Higher Power: One Point of ViewThe very basic constructs and definition of a Higher Power should be left up to the individual because spirituality is quite a personal matter. Each human being has their own individualized experiences with their own form of Higher Power(s), Higher (Supreme) Being(s), and Spirits. If Higher Powers are considered genderless by some individuals, then they may be considered as forms of cosmic energy or:
Higher Powers = Cosmic, Universal Physical Energy, Spiritual Energy, and Spirits
Higher Beings = Gods and Goddesses
However, please understand that the many gods and goddesses of varying pantheons are not genderless; this is another topic of discussion for a later time.
For clarity sake within the Craft, the elementals of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water have higher spiritual powers and are often represented by many different gods and goddesses. These are some of the most challenging concepts for those who "convert" from a monotheistic/patriarchal religion to a nature-based (pantheistic/polytheistic/matriarchal and patriarchal) religion to comprehend at the beginning of their spiritual path change and journey. Is there only one Supreme Being? The answer to this question has always been extremely controversial; yet a very good and practical answer may be that this depends greatly on which spiritual path one follows and whether the basis of this spiritual path is monotheistic, monolatrous, pantheistic, or polytheistic.
There has to be some form of supreme being(s) other than humans because there have been gods and goddesses who existed from the beginning of time and who have walked this Earth and traversed the entire universe for approximately 13 billion years when cosmic energies and astro-chemical reactions formed to expand “singularly” into the planets, stars, suns, moons, galaxies, black holes, and the very life-giving elementals of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Drawing from within oneself along with the energies of the elementals is as powerful conceptually as well as in practice in nature and the real world.
One of the other primary conceptual challenges is that many people attempt to rationalize what religion is rather than what spirituality means to them as an individual. Having a basic, yet well-rounded, understanding in the theology and divinity of several religions and their practices (for comparative purposes) may bring about a greater personal meaning and understanding of world religions. Understanding the inner spiritual self and one’s personal relationship with the Higher Power(s) is in essence what this is all about and that we all are temples of the gods and goddesses of our spiritual pantheons whether by choice or not.
Higher Powers = Cosmic, Universal Physical Energy, Spiritual Energy, and Spirits
Higher Beings = Gods and Goddesses
However, please understand that the many gods and goddesses of varying pantheons are not genderless; this is another topic of discussion for a later time.
For clarity sake within the Craft, the elementals of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water have higher spiritual powers and are often represented by many different gods and goddesses. These are some of the most challenging concepts for those who "convert" from a monotheistic/patriarchal religion to a nature-based (pantheistic/polytheistic/matriarchal and patriarchal) religion to comprehend at the beginning of their spiritual path change and journey. Is there only one Supreme Being? The answer to this question has always been extremely controversial; yet a very good and practical answer may be that this depends greatly on which spiritual path one follows and whether the basis of this spiritual path is monotheistic, monolatrous, pantheistic, or polytheistic.
There has to be some form of supreme being(s) other than humans because there have been gods and goddesses who existed from the beginning of time and who have walked this Earth and traversed the entire universe for approximately 13 billion years when cosmic energies and astro-chemical reactions formed to expand “singularly” into the planets, stars, suns, moons, galaxies, black holes, and the very life-giving elementals of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Drawing from within oneself along with the energies of the elementals is as powerful conceptually as well as in practice in nature and the real world.
One of the other primary conceptual challenges is that many people attempt to rationalize what religion is rather than what spirituality means to them as an individual. Having a basic, yet well-rounded, understanding in the theology and divinity of several religions and their practices (for comparative purposes) may bring about a greater personal meaning and understanding of world religions. Understanding the inner spiritual self and one’s personal relationship with the Higher Power(s) is in essence what this is all about and that we all are temples of the gods and goddesses of our spiritual pantheons whether by choice or not.
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© 2005 Rev. Dr. K. Sahure & The Temple of Kheti
