12 Principles of Creation Spirituality

12 Principles of Creation Spirituality

Many people ask me what my faith tradition is and I always answer that I am an ordained Interfaith Minister and that my spiritual practice is creativity. This can be a bit confusing, as I don't attend church regularly and I don't subscribe completely to any established faith tradition. I am deeply in awe of all the faith traditions in the world and they all speak to me on some level, and yet they all do NOT speak to me on another level.

But, when pushed, the closest thing to an established faith tradition that I can subscribe to is Matthew Fox's Creation Spirituality.  I won't go into the history of the how and the why of the creation of Creation Spirituality in this little blog post. What I will share with you are the 12 Principles of this movement. Explore these ideas in your own life and see if they resonate!

1. The Universe and all within it is fundamentally a blessing.
   Our relationship with the Universe fills us with awe.
   
   
2. In Creation, God is both immanent and transcendent. This is "panentheism" which is not theism (God is "out there") and not atheism (no God anywhere).
   We experience that the Divine is in all things and all things are in the Divine.
   
3. God is as much Mother as Father, as much Child as Parent, as much God in Mystery as the God in History, as much beyond all words and images as in all forms and beings.We are liberated from the need to cling to God in one form or one literal name.
4. In our lives, it is through the work of spiritual practice that we find our deep and true selves.
   Through the arts of meditation and silence, we cultivate a clarity of mind and move beyond fear into compassion and community.
   
5. Our inner work can be understood as a four-fold journey involving:
   
   • awe, delight, amazement (Via Positiva)
   • uncertainty, darkness, suffering, letting go (Via Negativa)
   • birthing, creativity, passion (Via Creativa)
   • justice, healing celebration (Via Transformativa)
   We weave through these paths like a spiral danced, not a ladder climbed.
   
6. Every one of us is a mystic.
   We can enter the mystical as much through beauty (Via Positiva) as through contemplation and suffering (Via Negativa). We are born full of wonder and can recover it at any age.
   
7. Every one of us is an artist.
   Whatever the expression of our creativity, it is our prayer and praise (Via Creativa).
   
8. Every one of us is a prophet.
   Our prophetic work is to interfere with all forms of injustice and that which interrupts authentic life (Via Transformativa).
   
9. Diversity is the nature of the Universe.
   We rejoice in and courageously honor the rich diversity within the Cosmos and what is expressed among individuals and across multiple cultures, religions, and ancestral traditions.
   
10. The basic work of God is compassion and we, who are all Original Blessings and sons and daughters of the Divine, are called to compassion.
    We acknowledge our shared interdependence. We rejoice at one another's joys and grieve at one another's sorrows and labor to heal the causes of those sorrows.
    
11. There are many wells of faith and knowledge drawing from one underground river of Divine wisdom. The practice of honoring, learning and celebrating the wisdom collected from these wells in Deep Ecumenism.
    We respect and embrace wisdom and oneness that arises from the diverse wells of all the sacred traditions of the world.
    
12. Ecological justice is essential for the sustainability of  life on Earth.Ecology is the local expression of cosmology and so we commit to live in the light of this value - to pass on the beauty and health of creation to future generations.
    

What Would Jesus Buy?

Finally got a chance to watch What Would Jesus Buy? The Church of Stop Shopping is definitely a sister to the Church of Craft.

Not just at Christmas time, but at all times of the year, it is a powerful choice to not buy, but to make instead. Craftaluja!

A Church of Her Own

I just received my copy of the wonderful new book A Church of Her Own: What Happens When a Woman Takes the Pulpit by Sarah Sentilles.

First, a disclaimer - I was interviewed for this book and a big part of my spiritual story are highlighted in the chapter entitled Minister (n.) vs. Minister (v.), along with The Most Esteemed Callie Janoff, who co-created the Church of Craft with me.

I've been reading the book and it's a wonderful read. Sarah's writing style is very accessible - almost like I'm getting to peek into her journal and read all her intimate thoughts about her own path of ministry and spiritual service.

