Leo's Liberation
Unlock your potential with Leo's Liberation - the thought-provoking podcast that bookends your week with bursts of inspiration. Every Monday & Friday, Leo dives into compelling topics designed to challenge perspectives and ignite curiosity. These, quick and impactful episodes are the perfect catalyst to start your week with momentum and to reflect as it winds down. From exploring life's big questions to unraveling everyday intricacies, Tune in, liberate your mind, and transform your routine into an adventure of ideas.
Leo's Liberation
Soul Searching: The First Steps Toward Genuine Spiritual Connection
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The search for deeper meaning has never been more crucial than in today's noisy world. In this heartfelt conversation, we unpack the differences and surprising similarities between structured faith and personal spirituality, discovering how these paths can beautifully complement each other rather than conflict.
Drawing from our own journeys—from childhood church experiences to adult spiritual awakenings—we explore what triggers those profound moments when we look beyond ourselves. Whether through crisis, personal loss, or simply witnessing someone else's peaceful existence, these catalysts often mark the beginning of our most significant growth.
The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we discuss how community shapes belief. Can spirituality flourish in isolation? Does organized religion require collective practice? We challenge the "lone wolf" mentality that pervades modern thinking and reveal how quality connections—even with just one or two trusted souls—can transform our spiritual development.
Most powerfully, we address those internal barriers that keep us from deeper connection. That voice insisting "I don't need help" or "It's probably not worth trying" might be the very thing holding back your spiritual evolution. Through practices like meditation, prayer, journaling, and intentional community-building, we offer practical ways to navigate your unique journey.
Whether you're questioning long-held beliefs, starting fresh after years of spiritual drought, or simply curious about connecting with something greater than yourself, this episode provides compassionate guidance without judgment. Your journey matters—every twist, every doubt, every moment of clarity—and we're honored to walk alongside you.
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Introduction to Faith and Spirituality
Speaker 1And hello beautiful souls. Welcome to Leo's Liberation, the podcast where we work to unlock our potential and grow to be better versions of ourselves on a weekly basis. I'm your host, Dre, and with me today and hopefully from here on out, is Benita. Hello, ma'am.
Speaker 2Hello.
Speaker 1And today we're going to be diving deep into a conversation that touches the heart of our inner being, the beginning to finding faith and true spirituality, and I will go ahead and give you guys a heads up. Yes, we are recording this on a Sunday, I think, after we both just got back home from church, so this should be interesting. But before we start, you know, we'll both kind of share, if you don't, if you don't want to, but you don't have to, but I'm just going to quickly share, like kind of how I got started on this path a little bit, and um, yeah, I think we talked about it before, but um, yeah, I think, like probably since 2014, life has kind of just been like up and down, crazy roller coaster kind of thing, so for the past 10 years roughly and, and you know, just having no direction, no true direction of which way to go with things, um and uh, I think this is where I've kind of buttoned down, just trying to, I think, find that, um, I think, find those answers, or find that peace, uh, at least that inner peace. And then, uh, you know, I think I shared with you that one story where I was at home that one day, and you know you feel something tap you on the back, but you know you're home by yourself literally physically touched me on the back, which was kind of weird and scary all at the same time.
Speaker 1But yeah, pretty much, since you know I'm not going to speak like I'm some kind of guru, but definitely have been on a journey. A lot of people I've been talking to have been on a journey of sorts too. That's somewhat I'm not sure if it's, you know, seeking faith or spirituality or both, but that's kind of how I ended up here, in a very blah and kind of just no extreme details kind of way. But what about yourself?
Speaker 2I think I've always been on the journey. My earliest memory of me seeking God's face on my own was at the age of nine. Actually, I grew up in a single parent household and I'm the only child, so you know how creative, as only children have to be, entertaining ourselves and seeking companionship and company and community, companionship and company and community. So I was always, you know, on the path to looking for connection with something. There has to be something greater than me. There was a pastor, a youth pastor actually, and his wife, that lived in our neighborhood. He invited me to church and that was the first time, you know, going on my own. I had been to church, you know, when I was younger, with my grandmother, um, but on my own and seeking my own community. It started at the age of nine.
