I've been calling myself an animist for a long while, now. One of the things I think has transferred over from Christianity, is the *dependence on books* to tell you how to interact with Nature and Spirit. I did a lot of looking into my First Nations heritage, trying to see beyond the walls of the churches in which my living relatives now sit; most of them cannot conceive of the animistic worldviews our ancestors would have held. Animistic spirituality is, as you say, about relationships: with ancestors, spirits, and the forces of nature. For many aboriginals, the spirit-powers took the forms of the people, animals and plants that shared the lands they walked and provided food, and human heroes represented man's own desire to understand those spirits and forces. I think that the practices of bushcraft, hunting, permaculture, beekeeping, and other skills related to our connections to nature and food, really help to build our relationships with gods, spirits and powers.
Couldn't have defined it better, you really hit the nail on the head.....so many people I've come across when discussing beliefs fall back on the"well I read that....." when confronted with something they find uncomfortable ,they comment on things they've no practical knowledge of because they feel that they should because X person wrote on it..... experience things I say, through experience we learn.... brilliant comment , thanks for sharing
@@jon-paultaylor I view books in the same way that I view videos on a subject: they're there for ideas, different perspectives, and inspiration, but your own experiences are more important. Christianity has also conditioned people to appeal to "authorities" for their spirituality, so it makes sense that so many need the comfort of being able to look to an author for their answers.
@@barefootanimist I'd compare it to something like an architecture degree,a year in industry gaining experience is part of the course,I agree books are inspiration but everyone experiences things differently,things manifest in different forms .....I guess what I'm saying is what an author writes may be truth for them but won't necessarily be the same for another, this is why your comment resonates with me
Dependence on books? Self proclaiming the animus while comparatively reflecting the institution of religion... Advice: The pen is mightier than the sword when your fate isn't written in blood!
I find all these comments interesting because I have been told the opposite. I am still with the church, but I was always reminded that the bible is not a rule book. For example, once I was asked "where in the bible does it say that all of the answers are in the bible?" I dont remember who it was, but that person was a genius. I think about religion as a guideline, but I can still have my own way of doing things. I do agree that the natural world is part of the divine. I think we just have different labels for the same things. That or I'm just weird.
Thank you thank you! I’ve been waiting for 74 years for someone who agrees with me and can explain it in such a way that others can credit and understand. Sue greenan
Thank you for this, sincerely. This is what I have come to think and try to realize in my own life. I am an atheist - I don't believe in any actual gods as individual entities or creator beings who control our lives and require our worship. I came to an animistic understanding when I tried psilocybin mushrooms; this freed my mind from its tired old ruts and helped me see how we are connected in a very real, actual, and inseparable way to everything else in nature. This is a true thing - we are all related to every other thing. We are embedded in nature; we share genes with every living thing from microbes to trees. Even the stones contain the same minerals as in our bones. When you break through and truly feel that relationship to everything else in the world, when you no longer see your own self as the center of the universe but as an expression of it, when you know the same spirit that animates nature animates you and that your are part of it, inseparable and whole, a part of everything that went before and everything on earth that will ever be, then you are truly free.
Your prowess increases, Arith. This is amazing, so in depth yet simple to follow. I think that the stories of creation are allegorical, especially in the bible, because humans did not witness it and just interpreted what they saw and expeienced. The fall of man, to me, means the time when humans lost their connection with nature and took the road that leads to where we are (spiritually) today. I also believe that we invented religion because, by nature, the human race are paranoid.
Yes! Yes! Yes! This is what I have practiced for the past 47 years. Direct contact with the divine - because everything - including me myself - is a spark of the divine. There is no separation between me and that which surrounds me. There is no difference between science and magic. Eòlas (Scottish Gaelic) is 1 knowledge 2 science 3 familiarity 4 lore 5 spell, incantation. I am my own priestess; there is no intermediary, there are no lies.
Spectacular!!! You have done it again. Your videos are just what the world needs. Having the perspective you describe is why I choose to live off-grid, in harmony with Nature, setting an example of living responsibly and respectfully.
