Sekar this is lovely, thank you for taking the time to comment here. I have never thought of the art of our spirituality before so your words have made me think. We each come to ourselves and our beliefs in a different way, no two ways are exactly the same so in this way it very much is art. I love how you have helped me reframe this.❤
I love this insight to you faith Donna and the openness it allows at that intersection where spirituality and faith can live in harmony. It reminded me that although I’ve never been religious growing up in a small village meant that the spirit of community was always present and when I was in church I felt a calming influence. It’s been special to reflect on that today through your words. With love and light. Louise x 🙏💫
I appreciate this insight Louise, that community offers the connection and warmth our souls need. There is nourishment there which can allow for our spirit to thrive and our faith to develop in a warm and loving way.
I loved this read Donna. It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve done any regular reading because of exam prep (still ongoing unfortunately!), and coming back to substack to read this was beautiful. Similar to you, my faith gives me strength for everything, including the demands of hospice work. I do have moments of uncertainty/doubt when I see terrible things happen to good people at work, but having faith in a Grace that sustains me is far more important than letting go of the faith in defiance of its relevance based solely on the things I see/how I feel. Thank you for this lovely read! (:
Eden, I am so glad this piece offered you a slice of uplifting energy in the midst of everything you have going on! You have a birds eye view of so many faith practices playing out at the end of life I'm sure you could write a ton about it...later! Keep on keeping on my friend. Thank you for taking the time to drop into the comments section in the midst of the craziness❤.
Donna, I'd gotten so far behind in my substack reading this week, but this post had been calling to me from my inbox like a siren. I couldn't wait to have time to read it and, boy, was it worth the wait. I was raised Methodist (though I attended Catholic school) and I must have said that "peace that passeth understanding" benediction a million times, from the time I was old enough to copy what my parents were saying. I said it by rote and it was meaningless to me. Until now. What a beautiful sentiment...may we all have profound peace. When I was in my 30s, I'd turned to Hinduism for my spiritual nourishment and there we learned a benediction that translates to: "May all beings in all universes be free from suffering." I truly never realized the similarity in the two until I read your post. Thank you so much for that gift! Now I want to go back and find the meaning in all the things I'd memorized and taken for granted in those Methodist teachings.
This post is beautiful, and I can't help but share that it recalled for me a wonderful memory. I recall the first time "the peace that passeth all understanding" clicked into place for me. I can almost hear the click. And then the swoosh of feeling that overcame me, a sense of awe, amazement, and utter peace--as if that peace visited me. The liturgy ends in procession soon after, and I recall making my way along the dark, carved church pews, through the massive wooden doors of the church, and out into an open, blue sky. I was young, and it was a profoundly formative moment in my own spiritual life, and I resonate with your felt-sense of this 'peace' and your sense of well-being.
I am also deeply grateful to you for sharing about the upcoming Awaken Wonder course--on a post about your spirituality, especially. A humble thank you, Donna.
I appreciate you taking the time to comment Kathi. It's taken me many years of inner exploration to get solid on where I stand. My heart breaks for those who need to deconstruct their faith as a result of damage from their childhood but it's a worthwhile endeavor.
Faith (when tied to religion) is a funny thing to me. I flinch away. Not for other people. I want people to find whatever supports their spiritual and emotional health in any form that works for them.
I believe in our connectedness to one another, to our planet, and all on it. And maybe this is my version of a higher power--those mycelia-like strands that bind us all, the whole of them. I think that’s what I hear you saying. It can be whatever works for me. And I appreciate that. It brings me closer to peace about an aspect of life that still contains a great deal of under-the-surface roiling for me.
Holly, thank you for this insight that likely echoes the thoughts of many readers. The uncertainty and below-the surface yuckiness (I couldn't think of a better one but I like your roiling) that accompanies the thought of faith. I am no expert but I believe that may be, in part, a result of the blindness that accompanies a lot of organized religion. If you are a member of that community you lose the right to question anything. So not cool. That causes a great deal of roiling in my heart and mind too.
And yet, I have found there is something. For me it exists in the connections you are talking about, the beautiful binding of humanity, our planet, and everything on it. It gets verrrry difficult to reconcile this with the inhumane acts we see so I'm not downplaying the juxtaposition of that. It is beyond me to explain that kind terribleness other than to circle back to the need for each of us to take the time to sit and ask important questions of our heart.
