I grew up with a strong sense of dualism—the sacred and the profane, heaven and hell, saved and lost. In the Free Will Baptist Church, I was taught the Arminian way, yet it still carried the weight of a worldview where humanity was seen as sinful and bound for judgment. Though I did not embrace the Calvinistic doctrines of total depravity, unconditional surrender, limited atonement, irresistible grace, or perseverance of the saints, I still carried the heavy burden of seeing humanity as broken and stained.
As I have followed the path of Jesus into adulthood, I’ve discovered new streams of spirituality that have reshaped my faith. I have found a home in the Native American way, in the Quaker tradition, and in the Progressive Christian vision. Each of these traditions has offered me a gift, a piece of the puzzle, and together they have given me a spirituality that feels whole.
The Native American Path: Living in Harmony
What first drew me to Native American spirituality was its sense of relationship. Rather than separating the sacred from the profane, everything is seen as sacred: the Earth, the waters, the winds, the animals, the ancestors. The Creator and the spirit world are not distant, but close, woven into every breath. This way of seeing frees me from a dualistic worldview and reminds me that I, too, am part of the sacred circle of life. Balance and harmony are not just ideals, they are ways of living.
The Quaker Path: Listening in the Silence
In Quaker worship, I encountered something profoundly simple and deeply moving. Sitting in silence, waiting for the Inner Light, I found that God is not locked away in heaven but present in each heart. No preacher, no ritual, no performance—just the Spirit speaking in the quiet. This simplicity spoke to me, especially as someone who grew up with sermons heavy on judgment and guilt. The Quaker way reminded me that truth, peace, equality, and integrity flow from the Spirit’s leading. It is not about escaping this world, but about living faithfully within it.
The Progressive Christian Path: Love Made Real
Progressive Christianity opened a different door for me: one where Jesus’ life and teachings are central, not as a dogma to enforce, but as a way of radical love and justice. Here, inclusivity is not an afterthought but a core expression of the Gospel. Worship is welcoming, questions are encouraged, and creation care is embraced as a spiritual responsibility. For me, this way reclaims Christianity from fear and offers it back as love in action.
Where My Path Leads
When I weave these three traditions together, I find a spirituality that feels alive:
- From Native American wisdom, I’ve learned kinship with all creation.
- From Quaker practice, I’ve learned to listen for the still, small voice within.
- From Progressive Christianity, I’ve learned that love must be lived out in justice and inclusion.
In Essence
My path has taken me from a faith of fear and dualism into a spirituality of relationship, silence, and love. Native American spirituality reminds me that everything is sacred. Quaker spirituality teaches me to listen and live simply in truth. Progressive Christianity calls me to follow Jesus through justice, compassion, and inclusion. Together, these traditions help me walk a path that honors the Divine, cherishes the Earth, and embraces all people as sacred.
The Curious Pilgrims 