Speaker 1Nice, nice, and I think I was attached to the community when I was younger as well, but obviously, you know, my mom gave us the option of whether we wanted to go or stay, and I chose to stay home because, you know, that's when technology was starting to work its way into the house. So you end up with things like video games now, so you really have no reason to go outside.
Speaker 2That's cute that you had a choice.
Speaker 1When I was with.
Speaker 2Grandma, Grandma D, you better get your Sunday clothes on. Come on here. You didn't have much of a choice.
Speaker 1I mean I was. I think I was thankful for the choice at the time, but you know, looking back on it now, I kind of wish I had stayed with it or had that direction or that firm hand kind of pushing me into it and keeping me there. Um, you know, obviously, you know we always say hindsight, you and I, we would kind of use that a lot. But it's kind of one of those hindsight moments where it's like you look back and it's like holy crap, if I kind of stuck with this, you know who knows where I would be now. Um, and you know I look at today's world, you know, like, where the noise of everyday life just kind of competes with our inner voices. You know the quest for deeper meaning, you know it kind of becomes essential in a sense, and you know whether you're at the beginning of a journey or reexamining, you know a long held belief.
Speaker 1I think this episode that we're going to do here today, which is still a part of our season two I apologize, folks, I know I fell off the radar for a quick second, but I'm back you know life does get busy, but I think this episode that we're going to do here today is kind of dedicated to that courageous act of discovery. And you know, I guess, without further ado, I think we should probably just kind of just jump right in. So you know, looking and looking at defining faith and spirituality. So I guess let's start by unpacking what we mean by faith and spirituality. And I think a few episodes back, probably in last season, I kind of touched on this briefly. This season I can't remember anymore I kind of touched on it briefly. But you know, when you're doing these podcasts by yourself, you kind of speed read because you're trying to get so much in there and I have a feeling you're going to be the one who slows me down a little bit. Fingers crossed that happens.
Speaker 2But do you, do you think that faith and spirituality are the same thing? I think they can be, and I look at the way that you know just social norms deconstructs the two as if they can't live, that, they can't coexist, like usually if people are leaning more towards spirituality.
Speaker 1I'm, you know that earthy um hippie type you know people always refer to this earthy and hippie right.
Personal Spiritual Journeys Shared
Speaker 2Well, at least in our, in the communities I've. You know, dude, that's usually how it presents itself. You know mother, mother, nature, soul, child. You know herbs and oils and crystals and things, and then you have your spirit, or your religious side of things, where it's more orthodox than you know, there's, there's rules, essentially, a culture built into it.
Speaker 2But I don't think that they have to live separately. I very much believe that they can be one in the same. Because do you not see god's face when you're hiking in the mountains and you're seeing, you know, a sunset or a sunrise, or you're in the middle of the ocean and you don't see land around you and you're just looking at the vastness of God's creation? That is to God and that is to spiritual?
Speaker 1I got you. So it took me for a second there to kind of, you know, I kind of went, that I kind of went down a different path, obviously from being younger up until now, and I think that that other path kind of led me down, I think, a path of exploration, to where I was kind of like experimenting with things. You know other religions, other beliefs, just because you know the world's a large place and the thing is, and you know, by no means am I, you know, I think, staring away from the path that I'm on now when I say this. But I'm just speaking from past experience and just past thought. But nobody knows who's right, Unfortunately, nobody's. But nobody knows who's right, Unfortunately, nobody's going to find out who's right.
Speaker 1It's basically, you know, that's where that belief, that faith, I think, that's where faith plays a role in it, because that's what keeps you where you are and what you believe in. And you know how you believe, what's happening to you on a day-to-day basis, why you wake up in the morning, why you're breathing, what's going to happen to you when you die. You know that is faith in my eyes and you know, obviously that is ruled by, like you know, doctrines and rituals that are, you know, just traditional things that are practiced, you know that have been practiced for, you know, eons basically, and the spirituality I think it's always been around. I think there's a thin line and I think they do get blurred quite often, because I think they're both pointing at something higher than ourselves and connecting with something higher than ourselves, but I think they're just taking other gods or beings that are above us as to where faith, I think, locks you down to maybe one or a specific number, depending on what your religion is. So I think they're kind of one in the same, if you ask me. I think they work together to complete you as a person and to complete I think to complete us as a species, Because you and I kind of both talked a while back and I'm not sure if I'm jumping ahead on these things or not. I probably should like look at my talking points, but I think you and I talked a while back.
