My path is electic, not dogmatic, and not institutional. I follow a "pagan" path of honoring the cycles of nature, honoring and attempting to be in tune with the Universe ("God"). I believe that there is an intelligence that is beyond my understanding, but is available when and if I am in tune with my "soul" or "spirit". (1) I beleive, as do the Native Americans and Aboriginals, that we are all related and responsible for the planet and life itself on this planet. (2) I believe that there is another plane besides our own (cf Albert Einstein)that we enter when we leave this plane of life. (3) I believe that we are here as "spiritual beings having a human experience" (Pierre Teihard de Chardin). (4) I beleive that "fear" is our greatest enemy, our greatest obstacle to living freely and authentically. (5) I believe that what one generation does not learn here, the next is confronted with (another way of stating the sins of the parents are passed onto their children, cf Judaism). (6) I believe that each and everyone of us is divine, but simply do not "know" how to develop and expand and appreciate that "power" (cf the Gnostic Gospels of Christianity). (7) Lastly, I believe each human being needs other human beings to develop and grow and become aware of who he/she is. A life in community is essential. Obviously, the healthier the community, the healthier the individual.

I meditate and am currently seeking a community to celebrate with.

Hindsight is the best indicator for me. However, peace of mind is the crux of living authentically. Having peace of mind even in the midst of chaos is a firm indicator for me.

I was raised Catholic, became a Catholic priest, was a Franciscan Friar at one time. When I became sober, I began to reclaim my life and pursue the stirrings of my own heart. I am also "two spirited", namely a gay man. My embracing my sexuality is essential for peace of mind, and hence, i have chosen a nature-based spirituality.

I have had no significant experiences of "otherworld beings".

n/a

It is my path of direction in my life...totally. It is the basis of my living ethically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically.

Life is the precursor of death and then life beyond, and I suspect there is a cycle of rebirth, death, rebirth, not necessarily rebirth in this plane.

Man-made. Insignificant.

There is evil in this world, and I believe it is primarily created by human beings...either alive now or on the other plane. It is almost essential, for how can one know "good" without knowing "bad". However, I tend to believe with the Zen folks that there is neither good nor evil. There is simply life as it unfolds among us and between us.

I need a circle of believers, kindred spirits, to grow and become aware. The things of this earth are to be honored and used as if not our own. We ask permission from the earth to exist here, permission of the animals and vegetables that we may eat, and we need to replant and give back. I believe our society is dying due to our wastefulness and unawareness.

They fall far short of my beliefs. "Other religions" have become institutions at the service of human beings' greed.

It is powerful and is using its power unethically. There is a disjoint between science and art, and for that reason, science has become inhumane.

I don't know. I don't think we know enough of "ancient" paganism to compare. Not enough documentation. Too much information lost.