Question & Answer

Q: By A Reader

The only religion I was exposed to as a child was Pentecostal. I never subscribed to it, tried several denominations, never felt any connection. The hell and damnation thing is so deeply rooted in me that it makes me afraid to speak my real mind about God. The older I have gotten, I am 64, the more alone and abandoned I feel. Is there a God? If there is, how can I worship authentically? What books can I read to help me resolve this spiritual crisis in my heart? I desperately want a connection to a higher power and I would love to share that in a group of people but I just cannot abide the Christian faith. I respect it but I cannot go, sit, and pretend that I believe it all. It’s just too hypocritical. Can you offer guidance?

A: By Jennifer Berit

Dear Reader,

This is a very exciting moment in your life. It is never too late to begin or to continue on your unique authentic spiritual path. I am not surprised to hear of your skepticism with the Christian faith because our traditional religions have long subscribed to a paradigm that is no longer relevant to our times – a paradigm that used religion to make sense of mysteries of the universe we could not explain, a paradigm that told us to focus not on this earthly reality and our present life but instead to always look toward transcendence and live our life according to what will get us into a mythical heaven.

To step away from a dogma or faith tradition that does not resonate with you is one of the bravest and most important things you can do. I could recommend hundreds of books that might spark a new spirituality within you – anything by Bishop John Shelby Spong, Matthew Fox, Joanna Macy, Yeye Luisah Teish, Bill Plotkin, Robin Wall Kimmerer, poetry by Maya Angelou, David Whyte, Mary Oliver, Walt Whitman, and the list goes on and on. But what I recommend before reading any books or following any teachers is to find yourself, in nature. Develop a practice of finding a spot where you can connect with nature – a creek, a tree, a house plant, and meditate. I trust that eventually you will find God in every wild creature this planet has to offer, from the littlest ant to the highest mountain. The limitless divine energy that imbues our sacred Earth, our only home, is one that we can always trust.

~ Jennifer Berit

About the Author
Jennifer Berit is the co-author of Order of the Sacred Earth: An Intergenerational Vision of Love and Action and works in book publishing as a private consultant for authors assisting with manuscript editing and book publicity. She is also the co-director of Wild Awakenings, an adult Rites of Passage organization dedicated to fostering the thriving of Earth, life, and humanity. Jennifer was on the Board of Trustees at the Unity in Marin Spiritual Community for three years, serving as the Board President for 18 months. Also at Unity in Marin, Jennifer was a guest speaker for Sunday mornings, she led Rites of Passage groups for teenagers, and founded a young adult interfaith group committed to conscious connection, community service, and social activism. She is a passionate hiker, reader, writer, and public speaker.