Speaker 1I think I may have brought it. It was like one of those like water cooler conversations first thing in the morning and I brought it up about basically. You know what is it that? I think it was from a TV show I watched. Actually it was like, basically, how you know, these gods were dying off because no one else believed in, and I want to say it was actually a clash of the Titans, I believe that's what it was. They kind of brought that thought to mind, but the gods were basically dying off because no one believed in them. So for people to believe in, the gods did horrible things apparently, Um, but I think that the question, the question I always have, is you know, would God exist if no one believed in him?
Speaker 1Or would anything that you know, any of these faiths that people follow, even spirituality itself? Uh, what's believed there? I mean, nature is technically a, a deity of sorts, but you know, if, with these things exist, if we didn't bother to believe in them the way we did, and does it take one person, Does it take several, to kind of make those miracles and that glory happen?
Speaker 2I think it takes organized for organized religion. It takes several, it's not a, it's not a one-off. Yeah, spirituality definitely doesn't need to have a community to to exist, but I, I don't, I don't know, because I mankind, humankind since the beginning of time, like I like the way you said that, but go ahead. I'm sorry back to like caveman drawings. Right, we were seeking connection before we even had language.
Speaker 2We were worshiping at the altar of trees or the sky, or wishing for rain or whatever, before there was a language to put to what is it that I'm seeking, or what is it that I'm worshiping? To? What is it that I'm seeking or what is it that I'm worshiping? We, even you know, in an attempt to do that, made idols of things because we are prone to worship something that's greater than what we are. We know that we didn't come into existence on our own, so I believe that we've always sought the face of a creator, whether you have language for it or not, whether you're in the forest by yourself or not. So I don't think necessarily that you need community to do that. You definitely do for organized religion.
Speaker 1I agree. I think it's a journey that each person takes on their own. There's really no right way to you know, I think, connect or go find, um, you know what it is that you're seeking, in a sense, I guess.
Defining Faith vs Spirituality
Speaker 2I don't think there's a wrong or right way to to begin. Your spiritual journey is definitely individualized, and you and I have had conversations quite a bit about you know growing up in it, versus seeking it for yourself. There's a lot of the language that's used in my churches where you know you've grown up in the church right, you know, you know how to pray, you know how to kneel, you know what Bible verse to seek out when you're seeking healing or whatever. So there's indoctrination into a culture. But then you reach a point also where you seek God's face on your own, whether it's you're facing a trial or you just are seeking deeper connection.
Speaker 2I think we have relationship with even not just with God, but with you know, people in general. As long as you're in a relationship, that relationship will continue to evolve. So the relationship that I had with God when I was nine is different now that I'm 44. And it's morphed into something bigger and greater. It's transformed in the greater of my understanding or the greater of my connection with God and the experiences that I've had and also trying out the faith.
Speaker 2So when, when we're talking about you know like, seek God's face, not only when you know you're oh God, help me, help me, please. Face not only when you know you're oh God, help me, help me please, I can't pay this. I'll do this, lord please, I swear I'll come to church with you. You know it's. It goes beyond that when you're, you're seeking him, just just to be connected with him. So I think that that relationship evolves over time, just like your, you know, human partnerships do. You can be in the same relationship or you can be in a relationship with the person, but that relationship can change its face, you know, a hundred times over.
Speaker 1That it can, that it can. I think what you just said actually reminded me of that song. I only talk to God when I need a favor. That's actually on my workout playlist. I only talk to God when I need a favor. That's actually on my workout playlist. It's probably because I don't drop the weight on myself, but the yeah, yeah, so, but yeah, I think it's, and I think you kind of hit the nail on the head with a lot of these things. Actually, I think, in separating and describing both of them and I think, like embracing that diversity is probably the first step, I think, honestly, towards genuine, uh, spiritual growth. But also also, I think it's also um, um, I think you know, seeking structure in the other sense is also um, probably you know a path also for getting involved in an organized religion of sorts.