Thank you so much for commenting and also for you cyberhug, I appreciate it!❤
Beautiful words, Donna. Poignant and profound. I really appreciated — and needed to hear — the bit about it not being either action or surrender but rather that both can exist simultaneously. I think I’ve struggled with this because I have a tendency to fall into ‘all or nothing’ thinking, and so I really appreciate that reminder.
It was also really good to hear how your spiritual life and your mental health are connected, as these two things seem too close not to be influencing one another.
I have found it to be a struggle, the desire to push forward to fulfill our desires while also surrendering to what will be. Recently I read something helpful that said our deepest desires are spiritual in nature, they come from our higher power. It's interesting to think about this because yours are very different than mine. We each have these desires/goals/purpose/whatever that doesn't seem to change even when we try to shake it off. So, perhaps that is our spirit trying to get our attention? Of course, this is a nuanced concept because we all have base desires that do not serve us and are not stemming from our greatest good, but the opposite. That's where self knowledge and listening play a part in our life.
This is a big concept that I'm likely not explaining well as I'm trying to get my own head around it. Just wanted to say that when I read that it helped me quite a bit because I'm like you, an all-or-nothing tendency.
I have heard a similar idea in that our higher self calls to us to through the things we’re interested in, the things that grab our attention. And obviously not the passing frivolous things that grab our attention but the deeper things that we feel called to.
Both your concept and mine are interesting things to explore deeper as I think they could help with the all or nothing tendency.
OMG your uncle sounds like me. 🤭 I think I actually said the same line a few times.
I’m grateful to have had church experiences as a youth that didn’t scar me. What a blessing that was, given how many seem to do nothing but wound and scar.
I just read the other day that it always hurts when you argue with what is. That’s why it’s better to surrender to reality, which is my definition for God.
It is hard to talk about faith in a way that makes every reader welcome, but you have a knack for open arms. Here, your truth and compassion shine together:
“I am thankful my churches didn’t leave the scars that seem to have been deposited on the souls of others who were raised in the Christian faith. I have many fond memories of being there.” 💕
Thank you so much Tara. Open arms is a lovely way of putting how I wish to be. I am not a religious scholar (I would love to be though, it would be fascinating) but it seems most of the main streams are saying something similar about how to be a good human.
You pass that peace on to me and others with every post, Donna - beautifully conveyed - I'm so grateful I'm at a point in my life where I can read things about faith and spirituality, and not run screaming, because I have my own and I'm always learning more about them, with an open mind and heart. 🤍🤍🤍
I have also run screaming Troy, or stumbled in a hungover fashion toward continued ignorance🤣. At this point in my life I want to run toward, not away from that inner light. I'm still at the place where I am often left questioning why I put up my own resistance, but that's a topic for another day.
Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate the thought that I pass on peace with my work!
You are absolutely right about the connection between mental, spiritual and physical health, and the ripple effect something positive in one aspect can bring to the others. I have actually discovered that maintaining a balance is key to sustain the challenges in life. Thus we cannot neglect either of these aspects. Thank you for writing about such an important topic!
Mansi, hi! I love seeing you here in the comments section.
Yes, we need a little bit of all the things. There will be an ebb and a flow that requires correction and personal responsibility but each pillar of well-being has to be operational for the foundation to stand.
I remember not really thinking about faith or well being up until I was in college. It didn’t really matter to me. But stepping in the world where I don’t have a school or college to back me up has shaped me in so many ways
-- Faith, for me, is an unwavering anchor that profoundly impacts every facet of life. It’s not just a set of beliefs; it’s a guiding force that shapes my values, choices, and responses to life’s twists and turns. In moments of uncertainty, it becomes a source of profound comfort, instilling a sense of purpose that transcends the immediate challenges.
Through faith, I’ve discovered resilience — navigating difficulties with an underlying assurance that there’s a greater purpose. It’s in these trying times that faith unveils its transformative power, allowing me to find strength within myself and fostering a resilience that propels me forward.
Moreover, faith weaves a tapestry of connections. It deepens my relationships, as it encourages empathy, understanding, and a shared sense of purpose with those who share similar beliefs. It’s a personal journey, yet it binds me to a broader community, creating a sense of belonging that goes beyond the tangible.
