Pantheism?

I woke up this morning, eager to write. Sliding out of bed, I tiptoed out of the room, careful to not wake my son. It is Friday, and there is much to be done.

First, I complete my time of solitude, journaling, and reading. Currently, I’m at the end of “Standing in the Light: My Life as a Pantheist” by Sharman Apt Russell. I’ve enjoyed it so much, and it has given me a lot to chew on.

Pantheism is the belief that God is in (or is) everyone and everything. Thoreau once said, “I was born to be a pantheist – if that be the name of me.” He believed “that of God is in everyone.” And to be honest, I believe that, too.

I’ve relied on reason as well as intuition as I’ve navigated this life of mine. And then a light bulb went off. I’ve never felt closer to the Divine than when I’m in nature. Sometimes being in nature takes my breath away or brings me to tears. I’ve never experienced this while in a church.

Even my children always want to be outside. It seems like a natural thing, for my family at least.

Sharman Apt Russell writes, “For a pantheist, it comes down to this: As part of the larger whole, we are called upon to celebrate our existence in the universe, no matter what and who we are, blessed or not, whole or broken, deserving or undeserving. What is the alternative? We are braided into pain and joy, darkness and light. We are braided into nature, reflecting the sky. We transcend the material, the everyday, for we know these things themselves to be transcendent. We are called on to rejoice. Who calls us? We preach to ourselves. A child of the cosmos. Here we stand.”

Perhaps God or the Divine looks totally different than I once thought. I think it does. I feel it in my bones.

I’m still chewing and digesting. And then chewing and digesting some more. Right now the themes of pantheism and panentheism (God in all and above all) are on repeat in my brain. One theory is more physical than the other. Hmm. It is very easy for me to forget about the material and concentrate on the spiritual side of life, but is this the right way to go?

Russell also introduced me to Quakerism, which I find very intriguing. Sitting in silence and listening for the Inner Light? Very interesting. Also very much what I’ve been doing lately.

I hope to be back soon with some thoughts about Oneness and Sacred Femininity. I hope your day is wonderful!