A Revolutionary Concept --- Minding Your Own Path

Here's a rare (for me) contribution to the "General Discussions" category.

In my ten months on PS --- given all of its benefits and good points, which are many --- I've seen more inter-Pagan squabbling about the inherent validity of an(y given) individual's chosen path than I have in over fifteen years of formal practice.

Some of the debate concerning the finer points of closely related paths (for example, "Is it possible to self-initiate as a Wiccan?" or "Has Wicca become too commercialized?") are understandable, and can even be healthy in some regards.

However: Wiccans belittling Heathenism, Heathens belittling Ceremonial Magic, Ceremonial Magicians belittling Satanism, Satanists belittling Wicca --- wholesale and with no direct and intimate personal experience or knowledge of that path* --- this makes no sense to me whatsoever . . . Unless the critical party is somehow threatened by the existence of that path, or feels compelled to dismiss it outright to bolster their own self-concept, sense of authority, or feeling of authenticity.

This is not a call to feel-goodism, the abandonment of reason or healthy judgment, or some artificial or hypocritical form of inclusion or false egalitarianism. And, needless to say, if someone from Pagan Path "X" comes proselytizing to you --- all bets are off.

This is a question for anyone who cares to answer: What does anyone, as a Pagan (by whatever stretch of definition you choose to assign that term), stand to gain from the denigration or objective invalidation of another Pagan path in one's self-definition?

Would it not be essentially better to "mind one's own path" (using the self as a primary referent, rather than someone else)?

*Sorry --- books, FAQs, websites, and "a Circle you attended at a festival" do not constitute direct and intimate personal experience or knowledge.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jo on February 27, 2009 at 10:57pm: I like learning about the paths that others follow not belittling them for their path. I like exchanging ideas and having conversations. Maybe some people just do not feel secure enough on their own path and feel that others should be with them - I dunno. I know there has been a lot of discussions lately about what is or is not pagan. Some discussions have turned into arguing but others have been about people discussing their views in a positive way.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arachneh on March 3, 2009 at 8:08pm: I know there has been a lot of discussions lately about what is or is not pagan.

That never seems to end on PS . . . :P; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by UozAhm 'Satanis' NosMaAtu on February 28, 2009 at 12:14am: Those who pick are stuck in a box. There is no progression when one seeks to stand over another.

But then Paganism, by it's non-existant boundary lines will attract self serving wannabe demagogues eager for a following of devoted dreamers eager to learn 'secret lore.'

Just one of those things we have to put up with.

I walk my path as a master of Self, to follow anothers would make me a slave to their will; and i can't have that. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amadeus Rainwalker on February 28, 2009 at 12:27am: Well said,UozAhm. It is THEIR Path, if you don't agree with them fine, but don't belittle THEIR chosen path. What works for one, may not work for another. I've noticed this in some threads as well. To each his/her own.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by d'Arqstar on February 28, 2009 at 12:23am: Some people still seek validation of their Path from others and can only seem to gain this by belittling others. Some seek to rationalize, some seem to intend to enlighten...perhaps with good intentions or ulterior motives. In the end, it's up to each of us to stand on our own two feet and be who and what we are....without looking down or cross-eyed at others. This can be a daunting aspect for some....society and traditional religion have done "a number" on how we see things. Being "open" is a learning experience and it DOES take some work. LOL! But I have HIGH hopes that some understanding will eventually come about.
Yeah, yeah....I'm an optimist! LOL!
BB
d'Arqstar; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Blodeuwedd on February 28, 2009 at 12:27am: As am I. Well said, indeed.

Blode; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Yarom on February 28, 2009 at 12:35am: Arachneh
......wholesale and with no direct and intimate personal experience or knowledge of that path*

Is this to be taken as that knowledge can only be obtained in a coven ?
A circle ?
Is solitary work not a true knowledge ?
The use of books to help you with thing's that you do already and don't know or understand why they feel appropriate or right to do is not applicable ?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arachneh on February 28, 2009 at 3:37am: Yarom, not at all.

There are realms of experience that can be best experienced as a solitary; there are other realms best experienced within the context of a coven.

Books are excellent guides, but are no replacement for actual experience, solitary or communal.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Athena Meteor on February 28, 2009 at 2:18am: A lot of the nit-picking strikes me as 'I'm still firmly in my pre-pagan box and I've simply put up pentacle wallpaper'. There seems to be a lot of fussin' and fightin' over which pentacle wallpaper is best, when the focus really needs to be on getting past the need for either the box or the endless manipulation of its interior decor.

I worked with an eclectic Coven for about 7 years, and a meditation group for three, and in the end, I wound up needing to leave both groups because things began to fall into the rut of 'ritual for ritual's sake', which did not suit me at all. Even though I prefer a Solitary Path, I would never dream of telling anyone that being in a Coven is rubbish, because it is not. The only thing I would recommend is individual discernment-- 'checking things out' works both ways, and if one feels at all uneasy with a Coven or group, don't hesitate to walk. The bottom line is that each individual is their own authority, and individual sovereignty needs to be respected, even by the most hierarchical of working groups.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arachneh on March 3, 2009 at 8:07pm: The only thing I would recommend is individual discernment-- 'checking things out' works both ways, and if one feels at all uneasy with a Coven or group, don't hesitate to walk.

Oh, definitely --- "caveat seeker."; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arachneh on March 3, 2009 at 8:11pm: It feeds on competition, aggression and dominance and these attributes are applied in every situation by those with such traits.

That's an interesting idea . . .; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Olwynn Coyote on March 12, 2009 at 5:42am: Well said Willow!

Speaking generally, I believe that it stems from the way the masculine brain works. It feeds on competition, aggression and dominance and these attributes are applied in every situation by those with such traits.

I would also say that this is a very Newtonian way of thinking--that we are all separate beings, part of a heirarchy and are therefore subject to ranking, labels and categories. In a Quantum Way of being we are both individual (as in a particle) and One (as in a wave). Denigrating the Pathway of another 'individual' is really pushing away an aspect of yourself which you have not integrated or do not understand. Remaining true to your own chosen path while allowing an open mind towards what others have chosen for themselves seeks to strengthen you as an individual and also as a Quantum part of everyone else. There is no need for agreement with another, and showing respect for another's choice in Faith does not invalidate the choice you have made for yourself.; ▶ Reply to This