Spiritual choices

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As we struggle to articulate optimal spiritual pathways, efficacious journeys, we might consider the following distinctions:

1) SPIRITUAL ESSENTIALS: touch all the bases, in order - those dynamics in formative spirituality that have trajectories, directionalities, due to growth & developmental dynamics, for example, belonging (orthocommunio) generally precedes desiring (orthopathy) which precedes behaving (orthopraxy), which precedes believing (orthodoxy) or the purgative, illuminative & unitive ways or the growth trajectories of Piaget, Kohlberg, Fowler et al or false self & self & ego alignments and such

2) SPIRITUAL SPIRALS: touch all the bases, in no particular order - those dynamics in hermeneutical spirals, wherein we can begin wherever we're inclined but must still complete the spiral for optimal value-realization, for example, the Wesleyan quadrilateral, the Anglican three-legged stool, leading with the will or with reason following Scotus or Aquinas, etc

3) SPIRITUAL ACCIDENTALS: choose a base, a position, as suited to your pre-dis-position those nurture-nature dynamics associated with personality typologies & charisms, for example, mbti & enneagram preferences, I Corinthians 12

I bring these up because I think it is important to distinguish when it is that a certain approach has general normative implications or a one-size-fits-all characteristic and when there might otherwise be more or less latitude or freedom, recognizing differences that should be acknowledged and honored regarding people's choices.

The practical upshots are that we cannot legitimately invoke ourselves as exceptions to the rule when formative dynamics are governed pretty much by generally applicable norms; sometimes, there just are no shortcuts or workarounds and we have to do the spadework, ascetically and developmentally. However, sometimes, we might rightly resist others' attempts to define our path, to straightjacket our spiritual approach, to make us over in their image.

I do see such confusion and its impacts on relationships, both from those who imagine there are exceptions when there are not and from those who do not see genuine preferences where true options exist.

In essentials, unity; accidentals, diversity; all things, charity.


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