The Divine, You and everything inbetween.

[fangedeshana]

I found this servey a few years ago from a website, and have always planned on filling it out, then re-filling it out later down my path to see if my ideas or view on anything changed. Well, I'm still in the process of filling it out and forming thoughts on the things I haven't thought enough much before in my life to complete the survey and exspend my knowledge. I though i'd share it, since I'm a sharing kind of person :p Perhaps it will be helpful to others too. :fpompoms

1. What is the Divine?
2. What is God/Goddess and is this different from the Divine?
3. Where do we come from? Think creation vs. evolution. What do you think?
4. What is the soul?
5. What is the spirit?.
6. Are the spirit and soul the same thing?
7. Do you believe in reincarnation? If so, define what it is to you.
8. How does each new incarnation come to be? I'm talking spirit here, not the physical process of procreation.
9. Do you have past life memories? If so, where are these memories kept?
10. How do these past life memories affect this lifetime?
11. How can you use these past life memories in this lifetime?
12. What is the purpose of an incarnated life? What are you here to do?
13. Is the soul related/connected to the physical body? If so how? Both spiritually and physically.
14. Where does the soul go once the physical body dies?
15. Do you believe in karma? If so, define it.
16. What is kundilini?
17. What are chakras? And how are they related to kundilini?
18. How are the chakras related to the soul?
19. Do you believe in spirits? If so, what are they?
20. Do you believe in ghosts? If so, what are they?
21. How do ghosts differ from spirits? Or do they?
22. What are spirit guides?
23. Are there different kinds of guides? If so, list and define them.
24. What is energy?
25. What is setting protection? And why is it important?
26. What is an aura?
27. What are spiritual senses? Do you have one?
28. What do you think about psychic abilities? Do they exist or are they helpful?
29. What do you think about spiritual healing?
30. What do you think about meditation? What are the benefits of meditation, on a spiritual level.

Now move your topics to more specifically address your religious/spiritual path. Such as neo-paganism, Witchcraft and/or Shamanism.
1. What is your definition of pagan? Now look up the word and it's history and compare these two definitions.
2. What is Witchcraft?
3. What is a witch?
4. What is a male witch?
5. What is a tradition?
6. What is a coven, clan etc?
7. What is an initiation?
8. What is a dedication?
9. Is an initiation and dedication the same thing? If not, explain.
10. What are spells?
11. What is a cone of power?
12. What is a circle and how is it used?
13. What is a spiritual sanctuary?
14. What is an altar and what is it's purpose?
15. What is a ritual?
16. What's a ceremony?
17. What are some of the tools utilized by a practitioner of the craft? And what are they used for?
18. What is the goal or purpose of walking a spiritual path?

Lastly the ultimate question to any spiritual path is why are you walking 'this' path.
1. What do you want to achieve from your studies? I'm not talking about talents, I'm talking about spiritual knowledge and enlightenment.
2. What do you want to achieve or do with your knowledge? This is more of the physical activities. And it could include talents (such as psychic abilities, healing, or teaching).
3. How are you going to apply this knowledge to your daily life?

Um, I hope it is the right spot to post it... I could have put it in the God/Goddess section, or the New Pagan section... just to be safe, I stuck it here :)

[Necrosapien]

I didn't know if you wanted us to actually reply, but here are my thoughts on everything:

1. What is the Divine?

The Divine is who/what created the universe. In my faith, I view it as both an energy or force as well as a "being" in a way. Maybe I can only see a being because it's too hard for a human mind to comprehend "divine consciousness".

2. What is God/Goddess and is this different from the Divine?

Godde (who is genderless but shows itself as God and Goddess to me, a heavenly father AND mother) is how we understand the divine consciousness. I'm not sure if that's who diety is really, but maybe just how we understand it.

3. Where do we come from? Think creation vs. evolution. What do you think?

I believe in creation. If science comes up with enough evidence to absolutely prove me wrong, I'd venture to say that the "evolution" (for lack of a better term, because evolution is by definition, unguided) was guided by the Creator.

4. What is the soul?

I think it's part of Godde in us. Think a universal soul idea.

5. What is the spirit?.

Our personality and/or consciousness.

6. Are the spirit and soul the same thing?

No way. Soul is the stuff we're made of (hehe) inside where spirit is our consciousness.

7. Do you believe in reincarnation? If so, define what it is to you.

This is where the difference between soul and spirit comes into play. The soul goes back to the creator and can be recycled into another body. The spirit always stays seperate and then will be "awakened" at the ressurection.

8. How does each new incarnation come to be? I'm talking spirit here, not the physical process of procreation.

Heck if I know. The soul is shoved in a body? :p

9. Do you have past life memories? If so, where are these memories kept?

No :(

10. How do these past life memories affect this lifetime?

I think it can explain some thoughts, feelings, etc. that we don't know where they came from as well as some problems.

