Following Jesus and Christian Principles Without the Church
As someone who grew up Catholic and now studies spirituality in a broader, more esoteric sense, I am constantly finding similarities and correlations between various religions and spiritual practices. Many of us who were brought up Catholic and no longer resonate with the Church have gone through some form of deconstruction. There was definitely a time when I personally denounced Christianity as a whole, advocating instead for Eastern spiritual traditions like Hinduism and Buddhism. However, as I continue to progress on my spiritual path, I have come to recognize Jesus as a highly important spiritual teacher and ascended master. This personal realization is largely due to Marianne Williamson’s book A Return to Love, in which she reflects on A Course in Miracles and introduced me to an alternative perspective on Christian principles. More recently, I’ve discovered yet another perspective of the Christian faith with The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels. All of this is to say, we can respect and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ without subscribing to a religion.
The Energy of Lent, Pisces Season, and the Spring Equinox
It’s not a coincidence that various spiritual traditions recognize this time of year as a period of spiritual cleansing and rebirth. It makes sense as we transition from the dark, colder months into the warmer, lighter half. Animals come out of hibernation, rain showers start to water the soil for new foliage to grow, and we go through our own form of rebirth—physically, mentally, and spiritually. In astrology, Pisces season is a time of endings and spiritual cleansing. As the last sign of the zodiac, which rules emotions and surrender, it invites us to reflect on the past 12 months—the hardships we’ve endured, the growth we’ve experienced, and the lessons we’ve learned.
At the same time, some members of the Christian faith participate in a tradition known as Lent, which is a 40-day period of fasting meant to reflect the 40-day fast that Jesus endured in the desert while facing temptation from Satan. It begins on Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter (Sundays don’t count as fasting days, hence the “40-day” fasting practice). Easter is determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. This echoes other traditions that account for celestial and seasonal cycles.
There are many variations of how Lent is practiced across different denominations, but growing up in the Catholic Church, I believed that we were “giving up” something for the sole purpose of almost paying tribute to Jesus—“He sacrificed His life, so I should be able to sacrifice not having soda for 40 days” is how I used to see it. I was never taught that we were to use this as a time of spiritual discipline, deep reflection, looking within, and turning to God.
For many, the term “spiritual discipline” may evoke negative reactions, given the stereotypes and the disdain some people have for the rigid structure and sometimes controlling nature of the Church. However, from my perspective, I don’t see this as forceful obedience but instead as self-accountability for deepening our spiritual practice. This could involve praying five times a day and going to church multiple times a week, but for some, this can also look like meditating, journaling, practicing yoga, or simply being in nature. We all have different ways of connecting to God and our own spiritual power. I see this time as a beautiful opportunity to embark on a personal 40-day spiritual journey, however it looks for you.
As we start this 40-day challenge, we are quickly reminded that the thing we “gave up” that was making us happy or providing us with instant gratification is no longer there to fill a void.
That void becomes an invitation for self-inquiry and illuminates a part of us that needs attention and healing.
We may come to find that we have been using these things (food, substances, social media, etc.) as a way to numb and distract ourselves. This realization is a portal to deeper self-awareness and spiritual awakening. What emotions are we numbing? What are we distracting ourselves from?
So, what do we do with this information we’ve uncovered about ourselves? As we reflect on these revelations, we should remember to give ourselves grace, love, forgiveness, and acceptance. It’s important that we don’t judge or shame ourselves but instead turn to God, or whatever you call your higher power, to seek counsel and guidance.
This, of course, is the entire point of this season and fasting period. Through this process of awakening, accepting, and forgiving, we may also experience a period of grieving. After all, this is a journey of rebirth, which means something must die. Whether it’s unhealthy coping mechanisms, old patterns that are no longer serving you, or anything you are ready to let go of—this is the time to release it.
I believe there is a profound amount of energetic power generated by the hundreds of millions of people intentionally performing this ritual of surrender and meditation. Whether it’s through the Christian tradition of Lent, the astrological observation of the Sun transitioning from Pisces to Aries, or the simple acknowledgment and awareness of the shift in seasons, this act of collective intention is amplifying our rebirth and transformation on a mass scale.
You don’t have to be Christian to participate in the idea of Lent. This season is available to all of us as we navigate this journey of life. I personally will be fasting from unhealthy habits and distractions with the intention of looking within and surrendering to whatever comes up. It’s not meant to be an easy task, but as I’ve seen in my own experience, difficult seasons are always followed by blessings and growth. The lessons learned through these times not only bring us closer to God, but they also bring us back to who we are and who we are meant to become.
How will you embrace this season for your own transformation?
♡
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for sharing your energy and supporting my blog!
Leave a Reply