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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Any Jewelry, post: 1411885, member: 2844&quot;][USER=11768]@Vintage Maven[/USER] , I considered the same in my younger years. I did a lot of research, went to convents and monasteries and met the most fantastic people. There were also monastics in my family and acquaintances.</p><p>My interest was the Carmelite order, for the contemplation, the sense of beauty in and around us, and the sense of humour. For that last part, read stories about st Teresa of Avila.<img src="styles/default/xenforo/smilies/wink.png" class="mceSmilie" alt=";)" unselectable="on" /> St John of the Cross is still my favourite mystic.</p><p><br /></p><p>I finally decided my health just wasn&#039;t good enough for that kind of life, and certain church doctrines were in conflict with my conscience and convictions. I have always been a spiritual person, but to me spirituality and organized religion don&#039;t necessarily have to go together.</p><p>I went on to study theology, specializing in Mysticism, Shamanism and medical ethics. My final degree was in Shamanism, a direction which allows for personal mysticism, and for syncretism (incorporating different faiths). It is also the spirituality of my Indonesian ancestors, and the one I grew up with alongside Catholicism. </p><p>I worked as a spiritual therapist for a while, until that became too strenuous for my health.</p><p><br /></p><p>I don&#039;t know which denomination you are thinking of, or which order. Many orders have third orders, lay people who commit to the teachings of the main order. I know several third order Carmelites and Franciscans who do wonderful work in their communities.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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