The layout of the book is wonderful. We follow Sarah's journey as she feels the call to ministry and discovers a lot of difficult challenges along the way. We also get to read the stories of many other women who have also hit challenges on their ministry paths. Some of the stories brought tears to my eyes, as I recognized the frustrating circumstances that these powerful, visionary women ran into when they tried to own their own power in a male-dominated world.

I feel that the deeper message of the book is incredibly powerful. A quote from the introductory chapter explains it well:

The problems faced by women ministers cannot be dismissed as "women's" problems. They belong to all of us, whether you have a female minister in your church or not, whether you attend church or not, whether you think your congregation is sexist or not, even whether you are Christian or not. None of us - even those of us outside the church - is exempt from the reverberations of religious institutions' failings. Churches' treatment of women and women's reactions to this treatment are symptoms of a larger problem, indicative of the broader ways the church needs to change. What we do and say and believe in church is connected to what we do and say an believe in our everyday lives. Our theology is linked to the state of the world - to war and poverty and environmental destruction and reckless consumerism - and it is time that we held ourselves accountable.

I truly think these stories would resonate with other women who have run into inherent sexism on their paths as well. It's an inspiring read and it certainly has helped me feel less alone on my path. It would also be an excellent read for any man that wants to understand the myriad ways that sexism can manifest in our culture.

The interviews are with women from all different faith backgrounds, including some wild, Interfaith revolutionary spiritual leaders like Callie and myself! I have to say, I was reading the book in a cafe and I got so many looks! The cover is quite austere - with a circle of golden crosses surrounding one lone female symbol, but don't let that scare you off from reading this wonderful book.  It is most definitely for people of all spiritual paths who are interested in understanding more deeply the role that sexism plays in our society and how we can transform our culture to a more encompassing and equal experience.

P.S. There's another great review of this book on the wonderful blog Viva La Feminista!

The Birth of the Church of Craft

Boise, Idaho's Church of Craft logo

I felt the call to ministry relatively early in my life, although I didn't call it "ministry" until I was in my early 20's. It began in high school, when someone pointed out to me that I knew and was friends with almost every single clique in school. I could hold my own with the boys in Auto Shop (and yes, they were all boys), keep up smart and biting commentary with the Honor Students, and get crazy with the Drama Kids. I even had a special connection with some of the kids in Special Education. I think this was true, in part, because I was such a good listener. Being the child of two dreamworking,
counseling, ministering parents, I was raised in a home of deep listening and feeling—two key pieces to being a minister.

I also had a deep love of creating and making art. Again, just as I had never called myself a "minister," I also never called myself an "artist." It turns out that I was both! In college, everyone I ever lived with was an artist. I myself made collages and drawings regularly in my journals and notebooks. Yet because I was surrounded by artists who were being formally trained, and I was studying anthropology, I saw myself more as an outsider, watching and learning from my artist friends but not actually one myself.

After college, I moved to San Francisco and connected with a wild bunch of artists who loosely collected themselves in an Art Movement called "The Cubby". There was a rock show, a zine, and even a cable access television show. I began gathering and collaborating with this wonderful group of artists. We would have regular meetings at various people's houses, and make things together.

A cover I drew for the Cubby Missallete, a zine put out by The Cubby

In the meantime, I noticed that many of my friends who made things often created alone. When we created as a group, we had a wonderful time and connected deeply with each other. I started hosting monthly Craft Ons at various people's houses and before rock shows. At these same rock shows I was asked to introduce many of the bands performing. I soon developed this "preacher" character I called The Rev. Miss Myrtle Motivation. Whenever I took on her persona, I would preach to the jaded indie rock kids to create every day and “craft” their own lives.

In October 2000, I was visiting some good friends in New York and I shared my creative, ministerial experiences. They insisted I re-connect with an old friend from Santa Cruz, CA, Callie Janoff, who had ordained herself over the Internet (through the Universal Life Church) and was officiating weddings for many of her friends. When I met with Callie, I shared the experience of my "Craft On" gatherings, which she really resonated with.

On that day, the Church of Craft was born. It's been six years now and the Church has gone through many transformations. We are now an international organization, with churches in different parts of the country and the world.

