Atheism & Spirituality: Is there such a combination?

With a growing number of people becoming dissatisfied with organized religion, its no surprise that many former Christians are now atheists, pagans, or both. Many people believe that atheists have a belief in nothing outside of what can be seen or proven and that they only believe in the here and now. On the contrary, there are some atheists whom partake in some type of spiritual path, usually paganism. 

What is atheism?

Atheism is the absence of a belief in deity(ies). Most atheists believe that there is nothing outside of what our physical senses or advanced technology can detect. They often think in terms of logic and reason. Some praise the enlightenment period (the beginning of the Age of Aquarius) for helping to create a less superstitious society in the West.

However, there are some atheists that believe in magick or "forces beyond human knowledge". These atheists are usually pagans. They don't believe in any pagan deities but they believe that there's more to life than meets the eye such as energy. There are also atheists who believe in extraterrestrials or life beyond the earth. While there has been some soft evidence of the possibility of former life forms (usually bacterium) on certain planets that we've explored, hard evidence is still lacking.

My Thoughts

I'm not an atheist so I can't speak for them. I am actually a kabbalistic witch so I practice ancient Jewish and Pagan witchcraft and rituals. However, some of my very close friends are atheists or pagan atheists and I applaud those who have an open mind and don't judge.

The Power of Meditation and Prayer

Prayer is the act of speaking with your chosen deity. Meditation is a slightly more abstract practice that can lend its benefits to the mind and body. Both practices can be incredibly healthy because they help to relieve stress and anxiety.

Prayer


The key to praying effectively is to find a prayer that works well for you. Remember that prayers are personal and special. Here are some tips for praying effectively.

1. Thank God for all he has given you.
2. Express what concerns you have at the time.
3. Ask for help with taking care of those things.
4. Thank God again for all that he does.
5. Have faith that your prayers will be answered.

Prayer is not magic. Even magic takes time to have an effect. The key is patience and a good attitude. Positive affirmations can also help you deal with any difficulties that come your way.

Meditation

Meditation has a powerful effect on the mind and body. Meditation can be used to improve focus, relieve stress, and can even heal the body. Those who meditate are often physically and mentally sharper than those who don't. Practicing meditation for about ten to twenty minutes per day at the same time each day is ideal.

Atmosphere

The general atmosphere that surrounds you can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of your prayers and meditations. For this reason, it may be more beneficial to light candles, burn incense, play new age music, or set up an altar in a quiet place. Remember that each person has a certain energy about them. Because all of our vibes are different, our atmospheric and spiritual needs can differ as well.

Image credit goes to h.koppdelaney of Flickr.com