Elusive Dance with the Divine: Unitarianism, Dogma, and the Quest for Moments of Pleasure

 “The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases.” - Carl Jung

"Every old sock meets an old shoe." - Kate Bush (Moments of Pleasure)

The world often nudges us into corners of conformity, asking us to wear shoes not made for our unique feet, insisting that we must fit in, or else we stand out. But standing out is not a sin, nor a shortcoming, but a testament to the very fabric of human nature, diverse and intricate. In a world bursting with colours, it is no surprise that many find solace in the tribal, the known, the dogmatic.

Unitarianism, like many other paths, offers a way, but not the only way. If it did not exist, something else would undoubtedly replace it. This notion itself resonates with the vast tapestry of human needs. People are drawn to the tribal; it offers comfort, a sense of belonging, a shoe that seems to fit. But does it pinch?

Joseph Campbell once noted that myths are "public dreams, dreams are private myths." In this, he captured the universality of human longing and the connection between the stories we tell and the beliefs we hold. Dogma can be seen as a kind of public myth, a shared narrative that binds a community together, giving a sense of purpose and identity.

But the danger lies in the rigidity of these myths, the inflexibility of dogma. When a myth becomes an unchangeable truth, it no longer serves as a living, breathing guide to life but becomes a fortress of belief that excludes rather than embraces. This comfort can become a trap, a never ending cycle of self-affirmation that leaves no room for growth, exploration, or the acceptance of the nuance in the world.

Campbell's wisdom reminds us that the power of myth is in its ability to inspire and guide, not to chain and imprison. By embracing the fluidity of myth and rejecting the rigidity of dogma, we open ourselves to a broader human experience, one that honours diversity and encourages a constant search for understanding.

Unitarianism is frequently touted as the zeitgeist of religions, a sentiment that both honours and challenges its essence. Unlike many traditions, Unitarianism does not hold a central myth, or at least, if it does, the myth is elusive, a whisper rather than a proclamation.

But perhaps this very elusiveness is the beauty of Unitarianism. In its refusal to be pinned down to a single story or a rigid dogma, it reflects something of the nature of the divine itself. Is not God elusive, a mystery that defies definition and transcends our attempts to contain it within human constructs?

In embracing this elusive myth, Unitarianism invites us to a journey of continuous seeking, a quest for understanding that recognizes the multiplicity of paths and the infinite complexity of the divine. It does not offer a final answer but rather a question, a wonder, an openness to the continuous unfolding of truth.

This might be seen as a weakness by some, a lack of foundation. But in its very ambiguity, Unitarianism may indeed be capturing a truth deeper and more resonant than any fixed creed could offer. For in the search, in the question, in the elusive dance with the divine, we find not a simple answer but a profound relationship, a connection that invites us to be our whole selves, to embrace the nuance of the world, and to recognize the sacred in all its myriad forms.

And so, Unitarianism's numbers, are they low? Perhaps it's precisely because of this lack of substance that dogmatism offers. To offer the illusion of truth, when Truth itself is as elusive, let's remember, she is normally in a dark corner of the deepest well.

This lack of substance, or more accurately, the refusal to confine itself to a single substance, may indeed be both the challenge and the beauty of Unitarianism. The craving for a solid, unchangeable truth is a powerful human inclination. It's comforting to hold something tangible, something definitive that tells us who we are, what to believe, and how to live.

In contrast, Unitarianism embraces the elusive nature of Truth, recognizing that it often resides in the shadowed corners, in the questions rather than the answers, in the seeking rather than the finding. This approach, as enriching as it may be, does not offer the immediate satisfaction of dogmatic certainty. It does not provide a one-size-fits-all answer but invites a personal journey, a constant quest that may never end.

Perhaps this is why the numbers in Unitarian Chapels and Churches may not match those of more dogmatic traditions. The path offered by Unitarianism requires a willingness to dwell in uncertainty, to embrace the mystery, and to seek Truth in the dark corners of the deepest wells. It's a journey not for the faint of heart but for those who dare to seek, who value the question as much as the answer, who find beauty in the elusive dance with the divine.

But this very quality, seen by some as a weakness, may be the one ingredient that makes Unitarianism so vital and essential in a world often lost in the illusions of certainty. For those who find their way to its doors, Unitarianism offers not a fixed destination but a rich and nuanced path, a way to explore the deepest wells of existence without the constraints of dogma, with the courage to face the elusive nature of Truth.

In the end, perhaps the value of a spiritual path is not measured in numbers but in the depth of the journey it offers. Unitarianism, in its embrace of the elusive, invites a profound exploration of the soul, a technician's adventure into the deepest wells of existence.

As we explore the depth and complexity of human beliefs and traditions, it's essential to remember the joys, the simple pleasures that make life meaningful. Kate Bush, in her poetic wisdom, captures this beautifully in her song "Moments of Pleasure," singing:

 

"Just being alive

It can really hurt

And these moments given

Are a gift from time"

 

Unitarianism, with its embrace of the elusive and its refusal to be confined by dogma, invites us not just to a path of seeking but to a celebration of life in all its myriad forms. It's a call to find joy in the questions, pleasure in the search, and wonder in the dance with the divine.

In the end, isn't that what it's all about? Finding those moments of pleasure, those gifts from time, that make the journey worthwhile. Whether we're seeking in the shadows or dancing in the light, whether we're wearing our own shoes or trying on someone else's, may we find joy in the journey, pleasure in the quest, and grace in the understanding that every old sock meets an old shoe.

So here's to the adventure, the exploration, the unending quest for truth, and the moments of pleasure that make it all worthwhile. In the words of Kate Bush, may we find "a sense of life, joy I never knew."