11. How can you use these past life memories in this lifetime?

They can help us understand ourselves and how to "fix it" so to speak.

12. What is the purpose of an incarnated life? What are you here to do?

I'm not sure if this applies to what I'm thinking...see below. I am here to do what my Creator has deemed. At the moment, I don't have a freaking clue. I differentiate between the soul and spirit. The spirit is never passed on and doesn't accumulate "lives". The soul is passed through multiple bodies and picks up on habits, knowledge, and energies of its past bodies.

13. Is the soul related/connected to the physical body? If so how? Both spiritually and physically.

I hold the thought of chakras located at never centers of the body. The chakras are the connection to the subtle and physical bodies. Physically, the chakras are located at the clumps of nerves along the spine.

14. Where does the soul go once the physical body dies?

Back to it's creator. Somewhat like a universal soul idea, but that the soul isn't our personality or consciousness. I think that's spirit. I hold the belief that our consciousness is ressurected when Jesus comes back, and our soul is something different. I would say that maybe our soul is what is recycled in reincarnation. Our bodies leave "imprints" on physical objects (ie organs or things we wear a lot) so that others can pick up on these energies. I think the same thing happens with our soul. It's recycled and it has a pattern of who others were. That might be what sparks past life memories, thoughts, feelings, knowledge etc. It's all just a hypothesis though.

15. Do you believe in karma? If so, define it.

At the very least, in the sense that whatever you put out there comes back at you in the end.

16. What is kundilini?

The life-force that exists in us all. I see it as the spark of life or breath of Godde in us. Without Godde, we can't do ANYTHING. I think it exists in every living thing to some extent or another.

17. What are chakras? And how are they related to kundilini?

Energy cneters in the sublte body (spirit or soul, I'm not sure which yet...) Kudilini is the energy that flows through them through the base of the spine. I might attribute the kundilini as the life-force present in all creatures.

18. How are the chakras related to the soul?

See above.

19. Do you believe in spirits? If so, what are they?

Sure. They're consciousnesses of people (and maybe animals!) I don't know. The bible relates death to sleep. I can't see how when we're sleeping how we could interact with the physical world...unless you can get trapped somewhere. Or if it's like dreaming (where some people have astrally projected to physical locations). Maybe it’s possible, I dunno. There are also other spirits too that don’t have anything to do with people. I still think of them as consciousnesses though.

20. Do you believe in ghosts? If so, what are they?

Not sure. Depends on if ghosts are spirits of the deceased or not. If they are, I’m not sure (see above.) If they aren’t, I don’t have an explanation for them yet.

21. How do ghosts differ from spirits? Or do they?

??? Dunno.

22. What are spirit guides?

Spirits, beings, or other creatures present to help us in our spiritual awakening and path.

23. Are there different kinds of guides? If so, list and define them.

I’ve heard that there is, but I don’t know of any specific ones.

24. What is energy?

There are lots of kinds of energy. Electricity, light, heat, etc. I think there’s also a spiritual energy present in all of us. It’s the divine spark of life or breath of Godde.

25. What is setting protection? And why is it important?

Not sure of the question but I’ll try and answer anyways. If I understand correctly, protection is protecting yourself from negative energies, whether they be spirits, thought patterns, or just “dark” energies. It’s important to protect yourself from these things because too much negative things can hurt you either emotionally, physically, mentally, or spiritually.

26. What is an aura?

I view an aura as an electromagnetic field around people. I don’t think it’s restricted to that, but I know that the electromagnetic field exists. You can control it, manipulate it, and do other things, even effecting other objects (ie telekinesis).

27. What are spiritual senses? Do you have one?

Seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching things which cannot be observed using the “natural” five senses. I also believe in a “sixth sense”, so to speak. I’m not sure if it’s like a danger-sense or if it’s Godde speaking in its “ever still small voice”.

28. What do you think about psychic abilities? Do they exist or are they helpful?

Sure they exist, I’ve experienced some. I think they can be helpful, but we’ve forgotten how to use them or to use them properly over time. The loss of information limits to what we can and cannot do with them.

29. What do you think about spiritual healing?

It’s real and works.

30. What do you think about meditation? What are the benefits of meditation, on a spiritual level?

Meditation is wonderful. It helps us physically, spiritually be at peace and focus on the divine. The benefits are countless.

Now move your topics to more specifically address your religious/spiritual path. Such as neo-paganism, Witchcraft and/or Shamanism.
1. What is your definition of pagan? Now look up the word and it's history and compare these two definitions.
2. What is Witchcraft?
3. What is a witch?
4. What is a male witch?
5. What is a tradition?
6. What is a coven, clan etc?
7. What is an initiation?
8. What is a dedication?
9. Is an initiation and dedication the same thing? If not, explain.
10. What are spells?
11. What is a cone of power?
12. What is a circle and how is it used?
13. What is a spiritual sanctuary?
14. What is an altar and what is it's purpose?
15. What is a ritual?
16. What's a ceremony?
17. What are some of the tools utilized by a practitioner of the craft? And what are they used for?
18. What is the goal or purpose of walking a spiritual path?

