern religions emphasizes that men are higher spiritually than women. But spirituality is such an objective view, how can any one say one way or another.

[J-J]

What old ways in particular do you mean?There were lots of them,most of them pretty nasty.

[heidi6]

what i mean by the old ways.. are the celtic "old ways", posted in a different thread. I must have clicked on new thread, instead of reply thread. I am referring to the one that Celto started on the celtic old ways. More importantly, respecting our mother earth and listening to what the spirits are telling us everyday. So many people don't listen to what's being told to us by the spirits. So many people are disrespective towards animals and our natural water. To me this is soo sad!!

[J-J]

Thanks,Heidi.I like your conservation friendly attitude.Personally I'm a bit wary about actually worshipping nature,because it's not all nice,is it?I think it's very important to respect nature as we all depend on it,and there is a lot to value in it,but what about all those David Attenborough programmes?It's just all animals killing and eating each other.As Charles Darwin said "Nature is red in tooth and claw".But he also said we shouldn't live like that just because it's natures way.I agree with him.I think at least we would have to be very selective in worshipping nature.What is the celtic stance on the cruelties of nature?

[Mamie]

The celtic stance would recognize the cruelties in nature but encourages us to strive to live in balance with her cycles. Animals are only doing what it takes for them to survive and can't be judged in human terms.

I don't think you can translate the "Old Ways" fully into today's society because we understand much more about the way the world works compared to original Celts. What we can do is respect nature and conserve where we can.

Don't fool with Mother Nature!

[heidi6]

That was wonderfully put. We do need to find a balance in nature. As to the cruelity of nature, I feel that one can still find beauty in it. Think of tornados, hurricanes, etc.. look at the wonders of such things happening. Even though it is deadly, the surf is beautiful as it crashes onto the land, and the perfect funnel of the tornado spinning w/ lightening striking next to it. Yes, these are very dangerous and deadly, but also very beautiful.. You just know that it is God's work.
I don't think that we should live like animals. Just listen to what they have to tell us. Learn things from them.
I agree that we cant' put all of the old ways into practice for the same reasons...we know more now than we did then. However, i think that some of the things can be helpful in today's society. Get in touch w/ your soul and our spirit guides, and God/Godess. :0)

[J-J]

I agree that we shouldn't blame the animals-it's not their fault that the system(natural selection through survival of the fittest) stinks!Having said that,without this system we wouldn't be here having this talk.Likewise with the cycles of nature-we have no choice but to live within them.The point I was making is that we shouldn't try to read that system as being a good thing in itself- if we do it will corrupt our morality,for example the Nazis who were nature worshippers in this sense.Also remember that we are part of nature, not separate from it.Human reason and empathy are in my view natures greatest achievements so far.From this perspective,human 'interference' with nature can be viewed as natures highest,most sophisticated level of operation,conscious and feeling,not like the unconscious and machine-like operation of our dna.This opens up the possibility,however remote it may seem just now,that the cruelties of nature can eventually be reformed.The science and ethics that spring from our reason and empathy are still a relatively infantile stage and we are capable of making big mistakes,no doubt,but I feel they are ultimately the tools that will be used to create heaven on earth.