My Spiritual Tapestry

My father was much more irreverent in his approach to religion. He would constantly joke that he was the Messiah. I, of course, being my father's daughter, completely believed him. What a privilege to be born as the daughter of the Messiah!

These early influences from Mother and Father were joined by other spiritual awakenings. I came across a series of books in our basement library that introduced me to other religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism. Childhood visits to India brought me more in touch with Islam, as it was interpreted and practiced by my family, and Hindu mythology; my most prized possession as a young girl was a set of Indian comic books that told the tales of the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and the individual stories of numerous Hindu gods and goddesses, Indian kings and queens, princes and princesses.

My American friendships further steeped me in Christianity: Roman Orthodox Catholics, Greek Orthodox Catholics, convent-educated and recovering Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Quakers; and in Judaism: Orthodox, Reformed, kosher but not practicing, ethnically identified but not kosher.

I absorbed all, like osmosis, through my skin. All seemed to me so beautiful, fundamental, elemental, and yet, so troubling.

 "They're all saying the same thing, aren't they Dad?" I would ask.

"That's very good. You're absolutely right," my father would affirm, an indulgent smile and nod of approval at my display of skill in deductive reasoning. I lived for those nods.

"But then why....?" I would begin in consternation.

My Middle
My father read the newspaper every evening and I followed suit as he discarded sections to the floor by his feet. I also read the junior encyclopedia, the set of bright red books with the large print, colorful photographs and dispassionate discourse. Added to my reading were the dramatic images I watched during the nightly news and the contentious conversations I experienced, as participant or witness.

My "why" questions were abundant; Why the fighting? Why the bloodshed? Why the hatred? Why the same fight over and over and over for centuries? Why the loss of the ancient wisdoms? Why? Why? Why?

The Messiah spoke and I could not understand. The Messiah questioned and I could not respond.  If I cannot make sense of what the Messiah is preaching, what does that mean for me? Am I unworthy of being the Messiah's daughter? Have I not studied enough to achieve understanding, salvation or enlightenment?

These questions have been with me for a long time.

I left home to study, to live, to make my fortune and to find my purpose. I traveled the world, far and wide, experiencing life, meeting people, learning about different ways of being, seeking enlightenment. Throughout my life's journey, I never left my place at my father's feet, trying to understand the lessons he put forth, trying to become worthy.

 

Offerings from the Spiritual Tapestry

I mentioned that I consider Islam my home base. In my travels and explorations, I have found other traditions that resonate strongly with my center, my core. The teachings from Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism and Baha'i have found their way to me from my genetic homeland, India. I have also absorbed the teachings of Christianity and Judaism in my cultural immersion as a citizen of the United States, growing up in New York and attending schools in New England and Pennsylvania. 

Further reading and exploration has brought me awareness of other spiritual traditions. After a three year collaboration with women leaders in Northern California,  my understanding of Native American wisdom and ancient Goddess traditions deepened, flowered and blew me apart.

I am currently exploring esoteric teachings with my partner and drinking from the fountain that is Zaadz to continue creating and developing my tapestry.

My offering back to Zaadz is another fountain that I came across. The words from these various religions, or spiritual traditions, amazed me.  My analytical mind sees them each as unique and yet my emotional and spiritual core resonates on the same frequency with them all.