Gay Spirituality: reflections or reflexions?

I have aleady mentioned the Gay me, refered to the positive me, and discussed some of the spiritual me. Yes, honey, its all about me; and you. Let's go on a spiritual romp and play about our identity in the human realm and then go inside to the spiritual world.

I am informed by the United Church of Canada, but not constrained by it. I favour heavily the practice of using the Wesley Quadrilateral. All of my experience up to know has been interpreted in reference to Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. Experience has taught me that the other points of reference for me have been being gay and being HIV positive. The last one showed me how constrained the institutional church is in its ability to adapt and that "the Church" has problems letting go of power.

I am, now, open to the earth based pagan traditions. This is where my path is leading now.

Which religion informed your early perceptions of life? How did it constrain you? What "institutional walls" have you re-built in your personal spirituality?

It is truly impossible for some gay persons who have come out, to find a truly "affirming process" to be able to integrate their spirituality in an institutional context of "the church." The Church is too busy preserving itself and re-interpreting the religious jargon and the liturgy; it does not really allow for the process of personal spiritualization, flowing from gay experience of being in the body.

Andrew Ramer discusses how "coming out" deals with our relationship with others and the wider society. He adds, there is another process following the coming out period which is the "coming in." Gay men "come in to "who we are, energetically, spiritually." For so many coming out is a sexual act, [whereas], coming in can include sex, but "coming in" is about essence-not about experience." (Gay Soul, 75)

What is "coming in" for you? Is it leading you in new directions? How is it related to your gay soul?

For me, it is the discovery how my body experience is connected to my spirituality! I come alive with the passion of knowing that the limits of my body are the edges of something that is limitless and timeless. Sex can be a delicious orgasmic "petit mort." It has become the personal final frontier that is mine to explore and play.

Point: sex is as much about exploring yourself as it is connecting with another. Spiritualizing sex opens a whole new path to ecstacy and discovery! Have fun! Love yourself.......find others with whom you can truly share who you are.....

Be Blessed!