Speaker 1I'm talking to some people before we go on to the next talking point here, but you know, talking to a few people. You know I had a lot of coworkers just now. Leave to, you know, go go elsewhere to do with some other things which I can't say here, but you know a lot of people that I talked to that were there. They all were kind of feeling somewhat of a spiritual movement or connection within themselves, which was awesome to hear, um cause, I thought I was the only one.
Speaker 1So I don't know if this is like uh, you know, I'm trying to make sense of it happening as it's happening to so many people at the same time. I'm trying to make sense of it in my own head, like as to you know why these things are happening. But, um, you know, on the flip side of that, from kind of you know not this, I'm not sure that was even a good segue, but we're going to make a segue one way or the other. But the you know what could be considered the catalyst for seeking for, looking for that connection or trying to find that you know, walk down the spiritual path. What would you see as a catalyst for people to seek?
Speaker 2Most of the time it's life's circumstance and most of the time it's conflict, it's turmoil. I've been knocked on my back so I could look up towards something greater than than what I am. You know, when you've done all that you can do and what you're doing isn't working, you know what, what else is out there, Some, something, something has to get. So it's it's almost like, um, you know you, you reach a place where you have, you're being humbled that you know I'm not my way isn't necessarily the best way. What other way might be out there that's working for other people? Or, especially if you have an influence in your life, if you see someone that's walking, you know a certain path and they seem to have their stuff together, You're like I want to, I want to be on that side of things. How did you get there? And you might inquire, you know, and then if that person is, you know, of a certain faith, they may share that faith with you. So a lot of times it's, you know, exposure to those experiences or circumstances.
Speaker 1Gotcha and um, I don't know, um, I wouldn't like to think that I came about this, you know, gradually. I don't think it like just hit me in the head one night, but I, you know, I've had plenty of, plenty of moments where I was like, oh, it's an epiphany, um, but you know, I think it's where I was like, oh, it's an epiphany, but I think it's. We both kind of work in the job field Oops, just hit my mic, that's going to probably be heard but we both work in the job field where we kind of deal with a lot of crisis, but it's from some of the folks there and that's kind of where you see a lot of praying or you know, um, um, spiritual seeking going on was because of those moments of crisis or like intense life changes, um, or sudden flashes of clarity in everyday living which is usually my thing, and that was usually after a long night of drinking where, you know, all of a sudden, you know you have this clarity but I was probably still drunk, who knows Um, but you know, I've talked to a lot of people before where it's like, you know, they're talking about reaching a breaking point or experiencing loss, loneliness or some type of uncertainty that pushed them into exploring a deep sense of purpose. And I guess maybe I'm going back and forth on myself here. I'm hoping it's like one person, not 10, personality speaking, but it's, I think it's.
Speaker 1I think I kind of went, went down that path myself, but gradually, not not necessarily just smack me in the face, like I say, you know, I've been going through whatever I've been going through for 10 years, so I think it was a gradual progression of this is where I need to be. And I think there was a, I want to say there was somebody camera who was I was talking to, but and we kind of actually covered this too, uh, as a topic, uh, a couple of podcasts back, um, but it was after a series of setbacks. Um, you know, they were forced to question everything that they thought they knew, which. You hear this every. You hear this a lot.
Speaker 1Actually, it's usually setbacks or something going wrong in life that uh cause people to kind of, I think, step back and just reexamine things. And you know they discovered an inner strength that led them to a more peaceful acceptance, a new kind of spiritual perspective. And you know myself, when I kind of hear stuff like that, it kind of makes you reflect on yourself as well as to like, hey, where am I at in this universe right now? What am I doing with my life? What am I doing with my existence and what is my life? What am I doing with my existence and what is my purpose?
