Exploring Animism - Progenitor of Religion

an·i·mism:  /ˈanəˌmizəm/
noun
1. the attribution of a soul to plants, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena.
2. the belief in a supernatural power that organizes and animates the material universe.

 

What is Animism?

As part of my personal healing and decolonialization journey, I have been exploring the concept of Animism, and the many indigenous cultures which have developed around the belief that all living beings, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena are imbued with spirit/formless yet intelligent energy, by an intelligent, organizing creative Source. 

A world view centered in Animism underlies most indigenous belief systems, and has been found by scholarly and anthropological research to be the root origin of all organized religions. I am of the belief that humanity would not be threatened by a planetary burn-out if modern society were to adopt an animistic perspective. (Today's video may help me make that point.)

As things stand, the "big three," Abrahamic religions, reject Animism as blasphemy and idolatrous. However, such a view of Animism is based largely in ignorance and self serving bias. The cultural and spiritual practices of indigenous people, their languages and ways have been misunderstood and maligned by colonizing self interest. It is because of racial, religious and cultural bias, a lack of philosophical, language, and cultural understanding, as well as for the purpose of subjugation and eradication of indigenous peoples, that colonizing peoples around the world have adopted a closed and self serving perspective.  It is simply a fact that colonizing influences, with their racial, cultural, and religious prejudices, have generated tainted early historical writings, research, and understandings of indigenous peoples' spiritual practices and culture, creating a bias against Animism which has been carried forward into today.  This leaves our modern secular lives mostly bereft of conversation and shared understandings about animist perspective and practices, even when many cultural traditions and world religions find their origin in Animism.

For that reason I am going to start sharing content from modern day scholars, who have a stronger understanding of historical writings, anthropological data, and less biased agendas. Mostly I am doing this for my own edification, but I hope you will find it interesting and helpful as well.

 First up is a YouTube video I found yesterday. Enjoy!

Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue

A review of the book . . . Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 1, by Neale Donald Walsch

Sales link available
 in blog bookstore 

Series: Conversations with God (Book 1)
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons; 1st hardcover ed edition (October 29, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399142789
ISBN-13: 978-0399142789
Reviewer: Vonnie Faroqui, of Ink Slinger's Whimsey
Rating: 5 Star

"Transformational reading,
a real paradigm shifter!" 

What is the meaning of Life?
We hear that ultimate of questions posed so often, and with it other such questions; what is my purpose for being; is there a purpose to suffering; how can we eliminate suffering from our lives; and will there ever be an end to wars?

These questions have puzzled mankind through the ages. The saints and gurus of every spiritual tradition have tried to answer.  Whole religions have sprung up and died away, built entirely with the purpose of seeking and supplying answers to such questions.

Author Neale Donald Walsch opens his account by sharing his very personal, soul blistering, call to the creator for answers to these and many other questions. The surprising response he receives is recorded in Conversations With God.
Of the thousands of books written in an attempt to offer answers to the many questions humans have asked about life, there are few which challenge the perceptions, beliefs, and the underlying premises upon which the questions arise, Conversations With God is one such book.  The answers God gives go beyond conventional religious responses, shattering dogma and religious doctrine, challenging even the general agreements humans have made with each other about how we will perceive the nature of life. Whether you accept this conversation as a channeled and divinely inspired work, or approach it as a philosophical exercise and literary device, the questions raised and the answers proposed are paradigm shifting.

If you are looking to have your current belief structure sweetly supported, look elsewhere. These conversations are not going to be comfortable for the timid, the religious zelot, or the spiritually squeamish. The questions posed and discussed are profound and the answers given could reshape our world.

Reading Conversations With God may prove transformational.  It will all come down to a simple choice. What will you choose to believe about who you are and the nature of God?

I greatly treasure this series as one of the most healing reading experiences of my life. Reading this, contemplating the dialogue --with its proposed Life perspective changes, has transfigured my relationship with Creator, allowing for the healing of many wounds from a traumatic religious upbringing.

  

What If Source Were Standing In My Physical Shoes?

This blog isn't about my being a guru or having any special knowledge to offer that isn't already known to you on an internal level. I am writing as a real person with issues, sometimes struggling to hold my world together. I admit it, I'm scared. I have more bills than I can handle, and fewer friends than I would like.  I am self conscious about my weight and often self abusive. When lacking an outer crisis or drama, sometimes I attack myself. Religion has never offered me answers that made a difference, so I have turned spiritual. I create art. I sing when there is no one around to listen--sometimes when there is, and I write.

I am so tired of making choices based on how frightened I am. I am sick of being motivated through fear responses, being crisis driven. I long . . .  yearn. . . for the comforting arms of my mother. I remember how it felt to be held by her and loved without judgment, without need. I am doing the best I can do and yet it doesn't seem to be enough.

Today I reached for inspiration from Esther and Jerry Hicks -The Teachings of Abraham, Ask and it Is Given cards, and pulled the following message. . .

What If Source Were Standing In My Physical Shoes?

Ask and It Is Given Cards, from The Teachings of Abraham

It is not your job to make something happen--your work is to simply determine what you want. If we were standing in your physical shoes, our attention would be upon bringing ourselves into alignment with the desires and preferences that we have launched. We would consciously feel our way into alignment.

Feeling my way into alignment. . .  

"I am through being motivated by fear. . !"

How can I make that into a positive statement?

"I choose to be motivated by Love. . . Joy!"

What do I want? What dreams do I have that I have been squashing through fear thinking and self doubt . . ?  What makes me feel good? How can I move myself into a feeling of strength and security?

I love to sing. I love singing and I have been making an effort to overcome my fear of the microphone and performance. I find it so much easier to talk about being fearful than to pick up a microphone, learn some lyrics and actually put myself out there. But that has been shifting. . .  

Feel my way into alignment . . .

Me and DJ- Jeff Wear, "JW"

I sang Karaoke for the first time in 20+ years, 2nd time ever, a week ago Friday, at a birthday party for my friend Kari. My hand was shaking so hard I had to grip the microphone double handed to steady myself. "I Can't Make You Love Me", by Bonnie Raitt, was the song I chose. I did a fair job, I think. JW didn't kick me out. In fact, people actually quieted in the bar to listen. . . I could do it again, couldn't I? I might have to learn a few different songs though. I don't want to be a one trick pony. . . It sure did feel good. . . 

Anyone up for The Corner Bar off Elliston Friday nights? Jeff "JW" Wear of Coyote Joe's Karaoke is DJ-ing. . .  I'm looking for a ride.