Spiritual Ponderings

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:44:16 +0200

In a couple of weeks I am going to be formally asked the question “what is your view on religion”. The expectation is that I will immediately respond to the effect that I am a Christian and believe in the higher, ultimate power of God. I may, however, be lying about this.

I have always considered myself a spiritual person, if not a religious one. I was never Christened, and although I've been to church on many occasions, have never felt the need to declare myself as a Christian in any formal ceremony. I have a strong moral code that aligns with the various teaching of the major religions – if someone was to ask me if I would abide by the Ten Commandments then I would say yes. I don't believe these things because they have been dictated to me by a priest, but because I believe that the behaviours that they enshrine are essential to the existence of society.

At the same time I wouldn't describe myself as an atheist. I have had occasions where I feel that there is something looking over me or helping me along. Sometimes I've asked my late grandfather for help when tinkering with a project or trying to find tools, and it feels, at least, like it works. As a scientific person I don't accept the existence of ghosts, but there is something looking out for me and helping me – or maybe it is just coincidence. It all helps me down the path of life.

In fact if I had to align my beliefs to any one religion then i would have to choose Budhism. I like and agree with the search for inner peace and karma. Even this, however, wouldn't work for me entirely – I eat meat and have no intention of giving it up, although I do believe that we should all know where our produce comes from, and be prepared to face the way it was made (does this make me a ramsayan?). I also don't believe in reincarnation, although I do believe that there is a spiritual energy in every one of us.

What happens when we die? Who knows! Sometimes the world makes me feel like I am already in purgatory, sometimes I think that there is just nothing after this world, at others I am sure that I will meet with friends and relations that have passed. Who's to say that death isn't just a movement sideways – that our relations are still with us just not obvious to our eyes! I certainly don't know how to answer any of these questions at the end of the day, and so my philosophy isn't to preach or to devote myself to one spiritual path, but to devote myself to fulfilling my ambitions and to work to improve myself and the lives of those around me wherever I can. In a way I live my life like the Hippocratic oath – first do no harm.

So what does this make me, how do I answer the question? If the group that I am joining requires me to declare my religion then how do I answer? This is where the questions continue!

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New Horizons

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:34:13 +0200

So I guess this is a bit of an introductory blog. First of all the formalities, I'm in my early twenties (i'm very happy that I can still just about say that), live on my own just outside London and work as a business analyst for a large retail firm. Thats the boring stuff, and explains the numbers part of my blog title!

In my spare time I love cooking and eating, especially Chinese food (hence noodles) and generally getting involved in random things. Drinking wine is high on my list of ideal activities, and I love going to tastings whenever I can, which is rarely. Reading is good, and am especially liking Terry Pratchet at the moment. I'm also very much into my music, and play the bass guitar - looking to join a band and play some gigs in the future.

This description probably makes me sound like an obese nerd, but I would hope that I am far from it. For a start I'm not obese and I really enjoy heading out and letting my hair down. I've been reliably informed that I'm actually a fairly good laugh and try and make the most of what I have.

So that's a brief introduction, but why am I writing this? Well I've just moved jobs and thats meant leaving the bubble of... Londonness that is London, and headed back to the town where I grew up before embarking upon my travels. It's made me look at where I am and the choices that I have made with a more critical eye. So in my Sarcastic style I'm going to try to explain some of what I do, some of what I see and some of those strange little thoughts that stick in the back of our minds as we go through life. I warn you all now that it is likely to be sarcastic, controversial and cause arguments - but that's what Blogs are for!

So what do I ask for in return for sharing these little gems - absolutely nothing, but please feel free to comment or contribute in any way you see fit and share your feelings! Come on down to the crazy place that is my life and join me in pondering ponderations.

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Noodles, Numbers and Nuttiness

Spiritual Ponderings

New Horizons