The globalised belief in one ‘God’ has become a problem. The prayer ’Our Father who art in heaven’ presents an image that embodies the values of uniformity, exclusivity, patriarchy, authoritarianism, and the absence of a sacred presence in nature.
Here on earth, the climate and biodiversity emergencies foreshadow an apocalyptic future for humans and all life forms. To confront and resolve these emergencies, we need to apply values contrary to the ‘Father God’ image. The important values today include: diversity, inclusivity, gender justice, democracy and a recognition of the sacredness of nature.
Can we find new spiritual images and narratives that embody these values? This book suggests we can.
Reimagining the Divine is a call for diversity in belief. No religion has a monopoly of truth. Everyone’s experience and perspective has value.
The Spirituality of Experience is a form of mysticism that incorporates these new values. Practiced historically by Celtic monks, the focus is on one’s personal experience of the sacred, and not on beliefs or a creed.
If your vision for the future is
· The return of humans to harmony with the rest of nature
· The building of a world community that is tolerant and inclusive
· Finding a way of living on this planet that corrects the human causes of climate change and biodiversity loss
then this book may help you, and all of us, get there.
قائمة المحتويات
Contents
INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1
DOES ‘HOLY GOD’ EXIST?
Poem: Old Friends
Chapter 2
WE CHOOSE WHAT WE BELIEVE
Poem: The Happy Buddha
Chapter 3
ONE PERSPECTIVE AMONG MANY
Poem: Strandhill
Chapter 4
A LARGE DOSE OF HUMILITY
Poem: April Blackthorn
Chapter 5
LOSS OF DIVERSITY
Poem: Connemara Camino
Chapter 6
THE SPIRITUALITY OF EXPERIENCE
Poem: Do What You Are
Chapter 7
MOSES-THE FOUNDING MYTH
Poem: The Worst Thing
Chapter 8
MYTHS AND MYTHOLOGY
Poem: One Great Wish
Chapter 9
MONOTHEISM COMPARED WITH OTHER MYTHOLOGIES
Poem: What do you get up in the morning for?
Chapter 10
GENDER, SEXUALITY, AND COMMUNITY IN THE CELTIC TRADITION
Poem: When the Falling Finally Stopped
Chapter 11
RELIGION AND POWER
Poem: The Bishop
Chapter 12
FAITH
Poem: The Poem Whisperer
Chapter 13
A SENSE OF THE SACRED
Poem: Worship
Chapter 14
THE SPIRITUALITY OF MYSTERY AND WONDER
Poem: I Am
Chapter 15
CELTIC SPIRITUALITY
Poem: Prayer
Chapter 16
QUESTIONING OUR CERTAINTIES
Poem: SAY ‘WOW’
The Author
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX
عن المؤلف
Dara Molloy is a Celtic Celebrant, Pilgrim Guide, and Author. In 1985, he moved to Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands, off Galway, Ireland, to live as a Celtic hermit and monk. At the time, he was a Catholic priest. In 1996, he left the Catholic Church, and began practicing as a Celtic priest, monk, and druid. At this time, he also married Tess Harper and began a family. Together they produced The AISLING Magazine for many years.