While there are alot of warnings and admonishments regarding what to look for in a spiritual community there is very little to rely on when you are contemplating moving on.
Most folk consider leaving after some kind of personal blow up. They feel misunderstood or mistrust the leadership of the group. In a heated discussion they decide to quit. There usually isn't alot of thinking about it, more of a emotional reaction. Their anger or feeling of victimization usually soothes them for quite a while after leaving as well as the stories they sometimes tell of how horrific things were for them. Most of these folk are new, less than 1 year in the organization and its easy to fall back on the cliche that 'it just wasn't right for them'.
But what about the seeker who has devoted a inordinate amount of time to the group, let's say over 5 years? A personal blow up isn't going to cause a dedicated member to lose her cool and quit...At least not right away. She knows disagreements come and go, as well as people, but she's committed to her path and the Deities she serves.
What type of things should she consider? The retreat that she's organized faithfully for the past few years? Or the land that the group purchased with alot of hard work and sweat where she planted a grove dedicated to Diana? Should she continue to work on the newsletter that only she knows how to layout? Or should she stop doing the outreach programs to local schools and media that she does every Samhain?
She is acutely aware of the part she plays in the group and what she will miss as well as all of the things connected to it.
What types of things could she look at to help the decision and resulting transition to move as smoothly as possible?
Here's a several ideas and suggestions to think about when dealing with the decision to leave a coven, circle, temple, or other type of spiritual organization.
These suggestions only work if the organization you are involved with respects and trusts your judgement of what is right for you. This may sound ludicrous for some folk but alot of organizations do not. If you are involved in a organization that doesn't encourage you to review your journey with your spiritual leaders, to sit down and be honest about your thoughts of leaving and why, and doesn't offer you any support during the transition in a healthy manner, these suggestions may not be useful to you as a tool to use with the leadership but to work with in a journal or a supportive friend or counselor.
1. Review your committment to the organization. Before you leave completely consider gently passing on taking on new responsibilities. Perhaps you may find another path of service to the organization as fullfilling as the one you last held.
2. Take a sabbatical. Time away from a situation can lend some clarity to it that being involved cannot.
3. Realize that you may have grown and changed in some ways you aren't completely aware of. For all of the rhetoric of facing your shadowself and the related drama you may have simply reached a point in your life where you are ready to pursue another path of personal growth. If you are fortunate you may be able to maintain your same spiritual family, but then again, you may not.
4. If you are feeling that the group is stagnant, consider organizing a new program with the support of the group. You may feel as if the group isn't growing. After mapping out the work hours and resources needed you may choose to consider a new outreach project or program to pursue within the group.
5. Consider that you could be in resistance to growing in the particular way that this group is supporting you to grow. Sometimes as much as we think we are open minded and flexible our spiritual path can act as a magnifying glass to show us areas where we are not as we see ourselves to be. Instead of quitting be still and realize that the situation you are in just may be something you simply don't want to deal with, not a situation to run from. It may be a challenge to be faced.
6. Review your goals and boundaries within the group. It is possible that you have met your original goals for joining, or perhaps you didn't have any when you joined. Now with new responsibilities and changes in your life you don't have the free time you had before to attend every group function. Look at what your goals are. What are you in the group to do? Why are you in this particular group? If you don't know it is important that you find out. It is easy to feel unfullfilled when you haven't any clue what fullfillment is to you or how to measure it.
7. Look at the role you play within the group. If you are involved in committees that aren't working choose to relinquish that role when your term on the committee is up. Don't have a term? Start encouraging the group to set them. Not just for yourself but for everyone involved. Burnout can be dealt with and avoided with some planning.
Working with these ideas may make the difference between revitalizing a spiritual organization or leaving it altogether.
Meri Tahset is a Spiritual Counselor, Sistaservant of the Spirits, and Aborisha. She is co-founder of the Forces of Nature Metaphysical and Spiritual Center of Seattle WA. More info about her online courses in healing, rootwork, and spiritual studies can be found at http://www.sistahealer.com and you can reach her at forcesofnature@mindspring.com and (206) 781-3565.
(Channelled)The greatest gift you can give me, is to acknowledge... Read More
He knew it was going to happen. He wasn't really... Read More
Would you like an exciting and wonder-full resolution for the... Read More
Ever notice how people dread discussing... Read More
I am a big believer in the strength of a... Read More
No one, not even God can make us choose the... Read More
I have a big mouth. If you have read my... Read More
An act of selflessness is the highest expression of selfishness... Read More
It is important and necessary that we regularly spend time... Read More
Before the movie "Finding Nemo", came out Steve Jobs the... Read More
On Shamans and Shamanism ... Shaman, a Tungus (Siberian) word,... Read More
The Orisha are the Messengers of Oludumare, the God/dess of... Read More
At any given moment, there are 'things' occurring within the... Read More
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and... Read More
We all have spirit guides and we all benefit from... Read More
Uh, oh. I'm in trouble now. I found God. Now... Read More
This article is a reply that deals with certain criticisms... Read More
Did you happen to see the made-for-tv movie, "Jesus," that... Read More
Unless God has changed the way he does things it... Read More
There are no better people to be around than those... Read More
... Read More
As soon as he saw me I saw him. It... Read More
Maybe once in a lifetime, we find ourselves seeking spiritual... Read More
I finally went to the dentist today. I had been... Read More
One of the saddest times in any child's life is... Read More
"Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my... Read More
One thing that Jesus was NOT - was flashy. When... Read More
Back in the days of the old law of Moses,... Read More
When the Tsunami struck Asia and East Africa on December... Read More
Connect with Your GodDo you at times, feel fearful, depressed,... Read More
"They're crazy!" That's what they're saying about us. The majority... Read More
The Key to True Love...Do you long for love?Most of... Read More
Who is God? This question would sound awkward to 80%... Read More
Anyone who has invested time, energy and effort into finding... Read More
Acknowledgement of our need of God and reliance upon Him... Read More
In Corrogue the air is chill and the frost is... Read More
"They're crazy!" That's what they're saying about us. The majority... Read More
All Shamans have several power songs because the vibration of... Read More
The question of life after death is one that continues... Read More
Do you want victory in your life? Do you have... Read More
Echo was a flea-bitten gray horse, with brown speckles everywhere,... Read More
It is life, time for breathing deep, sighs and touching... Read More
The Question Really picture this in your mind.... Someone tells... Read More
Some may ask, is there any truth to have a... Read More
Many of our great religions hold that numbers contain hidden... Read More
"It's a big challenge. It's a journey into the unknown.... Read More
To a shaman a kachina isn't really a doll or... Read More
Do you know where your current path is taking you?Education,... Read More
ADDICTION: - There are numerous obsessions and addictions which prevent... Read More
But my God shall supply all your need according to... Read More
Prayer. It's the foundation of a Christian mom's life. Why?... Read More
You're probably sabotaging your successful Christian life right now if... Read More
If anyone says that his/her religion is the only path... Read More
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself... Read More
1. Gabriel means: "God is my strength" or "God is... Read More
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ... Read More
The Mystical Experience"The mysteries of life become lucid ? and... Read More
Imagine the Bible is a sharp and deadly double-edged sword,... Read More
I once read a story about a Catholic priest who... Read More
"Ask and it shall be given" is a phrase we... Read More
Divining Rods, also known as Dowsing Rods, have been used... Read More
Throughout history, what is portrayed in all religions as being... Read More
"All you who are thirsty, come and drink." ISAIAH 55:1,... Read More
I'm at that place in life many refer to as... Read More
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,... Read More
As more and more alternative and spiritual healings are being... Read More
Spirituality |