Pagan Portals - Spirituality Without Structure: The Power of Finding Your Own Path

by Nimue Brown

Many people crave a spiritual life without wanting to belong to rigid religions with the almost unavoidable power structures and politics that involves. This book explores how to construct your own spiritual path, considering the implications of seeking a spiritual life without wanting organised religion to dominate it. As such it has applications for Pagans, atheists, agnostics, heretics from any mainstream faith, and seekers of all kinds.

Genres: Spirituality, Paganism, Nonfiction, Self Help, Philosophy, Magic, Wicca

91 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2013

About the author

Author of fiction and non-fiction works.

Born in Gloucestershire, Nimue writes Pagan non-fiction, speculative fiction and poetry.

Green, queer, woke lefty Druid, passionate about life, creativity and building a better world.

Reviews

[Sheena Cundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nimue Brown has stuck her head above the Pagan pulpit with courage on a subject which can baffle and disorientate many seekers of a spiritual path which does not reek of control and formality.
She clarifies this ‘own path’ practice from the word go and continues to confidently explain to the reader throughout the book, about the inevitable questions that arise out of it… This is done with the skill of one who has learned by experience and understanding that the path we walk is one of our own choice and that ultimately we create it for ourselves, as a reflection and expression of the soul.
Why Paganism isn’t really a religion is thoroughly explained in the first chapter, with further unravelling leading to an insight into formalised religion and its limitations. Again, the author demonstrates a sound knowledge of a well - researched subject and the wisdom earned through experiencing it. She goes on to explore spirituality as an emotional experience, building a personal philosophy, community without dogma and the chapter on ethics; I found extremely helpful on many levels. In fact, I learned much from the book as a whole and am all the wiser for it.
Dissecting spirituality is no easy feat in words. It requires a higher perspective as its very nature demands it. To boldly proclaim ~ I believe the desire for power is driven by fear and that it is inherently destructive ~ is to move towards reclaiming that power both personally and collectively.
But this writer does it. She does it with grounded reasoning, a self-enquiring honesty that endears and a level of spiritual awareness which will inform and inspire all who delve into this invaluable work.
Very well done to Nimue Brown. A fascinating read for the free spirit.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book addresses a tough subject: once you realize how, in the face of the same Universal Truth which they all teach, any religion is just as 'true' as the others (including non-religions!) but none of the ones available today quite fit you - yet you still feel that natural human 'urge' for spirituality - what do you do?

How do you create your own 'spiritual practice' without feeling silly/foolish? If none of the paths available today 'work for you' then clearly you don't believe in all of what they teach - so 'praying to a god' for example, doesn't work for you - 'meditating' neither... You're attracted to Witchcraft but don't believe in 'magic'... or Atheism feels almost right, but just not quite - what do you do?

In many ways the author resets our understanding of what Spirituality should be or could be - not what other people say it is. She's rebellious (which is a trait inherent to anyone striking-off on their own) so knows what she's talking about. You can feel she's already walked her own path and has the cuts and bruises to show for it - and she's kind enough to come back and share a few bits of advice and wisdom she learned along the way.

But there is a hidden (not-so-hidden, since she admits to it in the introduction) agenda: she's a believer in 'finding your own path' so her agenda is also to congratulate and encourage you to do the same - so it's not just a guide for those who've already decided to go the un-structured way, but also a bit of a manifesto and rallying cry to the Pagans ("Pagan" serving as a collective label for anyone whose 'religion' doesn't fit anywhere else).

If you want to resist the call of Paganism, by all means go ahead, but read the book anyway - it'll do you some good to see "The Others" and how they do it.

[Tommy /|\ · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an individual that walks my own Path, this book is simply excellent! Nimue explores the ideas and concepts related to stepping away from the established Spiritual Paths and blazing your own trail through the Spiritual wilderness. If you have ever had thoughts of exploring your Spirituality without having a structure that is laid out by someone else - this is definitely a great starting place! I am proud to have this in my library, where I can pull it back out in the future when I need to reconnect with my own reasoning for following my own Path. :)

[Shelby Rollenhagen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating read. Brown gives readers a lot to think on when it comes to spirituality.

[Pxan]

Really good short about the problems that derive from organised religion and power structure. And how you can build and follow your path and philosophy without repeating the same mistakes.

And it is also a big cry for freedom of belief independent from any group or state.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently left Christianity after over a decade of dedication to a variety of theological systems and churches. This book spoke to the depths of my heart and blew my mind, one I will return to many times.

[Jacquie Chelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiritual without demands

Lovely read ,thought provoking,an aid to your own decisions on how you want your path to go, I really enjoyed this book and will dip into it again and again!

[Suzanne Ruthven · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of people in today’s society consider themselves to be spiritual beings without any allegiance to any particular religion or belief. In fact, a highly spiritual person may often have no strong religious conviction, while a staunch ‘worshipper’ can be devoid of any spirituality; and as many people have found, religion can be taught but spirituality must be discovered and developed within one’s self. As ‘Spirituality Without Structure’ reveals, spirituality is how we ‘feel’ about the meaning or mysteries of life; how we reconcile life’s highs and lows; where we feel the soul comes from, how it grows, and where it goes after death. It addresses the quest for the ‘hidden’ meaning of life and need not manifest itself in a religious manner – after all, secular spirituality spawned philosophy. Although the author approaches the subject form a ‘pagan’ standpoint, this is a book that will appeal to all those who need a little bit of spiritual guidance without structure.
Suzanne Ruthven: co-author of Exploring Spirituality