The summer following the passing of John Paul II, a World Youth Day took place in Cologne, Germany, at which he had been scheduled to appear. Instead, it morphed into a "Meet the New Pontiff" event for Benedict the 16th. This gave the new pope the opportunity to set the tone for his era--and set it he did, railing against what is clearly the scourge of our time: do it yourself religion. Of course, DIY can have a positive connotation, evoking that can-do spirit that keeps the world turning. But the pope didn't mean it that way. He meant it in a Homer Simpson in his basement, splicing wires together with a hot glue gun sort of a way. Don't try this at home, the pope seemed to be saying. Better leave it to the professionals.
Now, I wouldn't dream of going near the electrical panel, for fear of blacking out the neighborhood; and the closest I get to plumbing is when I switch the shower head from spray to pulse. But I am perfectly capable of handling my own spiritual life, thank you very much. Still, the fact that hierarchical faith organizations have flourished for all these millennia does point to a desire for spiritual guidance. This has led me to wonder: where is the dividing line between seeking assistance and ceding your own authority? As with most matters philosophical, I think there's a range of answers that can coexist. But some factors seem to ring true for all along the spectrum:
1. Beware the guru--Does this sound too obvious? Perhaps, if the word guru brings to mind Jim Jones or the Bhagwan. But there are subtler personalities out there who can nevertheless infringe on our spiritual freedom. Anyone who wants your money is suspect, of course, or who would alienate you from your friends and family. I would add to this list anyone who is too much at the center of their social group, a 'giant personality' with outsized influence. Worst of all, though, is the intellectual bully. Having your beliefs or ideas belittled is spiritual poison. Even if you think the belittler might have a point, consider their motivation (as you head for the door).
2. Eschew the group--This is a tricky one, because if we're interested in something, we want to get together with other people and talk about it. That's great, one on one, or with a small circle of friends. Beyond that, it can be difficult to hold your own. Even if a group does not have an official leader, group dynamics necessitate compromise; what you don't want is to have to compromise your soul. So does that mean you must be completely alone with your beliefs? Not at all. If you want to share, find one or two other like-minded individuals, and start a dialogue. Then, if you still hunger for a larger community, join a group that has spiritual value for you--a yoga class, a book club, a wilderness trek--without compromising your freedom of belief.
3. Embrace diversity--A healthy soul depends on a balanced diet of information and opinion. Christianity may be in my past, but this doesn't mean I've discarded every bit of ethical or philosophical wisdom I gathered from the church; it's just become part of my store of experience, one that I hope will continue to grow. The greater variety of input you can get, secular and religious, left and right, sublime and ridiculous, the more confident you will be in your own beliefs as they evolve. Or, as I once heard a P.E. teacher tell her students: you'll always be healthy if you eat the rainbow.