In essence, faith isn’t just a component of life; it’s a constant companion, influencing the lens through which I perceive the world, shaping my responses, and ultimately enriching the very fabric of my existence.
Thank you, Donna, for sparking these reflections in me today. 🤎 Xo.
Thaissa this is the most wonderful comment, thank you! You should turn this exact thing into a post on your own newsletter, your readers would love it.
There are so many great lines to unpack but I especially love the 'sense of purpose that transcends the immediate challenges'.
I agree that faith and spirituality are not simply a component of my life but are part of who I am. As you said, part of the woven tapestry. Those are yummy words!
I appreciate your presence in this online community❤
-- I’m concluding a piece about mirrors, but I will certainly follow your advice! Many thanks, Donna. I especially loved your post today because I had such a great experience with my faith this week. 🤎 xo.
This is beautiful. Faith is very personal. I appreciate you sharing. I love the description of the church you grew up with and the quote from your uncle.
When I was in LA I went to an Chinese medicine doctor (who was from Israel not China, hehe) and the biggest take away from that appointment was this— work on healing my soul first and the rest will fall into place.
Oooh, I can't wait to hear more about this! I have a million questions.
Our whole family got a chuckle that my Uncle's wedding, which came later in his life, was on the coldest recorded day in years🤣. I believe his actual quote was "hell would freeze over before he would ever get married" but I didn't want to put that in a guest post!!
Thanks for sharing your faith and wisdom.
You are so welcome Charles! I appreciate you taking the time to drop in and leave a comment.
It is indeed rather art than science about building an inner strength, nurturing our inner light that's connected to the Creator.
Sekar this is lovely, thank you for taking the time to comment here. I have never thought of the art of our spirituality before so your words have made me think. We each come to ourselves and our beliefs in a different way, no two ways are exactly the same so in this way it very much is art. I love how you have helped me reframe this.❤
I love this insight to you faith Donna and the openness it allows at that intersection where spirituality and faith can live in harmony. It reminded me that although I’ve never been religious growing up in a small village meant that the spirit of community was always present and when I was in church I felt a calming influence. It’s been special to reflect on that today through your words. With love and light. Louise x 🙏💫
I appreciate this insight Louise, that community offers the connection and warmth our souls need. There is nourishment there which can allow for our spirit to thrive and our faith to develop in a warm and loving way.
Thanks for being here Sweetie!
I loved this read Donna. It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve done any regular reading because of exam prep (still ongoing unfortunately!), and coming back to substack to read this was beautiful. Similar to you, my faith gives me strength for everything, including the demands of hospice work. I do have moments of uncertainty/doubt when I see terrible things happen to good people at work, but having faith in a Grace that sustains me is far more important than letting go of the faith in defiance of its relevance based solely on the things I see/how I feel. Thank you for this lovely read! (:
Eden, I am so glad this piece offered you a slice of uplifting energy in the midst of everything you have going on! You have a birds eye view of so many faith practices playing out at the end of life I'm sure you could write a ton about it...later! Keep on keeping on my friend. Thank you for taking the time to drop into the comments section in the midst of the craziness❤.
Donna, I'd gotten so far behind in my substack reading this week, but this post had been calling to me from my inbox like a siren. I couldn't wait to have time to read it and, boy, was it worth the wait. I was raised Methodist (though I attended Catholic school) and I must have said that "peace that passeth understanding" benediction a million times, from the time I was old enough to copy what my parents were saying. I said it by rote and it was meaningless to me. Until now. What a beautiful sentiment...may we all have profound peace. When I was in my 30s, I'd turned to Hinduism for my spiritual nourishment and there we learned a benediction that translates to: "May all beings in all universes be free from suffering." I truly never realized the similarity in the two until I read your post. Thank you so much for that gift! Now I want to go back and find the meaning in all the things I'd memorized and taken for granted in those Methodist teachings.
Jenna thank you for this meaningful insight. It means the world to me that you gained something so valuable from something I wrote, wow!
It’s fascinating that you went from Methodist to Hinduism! That must have been so interesting. I don’t know very much about Hinduism yet.