Catalysts for Spiritual Seeking
Speaker 1And I think, once we hit that point of puberty, I think purpose is probably one of the biggest and most constant questions we have in life, probably until the day we die, I think. Well, let me rephrase, I'm sorry, so let me rephrase. So basically, I think once you get to the point of understanding and knowing and usually that's puberty, where you start to kind of look at the world a little bit, your perspective changes as it does with, as you continue to grow throughout life. But I think that's when your perspective you kind of start to move a little bit out of childhood and you start to look at the world a little bit differently. And that's why I kind of picked that, because I think that's probably a more relatable point in time for everybody. But I just think that's when you start to look at life a little bit differently. And you know, you may not actually ask yourself what is your purpose, but as you start to socialize, kind of understand you know your culture, your social norms things like that.
Speaker 2I think you do start to question where's your place in things? What is your place here? Where's your purpose here? I think that's when it starts. I don't know. I guess when you said purpose, I was thinking more of what is your life's, your overall life's purpose? Coming into puberty, you're like what click do I fit in with puberty? What boy likes me? But you know that that type of thing more of a smaller scale.
Speaker 1I mean, it may start like that, Cause you you think when you're younger and you're you know obviously your bubble's very small and you're, I think your, your perspective of the world is very small because it's only about what you know and what you've experienced, which is very little at that time. So, yeah, having that first crush on that boy or girl or whoever you know, that that may be the center of your universe at the moment, that may be your understanding of things. But obviously, as we get older, we start to see the bigger picture, start to see more things and we're able to relate to more situations. So, yeah, I think as we grow, things change. I think our outlook on things change. Yeah, I think, as we grow things change.
Speaker 1I think our outlook on things change, so I don't hate it. When I was in my 20s, yeah, I didn't want to be this person I am today, but you know, I didn't know what was going to be. I didn't know what was going to be in store. I actually appreciate the person I am today versus who I was in my 20s. I was a freaking idiot.
Speaker 2So the 20s brought you to where you are. Brought you to where you are. If you didn't go through what you went through in your 20s, you wouldn't be where you are right now.
Speaker 1Yeah, experience exactly.
Speaker 2For growth.
Speaker 1Growth experience.
Speaker 2I always say that knowledge coupled with experience should equate to wisdom, and sometimes you have to have those experiences over again to learn the lesson that you're supposed to learn. It doesn't always come, you know right when you want it to no, you're 100 right and I think it's uh.
Speaker 1I was actually listening to the uh, the pastor today. He actually said something that made me laugh because I was like I think I'm that person in church that just mean mugs everybody. But the um, uh, he brought up something about generational differences, which is a totally different show, but I'll hit it real quick before we segue. But he brought something about generational differences and he said you know, we're putting old folks away before they, you know, before it's even their time. And, oh my gosh, I wrote it down. I don't want to quote it and quote it wrong, cause it's going to kill it, but I'll, I'll get that out before we end this show, I promise. But, um, so, yeah, so, basically, yeah, the um, I think the, the catalyst for seeking is a little bit different for everybody else.
Speaker 1Um, I think there's there's certain things that cause each of us to look beyond ourselves, but obviously, when you're younger, it's your universe, your world, your bubble. You're not looking too far outside of that. It's very, very far and few that you'll find people in their late teens, their 20s, early 30s, that are looking deep into life Very, very few. But most of us are trying to find our own way, and there's nothing wrong with how you're finding it. It just as long as you're not hurting anybody else, that's. That's all I care about, um.
Speaker 1So I would definitely say this is like a call to be open. You know whether you're already, whether you already feel some form of belief stirring within you, or if you're just beginning to challenge your previous notions of spirituality. Um, I'm only speaking from my experience. I I say follow it. So, um, but you know that navigating, or, I guess, finding our way through all of this, which is our final segment here before we close out, basically navigating that journey, and I think we both kind of hit on it. But what, what do you, if you had to recommend to people listening, what would you recommend?