I love the environments you choose to make your enjoyable videos! It's very nice to watch! I look forward to every Wednesday, can't fail! Thank you Mr. Arith!
Wonderful - thank you for this one Arith! I think i was born with the feeling of animism - if that is a way that i can put it. every winter or any time i find myself alone, needing to find comfort ; i am sitting talking to a tree, if i'm really lucky, maybe ravens and foxes - - - I love the things you said in this - particularly touching on our trouble of racism in the world - - -imagineing that 'our gods - or goddesses - genetically change to be like us. - ya, wow - right before you said that i had been thinking "hmmm, yup, it's all about status and ego"
I'm very new to all of this. Two years ago, I was a die-hard atheist. But then a, what I now understand, helping spirit came into my life and guided me into transformation and healing. First physical things started to happen: lights turned on, objects being pushed over, then I fell into trances, receiving messages, then helping humans appeared out of nowhere in the right moments. It set me on the path to shaking off old societal conditioning and helped me become more myself. It is a very long story, so I don't wanna go into too much detail, but it is fair to say the past couple of years were eye-opening. Now, on time for Walpurgisnacht, I found your channel and what you are saying is exactly what I've been experiencing. I got messages that this spirit is part of a bigger energy field that is surrounding all of us, all the time, in everything. Although I contribute it to a human being who's passed over (and the signs showed me it is definitely him), he told me from early on to see the bigger picture and not get stuck on him as that human. He's part of everything. And you explain it all so well. Thank you so much, Arith! Once again, the universe provided and you are part of my spiritual path now. Can't wait to watch more but I gotta get on with my Walburga celebrations. I'm sending you lots of love and Spring vibes. What a great teacher and guide you are! Thank you.
Thank you Arith. You've given me some affirmations that I have kept close to my heart. Because I can't talk to anyone about them. Standing green ones, winged ones or watery ones. They can all give us something. Be it shade or the joy of their songs. Something's Spirit is not what I thought it was. It's (They're) timeless.
I have learned much from watching your videos. You have given me names to things I have worked with, known about, experienced since I was 14 when I met my first spirit. It seems animism has been part of how I have always seen the world as I rejected the idea of the one god early on. It was not until about a year ago when I rejected the written definitions of the historic gods that I found a connection with them and have only dealt with the one time, all other times I have dealt with the spirits around me when I had questions. Your video about the parts of self was in particular enlightening, giving me words to express concepts that came to me from past times/lives/predecessors. I do hope you can put these concepts down into book form, I am just very grateful to have found your videos they have helped me understand what I have been doing (able to put things into words) as I know they must have helped others.
Ι believe that one of the reasons we find it hard to connect with spirits and an animistic worldview has to do with our modern languages as well. I joined a course from the university of Alberta about the indigenous of Canada and on the chapter about their worldview there was a lesson about the language of the Nehiyawak tribe. The Native American who presented it and speaks fluently this language said that in the majority of the words there is a little word in them which is pronounced ''kishi''. Kishi on its own means spirit. So the words were something with kishi in them. I don't remember the words that gave for examples but they were like ''bla bla-kishi-bla bla''. So their word for eyeballs, he said, literally translated as the ''mediator from which I observe the spirit''. So literally when they talked they always talked about spirits around them, even in casual conversations. These are not special words for rituals, they talked (some still talk) like that everyday all day. The Lakota as well have the word ''tanka'' inside the other words. Sumanitutanka they call the wolf and literally means wolf spirit, tatanka is the buffalo hence buffalo spirit. Inevitably when they talked, they talked about how they saw the spirit and heard the spirit and touched the spirit and ate the spirit etc. I also found out recently that the greek word for the vagina which is now the medical word for it, in ancient greek meant respected/sacred and vagina as well. The word is exactly the same today, but we all think that it is just a medical term for vagina. When I learned about that the whole perception of my body and specifically this area changed really fast cause now I can't speak,read or hear about it and not think of the word respected. I realised then that our languages have such a strong influence, cause we think in our language and what we think creates our perception of our reality and our worldview as well. Modern languages have nothing spiritual in them, they objectify everything, everything is a thing, just names so that we can communicate and understand each other.And as we think in these languages our minds automatically objectify everything too. I think ancient languages were somehow spiritual and as we started to disconnect from the earth and saw her as something we can take advantage of, our languages changed too and the words that remained the same lost their meaning.
