I was privileged, as I had mentioned earlier, to
have attended a workshop in Birmingham, Alabama recently on the topic of spirituality
and psychotherapy. I believe that the path of being transsexual is a profoundly
spiritual journey. To the degree that one develops their spiritual life on this
journey reflects the enhancement and sense of wellbeing we experience
throughout the decision to transition, the transition itself and the quality of
life we lead after we transition. Many people assume that once the transition
is complete, you have arrived at your journey, but I, like many others
recognize the journey continues and we are faced with many challenges. Many of
these challenges are the same one faces whether they have been through the
transsexual experience or not, but there are still unique situations that will
come along. Having a well-developed sense of spirituality will help you to not
only weather the storms of life, but will also enhance the pleasure one finds
in everyday life as well.
In this article, I would like to begin to share the
concepts that Dr. Moore believes will help someone to develop a deeper
spiritual life. This is the first installment in a series.
1. Deepen
your formal religion
Many of us have a background of
having been raised in a church, synagogue, or Islamic place of worship. It is
something that is ingrained in our being and affects us in many profound ways,
both positive and in negative ways, depending on the orientation of our faith
and in the way a particular denomination of our faith teaches us about God and
how we need to behave within our faith. I was fortunate enough to have attended
a Southern Baptist church during my adolescence that taught love and tolerance
for each other. Other people have experienced and learned that their
denomination or church were very legalistic and were condemning, particularly
if they were gay or transsexual.
In my adult life, I experienced
this with a United Methodist pastor. Her condemnation led me to leave that
church and find a home in the Episcopal Church where I am welcome and made to
feel part of the church family. Having found a place where I can formally
worship is very important to my spiritual life, though over the years, I have
been an episodic attendee. I may attend for a year or so at a time and then
find myself not being very active in formal worship. Most recently, I stopped
attending due to the death of my father a year and a half ago. I simply did not
have the energy to go during that time, which coincided with my work
transition. Yet I find that I do better all the way around when I attend on a
regular basis. Formal worship keeps you from neglecting your spiritual life.
The most profound spiritual experience
I ever had was when I visited a church my friend Marsha attends in New Jersey.
It was the first opportunity I had ever had to stand before my God and worship
as I am with others who accepted me as I am. It was also the first time I had
ever taken communion as I am and I remember tears running down my cheeks during
the whole service. It was something that had been missing and much needed in my life to move forward on my
journey as Lauren.
2. Get
to know one or more other faith traditions.
The idea of becoming more familiar
with other faith traditions is one that is not often encouraged. Some of us who
are more spiritually advanced than I are familiar not only with their own
faith, but have deeply explored other faiths as well.
I have explored Taoism to a certain
degree and have read several translations of the Tao Te Ching (Book of
Changes), written by Lao Tzu. From that I have learned to be still and allow
events to unfold, not wishing them to be anything other than what it is. It
teaches acceptance and to live harmoniously with nature and in your culture.
These lessons I do not practice faithfully, but having explored this avenue of
spirituality has made a positive impact on me at various times of my life.
I have been interested in learning
more about Islam. I think because of the acts of terrorists who falsely claim
their actions are due to teachings of Islam, as well as the poor treatment of
women by Middle Eastern cultures who practice Islam, many westerners have a
decidedly negative view of that faith. My opinion is that each of the
monotheistic religions has leaders and followers who claim to follow their faith.
They pervert the message to use it to spread hatred and condemnation of those
who do not adhere to their version of their faith. Knowing that my faith
tradition has such people and knowing the truth of my faith, I have felt some
sense of the need to learn more about Islam rather than to reject it out of
hand without real examination. So perhaps this is another faith that I will
learn more about to harvest what it holds that can aid me in my spiritual
journey.
3. Explore
secular sources of spiritual insight
When Dr. Moore began to talk about
this, it puzzled me about how to go about doing that. One of many ways to do
this is through service work. Become involved in activities that serve others
who are less fortunate. By doing so, it takes you out of your usual life of
thinking of yourself and your needs and puts you in the position of giving to
others and being with people who are in service to others. This is particularly
true when engaging in a service activity that allows one to interact with the
people who are benefitting from your service work directly. The examples that
first come to mind are participating in programs like Meals on Wheels, Special
Olympics or volunteering at a nursing home or to read to children at the
library. Participating in Big Brothers or Big Sisters is another example of
secular activities that will deepen your spiritual life and there are countless
others.
No comments:
Post a Comment