In a previous post – I had made the notation that I wasn’t going to do a Pagan values post.  I don’t grok the entire comparison that inevitably arises from such discussions.  However, John Beckett gently pointed out that there is some good points that can come from it as well.  I had some misgivings even after that point — but in the spirit of synchronicity, the entire point of values has continually come up.  Most interestingly, it came up in the class that I have been teaching on the weekend.  A discussion of values kicked up, which stayed respectful throughout.  However, it strayed over to the idea of reincarnation…a subject I believe in, but regularly do not discuss.  My opinion on the topic was asked for, and I provided it.

Most people – both Christian and Pagan, tend to have some sort of focus on an after-life.  For Christians, the focus tends to be on the “reward” that is accorded to them after moving beyond the veil.  And for Pagans, its typically expressed as the ability to “get things right the next time around.”  Now, both of those particular perspectives are extremely simplistic generalizations and will not be accurate or workable when applied to some folks.  After all, belief is not a one-size-fits-all perspective.  Now, me, I’m a believer in reincarnation.  I do believe that I have been here, somewhere, in some form.  But none of that concerns me.  Nor does what I will eventually be headed towards.  That’s right.  I believe in the theory, but am not worried about where I’ve been or where I will eventually be headed.  See, I view death as a step on to another part of the journey.  The next “adventure” – if you will pardon the cliche.  But while its an experience I’m expecting – I don’t want to sacrifice the experiences that I have in this particular part of my journey by focusing on what will eventually come.  At 45 years of age, I still have plenty of Life to experience – and honestly I don’t relish the idea of missing any part of it.

This seemed a little astonishing to the Christian that was involved in the conversation.  He expressed that my perspective was “interesting” — that I was in belief of an after-life, but was not worried about when it would come or what was beyond in that next step.  I understand his perspective and astonishment, though.  His belief system teaches a different way of viewing that next step on the journey.  His belief system teaches a different perspective on how to view the after-life in the form of absolutes.  I disagree with that — but as I expressed to him, not everyone is going to see things the same as I do.  Which brings me back to the initial point — discussing values…

While I am reluctant and reticent to bring up a discussion of this sort — as John pointed out, there is some good that can come out of this type of discussion.  Certainly, the “bad” parts that I’ve mentioned are likely to occur — but isn’t that also a part of the journey we call Life?  Some of the experiences we come across can be “good” or “bad” in feeling and perspective.  And certainly there are times when undertaking a certain direction may seem like a “bad” thing — that doesn’t mean that one should toss the entire perspective or direction out the door.  And this is true for my perspective on discussing values — I see the bad points in what can/could/might occur in undertaking this particular topic.  But in not undertaking it – by writing it off in the manner that I had – I lose on that concept of experience that makes up my entire core of belief.  And in the end that’s just not acceptable for me in the long run.

So, does this mean I will discuss my own Pagan values here on the blog, and in the podcast?  Yes.  And yes.  I’ll probably tread a little lightly in various locations.  I’ll likely put a lot of notations on what I hold up as being my own core values and not that of anyone else.  But I’ll still be participating.