34:00 hits home Great talk. I have been taking the advice of the late John Trudell (Santee Lakota) who encouraged us, white settler colonists on Turtle Island, to learn what happened to the tribes of europe. Arith Harger is the best teacher I have found, Thank you.
I love the new setting! And the video length! It's really great to listen while I putter around the house and learn more about paganism. Thanks so much for all of your hard work and help with us poor, floundering modern pagans hahaha.
This is so right on. Thank you for this valuable information! I think that understanding and incorporating this way of practicing in one's spirituality is the difference between those who truly wish to walk this path, and those that just want to get drunk and pretend to be Vikings.
I absolutely sense the spiritual all around me. My intuition is my guide, and I do not accept limiting my spiritual experience to another beings subjugation. I do not understand how another can say "you're not a true pagan, animist, xyz" if you don't worship this god. Attempting to define what and how another can or should practice their spirituality is what causes so much fighting that is nothing but destructive to all. It's also not the way of my ancestors and they are my guides, my intuition. I accept the description of the gods as descriptions of our roles in life, and the attributes those roles provide us as we fill them throughout this life. To me, these are just names or personifications of all the attributes our ancestors found honorable and something to work towards in their own lives. They may have been an individual so influential that had these qualities that the.ancestors used as examples for following generations that evolved into "gods". I do not know. I do know that I do not believe there are individual beings sitting on a thrown meddling in my life and that I must seek favor with them. I'm much more concerned with my local land spirits and how I can live in harmony with them.
A very good video, presenting some things that modern people have a great deal of trouble understanding. I believe the term for it is "Double Think", that bedevils many people who are confused. "Silly cat, your thinking too hard." A simple message pointing out a major problem that people have(yes, a message from my mysterious friend while I was typing this).
I really hope that you are teaching at a university. The way you speak is so well structured, passionate and full of humour, it would be a shame for students to miss out on that. Thank you for putting so much effort into your videos, it has become my daily ritual to listen to your insights during my lunch break (home office), and I have learned so much, it is incredible.
I like your point about the symbiotic relationship between the Gods and humans. It begs the question, with the powerful and awe inspiring natural manifestation of the gods, what could we offer in exchange that would be of value to them? I'm inclined to think that as humans, with our capacity for identifying and comprehending different forces, that maybe our very recognition of the Gods and spirits is somehow empowering to them.
Wow, what a great talk... Thank u Arith for ur great work. Im with u, all the way tru. and i love the way how u presenting and explaining. From beginning to the end, well donne dear.
Another gift. Thank you. When all of this is said and done what is left is how do we change our perception of this spiritual expression of a planet that embodies all sorts of life. Spiritual and physical trying to coexist. I am struggling to find the words, perhaps it is not so much trying to find words of what I experience but just allowing things to be. Thank you again. I am so glad to have finally found someone who can put into words how I feel and view the world I live in.
incredibly put. i discovered your videos about a week ago, and thus far you have demonstrated more wisdom on these subjects and more food for thought as it were then i could have ever asked for.
It's so exciting to hear someone articulate aloud what I have felt for so long but had no context to explain or describe. Thank you for your incredible insights!
I LOVE the power and emotion you put into this as you explain. I’ve grown up like this without even knowing all these different Gods. (Not counting what they teach you in school about Greek Gods). But I have always felt safer out in the woods by myself. I have always at peace out in the woods or next with flowing water. Now if I’m with others like me in the environment of peace. I’m also at peace and can talk freely. But if I’m in a public place with others that are negative and all about “Go, Go, Go!!” I get so anxious and I just can’t function and have to leave. So I have to stay away. I work in a public place. But once I’m done, going home I have to stay there to “Unpeople” myself....not counting my family...lol....My animal family will come and help calm me knowing I had a hard day.....I find if I am out with others that are so negative and people that I know that are have such a bad day. I try to help them....many are in my clinic in my first job......and in my second job I work on the weekend....I am drawn to.....like my co-workers “younger ones” (at my second job). They have hard lives at home and school. But I have to go back to nature, and recharge and let go to help myself....sometimes if I can’t do that for myself....I get sick because their sadness, negativity, and needs will drain me and I just can’t maintain my own happiness. So your explanations of this is awesome!!!! I have said this before.....I’ll say it again........I could listen to you all day long.....I’m still not done catching up on all your videos.......Much love to you!! Hoping everything is still going good in your world!! Blessed Be!!
