Gay Spirituality Adds To Personal Growth
Spiritual beliefs and practices are becoming more popular all over the world. Many people prefer to explore the world outside and within without the confines of an organized religion. Gay spirituality is also gaining in popularity with groups and gurus appearing everywhere.
Nobody knows exactly why the growth in spirituality is happening but there are some theories. Some think that individuals are seeking a deeper connection with the world beyond what is material because they find the material world unsatisfying. They feel compelled to search for answers to the mysteries in the world which science has not been able to understand yet. Also many people are turning away from religions because of the problems in churches and the negative aspects of many faiths which preach fear.
Organized religion causes problems in the minds of some gay people because of its condemnation of the lifestyle. Religious forces are an important factor in shaping moral beliefs and even laws in many places. This has led to societies where gay people can be ousted and threatened or at least suffer disapproval. This often translates into self hatred and denial in homosexual individuals. Some people feel there are similarities between spiritual practice and coming out as they both require self knowledge and lead to self acceptance through introspection.
For many people it is no surprise that gay spirituality is popular as gay people have often entered professions which involve caring for others. Many have become nurses, charity workers, ministers and priests. Often homosexuals choose not to have children and so have more time and more emotional energy for helping others.
The trauma of AIDS and its effect on gay men may also play a role in the growth of gay spirituality. Many young men have seen their loved ones; friends and peers die a terrible death at a young age. Death and the fear of it has always been a motivating factor in religious and spiritual belief.
Gay spirituality manifests itself in as many practices and types of belief as all spirituality. As homosexual relations are not about procreation but the giving and receiving of pleasure and expressions of love gay tantra is one of the most popular practices. It increases consciousness through meditation and intense focus on the present moment. To compliment this there are also workshops which focus on other ways to achieve intimacy besides sex. Other types of spirituality practiced by gay people include shamanism, healing such as Reiki, paganism, meditation, working with nature and drumming and singing.
Searching on the internet will offer you many groups and ways to explore your spirituality. Even if there are no workshops or groups where you live there are online communities where you can communicate with people who are exploring the same issues. There is also plenty of literature about the philosophical issues for gay people.
There are a myriad of reasons why gay spirituality is increasing in popularity. People have so many motivations for trying a spiritual way of life. If you want to explore that aspect of yourself there are many ways to do so.
Howie Holben is the caretaker of Spirit Journeys, a gay vacations company that examines on conscious vacations. Howie has travelled the world learning from indigenous peoples. Discover more about Howie, his work and gay travel at Spirit Journeys site.