Callie Janoff, Co-Founder of the Church of Craft

The Church of Craft San Francisco has met in cafes, art studios, public parks, bars, art galleries, bedrooms, and during rock shows. We currently have found a home at the most delightful Rock, Paper, Scissors Collective. It's a wonderful place in Oakland, CA that encourages everyone to make
things themselves. They have a cute store of handmade goods, sold on consignment, as well as a fantastic art gallery. We have finally found our home, after much wandering!

In the past, we have crafted as a group for others, including having knit-ins for peace during war protests, making scarves for the homeless, and making dolls for children in Oakland's Children Hospital. I enjoyed those projects immensely, but they took a lot of time, energy and money. Currently the Church is in a much more freestyle form. We meet once a month and everyone brings their own project to work on. We share food, craft supplies, inspiration and ideas with each other.

The act of making something is so powerful. When we make something, we are far less likely to throw it away when it no longer serves its purpose. Instead, we give it away or recycle it into something else. If we had a culture that made the majority of the things we needed, imagine how the
landfills would shrink and disappear!

There is also a deep sense of accomplishment when we make something ourselves. When we take the time to learn a craft, do and undo until we get it right and finally finish it, it is an amazing feeling!

Our first Church of Craft baby is about to be born (in March 2007). We truly are a church community that supports and cares for each other. It feels wonderful!

Iris Pearl Fisher-Kirwan, the first Church of Craft baby born!

The Church of Craft San Francisco's denomination is quite diverse, with a range of age, gender and ethnicity. Every now and then I sit back and am in awe of this amazing group of people. It really hits home for me, the power of combing faith and action, which Jim Wallis speaks about in his book, Faith Works: Lessons from the Life of an Activist Preacher. Wallis says:

When put into action, faith has the capacity to bring people together, to motivate, and to inspire, even across former dividing lines. We demonstrate our faith by putting it into practice. Conversely, if we don't keep the power of faith in the actions we undertake, our efforts can easily lead to burnout, bitterness, and despair. The call to action can preserve the authenticity of faith, while the power of faith can save the integrity of our actions. As the biblical apostle James put it, 'Faith without works is dead.

Callie and I had a vision and we had something we believed in. Our faith was that we knew making art could be a spiritual practice and could create community when done together. We acted on this faith, and the Church of Craft was born.

Through this journey with the formation, growth and transformation of The Church of Craft, I more deeply understand that spirit can be found anywhere and with anybody. I am honored to provide a place for those who want to gather and make to come together and find fellowship and community through the act of creation.

I hope my story will inspire you to create something out of your faith and belief. What is lacking in your life and in the world? What can you create to fill that void?

REFERENCES

Born to Serve: The Evolution of the Soul Through Service by Susan S. Trout, Ph.D. with a forward by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Three Roses Press, 1997.

The Impossible will Take a Little While: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear edited by Paul Rogat Loeb. Basic Books, 2004.

Faith Works: Lessons from the Life of an Activist Preacher by Jim Wallis. Pagemill, 2002.

Embodying the Diety

 

Boise, Idaho Church of Craft logo

By the time I was ordained at ChI, I was very clear about my ministry and what I have to offer my fellow human beings on this earth. I know for myself, and others, that creating/making, can be a spiritual practice. It certainly is for me. That is why I co-created the Church of Craft, in which congregants meet once a month to create together in community. It started in October 2000; now there are churches all over the world.

Along with the Church of Craft, I have my own spiritual practice of art-making which is closely connected to my dream life. I’d love to share one of those experiences with you.

In 2002, I had been doing a lot of work with my female power and understanding the creative and destructive force of passion and anger. On the night of Imbolc (a holiday from the oldest times about turning obstacles into openings) I had a dream that I titled “Craft Kali.”

