Some of what's cooking...

I wanted to be sure to post this today, lest someone thing I was playing an April Fool's prank. (Note: Will not be posting April 1-4 due to me being at Frolicon, but even if I get computer access, won't post tomorrow on April Fool's day, don't want to be caught up in that nonsense).

For those of you that do not know this, when I was in high school, I wanted to be a minister. I even preached at my home church on several occasions. I have been a seeker of religious thought since 10 or 11. I've read seven different translations of the Holy Bible from start to finish. I've read the Book of Mormon, the Qu'ran, the I Ching, and over 10,000 works on the various religions of the world.

As I grew older, I cast aside the label of Christianity, as I could not stomach the tenets of many modern sects of Christianity. I studied Catholicism, which I embraced almost wholly except for their "You must be believe in all the tenets of the Church and nothing else." My open mind allows me to believe all of the tenets of the Church save that one.

No matter where my studies took me, however, the Tao was always with me. Its symbolism captured my heart from a very young age. I have studied the philosophy of the Tao since my early 20s. Yet, still, I continued to search. I referred to myself as 'spiritual, not religious.' I studied polytheism and monotheism, and although I understand the importance of God(s) or higher power, I still wasn't satisfied in their depiction in religion.

In 2008, I picked up Dr. Wayne Dyer's book, "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life" which examines Lao Tzu's work within a Christian framework. Now we're talking! Yet for some reason, I put the book aside unfinished, and went on to other things. I studied the Rig Veda, and various yogandic traditions.

Recently, I picked up another Dyer book, "Excuses, Begone!" While not spiritual in content, it lead me to examine some of the memetics that had invaded my brain. Yesterday, though, I had a revelation of sorts.

I have ended my journey and am beginning a new one. Such is the way of the Tao.

If someone asks me today what religion I am, I will answer "Taoist."

Ciao for now.