Sadly, Mel, I've met people who have been discriminated against by Asatru organizations - that vehemently deny that they condone such behavior. One person had 1/4 Native American ancestry - and the other had Asian ancestry...both were rather tersely dismissed and told to seek out "more liberal" organizations. I didn't experience this - on the basis of my last name, my stated ancestry, and pictures freely gleaned from the internet. I wasn't even interviewed...with a maiden name like "Custer", you're given the fast track, apparently. The hypocrisy. For shame. I was kind of late in seeing this -I don't like playing social games, and (I hate to admit it), I was largely oblivious to it, until I became a victim...of sorts: I had always known that I never wanted children - I will grant, to parents, that it is a lovely experience, but one that I choose to live without. There seems to be a sentiment in Asatru that we must "breed the new generation" so that "Asatru is all they know", hence, symbolically removing the Christianity from our lineage. Yep - you may have guessed it - I was pressured to have children to "perpetuate the folk", despite being vocal about my decision. This, among other CRAZY things (arguments among members causing not one but TWO splits, accusations causing one troubled soldier to leave, an alleged sexual assault, alleged domestic violence, continued haranguing by the president for revenue! revenue! REVENUE!, etc.) I kindly stated my desire to leave, to pursue other spiritual interests, wrote a heartfelt letter to my friends, and resigned from the Board of Directors - and I find out that the president (head gothi) has declared me "an enemy of the kindred". Interesting...although, not surprising. There is quite a bit of that "If you're not with us, you're against us" mentality.(Although, I do have to say that the group that I'm with now - one of those "splinter" groups that broke off, is much more open-minded, and has a distinctly family atmosphere...and they respect me as an "Asatru-friendly" member. How refreshing!)
My friends find it funny that I use this gothi's image and words in my practice - to help develop/fine tune my sense of lovingkindness and compassion. IMHO, he deserves much compassion - he must be tired, being angry all the time. BTW, I also caught flak for one other thing...my disinterest in the runes. It was akin to HERESY...and it plagued me from day ONE. <sigh> I am thankful that I left when I did. I am so much more peaceful, less angry, and less stressed in Zen. And to think that I was distressed when I left - felt alone and adrift on an endless sea. Reminds me of the story of the farmer, Sai Weng: Who can say what's good or bad? :) ~Brightest Blessings! ~Audrey --- In [email protected], Mel <gunnar19632000@...> wrote: > > --- On Tue, 29/3/11, audreydc1983 <audreydc1983@...> wrote: > > Mel: > Glad to know that there's someone, somewhere that knows where I'm coming > from! :) > ---------------------------------------- > MEL: Hey there Audrey!(*smiles*) > -------------------------------------------- > I still have friends in Asatru, and still participate somewhat in the "shop > talk" about past events and whatnot. I go to gatherings every now and then - > everyone understands why I don't participate in the rituals; I just want to > see my friends. :) > ---------------------------------------------- > MEL: I wished that the above was the case with me as well. Unfortunately, my > experience has been that once an individual leaves the fold, he/she is then > an 'outlaw', so to speak...an outsider..a vargr/lone wolf, and not one to be > ever trusted again > > I struggled with Asatru in my last 1-2 years within it, and then just > disappeared without goodbyes. There was no point saying anything to anyone, > especially with my Asian background and all. The folkish camp would just turn > around and say... > > .."See that? We knew Mel was unreliable, and could not keep up the faith. Mel > was just not one of us, and never will be. We were absolutely right about him > from the beginning!"... > > Folkish families like the Wodenings were open-minded about me, but any > goodbyes would have just made it worse. I broke frith and faith. That's the > only thing that will concern all Asatru, and I imagine even the likes of > Diana Paxson and Jordsvin > > If memory serves me right, well-known Asatru figure Lewis Stead was headed > towards the Buddhist path as well, or so Arlie Stephens told me so a few > years ago...which was not taken too well within the community. Maybe he > changed his mind > > One big problem with Asatru is this honour thingy. They say that either one > has it, or not. So much emphasis on academics, exact wordings/translations, > promises, etc...and the arguments that fly back on forth does get anal at > times. No thanks, not for me > ------------------------------------------------------------- > I've emailed/chatted with many Asatruar around the globe (Australia, UK, > Europe, the U.S., Argentina, etc), and it seems that many who leave "the > fold" are drawn to eastern religions. It would be interesting to see the > motivation(s) behind this dynamic, as I didn't even know about it until I was > drawn to Zen. > ----------------------------------------------------------- > MEL: I also personally don't know why myself. What I have become aware of was > that many of the Odinic factions tend to lay claim to zazen practices. In one > rune-group I was with, they called zazen..a meditation on the rune ISA. I may > have interpreted this rune differently..which caused controversy with a > minority(just like I did with some Christians, when I interpreted the bible > for myself which did not conform with then church rulings and norms) > > Audrey if you're still interested, my postings on the runes(complete) and the > HAVAMAL(might not be complete) are still accessible in the public-accessible > messages of the RUNES-DIVINATION group within Yahoo. I just found out myself, > beginning from 16th May 2007, and onwards. For me personally, I've left for > good. It's just my past now > ------------------------------------------------------------ > Glad to meet you! > > ~Audrey > ---------------------------------------------- > MEL: And same to you..take care!(*smiles/peace*) > > Buddha be praised > Mel > ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