Speaker 2some ways of actually like, uh, navigating that journey or finding that faith or spirituality Practices, I guess best practices in a sense you said, the first thing that comes to mind is just being open to it, that there is something bigger than yourself. And if you need, you know, assistance with, you know testing those waters, you know to seek out someone who's already doing it and doing it well, if you have a friend who leans to being more spiritual or even more religious, ask, inquire, seek. You know you're not going to find the answers to your questions without action. You know it's not usually find the answers to your questions without action. You know it's not not usually. Doesn't just land on your doorstep. I mean, you do have people that proselyte and knock on doors. You are truly, you know, seeking completion and looking for what it is that, that missing puzzle piece you have to put in in the work and seek it out for yourself.
Speaker 1Agreed, and I mean, I used to call myself a seeker of sorts, but more in the, I think, occult side of things, which you know, those things you learn from right. But yeah, there's tons of ways and I think you're 100% right Like these things aren't going to come to you. I think in some senses they do, but in most cases it's tons of ways and I I think you're 100 right like these things aren't going to come to you. It's, I don't, I'm not gonna. I think in some senses they do, but in most cases it's one of those things that flies over our heads.
Speaker 1Um, I would definitely say that, uh, you know, reading and learning, obviously, and the the fact that you brought up mentors was actually a pretty good thing. It seems like mentors, this seems like that's like a dying breed thing. Um, you hear about it in certain professions but you don't. I don't think people look or even realize they're talking to a mentor half the time or understand. You know, I guess I'll use, you know, maybe, single parents as an example, and that's male and female. You know. Go, you know, helping your child find that healthy mentor of the opposite sex to kind of help them develop in ways that you can. I always think that's very important.
Building Community and Connection
Speaker 1But, mentors, I really think if, if you have knowledge to share, because you know nobody should be holding on to anything that they know, you should share. We're social creatures, right? But if you have things to share and you see someone could benefit from what you know, that's positive and can bring positive outcome in their life, I think share it. You know, mentor that person. Um, they may not know that they need a mentor, they may be too scared to ask, um, but yeah. So, uh, yeah, reading and learning, uh, meditation and contemplation meditation. I'm pretty big on which, to me, I've always thought prayer and meditation were one in the same. I'm not sure, would you say that, prayer and meditation being one in the same.
Speaker 2I think it's. If you could have seen my face on the other side of this mic, I feel like it's one of the same, like what we were talking about the difference between religion and spirituality. I think it can be.
Speaker 1Okay.
Speaker 2When I go in my prayer closet and I'm, you know, communing with God for an hour or so in my quiet place and sometimes there's not words involved in that, it's just sitting, you know, sitting in his presence, seeing my face, lord I'm so overwhelmed that I don't have, you know, the verbiage to tell you what's on my heart. But you know my heart better than anyone, so I don't even need words, I can just sit and commune with it, and that is a form of meditation. So I believe they can be one and the same.
Speaker 1Nice, yeah, I agree A hundred percent. So, um, and then you also mentioned building community, or you? You didn't say building community, but you did mention something in reference about community, because you can't do it by yourself, right? And that's one of the things I think I'm just now starting to learn here in my late forties. I'm getting close to half a century old and I'm just now learning community. But better late than never. I think some people, you know a lot of people, want to do the lone wolf or the. You know, the. I can do it by myself. I'm, you know, I'm a powerful this. I'm a powerful that I can. I don't need anybody. That's not true. If you look at people without community. I think people without community tend to wither away faster than those who do have community.
Speaker 2I am in complete agreement. I don't think, though, that I think sometimes people also have a fear, those deep-seated fears, especially of abandonment, that they feel like if they do seek community, that community will let them down. Community will think that they're too much, that they feel like, if they do seek community, that community will let them down. Community will think that they're too much, that they're a burden to them. So you have those people that you know.
Speaker 2You know dang well, they need help, they struggle it's written all over their face but they can't. Even they can't. They can't reach out for help, and more than likely, it's because that help has either been you know they've been criticized for it, or they've been turned away, or you know I'll act as if I'm helping you, but not really. You know, like the people that pass you in the hall hey, mike, how are you doing today? They don't really want to know how you're doing, they're just making conversation, and if you truly take a moment and offload, then it's like oh crap, I didn't sign up for all that I was just really thinking.