Donna,
This post is beautiful, and I can't help but share that it recalled for me a wonderful memory. I recall the first time "the peace that passeth all understanding" clicked into place for me. I can almost hear the click. And then the swoosh of feeling that overcame me, a sense of awe, amazement, and utter peace--as if that peace visited me. The liturgy ends in procession soon after, and I recall making my way along the dark, carved church pews, through the massive wooden doors of the church, and out into an open, blue sky. I was young, and it was a profoundly formative moment in my own spiritual life, and I resonate with your felt-sense of this 'peace' and your sense of well-being.
I am also deeply grateful to you for sharing about the upcoming Awaken Wonder course--on a post about your spirituality, especially. A humble thank you, Donna.
What a beautiful memory Renee, thank you for sharing it. I am looking forward to The Awakening Wonder experience, the timing is perfect, of course!
Me, too, Donna! See you Sunday!
I love your thoughts here Donna!! You have a beautiful way of describing faith.
“It lands in my heart in the form of trust.
It lands in my mind in the form of exploration.
It lands in my gut in the form of knowing.”
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing!!
I appreciate you taking the time to comment Kathi. It's taken me many years of inner exploration to get solid on where I stand. My heart breaks for those who need to deconstruct their faith as a result of damage from their childhood but it's a worthwhile endeavor.
More than happy to send a cyber hug, Donna!
Faith (when tied to religion) is a funny thing to me. I flinch away. Not for other people. I want people to find whatever supports their spiritual and emotional health in any form that works for them.
I believe in our connectedness to one another, to our planet, and all on it. And maybe this is my version of a higher power--those mycelia-like strands that bind us all, the whole of them. I think that’s what I hear you saying. It can be whatever works for me. And I appreciate that. It brings me closer to peace about an aspect of life that still contains a great deal of under-the-surface roiling for me.
Holly, thank you for this insight that likely echoes the thoughts of many readers. The uncertainty and below-the surface yuckiness (I couldn't think of a better one but I like your roiling) that accompanies the thought of faith. I am no expert but I believe that may be, in part, a result of the blindness that accompanies a lot of organized religion. If you are a member of that community you lose the right to question anything. So not cool. That causes a great deal of roiling in my heart and mind too.
And yet, I have found there is something. For me it exists in the connections you are talking about, the beautiful binding of humanity, our planet, and everything on it. It gets verrrry difficult to reconcile this with the inhumane acts we see so I'm not downplaying the juxtaposition of that. It is beyond me to explain that kind terribleness other than to circle back to the need for each of us to take the time to sit and ask important questions of our heart.
Thank you so much for commenting and also for you cyberhug, I appreciate it!❤
Yes, you put the juxtaposition and the need to ask important questions of our hearts so perfectly. Thank you.
And being raised in a religion where questioning was not acceptable is very much apart of the roiling for me.
Beautiful words, Donna. Poignant and profound. I really appreciated — and needed to hear — the bit about it not being either action or surrender but rather that both can exist simultaneously. I think I’ve struggled with this because I have a tendency to fall into ‘all or nothing’ thinking, and so I really appreciate that reminder.
It was also really good to hear how your spiritual life and your mental health are connected, as these two things seem too close not to be influencing one another.
A great piece, Donna, thank you.
I have found it to be a struggle, the desire to push forward to fulfill our desires while also surrendering to what will be. Recently I read something helpful that said our deepest desires are spiritual in nature, they come from our higher power. It's interesting to think about this because yours are very different than mine. We each have these desires/goals/purpose/whatever that doesn't seem to change even when we try to shake it off. So, perhaps that is our spirit trying to get our attention? Of course, this is a nuanced concept because we all have base desires that do not serve us and are not stemming from our greatest good, but the opposite. That's where self knowledge and listening play a part in our life.
This is a big concept that I'm likely not explaining well as I'm trying to get my own head around it. Just wanted to say that when I read that it helped me quite a bit because I'm like you, an all-or-nothing tendency.
It is a delicate balance to strike, indeed.
And yes, know what you're saying.
I have heard a similar idea in that our higher self calls to us to through the things we’re interested in, the things that grab our attention. And obviously not the passing frivolous things that grab our attention but the deeper things that we feel called to.
Both your concept and mine are interesting things to explore deeper as I think they could help with the all or nothing tendency.
Thanks Donna :)
OMG your uncle sounds like me. 🤭 I think I actually said the same line a few times.
I’m grateful to have had church experiences as a youth that didn’t scar me. What a blessing that was, given how many seem to do nothing but wound and scar.
