PICK WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

Rabbi Rami Shapiro refers to people who are spiritually fluid as "spiritual Boundary Crossers."

In his book, When One Religion Isn't Enough, Duane Bidwell refers to people who consciously ignore boundaries between religious territories as 'spiritual nomads.' He states: "From my perspective, most people of faith are spiritually fluid to one degree or another; they commit to one religion in name but incorporate many religions in practice." [p. 33, op. cit.]

When we are honest, most of us admit that we decide for ourselves what we actually believe, regardless of what religion we belong to. I had a Presbyterian friend who repeated the Nicene Creed every Sunday in worship. But knowing some of his 'beliefs,' I asked him how he could say "I believe." He responded by saying that he just repeated the words but didn't pay any attention to them. From my experience over the years, my friend's practice is more the rule than the exception.

Truth be told, most of us pick and choose what we believe by what resonates with us. Unfortunately,
as Bidwell writes, "Most of the religiously multiple people in North America and Europe live in a spiritual closet...When they are visible, ordinary people with complex religious bonds are apt to be dismissed...they are accused of practicing 'cafeteria religion' -- picking and choosing from a spiritual buffet." [p.9, op. cit.]

I, myself, have heard various 'authorities' argue against 'syncretism' and insist that you must stay focused on  just one religion. Perhaps this is why so many nowadays claim to identify with the SBNR label and refuse to identify a religion.  I dabbled with that label myself when I no longer wanted to identify with any religion, and decided to pursue my own form of spirituality.

But I am not opposed to religion. In fact I agree with Rabbi Rami's idea , who recently suggested that we "Marie Kondo" our religion. Author of  The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Kondo urged folks to pick up an item in their house and ask, "Does it spark joy?" If it doesn't, she suggested that we throw it out. So Rami suggests we lift up each part of our religion and ask if it sparks joy in us. "If it does, keep it. If it doesn't let it go."

In their encyclopedia of spiritual practices, Spiritual Rx, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat basically suggest  the same. As they observe: "Not all spiritual practices are for everyone. Know yourself and look for the ones that are right for you." [p.5]

As I see it, when we go to a buffet, we take what we want and leave the rest. So as you explore other faith traditions and practices, why not take what works for you and let the rest go. The great basketball coach Phil Jackson did just this, as he admits in his book, SACRED HOOPS. He writes:

     "I started exploring a variety of paths...I began taking yoga classes, reading books about Eastern religion, and attending lectures by ... spiritual teachers .. the more I studied other traditions, the more intrigued I became about taking another look at my spiritual roots." [p.45, op. cit.]

Eventually he came across William James' The Varieties of Religioous Experience and couldn't put it down. As he described how it helped,

     "It also gave me a deeper understanding of my Pentecostal roots and helped lift the curtain of guilt that had shrouded me most of my life. I no longer felt compelled to run from my past or cling to it our of fear. I could take from it what worked for me and let the rest go. I could also explore other traditions more fully with out feeling as if I was committing a major sacrilege against God and family." [p, 46, op. cit.]

Eventually,  Phil grew beyond his childhood Pentecostal religion, studied Zen and found a way to embrace parts of both, keeping what worked for him.
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                                     PICK WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!