Beyond Dogma: Stepping into the Portal of Religious Freedom
Entering a portal of universal spirituality...
“Where are you?” My grandmother shouted throughout her home. She was looking for me and thought she had lost me. After hours had passed, my grandmother found me in her dark closet, sitting with my legs crossed, eyes closed, head bowed, and my hands clasped tightly together.
“What are you doing in here?” My grandmother took a sigh of relief because she had finally found her five-year-old granddaughter after searching for what seemed like hours.
“Grandma! I’m talking to Jesus!” I slammed the door shut. This story is still shared at every family gathering, and everyone still bursts with laughter.
“She’s an old soul! She’s been here before!” My family members would shout in disbelief when I would speak words of wisdom as a toddler.
I’ve had grey hair since I was five, and that day, when my grandmother found me in the closet, I remember the smell of her sweet perfume and the spirits surrounding me. I wasn’t afraid. Like most children, I believed everything had a spirit, and I still do. I spoke to trees, rocks, water, my stuffed animals, an element of animism that I didn’t realize.
Animism is a belief system or worldview that attributes spiritual significance and, in some cases, a form of consciousness to natural elements, animals, plants, and even inanimate objects. In animistic traditions, it is believed that everything in the natural world, including rocks, rivers, trees, and animals, possesses a spiritual essence or life force.
I remember frequently visiting my Aunt’s high-rise condo in downtown Chicago during my toddler years. I loved that she was on the 42nd floor because I felt like that was the closest I could see what God sees. The shape of the clouds, airplanes, the shiny lights of Chicago, cars racing on the expressway, and people scurrying like ants to get to their next destination.
When I got tired of gazing out of her window for hours, I would sit with the Native American Indian statue she bought and talk with him. I inherited the statue when my Aunt passed away in 2006. Upon my inheritance, I flipped the three-foot Indian over and saw that it had my birth year written on the bottom.
“You would talk to him for hours and never touch him. We had no idea what you were talking about.” My mother smiled as she shared this happy memory of me.
I believe I was communing with the energy of the Native American Indian statue.
Growing Up
I clearly remember having the word “Zazen” stuck in my head as a child, and didn’t know what it meant. I had never heard it before. I later found out that Zazen is a form of seated meditation in Zen Buddhism, characterized by maintaining a specific posture and focusing on the breath to achieve mindfulness and insight.
I also remember regularly drawing the Unalome symbol from Kindergarten all the way through college in just about every notebook. I later found out that this Buddhist and Hindu symbol represents enlightenment or one’s spiritual path.
I subscribe to the belief in past lives and view these instances as echoes or reminders of experiences from previous lifetimes. I shared this with my mother, and she said, “I used to draw that symbol in school too!”
I was raised in a culturally diverse neighborhood, sparking a natural curiosity about different cultures. This environment led to the formation of multicultural friendships. In fifth grade, I had the opportunity to receive a daily impromptu Spanish crash course from a new girl from Guadalajara. Unfortunately, my classmates teased her due to her imperfect English.
Our connection stemmed from my desire to learn Spanish and her need for assistance with English. Even in fifth grade, I grasped the idea that embracing and understanding someone else's culture fosters unity and morale.
Growing up in a melting pot environment fueled my curiosity about both other cultures and my own. My mother, recognizing this interest, fostered it through shared activities such as watching the Discovery Channel, sampling diverse foods, and exploring books borrowed from the library.
While I was born into families with a strong church background, where many members became evangelists and ministers, my parents never forced Christianity on me. However, certain relatives persistently try to impart their beliefs, often without realizing the impact of teaching a child that they will face consequences like going to hell if they don't adhere to a specific lifestyle. This can and has caused Religious Trauma Syndrome. This ideology isn’t anything new in the Black community.
I remember regularly asking questions about the Bible before the age of ten. Example questions were:
If God is everywhere, then why do we need to go to church?
Why can’t I wear pants to church? The Bible says to come as you are!
Why don’t you like that lady, Grandma? The Bible says to love thy neighbor.
My grandmother used to reprimand me, insisting on my compliance and discouraging any questioning of the Bible. As I matured, I noticed that individuals would manipulate the Bible to align with their conveniences.
Religious Freedom from My Deceased Evangelist Aunt
Following the passing of my aunt, an evangelist, her sisters and I gathered at her home to select items that held sentimental value. Among her possessions, I received many sacred items from her journeys to the Middle East, including photos, jewelry, replicas of King Tut’s death mask, the bust of Nefertiti, the Native American Indian statue, and her Quran. The discovery of her Quran left me both puzzled and intrigued. As I flipped through its pages with anticipation, there was a sense of fulfillment in engaging with a sacred text other than the Bible. It felt as though a new realm had unfolded before me.
