Dedicating Your Life to Odinism

[The Mersey's Watcher]

I was wondering how people here dedicate their lives to the Gods in a way that helps them grow spiritually.

I consider myself a Heathen, but I don't do enough to fully consider myself an odinist. Odinism, in my opinion, is a very difficult faith for someone to get involved in, especially when one has been raised in the Christian faith. In the Christian faith all you have to do is go to church, get on your knees and pray, and bang, your a Christian. It's not so simple in Odinism.

What do you do that makes you feel connected to the Gods ?, I need to know because as of yet my attempts have been unsuccessful. I remember when I was younger and I would pray to Jesus and God. Back then I used to feel like a spiritual person, and I felt like I was connecting to something, however as I got older I obviously drifted far away from Christianity. Now however I have a spiritual vacuum that I'm trying to fill with my ancestral faith but I don't know how. All attempts have fell apart or have been blocked by my own pessimism.

Any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

[Liffrea]

I dont differentiate between Heathenism and Odinism.

I suppose it depends on what you expect? For me I practise my blots, meditate or try, and read the Eddas, but I can say that I have only ever felt "something" twice. The gods are not omnipresent, at least I dont think they are, so I would be surprised if I did feel a connection all the time. To be frank the idea of the gods taking an interest in everything I do scares the stool out of me!

[Thomas]

Well, I have been wondering the same lately to be honest, although, I haven't done that much yet. Maybe you could take a look at these links:

http://www.odinist.com/othala/showthread.php?t=936

...and

http://www.odinist.com/othala/showthread.php?t=985

Good luck. I'll post some more tommorow, I'm tired at the moment.

Thomas

[The Mersey's Watcher]

Thanks for the replies. Recently I've been overburdened with college work and social issues that I've had to completely neglect the religous side of life, which is starting to add its own burden. I've decided to free up some time for myself which I'm going to dedicate to studying the sagas, Eddas and other written texts. Hopefully I'll be able to achieve what some people on this board seem to have acheived, absolute faith.

[aud_friggsdottir]

Thanks for the replies. Recently I've been overburdened with college work and social issues that I've had to completely neglect the religous side of life, which is starting to add its own burden. I've decided to free up some time for myself which I'm going to dedicate to studying the sagas, Eddas and other written texts. Hopefully I'll be able to achieve what some people on this board seem to have acheived, absolute faith.

Hail!

I understand this sentiment...but to better handle the stress of modern life one HAS TO take time to slow the mind and listen, expand, what have you, to the spiritual.

As to commiting to Odinism...well...I am one that believes it is a Folkway, every waking moment is living Odinism. Although I would highly suggest reading literature that is unique to our Folk and other books that better explain our Ways (there have been several threads that have recommended reading). But whenever you feel comfortable yourself with the term Odinism will do. Some folks do rituals, some just decide it...our family just decided to never acknowledge christianity again and that started our path home which really is an endless journey of learning.

FFF
Kathy

[Teufelhunden]

To expand on what AFD said,
I also think that in times of great stress that it is sometimes the BEST time to pay attention for signs and guides, you just have to listen and watch for them even when i can be very hard. Stress and fatigue brings out things in you that you never knew were there and opportunites to take advantage of the diversity {starting to sound like a Marine Corps recruiting poster lol}but it is true. You should take advantage of both calm and upheaval and you will in time see it as an advantage to you. It will come brother :)
Remember that especially in the path of Odin you are givien many obstacles and trials, but also rewards, but wee seem to thrive in the trials and even look for more to overcome. Odinist path is not easy nor will it be, but you grow everyday.
Teufelhunden

[Skallagrim]

Haels brother,

Well, I see you are in college and in England, add me on MSN and we could get talking. As I am in year eleven, we might be able to relate a bit more :)

Anyway, what I do to connect with the gods, is go out to a field or a place of nature that you respect and revere. Once there dont think about it at all but just come out with praise for the gods, off the top of your head. This, well at least for me, sends tingles up my spine etc. as somehow I just know they are true.

Hope that doesnt sound to cliche but that is my experience. Add me on msn mate H__F__A@hotmail.com.

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Strength and Honour

[pinlighter]

. Hopefully I'll be able to achieve what some people on this board seem to have acheived, absolute faith.


Faith??? Hmmmmmmmmmmm . . .


Doubt is good. You should question every thing. I mean not out of contariety, but out of desire to find truth.

[Sigurd]

If I remember I've only felt real closeness seldomly.

1)The day when I was 14 and lying on my back on a hill, and felt something that I didn't know what - June 2003 CE
2)The evening before I had this dream with all my ancestors on one ship - September 2005 CE
3)The evening, that is too extensive to describe here, but you can find it in my lenghty post in the "Connecting with the Gods" thread. - October 2005 CE

The last one was the strongest, followed by the first one. There've been times when I would feel a somewhat presence, but that would only be for a few seconds. And I've realised that the feelings of present divinity have become more frequent of late, which may be that I have gotten more "into it" than before, if you understand what I mean.

So, the spiritual void may eventually be filled. I guess it is stronger in some people than in others.

[Loki's Advocate]

Doubt is good. You should question every thing. I mean not out of contariety, but out of desire to find truth.

That's exactly right. You're not weak when you feel doubt; that's your mind's way of telling you that something is not right. Even if you're too wilful to listen to it, or even if the conclusion is one that you would rather not arrive at!

[Fahneneid]

I know for myself Rune meditation Helps me to feel closer to the Gods and Goddesses I use the runes as medicine often and when evr I do I feel very close to Gods and Goddesses.Also This may sound kind of tripped out but hey it works for me, if I whisper One of the goddesses names softly before I Fall asleep at night I will Often dream of them. And I Try to Pay Close attention to my dreams. Because if I dont Make effort to remember them I wont. But every dream Ive had od any Goddess Has Been A very comforting Almost nurturing Dream, Hope Im making sense.