Speaker 1I think that's the one thing that's missing from people a lot. It's like nobody cares anymore. I think it's a what's the word? Apathetic, I think, is the word to best describe that nowadays, because the world is so busy, everybody's got their own issues. I get it, but you know, I think that community mindset, especially I will say here in America, more so than anywhere else is definitely drifted Um.
Speaker 1But I think people should also understand that community doesn't necessarily mean it has to be the entire, you know the the entire church community doesn't have to be everybody at your job or every one of your Community can literally be you and two other people or one other person. You know it's basically those people that you find that support you. I think you know that flourish you with positivity and try to keep you lifted and you do the same for them. You know it's one hand washing the other constantly. I think that's community versus quality, a hundred percent, because we all know there's a lot of ne'er-do-wells out there, right? So yeah, and those are the people that we strive to stay away from in most cases, depending on how you view the world. But I think the community does, like you say, provide support. They challenge your views, they're going to be honest with you and they're going to introduce you to new perspectives. What's that?
Speaker 2They fine tune your views also. Yes, because my thing with community, like you hear a lot of times people you know I don't have to go to church to believe in God, you know I don't need to go to church and they just want your money. Or you know, you hear all the things that shoot it down, but the value that you get from that community, though the value that you get from that community, though, especially when you know something as simple as reading the Bible, and that Bible is up for interpretation.
Speaker 2It is 100% and that spirit of discernment. You know I would not at all consider myself to be a scriptorian but I do appreciate, you know, coming together with my church family and being able to, you know, go over scripture. It could be the same scripture I've read for the past 20 years and every time you read that scripture, wherever you are at this point in your life, it's going to hit differently. And when you're reading with other people that have more wisdom outside of your own understanding or even your own practice of the scripture, or you know a lesson that you're learning from, that it grows you, you know, beyond your own understanding.
Introspection and Embracing the Journey
Speaker 1So community is very important, yeah, a hundred percent. And I think with the way the world is changing, that's another reason that community is important. It's something that kind of keeps you involved, because you have a lot of people who step away because I think the world has changed so fast they don't see themselves, um, able to communicate or relate to anything within that community anymore. So there's a lot of things that can come out of community. Like I say, I'm just now starting this journey myself and right now, you know, I'm kind of taking it slow, not rushing it by any means, but definitely it's a new feel for me. You know, a lot of things I have to get used to, you know, because my perspective of people was, I think, a little bit skewed, maybe a little bit dark in a sense, but it just comes with the jobs that I've worked in the past that have kind of influenced that thought and that mindset. But I guess that kind of segues me into my last, to the last point of this, or the last point of this talking point here is basically introspection, um, and basically, you know, regular reflection is crucial, right, you know, keeping a journal, which I do, um, you know, ask those deep questions to yourself or to a, you know, a confidant or a friend, or even your spouse, or even your children. You'll be surprised what children tell you, um, or simply ponder what your experiences are. So, after you've gone through something, you know, don't just brush it off. Or, you know, don't just brush it off. Or, you know, obviously, don't over-exaggerate it, but literally sit down and have like a, you know, a sober thought about it, um, and just kind of, you know, try to figure out the who, the what, the where, the, why, the, when, um, you know, uh, I think, try to honestly answer those, answer those questions yourself, try to try to get a better understanding of what just happened and why it happened.
Speaker 1I think it's a natural question, or it's natural to question your steps along the way. Also, I think doubts and fears are part of the process. So I think learning to face uncertainties rather than suppressing them enables growth. So, instead of conforming to, I think, what society expects or what seems comfortable which is why a lot of people, I think, steer from your organized religion but, you know, try to be a little bit more authentic. But your unique insights and experiences, I think, definitely obviously shape you in a sense of spirituality that belongs to you, that is totally you, that spirituality. So I think your insights and experiences definitely shape spirituality. I think your insights and experiences definitely shape spirituality, but you know, you take that spirituality along with faith and I think it's a wild ride of an experience, in my sense.
