I just read every comment here and I really respect this healthy and open discussion between Christians of different denominations π₯² it's so beautiful.
I was raised methodist and it was a very humble and sober experience. I'm grateful for the foundation it gave me and it has absolutely, positively shaped my faith, but I was always a bit jealous of the catholic rituals π€£ I remember getting a giddy mystical feeling from all the incense, exotic language and illustrious-ness.
About 5 years ago I spent 3 months on board the ship Africa Mercy, an American christian charity which provide free surgeries and health care to African nations. The work the ship does is amazing but I found the American style of worship totally overwhelming with people speaking in tongues and hollering "HANDS IN THE AIR FOR JESUS!" and the like... It was a real culture shock! I have to admit it felt uncomfortable for me! π€·π»ββοΈ
A few years back I made friends with a guy right around the time he was converting to Orthodoxy. He's now the caretaker of the local orthodox church and he offered to give me a tour and explain a bit about the church. I got that same giddy feeling as when I was visiting Catholic Mass as a kid. All the gold, the incense, the iconography. It was a lot for the senses, due to my sober roots it's all still alot for me to take in π I respect it though and I see the appeal. This "mystical" feeling is not unique to my Catholic and Orthodox experiences however. It is a feeling I often achieve through consistent prayer and meditation, and when stood atop a mountain, or under a clear vast starry night sky. It's a feeling I associate with deep awe of God.
I have become quite ascetic/mystic (in the traditional sense, not new age) in my practice because I have struggled to find a community I truely click with, too many zealots and too many hipocrites, not enough moderates aiming for the middle path. I recognise my own deep flaws in faith too... and that is an issue for others. I don't wish to create any image of myself on a high horse, repentance is a big part of my practice, I feel often that I am something of a heretic, but I am also OK with that because it's between me and God and many Saints and Prophet's were actually heretics in their own time. π
I have also developed a deep respect for the Sufi's of Islam, they carry a lot of beauty and wisdom and I have a connection with a sufi sheikh who has taught me so much π this did so much to revivify my faith, bring inner peace and put my trust back in God.
Apologies if this is all an "over-share" but this fealt like a nice space to open my religious story and this is the short version... π€£
I hope you find the spiritual community you are looking for! It's a great feeling when you do! π€
#Godstr