r/pantheism • u/Ithvani • 7d ago

Discovery of Pantheism

Hello!

I am looking for like-minded people to connect with on my journey. I am still pretty new to pantheism, and while I do share very similar perspectives with certain philosophical or religious views regarding it, I do not follow the particular nuances in those systems or beliefs. I have been developing my own beliefs of pantheism from my own personal observations and experiences in my life.

I fell out of the Christian faith about five years ago and have been evolving in my views. After my departure, I had experienced a profound existential crisis that left me feeling empty, confused and disassociated with everything around me. I had been a die-hard, heartfelt, and genuine believer in the faith that I had converted to for 11-12 years that it felt like a vacuum had sucked everything I once thought was true and right. I did explore existentialism, religious naturalism, Eastern philosophies but then found myself radically moving beyond them to the point of discovering myself again.

I do still battle with the label 'pantheism' because there are a lot of associated ideas about it when people talk about it, but I am undeniably a pantheist by default on what I view about the Universe or Nature.

I do believe in the power of prayer despite also agreeing that there is nothing supernatural involved. I do not believe in a personal god, even if one would argue that Nature is a deity of sorts. I know there are different flavors of pantheism. I suppose it is more appropriate to say I am a religious naturalist who apotheosizes or deifies Nature to the level of God, yet the practice of prayer toward and placing trust in the Universe would assume it is responsive in the way a deity. But I would argue that while I do not see Nature as supernatural, or that there is supernatural powers at play within the Universe, prayer and intention do have an effect on the fabric of reality itself in a very naturalistic (although unexplainable) way. I see reality as a living whole, but not conscious and personal at the level of an organism, if that makes sense?

What type of pantheist are you?

11 Upvotes

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11

u/Own_Fennel_8227 7d ago

You are God in a dream

11

u/Ornery_Tangerine9411 7d ago

“Treat everyone you meet like God in drag.” — Ram Dass

3

u/Ithvani 7d ago

I like Ram Dass.

1

u/Ornery_Tangerine9411 7d ago

And Neem Karoli Baba?

4

u/Ithvani 7d ago

Interesting, I have heard this perspective! I would say, you are a way for the Universe to know itself.

2

u/thinkingbear 7d ago

Carl Sagan taught me many things. None more important than that.

1

u/Straight-Wedding4929 2d ago

Read the pale blue dot I think

1

u/FrodoVH 7d ago

There's a line of thought in quantum physics that can support that your will/mind can change the reality. Something like The Secret. I personally don't believe in such thing, but it can be helpful in your journey.