I am sitting in a waiting room with a bunch of other people, waiting to be born. There are lots of good magazines to read and wonderful music playing on the speakers. All of a sudden, the Hindu Goddess Kali’s voice reverberates through my head as she tells all of us that it is time to be born. We all get up and form a line at a curtained entrance. When it is my turn, I go through the curtain and slide down a long, curving slide. The walls are lined with burgundy felt. As I slide down Kali’s birth canal, I think how crafty she is to use felt on the walls of her womb! It feels good against my hands as I slide down, and I’m not so worried about what will meet me on the other side. I am born on my parent’s street, the street I grew up on in waking life. On the corner is a large Victorian house that I often dream about. There are no doors but many windows, and I peer inside at all the beautiful art nouveau furniture and wonder how I can get inside. Kali’s voice booms through my head again, telling me that this is my ministry and I need to get to work. I am nervous and worried about this prospect, yet I also feel elated and excited.

 

The Hindu Deity Kali-Ma

On awakening, I really felt the need to connect with the deity Kali, which at the time I knew very little about, and understand a bit more about why she might be appearing in my dreams.

Whenever I begin the process of making art with my dreams or with spirit, I start with the most accessible feeling. In this situation, it was the feeling of the felt (and there certainly is a play on words there, isn’t there?) as I was being born. I went to the fabric store and bought an array of red and burgundy felt—the store was having a sale on felt and I brought home bags of it for less than $10.

Once I got home, I spread the felt out on my craft table and there it sat for about a month. Every time I sat at my table, I would stroke the felt and remember the dream, but nothing more came to me. At the time, I was taking a class called Art & Symbolic Process with Charles Miedzinski (R.I.P.) at John F. Kennedy University. The symbol I was working with was “the vessel.” Some of the burgundy felt became a vaginally-shaped vessel covered in photos of myself as I grew from a girl to a woman. This project brought up a lot a lot for me around my body as vessel, and what I chose to put in it, and what was put into it against my will.

Through this transformative process, I had another dream. This dream was very direct: I woke up hearing Kali’s voice in my head again, asking me to let her enter my body. Needless to say, this scared me a bit, as she is typically depicted with a string of severed heads around her neck! She is the creator, but she is also the destroyer, and that aspect of my femaleness frightened me.

Full Body Cast Sculpture of Myself as Kali

Fortunately, I had some wonderful spiritual artist friends who immediately suggested that I do a full-body, plaster cast of myself as Kali. They helped me, and it became a very intense, all-day ritual as we cast my entire body—including two versions of my arms and legs holding different positions and mudras. While making the cast, we burned incense and played bhajans to Kali. It was powerful! We were three powerful women, making art and collaborating with this powerful deity energy for 8
hours straight. We were all shaking with the energy by the end of the day.

I felt as if I was “dancing in the flames.” As discussed in Marion Woodman & Elinor Dickson’s wonderful book Dancing in the Flames: The Dark Goddess in the Transformation of Consciousness: “Feminine consciousness is the transformative energy that can contain the energies of matter and,
through the fire of love, connect them to the energies of the soul.” I was allowing my own fiery passion to dance through my body, letting it purify, destroy and create inside of me.

I ended up showing this body cast in several shows around the Bay Area. At each opening, I was asked, “Aren’t you embarrassed to have your naked body on display?” But when I looked at this amazing work of art, all I saw was the fierce, feminine power of Kali-Ma being embodied in
my own flesh, and that felt extremely powerful and wonderful! In fact, it was quite a transformation for me to show my body in this way, since I have struggled with body issues from the time I was about 8 years old.

Seeing Kali-Ma in my body form helped me to see my own body as a holy vessel. Since that experience, my body image has greatly improved. I am not so hard myself when I look in the mirror. I learned how to love myself in a new way. Through that transformation, I opened myself up to love and intimacy, and ended up meeting the most wonderful man in the world, and marrying him! Before creating this piece, I wasn’t capable of opening myself to the kind of intense, deep love that a true marriage has to be.

I continue to do artwork like this, working intimately with my spiritual practice and the spirits and deities that guide me. I look forward to sharing more experiences and ideas with you in future columns!

REFERENCES

Dancing in the Flames: The Dark Goddess in the Transformation of Consciousness by Marion Woodman.
Singing to the Goddess: Poems to Kali & Uma from Bengal, by Rachel Fell McDermott.

The Dreaming Way: Dreamwork and Art for Remembering and Recovery, by Patricia Reis & Susan Snow.