Pagan Ways
The Buddhist concept presents us with a concept of creation proceeding from the Void. This is nebulous enough to allow us to cut through some of the more mundane questions and delve into the realm of the philosopher as we strive toward an understanding of divine. The law of physics tell us that although matter can be transformed from one state of existence to another, it cannot be created from nothing. So how could the world as we know it be created from nothingness? From a scientific point of view, the concept of everything originating in the Void would be invalid.
We seem to be in the precarious postion of denying either the laws of physics or the laws of the Creator. Either way, the universe is likley to fly apart! This is the point at which we might make a distinction between spiritual faith and rationalistic knowledge, so that we can determine what we want to direct our own beliefs. The point here is not to take away from the Buddhist concept of the Void, nor deny the Christian God, but to search for truth wherever we might find it.
That being said, let's continue the examination with the Native American concept of the Great Spirit. Many tribes regard the Great Spirit as creative force, a life force that runs through every living thing. They do not claim to have total understanding, but speak only of what they do know, of what they can see. Though they may mention the Great Spirit, many of the Indian legends do not personify this mysterious force. It is the great mystery of the universe, perhaps beyond mortal understanding. Yet they see the thread of life that permeates everything about them, and they see it common bond between all that lives.They strive to develope their limited understanding of the world about them, and turn to nature to better understand the unifying thread of life that flows within them and about them.
This orientation is also the essence of Paganism. Where a Buddhist might accept the Void as a force that can only be seen by the highest consciousness,and accept thier ignorance of it as they strive to approach enlightenment, and the Christians might regard the mysteries of the universe simply as a matter of faith, the Pagan seeker is full of questions and a desire to learn more about the world we live in. There is a need to identify with and understand all of nature, to learn to work with the universal order, and in so doing better understand humane nature and the nature of the Gods through the common thread of life. In this sense, we are one with each other.
However, the Pagan is not only permitted, but encouraged, to question, learn, compare, and test.
In all of nature, there are two faces to the life force. They are the male and female priciples. We see this
manifested in plants and animals around us, as well as in our own bodies. Some know these forces as the
Earth Mother and Sky Father, seeing that male and female forces are each necessary to the creation and
continuance of life, and so deify both.
Other traditions in Paganism may recognize these forces by other names,
according to their own cultures, mythologies, and folk tales. However, by whatever name these
principles are known, their essence remains unchanged. For the purpose of clarity, we will refer
to these forces by common terms God and Goddess. The beginnings of Paganism lie as far back as the dawn of humanity. Before the rise of civilization,
the primitive tribes could watch the progression of the Sun & Moon across the sky, & the constant
change of the seasons. In the summer months, they depended on the growth of the plant life of
the earth to sustain their lives. In winter, the green earth fell barren & the flesh of the animals
became a major food staple for the people.
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