Speaker 2I think introspection also helps fine tune your inner dialogue, because sometimes we are the barrier of growth, we're our own barrier to seeking. You know, kind of like when you were little and you know you wanted to play outside and you're like trying to gas yourself up to ask your mom, can I go outside? And then you already made up your mind what her mind is going to be. It's already going to be known. So you psych yourself out, you don't pursue it because you've already had that talk within yourself. So I think that fine tuning, you know removing that, that barrier, and saying you know I'm, I'm filling this pool that I need to seek, then I'm trying to connect to something greater than myself and myself. Let me get out of my own way, because what's, what's stopping me?
Speaker 1but me, yep wow, oh, okay, so, um, I guess we're gonna move from the closing out here in a second um, but you know, as I think, as we move towards the closing segments of today's conversation and thank you, benita, I really appreciate you like doing this with me because, you know, uh, I think for season one, basically it's me talking myself and I don't know where that went but I mean, did some good, got a few followers, which I'm cool about. But I don't do this for followers. I think they do this more for therapy for myself. But you know, as we move toward the closing segments of today's conversation, you know, I want to leave you with an inspiring message, which is, you know, embrace the journey even when the destination is unclear. So you know, remember, you know, the search for faith and true spirituality is not a race to the finish line, it's a lifelong pilgrimage. It's okay to not have all the answers immediately, which was my issue back in the day, but in fact, the beauty lies in the continuous evolution of our beliefs.
Closing Thoughts and Next Episode
Speaker 1Each step you take, no matter how small, builds a foundation of inner trust and courage. So I invite you to reflect on your own journey and, you know, consider what moments, however fleeting have, illuminate your path. You know, share your stories and questions with within your community, and you know your experiences may guide someone else in their time of need. You never know. You know the things you say, how they can influence someone else in a good way, in a good way, and you know whether you're in a phase of you know quiet introspection or actively seeking out new perspectives. You know, know that every experience contributes to your authentic spiritual tapestry. So I think this message of hope is not just an invitation, it's just a reminder, or it's a reminder that your quest is valuable, your observations are profound and your journey matters. So embrace each twist and turn as a lesson, a stepping stone toward a deeper understanding of faith and spirituality, and I think the continuous act of uh seeking is in itself a sacred act. So, um, you know, definitely don't take it for granted. And uh, once again, benita, I definitely do want to thank you, ma'am. Um, definitely looking forward to kind of keeping these going. Um, I know it's kind of time consuming and whatnot, but to me this is relaxing, this is a way to disconnect in a sense. Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1So, yeah, let's take a quick moment and let's recap on everything we kind of talked about today and I want to say I think we kind of hit all of our main points and basically we kind of went over the meaning of faith and spirituality, you know. And then we talked a little bit about what drives you to seek, you know, what is that catalyst? What? What is the reason that has driven you down this path of spirituality, if you already weren't on it and if you are on it, what? What has caused those changes within the way you believe? And then you know, finally, you know, ways to navigate that journey.
Speaker 1Not every journey is going to be the same. So, just because the person sitting to your left or right of the person living in your home, or you know, your mom or dad or whoever, um, their journey was different for a reason, but yours is definitely going to be different as well, because we all have a different purpose here on earth. So, um, yeah, as we wrap up this episode, I want to thank you guys for uh, following me to or, I'm sorry, I want to thank you for following me uh, to share this conversation with you and, uh, next time, on Leo's liberation, I think we're going to look into our calling. I think it's the next episode, which is a Friday episode. Um, and yeah, just for some of those who might be worried, uh show is not like going into a faith based thing, but the show is about growth.
Speaker 1The show is about being a better version of ourselves, and I think you know faith and spirituality. I think examining those things actually make us sometimes better people. I think being a better person is finding out what works for you. So we'll delve a little bit deeper into that, though, on the next show. But yeah, trust me, hopefully you guys won't want to miss it and I appreciate every one of you for joining me here today on this soulful journey, and please feel free to leave comments or share your own stories or ask questions, and our community thrives on your contributions. So until next time, keep seeking, stay true and may your spirit always guide you home. And thank you for tuning in to Leah's Liberation. I'm Dre, and Benita has been here with me today, and we're sending waves of peace, love and liberation your way. Take care of yourself and each other, and we'll talk to you again on Friday. Stay blessed, you.