Thank you once again a great video, really helpful to challenge the monotheistic programming we're all subjected to. I try to spend as much time as I can out doors in nature and when I walk into a woodland or river valley I know that it is the only temple I need.
As ever, I appreciate the knowledge shared here! Anyone who has a sincere desire to learn about themselves and their relationship to the divine all about them can truly be inspired by the information offered here. Thank you, Arith. The time you take to research such topics and then present them in an easily-understood yet profound manner is priceless. Thank you for helping me grow!
One of the most insightful videos yet! Arith you are an asset to the study and practice of neopaganism! I agree that there is a lot still to learn and rediscover when so many of us have grown up in a materialistic world mindset. I am forging a relationship with a land god and other bios related entities on my land and home. I was wondering if you would consider making a video branching on the animist mindset, about how to cultivate such a relationship with a powerful deity of the land, and the possible consequences of not doing so?
Thank you so much for this exquisite lecture. It has helped me in reviewing my perspectives on all I understand of spirituality... "Consciousness is everywhere..." It's existence,... Thank you for mentioning the Edda as a means to be connected to the Gods... I want to compliment you by singing "Heaven must be missing an angel."
A number of Native American groups are in the process of trying to revitalize their ancestral beliefs and practices. And some modern non-indigenous neopagan people (I happen to be an American Wiccan) are also trying to incorporate some of those ancient perceptions into their daily lives. Knowing where your food came from, how it was grown and prepared, is only one way of connecting with the spiritual aspects of the universe around us. The famous phrase by science-fiction author Robert A. Heinlein, "Thou art God... all that 'groks' is God." sums it up pretty well.
Have they invited some chinese, some blacks and some europeians to take part in that revitalization process? Seems wery racist otherwise. Why should they have the soul rigt to the religion of "their" ancestors?
This is the best thing on youtube today. Perfect! Creating the name of a sword always made gods seem like contemporary imaginings. Why would a "god" use a sword and ride a horse? Now that we have Apache Helicopters and AR15's that seems absurd. Arith is correct, the description of the spiritual in relative terms destroys it.
Yes! The separation of the spirit is exactly why so many people lose their way. They are disconnected, feel it, but never learned how to tune back in. For me there are two great holes in the monotheistic religions: The disregard for nature (the animistic spirituality you describe so clearly) and the disregard for the feminine. But it is clear how this all developed over time. Great video Arith!
Excellent thought provoking video. Dovetails nicely with some of the concepts I'm playing with. Playing with really isn't accurate. Been thinking a lot about how belief and intention effect the over arching or higher reality. I'm primarily focused on The Celtic derivations of the divine but I gather so much useful information from your stuff it is greatly appreciated. By the way not to jiggle your arm but I hope to see some more rune videos at some point the ones you've done already have been immensely useful for me and I thank you for those as well.
Absolutely powerful analysis and arguements Arith. I've been meaning to listen to this for awhile. As a 'student' of Comparative Cosmology practicing an Inclusive Spiritual Practice where I approach each belief system as a piece of broken pottery that can help us reassemble that original Animisim. I wouldn't have called my belief system Animisim. I lo e your argument regarding the refutation of God/Spirit because there us "no scientific proof." Absolutely brilliant.
