Spirituality and Orientation/Gender

[Nat]

For me:

Reincarnation -

I've thought before perhaps I was a guy in my last life, or if maybe a couple reincarnated into me.

Jungian stuff -

I have wondered a bit if my experience with my gender is due to some anima/animus stuff from Jungian theory.

From Wikipedia

The anima and animus are described by Jung as elements of his theory of the collective unconscious, a domain of the unconscious that transcends the personal psyche. In the unconscious of the male, it finds expression as a feminine inner personality: anima; equivalently, in the unconscious of the female, it is expressed as a masculine inner personality: animus.

If the anima/animus does exist, I don't know how it works in the queer world. It's a bit frustrating to read him (for me) because his ideas about male and female, masculinity and femininity are outdated and I don't agree with them, but I'm still intrigued by the idea of an internal archetype of this sort. Is that what I'm sensing when I talk about the guy inside of me? Is he just my animus?

Other stuff -

Since I began a Goddess-centered (Pagan) spiritual path, I have found a lot more peace. This world can be a harsh one, and it helps me balance out, as does meditation.

Also, I just have the feeling that I was dealt the card of this life, and it's something I should embrace as fully as possible and do the most with it I can. That may not sound necessarily spiritual, but it's from a spiritual place.

[Passionaria]

If the anima/animus does exist, I don't know how it works in the queer world. It's a bit frustrating to read him (for me) because his ideas about male and female, masculinity and femininity are outdated and I don't agree with them, but I'm still intrigued by the idea of an internal archetype of this sort. Is that what I'm sensing when I talk about the guy inside of me? Is he just my animus?

I am essentially a Taoist. I find Jung's theories on Anima / Animus delightfully reflective of what we call Yin Yang theory. The famous Taoist text, the Tao te Ching states :

The Tao gives birth to One.
One gives birth to Two.
Two gives birth to Three.
Three gives birth to all things.

One giving birth to the two, represents spirit moving from essence into the limitless manifestations of physical reality.The physical world of two, or duality, being a dance between polar opposites, or Yin and Yang. The forces of Yin and Yang are not static, nor do they exists separate from one another, and each holds within it the essence of the other. A multidimensional interweaving of opposites, within and without. Pushing, pulling dancing, changing, giving birth to limitless possibilities of physical manifestation. This is represented in the Yin Yang Symbol.

Black represents Yin or the feminine aspects of the universe, white represents male or Yang aspects of the universe. The dot in each represents yin within yang, and yang within yin. The shape rather than a straight line, represents the fluid movement of the dance between them. Through this dance nothing is impossible, but a matter of the right balance of opposites in space and time. This dance between good and evil, male and female, dark and light, action / inaction, hot and cold, etc. essentially exists without guilt, blame or judgment. It is the human mind that adds that layer. It is just "the dance".

So yes, when it comes to my identity as a Femme, I do relate to the theories of Anima. The yin nature of the universe. The divine Feminine is what calls to me, the essence of my expressions. Layered upon that is my need to share body, and my soul with another woman, one who reflects a strong yang within yin.

The Mysterious Female

The Valley Spirit never dies
It is named the Mysterious Female.
And the doorway of the Mysterious Female
Is the base from which Heaven and Earth sprang.
It is there within us all the while;
Draw upon it as you will, it never runs dry ~Tao te Ching


Pashi

[Lynn]

I love your questions.



Over the past ten years or more, I have developed some definite ideas about myself, as a spiritual being. Coming out in this time period has been a part of the process of connecting to myself more honestly, and of clarifying who I am in relation to the universe. I believe that humans are spiritual beings who are bigger than and more than their bodies. Even so, coming out has been as much a sexual heightening as it has been spiritual. I can't help connecting the two when I am feeling so much more centered and alive. It feels like I am more expanded and aware now, which makes me feel like my identity and sexual preferences are more incidental--they are signposts of a greater type of development, beyond the body, but a part of it. Life is so much brighter now, and sex is so amazing, I seriously am often moved to prayer. I'm thankful that the dots finally connect.

[Nat]

I loved reading both of your posts, Pashi and Lynn. Both are so insightful and beautifully written. Thank you so much for posting them.

[Enigma]

~Twin Souls - When Love Incarnates~

[Kätzchen]

Originally Posted by Enigma

~Twin Souls - When Love Incarnates~

This is beautiful, thanks for posting it!
PS/ welcome to the planet!

[AtLast]

Everything about me has a spiritual center...

This certainly a far cry from my early days of actually wanting to enter a formal theological ministry with a Christian base. In fact, these two stages of my life have no commonality any longer.

[Venus007]

I am posting here in passing, (I am at lunch) but I will be back with something more thought out. Subscribing

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by Nat

For me:

Reincarnation -

I've thought before perhaps I was a guy in my last life, or if maybe a couple reincarnated into me.

Jungian stuff -

I have wondered a bit if my experience with my gender is due to some anima/animus stuff from Jungian theory.

From Wikipedia



If the anima/animus does exist, I don't know how it works in the queer world. It's a bit frustrating to read him (for me) because his ideas about male and female, masculinity and femininity are outdated and I don't agree with them, but I'm still intrigued by the idea of an internal archetype of this sort. Is that what I'm sensing when I talk about the guy inside of me? Is he just my animus?

I think it works about the same in any world, Anima/animus but I think the difference is reincarnation and how you manifest in the here and now. Your journey will present the aspects it needs to fuel your spirit for your destiny.

My spirituality is most definitely linked to my femininity and Goddess attitude.

[SuperFemme]

Complicated. I think that being raised a good Catholic girl made for a torturous road to my relationship with self and the gender of Femme.

I'm not even sure it is completely accurate to say that Femme is my gender, but it is not encompassing enough to simply state that my gender is female. If that makes sense.

All through grade school and high school I felt myself to be the antithesis of what I was being told I was supposed to be. That led to a lot of years of self loathing, self deprecation and general confusion.

My gender was not Mary Magdalene or Joan of Arc, but rather a mixture of masculine and feminine components that seemed to be at odds with each other if I listened to Sister Mary Anne.

In a way I am grateful because I feel that my sexuality and my gender intertwined with my inquisitive nature and sent me on a spiritual quest.

In the end the gift of spirituality was all encompassing and has led me to self love and inner peace.

I have NO idea if anything I just said makes any sense to anyone else....