I’m not a follower of these things and while I have knowledge of some of the answers, I’ll let the people who practice it describe it better.

Lastly the ultimate question to any spiritual path is why are you walking 'this' path.
1. What do you want to achieve from your studies? I'm not talking about talents, I'm talking about spiritual knowledge and enlightenment.

I started this path in the pursuit of knowledge. The truth, so to speak. I keep finding out more and more information. I find myself more drawn to my faith and repulsed by the twisting and manipulation of it. I sought the “true” path (if there is such a thing) and I think I’m slowly finding my way.

2. What do you want to achieve or do with your knowledge? This is more of the physical activities. And it could include talents (such as psychic abilities, healing, or teaching).

I want to show others love. I want to spread this throughout the world. I also want to work on my abilities and it’d be nice to heal, but I don’t know if that’s my calling or not. I wish to operate within the will of Godde to bring myself and others back to the Creator.

3. How are you going to apply this knowledge to your daily life?

I’ve been doing it since the day I started questioning. My opinions and thoughts on things keep changing and they never will stop. Yet, I’m finally reaching a point where I’m secure and grounded in the things that I believe. Others have their opinions, but I am finding mine to be true to the faith I’ve been searching for from the beginning.


Whew, done. :p

Thank you for posting this. It actually has helped me realize some things that I didn’t know what to think of. I have beliefs on many things now and I’m excited! I’ve realized what I believe and why. Thank you!

C:-=

[Fallen Angel]

1. What is the Divine?
The divine is the essence which controls all aspects of humanity and the world. However, this does not mean that you are controlled.

2. What is God/Goddess and is this different from the Divine?
The gods and goddesses are the many faces of the divine.

3. Where do we come from? Think creation vs. evolution. What do you think?
I believe in evolution, but that the dietiesstarted evolution off.

4. What is the soul?
That part of you which makes you you and not exactly the same as that other person. It holds your hopes, dreams and personality.

5. What is the spirit?.
The soul after the body is dead.

6. Are the spirit and soul the same thing?
As previously explained.

7. Do you believe in reincarnation? If so, define what it is to you.
Yes. Your body dies and your soul goes to a place not of this reality called summerland. Here you assess your life and choose another one to learn the lessons which you have not yet learnt.

8. How does each new incarnation come to be? I'm talking spirit here, not the physical process of procreation.
Your body dies, your soul just goes to summerland like walking through the door from bedroom to landing. Chooses the next life and goes back the same way.

9. Do you have past life memories? If so, where are these memories kept?
Yes. In my BOS

10. How do these past life memories affect this lifetime?
They make me treasure it a lot more and live every opportunity I come across

11. How can you use these past life memories in this lifetime?
Just to remind me to live to the max.

12. What is the purpose of an incarnated life? What are you here to do?
To learn.

13. Is the soul related/connected to the physical body? If so how? Both spiritually and physically.
Only when the body is chosen.

14. Where does the soul go once the physical body dies?
As already said. Summerland

15. Do you believe in karma? If so, define it.
Sort of, I believe in the three fold law. What you send out comes back to you threefold.

16. What is kundilini?
No idea

17. What are chakras? And how are they related to kundilini?
They are the part of your body responsable for certain things.

18. How are the chakras related to the soul?
They're not. They're related to the body.

19. Do you believe in spirits? If so, what are they?
Yes and I believe the question is asked back at the begginning. Souls whose bodies are dead.

20. Do you believe in ghosts? If so, what are they?
Yep. Theu're spirits who haven't gone through the doorway.

21. How do ghosts differ from spirits? Or do they?
No

22. What are spirit guides?
Guides for the spirit. They can be anything.

23. Are there different kinds of guides? If so, list and define them.
Yes, I don't know them all though.

24. What is energy?
Energy is just that. A power.

25. What is setting protection? And why is it important?
putting up a protection. So you can't be hurt while working.

26. What is an aura?
Those lights which represent your feelings and personality.

27. What are spiritual senses? Do you have one?
Senses on a more spiritual nature. Any sense which isn't
sight
touch
listen
smell
taste
Probably, but I'm not going into details

28. What do you think about psychic abilities? Do they exist or are they helpful?
Yes.

29. What do you think about spiritual healing?
I like it

30. What do you think about meditation? What are the benefits of meditation, on a spiritual level.
Meditation is difficult if you can't consentrate but the benefits are worth it. Meditation can reveal things about you and your religion and your world which you can't always achieve in the waking world.

