Paganism & The Meaning Of Life

To live, love and enjoy this life we have. But also to evolve and grow spiritually and reach higher realms once we leave this world. The biggest challenge is, in my opinion: To enjoy the world of matter, yet rise above it and know that it is just a temporary illusion.

Great 2 posts in Paganism Honza... enjoyed them both!!!!

Originally Posted by Honza

Because Paganism is so varied the answer to this question will vary too. However I am curious as to how you folks see this. What would you say is the Pagan meaning of life? I'm trying to look beyond the main religions into how life is/was perceived by the Pagans.

Good question.

I too am NOT particularly familiar with paganism. However, after reading this thread, I'm still not sure what "paganism" really is.

Originally Posted by GOLLY GEE

a definition per goodling is paganism is something that is polytheisitic..
not one creator and god

Who is "Goodling" ? Is he an authority on this subject ?

[Honza]

They meant 'googling'.....

[Jenny Crow]

Originally Posted by samsara4

Good question.

I too am NOT particularly familiar with paganism. However, after reading this thread, I'm still not sure what "paganism" really is.

Paganism - religions other than Christianity, Judaism or Islam. These religions are often polytheistic.

Originally Posted by Honza

They meant 'googling'.....

Thank you. I missed that (I thought "Goodling" was some expert on paganism ). However, I did "google" to learn about "paganism". Everything about it is so general and all-encompassing. I'd like to hear more from people who consider themselves pagans and to learn how they define themselves and paganism.

By the way, I've been to the Khumba Mela in India and met some remarkable yogis and beings there. I've always wondered if the "gods" and "goddesses" of ancient Greece and Rome and other countries were advanced beings of that nature.

Many have sought after the "meaning of life", from all walks of life. I do not personally feel it is one specific thing. What gives my life purpose and meaning is not the same as what gives you purpose and meaning.

For me, it is to be the best husband, father, friend, and follower of the Old Ways that I can be. While so very much not a Wiccan, I do tend to follow their main credo, "and it harm none, do as you will." Of course, there are times that can not be achieved.. but those are weighed in my own consciousness, and the good outweighs the bad.

[Caitlyn Laufey]

Personal interpretation and expression free from dogma.

[Pleroma]

Pagans love doing rituals and offering sacrifices to gods, they love practising magic which is so often seen with contempt eyes by others as though we are some kind of devil worshippers. We worship moon, fire, air and sun as gods, its because we believe gods are imbibed in nature mysteriously. We are polytheists or henotheists. We acknowledge and respect the gods of other nations. We don't like being enforced and constrained by religious laws. We want to be free and choose our own path for redemption which depend on individual tastes and the deity he or she likes and adores.

[hannah]

It is generally based on the idea of the earth and nature being a sentient intelligent being, which we work with rather than against and will provide for us as with all the natural world. We are a part of the world, the world is not there solely for our benefit.