{"id":10202,"date":"2012-01-09T18:39:11","date_gmt":"2012-01-09T22:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nakedpastor.com\/?p=10202"},"modified":"2012-01-09T18:39:11","modified_gmt":"2012-01-09T22:39:11","slug":"tools-for-your-own-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/nakedpastor\/2012\/01\/tools-for-your-own-path\/","title":{"rendered":"tools for your own path"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

When you finally decide to embark upon your own path, it will always mean leaving the comforts and securities of where you\u2019ve been. It will feel very adversarial. So, unfortunately, we are rarely provided with the tools to help us on our journey. Frequently, it is more like an escape where we are required to travel lightly, scantily, with only the most basic of necessities for our survival.<\/p>\n

But I have discovered something very beautiful. Companionship for your journey comes from very surprising, unexpected and unlikely sources. Here\u2019s just a few for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. I\u2019ve made new friends<\/strong> of different religions and non-religions from around the world who bring a whole new sense of what divine is. They bring benediction on a daily basis. The unconditional love and genuine fellowship is profound, real, and reliable. They love me for who I am. They aren\u2019t judgmental of my past and they don\u2019t try to prophesy or predict or prescribe my future. They care without complication and show compassion without confusion.<\/li>\n
  2. There are other Christians<\/strong> who have taken similar risks and undertaken their own journeys and have written about it. Read Thomas Merton, especially his later writing that became more and more mystical and universal. For theological depth and mystery, read Karl Barth who, although he wrote for the church, left the ministry because he found the church\u2019s pietistic culture unbearably impossible. Read other writers such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa and Karen Armstrong. Read some Krishnamurti, especially The Urgency of Change\u2026 probably my #1 most influential book. Read quantum physicists such as David Bohm. There\u2019s lots of material out there that will inspire and nourish your travels.<\/li>\n
  3. Finally, for now, you must find courage to trust yourself<\/strong>. You have taken the risk to lose everything for the sake of something better. Everyone must do this, but few do. You are a rare breed, and a part of that breed\u2019s constitution is that it is courageous, resilient and determined. You must listen to your inner wisdom and trust it. The same wisdom that motivated you to leave is the same wisdom that will guide you. Yes, listen to wise voices from the past and the present. Read good books. Take good advice. But filter it all through your own innate intelligence. You will be surprised how well equipped you are to walk your own unique path with nobility, finesse, dignity and finally joy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    I left the ministry early in 2010. I haven\u2019t been back to church. I\u2019m not saying this is permanent. It has taken me almost two years to finally be able to write something like this. But I just wanted to assure you that real joy, exuberance and even a lighthearted liberty will wake up with you in the morning.<\/p>\n

    If you are going through such a transition in your life, I provide transition support<\/a>. If you want to talk, email me<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    My BOOKS<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    My ART<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    When you finally decide to embark upon your own path, it will always mean leaving the comforts and securities of where you\u2019ve been. It will feel very adversarial. So, unfortunately, we are rarely provided with the tools to help us on our journey. Frequently, it is more like an escape where we are required to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":349,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1111,1654,722,1405,1287],"class_list":["post-10202","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-thought","tag-david-hayward","tag-journey","tag-nakedpastor","tag-path","tag-transition"],"yoast_head":"\ntools for your own path<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When you finally decide to embark upon your own path, it will always mean leaving the comforts and securities of where you've been. 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