The practice of religion is an essential part of many people's lives and can bring meaning to their daily lives.
It can also be challenging for some members of the LGBTQ community due to the traditional view that God created humans as male and female. Despite this, many LGBTQ individuals still find ways to connect spiritually through rituals such as prayer, meditation, or worship. In this article, I will explore how embodied presence, desire, and transcendence are experienced in these practices.
Embodiment
Embodiment refers to the physical experience of being in a particular body type or gender identity. It involves connecting one's senses and emotions with the physical world around them, which includes their own body. This can include touching objects, feeling textures, smelling scents, tasting foods, hearing sounds, and seeing colors.
During prayer, a person may feel God's presence within themselves through physical sensations like warmth or calmness. They may also experience connection with others through physical contact, such as holding hands while praying together. These experiences can create a sense of embodied spirituality where the individual feels connected to something larger than themselves.
Desire
Desire is a strong feeling of wanting or needing something. In spiritual practices, it can refer to yearning for a deeper connection with God or other people. This can involve seeking out new knowledge, understanding, and personal growth. For LGBTQ believers, this desire can be intensified by feelings of rejection from religious communities or family members who do not accept them.
They can still experience spiritual fulfillment through exploring their sexuality and relationships outside of traditional norms.
A queer couple may desire to experience intimacy without judgment or shame. This can take place through rituals such as creating a sacred space for making love, which can heighten their spiritual awareness.
Transcendence
Transcendence is the experience of going beyond oneself into a higher state of consciousness. It often involves experiencing a sense of oneness with something greater than oneself, such as God or nature. This can be achieved through meditation, mindfulness exercises, or ceremonies that focus on transcending the everyday world. For LGBTQ individuals, this can include connecting with their gender identity, sexual orientation, or relationship status. During these moments of transcendence, they may feel an intense sense of peace, joy, and freedom. They can also gain a new perspective on life and find meaning in their journey.
Despite facing challenges due to their identities, many LGBTQ individuals still find ways to connect spiritually through embodied presence, desire, and transcendence in ritualized practices. These experiences allow them to explore their spirituality on their own terms while also finding community and support within themselves and others.
How do LGBTQ believers experience embodied presence, desire, and transcendence in ritualized spiritual practices?
LGBTQ+ individuals often face discrimination and stigma within their communities for their sexual orientation and gender identity, which can make it difficult for them to access spiritual resources such as religious gatherings and rituals. This discrimination may also affect their ability to find meaning in these experiences, leading to feelings of exclusion and alienation from the wider community.