Spiritual Curiosity Over Coercion

A gateway to wisdom...

A song I’m vibing with:

A screenshot from Threads, 2024

While scrolling through Threads (which is better than the Instagram app, in my humble opinion), I stumbled upon this thread. As I squinted in confusion, I immediately went to the thousands of comments and found some I agreed with and disagreed with. I’ve shared the comments that resonated with me below (we’d be here all day if I shared them all!

All identities have been concealed:

Six out of almost 9K comments on threads.

My Thoughts

When I read this person’s statement on Threads, my immediate thoughts were:

• Is this person creating clickbait to increase engagement on their account? Because it’s working! Over nine thousand comments have been posted, and many people appear annoyed and passionate!

• “How do you deal with non-believers?” is a wild and ignorant question to me because what is there to deal with?

• You can walk in love and understanding by leaning into curiosity and genuinely inquiring about someone else’s beliefs without enforcing yours or finding a community with the same belief system.

• This person leaned into confusion instead of curiosity, causing digital chaos in the comments.

Spiritual Curiosity

Spiritual curiosity is exploring and understanding spiritual or existential questions and experiences. It involves seeking knowledge, experiences, and insights related to the meaning of life, the nature of existence, the concept of a higher power or divine presence, and the connection between oneself and the universe.

People with spiritual curiosity may explore religious or philosophical traditions, engage in practices like meditation or prayer, or seek conversations and readings that challenge or expand their understanding of spirituality. This curiosity often leads to personal growth, greater self-awareness, and a more profound sense of purpose or connection in life.

Spiritual Curiosity Deepened My Understanding

Deepen, Katie Innes, 2004

I was born to two teenage parents in a deeply religious family, surrounded by Christians, Evangelists, and ministers. From the age of five, I mimicked my elders, praying and speaking to God, as Christian beliefs and Bible scriptures were ingrained in me.

When a family member converted to Islam, the family's reaction was marked by combative curiosity. As a child, this saddened me, and I wondered why they couldn't accept his choice to follow a different belief system.

Growing up just 15 minutes outside downtown Chicago, I was immersed in a melting pot of cultures that fueled my curiosity. Surrounded by classmates from diverse backgrounds who shared their lunches and stories with me, my interest in different cultures and beliefs grew stronger.

This curiosity blossomed in college, where a world religion class ignited a deep passion for understanding diverse spiritual traditions. It led me to spend a night in a Buddhist temple in Japan, volunteer with a Christian organization in the Philippines, and walk alongside a monk in Thailand, witnessing the peaceful exchange of alms for blessings.

In my spare time, I read books on Hinduism, Buddhism, African spirituality, and more, fueling my innate curiosity and passion for exploration. This drive led me to create the YouTube channel World Religion History in 2023, which I plan to revisit and eventually integrate into my work in sound healing and meditation guidance.

I initially kept this interest private from extended family, as explaining my embrace of Omnism and mysticism seemed too exhausting. However, as I grew older and wiser, I became less concerned with others' opinions and more focused on what resonated with me. My spiritual curiosity evolved into a deeper quest for understanding, leading me to wisdom, profound spiritual experiences, and meaningful relationships worldwide.

Rather than forced beliefs, spiritual curiosity can lead to greater wisdom and foster a sense of unity.