Thank you Donna. 🙏
Ah yes, you are a great reminder that a tiger can change its stripes (or whatever that old saying is?), oh zebra, I think it's zebra🤣
Never say never!
☺️🤷🏻♂️
I just read the other day that it always hurts when you argue with what is. That’s why it’s better to surrender to reality, which is my definition for God.
It is hard to talk about faith in a way that makes every reader welcome, but you have a knack for open arms. Here, your truth and compassion shine together:
“I am thankful my churches didn’t leave the scars that seem to have been deposited on the souls of others who were raised in the Christian faith. I have many fond memories of being there.” 💕
Thank you so much Tara. Open arms is a lovely way of putting how I wish to be. I am not a religious scholar (I would love to be though, it would be fascinating) but it seems most of the main streams are saying something similar about how to be a good human.
It seems that way to me, too. 👍🏼
You pass that peace on to me and others with every post, Donna - beautifully conveyed - I'm so grateful I'm at a point in my life where I can read things about faith and spirituality, and not run screaming, because I have my own and I'm always learning more about them, with an open mind and heart. 🤍🤍🤍
I have also run screaming Troy, or stumbled in a hungover fashion toward continued ignorance🤣. At this point in my life I want to run toward, not away from that inner light. I'm still at the place where I am often left questioning why I put up my own resistance, but that's a topic for another day.
Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate the thought that I pass on peace with my work!
Loved it!!
You are absolutely right about the connection between mental, spiritual and physical health, and the ripple effect something positive in one aspect can bring to the others. I have actually discovered that maintaining a balance is key to sustain the challenges in life. Thus we cannot neglect either of these aspects. Thank you for writing about such an important topic!
Mansi, hi! I love seeing you here in the comments section.
Yes, we need a little bit of all the things. There will be an ebb and a flow that requires correction and personal responsibility but each pillar of well-being has to be operational for the foundation to stand.
We all figure out as we go, right?
I remember not really thinking about faith or well being up until I was in college. It didn’t really matter to me. But stepping in the world where I don’t have a school or college to back me up has shaped me in so many ways
-- Faith, for me, is an unwavering anchor that profoundly impacts every facet of life. It’s not just a set of beliefs; it’s a guiding force that shapes my values, choices, and responses to life’s twists and turns. In moments of uncertainty, it becomes a source of profound comfort, instilling a sense of purpose that transcends the immediate challenges.
Through faith, I’ve discovered resilience — navigating difficulties with an underlying assurance that there’s a greater purpose. It’s in these trying times that faith unveils its transformative power, allowing me to find strength within myself and fostering a resilience that propels me forward.
Moreover, faith weaves a tapestry of connections. It deepens my relationships, as it encourages empathy, understanding, and a shared sense of purpose with those who share similar beliefs. It’s a personal journey, yet it binds me to a broader community, creating a sense of belonging that goes beyond the tangible.
In essence, faith isn’t just a component of life; it’s a constant companion, influencing the lens through which I perceive the world, shaping my responses, and ultimately enriching the very fabric of my existence.
Thank you, Donna, for sparking these reflections in me today. 🤎 Xo.
Thaissa this is the most wonderful comment, thank you! You should turn this exact thing into a post on your own newsletter, your readers would love it.
There are so many great lines to unpack but I especially love the 'sense of purpose that transcends the immediate challenges'.
I agree that faith and spirituality are not simply a component of my life but are part of who I am. As you said, part of the woven tapestry. Those are yummy words!
I appreciate your presence in this online community❤
-- I’m concluding a piece about mirrors, but I will certainly follow your advice! Many thanks, Donna. I especially loved your post today because I had such a great experience with my faith this week. 🤎 xo.
I am so glad you liked it and I look forward to your piece on mirrors. I need that.
This is beautiful. Faith is very personal. I appreciate you sharing. I love the description of the church you grew up with and the quote from your uncle.
When I was in LA I went to an Chinese medicine doctor (who was from Israel not China, hehe) and the biggest take away from that appointment was this— work on healing my soul first and the rest will fall into place.
Oooh, I can't wait to hear more about this! I have a million questions.
Our whole family got a chuckle that my Uncle's wedding, which came later in his life, was on the coldest recorded day in years🤣. I believe his actual quote was "hell would freeze over before he would ever get married" but I didn't want to put that in a guest post!!
🥰🥰❤️