Research has shown that spirituality is increasingly popular with more people turning away from organized religions. Gay spirituality is also following this trend. The internet has a large and ever growing number of groups and websites dedicated to gay spirituality.
Nobody knows exactly why the growth in spirituality is happening but there are some theories. Some think that individuals are seeking a deeper connection with the world beyond what is material because they find the material world unsatisfying. They feel compelled to search for answers to the mysteries in the world which science has not been able to understand yet. Also many people are turning away from religions because of the problems in churches and the negative aspects of many faiths which preach fear.
For the gay community there are also problems with religion due to the condemnation of the homosexual lifestyle. The Christian denunciation of homosexuality has caused many problems for gay people. The legal and moral framework of many western societies was based on the Christian understanding of the world. This has led to a history of persecution at worst and at least difficulties in acceptance of the lifestyle. The result of this for gay individuals has been difficulty accepting their own nature. Some have suggested a similarity between coming out and spiritual searching as both require introspection and acceptance of the self.
Some people have suggested that gay spirituality is following on from the tradition of gay people entering the caring professions. There has always been a high proportion of the gay population choosing careers such as nursing, social work and ministry. This may be because the majority of homosexuals choose not to have a family and so have more time and freedom to care for others. Following a spiritual path is another manifestation of this phenomenon.
The trauma of AIDS and its effect on gay men may also play a role in the growth of gay spirituality. Many young men have seen their loved ones; friends and peers die a terrible death at a young age. Death and the fear of it has always been a motivating factor in religious and spiritual belief.
Clearly spirituality is a complicated subject and there are many reasons why people gay or straight choose to follow a spiritual path. There are many practices and ways of doing that. One of the most popular ways for gay people is through the practice of tantra. This perhaps stems from the fact that homosexuals do not practice sex for procreation but for pleasure and to show love. It is not a big step from this into the world of tantra which fosters greater intimacy between partners. It also teaches meditation and living in the moment, both important aspects of spiritual practice. There are many workshops for gay tantra but also for energy work, shamanism, meditation, healing, Reiki and drumming, for example.
The internet has lots of information from a wide variety of sources about gay spirituality and how it can be practiced. There are increasing numbers of spirituality groups who run workshops and retreats of different kinds. There are online communities with blogs and chat rooms so that you can explore your thoughts with other gay people even if you cannot find a group near you. There are also sites which produce literature by well know gay practitioners.
Spirituality of all kinds is growing and gay spirituality is no exception. There are lots of groups and types of practice available to join or even advice on ways to follow an individual path.
Howie Holben, the author, is the owner of Spirit Journeys, a gay vacations organization that focuses on spiritual travel. Howie has travelled the world learning from indigenous peoples. You can learn more about Howie, his work and gay tours with a spiritual concentration at Spirit Journeys website.
Comments are closed.