“What are you doing?” My paternal dogmatic Christian grandmother said in a confused tone.
“Looking through Aunt Mamie’s Quran. I think it’s interesting,” I said, still flipping through the pages.
“You don’t need that; you have the Bible.” She walked away. I added the Quran to the box of items I chose to keep in my Aunt’s memory. At age 17, that Quran fueled my unstoppable curiosity, leading me to take world religion history classes throughout college and travel to the Philippines, Thailand, and Japan.
My Aunt Made Contact from the Otherside
“Who do you want to speak to,” the Akashic records reader and psychic said as she began to tune into the energy surrounding us. I told her that I wanted to speak to my Aunt Mamie Dearing.
I sensed a shift in energy as if I were spiraling, even though physically, I remained stationary.
“She has a bunch of white flowers in her arms, and she just placed them on the table, so you know it’s her.” The psychic said with her eyes closed. I began crying immediately because I knew it was her. She always adorned her church altar with white carnations.
The psychic encouraged me to ask my question.
I fought back the tears and asked, "Auntie, I'm so confused. You dedicated your life to preaching the Bible as an Evangelist, yet I found your Quran. Can you help me understand?"
She replied, "Honey, I had to do what I had to do."
The psychic added, "You know that buzzing feeling you get at the bookstore when you hold a certain book? That's her communicating with you, guiding you on which books to pick."
I was overwhelmed with tears of happiness and relief. It felt like a permission slip to navigate my spiritual path in a way that was best for me.
Exploring the Intersection of Travel and Religion
Japan
At age 21, I experienced the serene awakening of finding myself in a Buddhist temple in Kyoto alongside my colleagues. The tranquility washed over me as I awoke to the sound of chanting, gentle chimes, and the fragrance of incense lingering in the thick summer air. Observing the monks embodying peace and graciously sharing insights into their way of life was a truly remarkable experience. This fascination with Japan drew me back multiple times, each visit deepening my exploration of life in Japan.
The Phillippines
Waking up in a humid straw hut to the sounds of stray chickens and barking dogs in San Pablo, Philippines, was something I never anticipated. I flew there to support children in need through a Christian foundation, working to rescue them from harmful environments and provide food and shelter. This trip was life-changing, exhausting, and unforgettable. Despite not identifying myself as Christian, I actively participated in their studies, joined in worship songs, prayed with everyone, and shared words of encouragement.
Thailand
In 2018, my mother entrusted me with planning a trip to Thailand, where we aimed to explore the locations we had only seen on the Discovery Channel and immerse ourselves in the vibrant energy in the 'land of smiles'’ Thailand left us in awe; from the spirit houses dotting busy corners in Bangkok to the stunning temples and statues. One of the most memorable parts of our journey was our morning spent with a monk, which is detailed in my previous Substack: Dawn of Wisdom: A Morning with a Monk. During this encounter, we delved into their lifestyle and history, accompanying them on their daily route to collect alms and witnessing the blessings they bestowed upon those who offered them.
These experiences confirmed and reshaped my interests and reading choices, steering me toward books centered on spirituality, metaphysics, philosophy, psychology, and various sacred texts. Finding wisdom and truth in diverse sources has been liberating, expanding my mind. These encounters also sent me on a fulfilling spiritual journey, leading me to explore tools like tarot for reflection, meditation, and energy work, which have become valuable support tools in my life.
This Life is Embedded in My DNA
“I didn’t realize I was in a body until I was 12 years old. I felt like I was inside of a body, looking out of the window.” My mother casually shared with me. I was in disbelief that I was learning this in my early thirties and fascinated at the same time. She also shared that instead of playing with her cousins and siblings, she would sit on her front porch and read books about clairvoyance. This interest never went away for her, and she kept her interests hidden because she thought my father and I would think she was strange.
My mom sharing this with me brought us closer than we already were. From sharing books and videos to exchanging philosophies and exploring a variety of cultures, my mother affirmed that I am not weird and that all of the women on her side of the family are indeed spiritually gifted. This also led me to feel comfortable enough to tell her that I used to have the following conversation on a regular basis with my paternal grandmother:
Me: Grandma, I feel like I’m nobody.
Grandma: Of course, you are, honey! Don’t say that!
Me: I know I’m somebody, but I feel like I’m nobody.
This was the only language that I had as a toddler. I was trying to tell her that I recognize that I’m a soul in a body and that my existence transcends the physical form. Each time we had this conversation, my grandmother would become silent. Looking back, I think I was scaring her.
On the other hand, my maternal grandmother excitedly and openly shares interesting stories about her time in the South.
She shares, “I remember when I was a little girl in Mississippi, my mother thought I was sleeping. In another room, I saw my mother’s friend drawing a chalk circle around her and reading some strange words. Frogs started jumping off of her!”
