Post by Craig on Oct 10, 2008 6:13:23 GMT -1
Here are my initial thought on Stefan's questions:
What do we feel is lacking in modern Druidry?
Modern druidry is what I have come to call 'The Goblin Market'. There are lots of genuine and sincere people seeking an alternative to the mainstream religions, often through a real feeling for the land and their ancestors. However, like all of the pagan fringe, Druidry has fallen prey to a number of frauds, fruitcakes and fools - the Goblins. Each of whom try to lure people with promises of a personal prelature and paradise on earth, but at the same time seek to profit from those people's needs.
As a result we have a lot of 'druids', but precious little actual religion.
What is it we want from it?
I want to be part of a tribe, a community that holds some, but not necessarily all, philosophies regarding the native British religions in common. In time the people of this tribe will become interdependent and move forwards in their understanding of the native British religions through scholarship and experiential learning.
What can we do to create a new culture that feels more spiritually mature and incorporates a sense of religiousness to our practice without enforcing a strict set of rules?
Begin by defining what 'rules' we can all accept and that will bind us together without holding anyone back. Then by committing to studying and practicing together both in the physical, virtual and spiritual realms.
What form of dogma is acceptable? Here the main focus is on religious theology, not just whether or not we use drums, or gather in a circle etc.
Dogma or Doctrine based upon reliable sources, or reasonably deduced from accepted materials. This will only work where heresy is accepted as both necessary and to be welcomed for the opportunities it offers.
How can we create a sense of cohesiveness within this new direction?
By working together and accepting that each person has their own unique contribution to make. The effect of that contribution may not be felt immediately or even for years, but the strength of a rope lies in its many strands, not in a single cord.
What can we learn from the mistakes of the past/present, re: the modern Druid tradition?
The over-reliance on the wisdom of a few, leading to the reverence of the unworthy.
Why is the counter culture creating a negative influence on the Druid tradition?
Because it is a counter-culture, a reaction against a warped vision of the prevailing culture, a negative. Rather than a positive and independent movement in its own right.
Why is our practice becoming watered down?
Because we are letting it become so.
What do we want the basic structure of our rituals to include?
Honesty, integrity and meaning.
In this context:
Honesty = say what you mean, and truly mean what you say.
Integrity = based upon scholarship and experience.
Meaning = have clear purpose that meets the needs of all concerned, including those of the gods.
The gods and goddesses. Why do they remain elusive within group ritual?
Group ritual presently isn't for the deities, it is for the group, just as a funeral is often not for deceased, but for those that survive him.
Modern druidic group ritual has become more about the form than the substance, more about the leader than the gods. It is a shallow 'me-too' experience. What is there there to attract the gods?
Once our communal celebrations and rituals regain that essential honesty, integrity and meaning the gods will return to add their voices.
What is it about the substance of spiritual experience within solitary practice that becomes lost in group ritual?
On your own there is only you and your gods. No priest places himself between you and them. You are not burdened with group expectations. You are naked and cannot help but be honest. Deceit in a direct relationship with the divine will leave you alone with nothing but your lies to keep you warm.
If we can restore the honesty, integrity and meaning to communal celebrations and rituals we may restore that direct experience to them as well.
Discuss individuality versus an agreed understanding of Druidic spirituality.
These need not be exclusive of one another. Agreed understandings should be based upon research and scholarship, backed by experiential work. Personal interpretation and experiences lie between the person and the deity. Where there are differences there is the opportunity for exploration and thus discovery, so such differences should be celebrated.
Will it create a sense of unity to know someone else is doing more or less the same as you are?
Not unity necessarily, but there is a power in community, a sense of common purpose that the individual can draw strength from.
The heart of a tribe lies in the relationships and ties of honour and duty that we allow to bind us. Having communal rituals for the turning of the year and the key points in our lives, and celebrating these together, allows these relationships and ties to mature.
Being part of a tribe means you need never feel alone if you do not wish to. There is no need for the daily masks we wear in the world beyond, for we are accepted and loved. The true nature of man is tribal and the effects of the loss of it can be seen throughout the developed world.