I agree with the point that the spirit doesn't have limitations but i also think that they know how far and deeply the most people in modern western societies are, seperated from our surroundings, that's why i think that many (maybe the most, but by far not in the slightest all of them especially those who are known to be mischivious or trickster spirits), appear to us in an familiar way. For example once i had a conversation with hades in the morning, not in the night. In ancient greece the people were very afraid to even speak out the word 'hades' in my case nothing bad happened, i asked hades about it, as i mentioned it he got very serious. And his personality is very gentle and friendly, very different in some aspects to the old greek descriptions of him. His first appearance to me was as an dense silouette of smoke and shadow, he circled around me like a vulture it does with an dying animal, he became slower and slower until he stopt in an fully humanoid form and he asked me ''How dare YOU to enter my realm?'' His voice was more surprised than threatening.
I know this video is 4 years old, but I'm watching it now. And I think and hope that this is changing. That more and more people are becoming aware of this knowledge and the more who do, the more who will. We are all magic. I know this with all my heart, because when my daughter was born it was obvious to me.
"People Trees: Worship of Trees in Northern India " by David L. Haberman has a wonderful introduction that explores where the Western paradigm of separating "humans" from "nature" started. It's awesome.
I liked this video, like the most ones. But I must remind you that even indigenous peoples have their leaders, warriors and priests (the shaman/the medicine man/the witch/the wise lady). The tale about the noble savage is just a tale, even if Rousseau thought differently.
This is great information. I'm an indie game developer, and am currently developing a trading card game. Each set I release, at least to begin with, will be roughly based upon some kind of religion or culture. The first set will be based upon animism from as far back as about 100,000 BCE. I'm already getting plenty of ideas for this set, just from watching your video. Though, if you want to give any suggestions for cards, please do; I welcome it.
Hello Arith, great topic. I always enjoy your explorations of animism. I was wondering if you have read the fictional series "earth's children" by Jean M Auel. I am reading this series now and it does explore animism and humanity in the Mesolithic time period. It is a bit outdated as new scientific findings have shown that some prior assumptions of the Mesolithic time are untrue, but it's still a great story that I am enjoying and think you might enjoy as well.
You are so right and it is so sad that there has been much loss of original belief systems. What you present as a way to view spirituality is my natural belief, I feel it has come down through my DNA and I am somewhat fortunate to have this belief. However, I am weighted down by the mundane so its not easy to be in touch with the spirit world.
I've been calling myself an animist for a long while, now. One of the things I think has transferred over from Christianity, is the *dependence on books* to tell you how to interact with Nature and Spirit. I did a lot of looking into my First Nations heritage, trying to see beyond the walls of the churches in which my living relatives now sit; most of them cannot conceive of the animistic worldviews our ancestors would have held.
Animistic spirituality is, as you say, about relationships: with ancestors, spirits, and the forces of nature. For many aboriginals, the spirit-powers took the forms of the people, animals and plants that shared the lands they walked and provided food, and human heroes represented man's own desire to understand those spirits and forces.
I think that the practices of bushcraft, hunting, permaculture, beekeeping, and other skills related to our connections to nature and food, really help to build our relationships with gods, spirits and powers.
Couldn't have defined it better, you really hit the nail on the head.....so many people I've come across when discussing beliefs fall back on the"well I read that....." when confronted with something they find uncomfortable ,they comment on things they've no practical knowledge of because they feel that they should because X person wrote on it..... experience things I say, through experience we learn.... brilliant comment , thanks for sharing
@@jon-paultaylor I view books in the same way that I view videos on a subject: they're there for ideas, different perspectives, and inspiration, but your own experiences are more important.
Christianity has also conditioned people to appeal to "authorities" for their spirituality, so it makes sense that so many need the comfort of being able to look to an author for their answers.
@@barefootanimist I'd compare it to something like an architecture degree,a year in industry gaining experience is part of the course,I agree books are inspiration but everyone experiences things differently,things manifest in different forms .....I guess what I'm saying is what an author writes may be truth for them but won't necessarily be the same for another, this is why your comment resonates with me
Dependence on books? Self proclaiming the animus while comparatively reflecting the institution of religion...
Advice: The pen is mightier than the sword when your fate isn't written in blood!
