03-09-2009, 12:26 PM
Let me start by once again thanking you all for your input. It is highly valued.
I've been thinking about this for most of the night. Thank the One Infinite Creator that I have a copy of "The Wanderer's Handbook"!! I think Carla would understand my dilemma -- I am called to a life of devotion, and nothing inspires my own devotion as deeply as the words of Ra. These books reawakened my spirit.
I've come to agree with those of you who say the idea of a "Priesthood of Ra" is NOT the way to go with this. My gut churns in knots when I think about it because, although I assure you all my intent is centered in STO, the temptation for members, including me, to hide behind the title of "Priest" is just too tempting. A part of me remembers a time when the word "Priest" called up very different associations than it does now, and the distortion has become too great.
Yet I am called to a life of devotion, and Ra is my teacher. I seem to have a passionate spiritual love for this other-self that I cannot ignore. It has to be expressed, and I have no choice but to follow my calling. I suppose I was hoping there were others who feel this, too.
Some of you may have heard of the Desert Fathers and Mothers -- those beautiful wisdom-seeking mystics who lived like hermits in the Egyptian Desert starting in about the Third Century. (I just looked at the clock and it's 11:11am.) They followed their hearts to God, living alone, meditating, and teaching only when asked. The idea feels so very familiar, as if this is all happening for me again.
So, perhaps I'll be off to the desert, as an Oblate of One.
"Amma Alkhemist, OoO"
I've been thinking about this for most of the night. Thank the One Infinite Creator that I have a copy of "The Wanderer's Handbook"!! I think Carla would understand my dilemma -- I am called to a life of devotion, and nothing inspires my own devotion as deeply as the words of Ra. These books reawakened my spirit.
I've come to agree with those of you who say the idea of a "Priesthood of Ra" is NOT the way to go with this. My gut churns in knots when I think about it because, although I assure you all my intent is centered in STO, the temptation for members, including me, to hide behind the title of "Priest" is just too tempting. A part of me remembers a time when the word "Priest" called up very different associations than it does now, and the distortion has become too great.
Yet I am called to a life of devotion, and Ra is my teacher. I seem to have a passionate spiritual love for this other-self that I cannot ignore. It has to be expressed, and I have no choice but to follow my calling. I suppose I was hoping there were others who feel this, too.
Some of you may have heard of the Desert Fathers and Mothers -- those beautiful wisdom-seeking mystics who lived like hermits in the Egyptian Desert starting in about the Third Century. (I just looked at the clock and it's 11:11am.) They followed their hearts to God, living alone, meditating, and teaching only when asked. The idea feels so very familiar, as if this is all happening for me again.
So, perhaps I'll be off to the desert, as an Oblate of One.
"Amma Alkhemist, OoO"