What do we feel is lacking in modern Druidry?
Modern druidry is what I have come to call 'The Goblin Market'. There are lots of genuine and sincere people seeking an alternative to the mainstream religions, often through a real feeling for the land and their ancestors. However, like all of the pagan fringe, Druidry has fallen prey to a number of frauds, fruitcakes and fools - the Goblins. Each of whom try to lure people with promises of a personal prelature and paradise on earth, but at the same time seek to profit from those people's needs.
As a result we have a lot of 'druids', but precious little actual religion.
What is it we want from it?
I want to be part of a tribe, a community that holds some, but not necessarily all, philosophies regarding the native British religions in common. In time the people of this tribe will become interdependent and move forwards in their understanding of the native British religions through scholarship and experiential learning.
What can we do to create a new culture that feels more spiritually mature and incorporates a sense of religiousness to our practice without enforcing a strict set of rules?
Begin by defining what 'rules' we can all accept and that will bind us together without holding anyone back. Then by committing to studying and practicing together both in the physical, virtual and spiritual realms.
What form of dogma is acceptable? Here the main focus is on religious theology, not just whether or not we use drums, or gather in a circle etc.
Dogma or Doctrine based upon reliable sources, or reasonably deduced from accepted materials. This will only work where heresy is accepted as both necessary and to be welcomed for the opportunities it offers.
How can we create a sense of cohesiveness within this new direction?
By working together and accepting that each person has their own unique contribution to make. The effect of that contribution may not be felt immediately or even for years, but the strength of a rope lies in its many strands, not in a single cord.
What can we learn from the mistakes of the past/present, re: the modern Druid tradition?
The over-reliance on the wisdom of a few, leading to the reverence of the unworthy.
Why is the counter culture creating a negative influence on the Druid tradition?
Because it is a counter-culture, a reaction against a warped vision of the prevailing culture, a negative. Rather than a positive and independent movement in its own right.
Why is our practice becoming watered down?
Because we are letting it become so.
What do we want the basic structure of our rituals to include?
Honesty, integrity and meaning.
In this context:
Honesty = say what you mean, and truly mean what you say.
Integrity = based upon scholarship and experience.
Meaning = have clear purpose that meets the needs of all concerned, including those of the gods.
The gods and goddesses. Why do they remain elusive within group ritual?
Group ritual presently isn't for the deities, it is for the group, just as a funeral is often not for deceased, but for those that survive him.
Modern druidic group ritual has become more about the form than the substance, more about the leader than the gods. It is a shallow 'me-too' experience. What is there there to attract the gods?
Once our communal celebrations and rituals regain that essential honesty, integrity and meaning the gods will return to add their voices.
What is it about the substance of spiritual experience within solitary practice that becomes lost in group ritual?
On your own there is only you and your gods. No priest places himself between you and them. You are not burdened with group expectations. You are naked and cannot help but be honest. Deceit in a direct relationship with the divine will leave you alone with nothing but your lies to keep you warm.
If we can restore the honesty, integrity and meaning to communal celebrations and rituals we may restore that direct experience to them as well.
Discuss individuality versus an agreed understanding of Druidic spirituality.
These need not be exclusive of one another. Agreed understandings should be based upon research and scholarship, backed by experiential work. Personal interpretation and experiences lie between the person and the deity. Where there are differences there is the opportunity for exploration and thus discovery, so such differences should be celebrated.
Will it create a sense of unity to know someone else is doing more or less the same as you are?
Not unity necessarily, but there is a power in community, a sense of common purpose that the individual can draw strength from.
The heart of a tribe lies in the relationships and ties of honour and duty that we allow to bind us. Having communal rituals for the turning of the year and the key points in our lives, and celebrating these together, allows these relationships and ties to mature.
Being part of a tribe means you need never feel alone if you do not wish to. There is no need for the daily masks we wear in the world beyond, for we are accepted and loved. The true nature of man is tribal and the effects of the loss of it can be seen throughout the developed world.