Now move your topics to more specifically address your religious/spiritual path. Such as neo-paganism, Witchcraft and/or Shamanism.
1. What is your definition of pagan? Now look up the word and it's history and compare these two definitions.
Someone who works with earth based religions.

2. What is Witchcraft?
The craft of a witch

3. What is a witch?
A wiccan.
4. What is a male witch?
A male witch

5. What is a tradition?
-shakes head- you can't be serious? Something repeated and perfected.

6. What is a coven, clan etc?
a group of like minded folk with the same spiritual desires.

7. What is an initiation?
When you are accepted into a group.

8. What is a dedication?
When you bring yourself into a religion.

9. Is an initiation and dedication the same thing? If not, explain.
as said.

10. What are spells?
Drawing down energies and focussing them to a goal.

11. What is a cone of power?
no idea

12. What is a circle and how is it used?
a round thing. What kinda circle do you mean?

13. What is a spiritual sanctuary?
A sacturary for the soul and spirit.

14. What is an altar and what is it's purpose?
A table used for focusingyour energies.

15. What is a ritual?
A strutured way of drawing down powerfora specific purpose.

16. What's a ceremony?
Look it up in a dictionary.

17. What are some of the tools utilized by a practitioner of the craft? And what are they used for?
Too many for me to be bothered to go into.

18. What is the goal or purpose of walking a spiritual path?
Varies for everyone


Lastly the ultimate question to any spiritual path is why are you walking 'this' path.
1. What do you want to achieve from your studies? I'm not talking about talents, I'm talking about spiritual knowledge and enlightenment.
To be the best I can be, to learn all I can and maybe make that little bit of world around me a better place, all the whiile trying to muddle through life, but maybe, just maybe life and spiritual knowledge will merge somewhere and things'll make semse.

2. What do you want to achieve or do with your knowledge? This is more of the physical activities. And it could include talents (such as psychic abilities, healing, or teaching).
I teach with the knowledge obtained, and try to show others how to live. Be that upstanding person who others take after.

3. How are you going to apply this knowledge to your daily life?
Same as I apply all knowledge.

[fangedeshana]

I wasn't asking for people's replies, though no harm in posting them! lol It was more of a "take it and use it if you would like". I think it's a good thing for a new pagan to think about and strive on answering in detail, so perhaps I should have posted it there...

But anyone, new or old, may benifet from this!

I wasn't looking for others to answer it for me, or others to fill it out willy nilly... I thought of it more some kind of guide to organizing and perhaps exspanding your thoughts on these subjects. So, the whole "look it up in a dictionary" answer isn't very relevent.

Thanks for the replies though. :lol:

[Fallen Angel]

I wasn't asking for people's replies, though no harm in posting them! lol It was more of a "take it and use it if you would like". I think it's a good thing for a new pagan to think about and strive on answering in detail, so perhaps I should have posted it there...

But anyone, new or old, may benifet from this!

I wasn't looking for others to answer it for me, or others to fill it out willy nilly... I thought of it more some kind of guide to organizing and perhaps exspanding your thoughts on these subjects. So, the whole "look it up in a dictionary" answer isn't very relevent.

Thanks for the replies though. :lol:

Hehe, my replies weren't really meant for you, they were meant for myself, to test myself. But some of the questions....they really did deserve the 'look it up in a dictionary' replies. ;)

[fangedeshana]

Maybe to a more advanced Pagan, yes. But someone new may be confused by what a ceremony is, especially a "pagan cermeony" if they were comming from another faith, or even no faith at all.

And I wasn't really talking to you entirely, Fallen Angel, my comment were generally - your dictionary replies were just a good example, lol.

I'd also just like to point out...


3. What is a witch?
A wiccan.

Wiccan's aren't always witches. :) I know many people who practice Wicca without practicing witchcraft/magic.

[Fallen Angel]

it asked for my opinion

[Necrosapien]

Hehe. I figured it wasn't anything to post on, but I thought it couldn't hurt. It honestly really did help me. I figured out things that I didn't even know about myself. It helped me develope a more concrete form of beliefs. Thanks again!

[fangedeshana]

Hehe. I figured it wasn't anything to post on, but I thought it couldn't hurt. It honestly really did help me. I figured out things that I didn't even know about myself. It helped me develope a more concrete form of beliefs. Thanks again!

You're welcome! :) I'm glad it helped - it helped me do the exact same thing with my beliefs... sadly before I found this, I had only thought about it breifly before saying "This is what I believe." without even thinking on WHY i thought it. Bad, bad, Eshana :p

[argento_occhi]

Thanks for posting this. I'm gonna write it and my answers up in my BOS (well, one of them, anyway).

Bright blessings,
Argent/Rex