“Your mind is like a parachute; it only works when it’s open.” - African Proverb
Embracing Omnism
While I've never felt the need for specific terminology or labels to define my beliefs, those inquisitive about my work have shown interest in my belief system. I recognize the importance of this clarification for individuals seeking a coach, teacher, guide, or mentor. It sometimes surprises people when, after sharing a meaningful excerpt from the Bhagavad Gita on social media, I follow up a week later with a beautiful passage from the Tibetan Book of the Dead.
After my husband sent me an image of gods and deities smiling together in one photo explaining Omnism, I realized this term perfectly describes me.
Omnism is a philosophy that acknowledges the validity of all religions, spiritual beliefs, and worldviews. It emphasizes the idea that every belief system holds a unique perspective on the ultimate truth and that they all contribute to the tapestry of human understanding. Omnists do not adhere to any one particular religion but instead embrace the diversity of belief systems without discrimination.
Key Principles of Omnism
Universal Respect: Omnism promotes respect for all faiths and belief systems, recognizing that they all offer valuable insights into the human experience and our search for meaning.
Unity and Interconnectedness: Omnists believe that all religious and spiritual traditions share common themes and values, ultimately pointing toward a universal truth. This perspective encourages people to find common ground and foster unity among diverse communities.
Personal Exploration: Omnism encourages individuals to explore and learn from various belief systems, allowing them to grow spiritually and emotionally through this journey of discovery.
Inclusivity: An omnist perspective is inherently inclusive and accepting of different viewpoints, fostering a sense of community and understanding among people from various backgrounds.
Omnism is like a gentle breeze that whispers through the sacred groves of the soul, allowing one to appreciate the beauty in the mosaic of spirituality. It is the symphony that harmonizes the divergent chords of faith, weaving them into a melodious chorus of human connection. It is the kaleidoscope of wisdom, where every shard of belief, regardless of its origin, finds its rightful place in the grand design of existence.
I finally came to terms with this when I noticed that the books on my shelf were from a variety of religious backgrounds with highlights and sticky notes. “I find truth in all of these texts.” I have told myself multiple times.
“I’m that friend you can bring to a temple, ashram, or church, and I’ll always find a message that resonates with me.” - Key Ocho
I even started an Instagram and TikTok page called World Religion History earlier this year out of pure interest (and because I don’t want to add to the student loan debt I already have), and to my surprise, people loved and engaged with the researched content I shared. Currently, the project is temporarily paused due to changing priorities. The purpose of discussing various backgrounds is to highlight the shared thread connecting all religions, making it engaging and accessible. The goal is to initiate an open and secure dialogue about diverse backgrounds, fostering unity.
I'm sharing this with you to emphasize that this has been a consistent aspect of my life for the majority of my years. It's not a trend but a lifestyle that brings a sense of liberation.
Is Omnism Cultural Appropriation?
Omnism is generally understood as recognizing and respecting all religions or belief systems. It is not inherently a form of cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation typically involves taking elements from a culture without understanding or respecting their meaning, often leading to the marginalization or commodification of those elements.
Omnism, when practiced with genuine respect and understanding for the various belief systems it encompasses, is not appropriation. It’s important to me to approach the subject with sensitivity and avoid superficial or disrespectful engagement with different cultural practices.
As with any belief system or worldview, it's crucial to be aware of and sensitive to cultural contexts and histories and avoid appropriating elements that disrespect or exploit the cultures from which they originate. I have always approached the diversity of beliefs with humility, openness, and a willingness to learn and understand.
Books on My Shelf & Final Thoughts
Although I have not read any books about Omnism yet, here are some books I’m exploring out of interest and while I’m in yoga school (this is not an all-inclusive list). Please note that the below titles are hyperlinked and include affiliate links:
Being open-minded doesn't mean abandoning your principles; it means understanding that the world is full of diverse perspectives, and in embracing that diversity, you enrich your own understanding without compromising your core values. Being open-minded has taken me to unimaginable places, leading to long-lasting relationships across the world.
I hope this sheds a new light on my belief system and a light within yourself. I hope it has inspired you to delve into your own beliefs.
As always, s ending astral hugs wherever you are in life if you need them.
I loved reading your newsletter. I was raised in an extreme religious household and I identify greatly with much of what you have written regarding family discouraging exploration of spirituality with the family’s generational religion being placed in the stead of any and all spirituality. Finding one’s own way is a beautiful and difficult experience. Thank you for sharing.
I really enjoyed listening to this! I even teared up as you talked about your aunt. I was on a walk I saw a beautiful cardinal which always reminds me of my cousin who passed. I enjoyed this piece a lot and the pictures you shared as well! I also draw a variation that picture you shared I wonder how it connects. I have so much to learn! Thank you for sharing! 💓🥲