I find all these comments interesting because I have been told the opposite. I am still with the church, but I was always reminded that the bible is not a rule book. For example, once I was asked "where in the bible does it say that all of the answers are in the bible?" I dont remember who it was, but that person was a genius. I think about religion as a guideline, but I can still have my own way of doing things. I do agree that the natural world is part of the divine. I think we just have different labels for the same things. That or I'm just weird.
Finally Animism that is not Neo or new age. Animism is our primal nature, it’s not for sale or in a book.
Thank you thank you! I’ve been waiting for 74 years for someone who agrees with me and can explain it in such a way that others can credit and understand. Sue greenan
Thank you for this, sincerely. This is what I have come to think and try to realize in my own life. I am an atheist - I don't believe in any actual gods as individual entities or creator beings who control our lives and require our worship. I came to an animistic understanding when I tried psilocybin mushrooms; this freed my mind from its tired old ruts and helped me see how we are connected in a very real, actual, and inseparable way to everything else in nature. This is a true thing - we are all related to every other thing. We are embedded in nature; we share genes with every living thing from microbes to trees. Even the stones contain the same minerals as in our bones. When you break through and truly feel that relationship to everything else in the world, when you no longer see your own self as the center of the universe but as an expression of it, when you know the same spirit that animates nature animates you and that your are part of it, inseparable and whole, a part of everything that went before and everything on earth that will ever be, then you are truly free.
Your prowess increases, Arith. This is amazing, so in depth yet simple to follow. I think that the stories of creation are allegorical, especially in the bible, because humans did not witness it and just interpreted what they saw and expeienced. The fall of man, to me, means the time when humans lost their connection with nature and took the road that leads to where we are (spiritually) today. I also believe that we invented religion because, by nature, the human race are paranoid.
This is what I have been trying to explain to me fellow pagans. Its not about "the gods."
Rune Guidance of the Norse ❤️
Yes! Yes! Yes! This is what I have practiced for the past 47 years. Direct contact with the divine - because everything - including me myself - is a spark of the divine. There is no separation between me and that which surrounds me. There is no difference between science and magic. Eòlas (Scottish Gaelic) is 1 knowledge 2 science 3 familiarity 4 lore 5 spell, incantation. I am my own priestess; there is no intermediary, there are no lies.
Spectacular!!! You have done it again. Your videos are just what the world needs. Having the perspective you describe is why I choose to live off-grid, in harmony with Nature, setting an example of living responsibly and respectfully.
You're a treasure, thank you for sharing your wisdom!!🌈
I love the environments you choose to make your enjoyable videos! It's very nice to watch! I look forward to every Wednesday, can't fail! Thank you Mr. Arith!
Wow! What powerful and true words. Well said. This really hit home. 💗💯🙋♀️
WOW! Nailed it on all fronts! Thank you for this!
Wonderful - thank you for this one Arith! I think i was born with the feeling of animism - if that is a way that i can put it. every winter or any time i find myself alone, needing to find comfort ; i am sitting talking to a tree, if i'm really lucky, maybe ravens and foxes - - - I love the things you said in this - particularly touching on our trouble of racism in the world - - -imagineing that 'our gods - or goddesses - genetically change to be like us. - ya, wow - right before you said that i had been thinking "hmmm, yup, it's all about status and ego"
I'm very new to all of this. Two years ago, I was a die-hard atheist. But then a, what I now understand, helping spirit came into my life and guided me into transformation and healing. First physical things started to happen: lights turned on, objects being pushed over, then I fell into trances, receiving messages, then helping humans appeared out of nowhere in the right moments. It set me on the path to shaking off old societal conditioning and helped me become more myself. It is a very long story, so I don't wanna go into too much detail, but it is fair to say the past couple of years were eye-opening. Now, on time for Walpurgisnacht, I found your channel and what you are saying is exactly what I've been experiencing. I got messages that this spirit is part of a bigger energy field that is surrounding all of us, all the time, in everything. Although I contribute it to a human being who's passed over (and the signs showed me it is definitely him), he told me from early on to see the bigger picture and not get stuck on him as that human. He's part of everything. And you explain it all so well. Thank you so much, Arith! Once again, the universe provided and you are part of my spiritual path now. Can't wait to watch more but I gotta get on with my Walburga celebrations. I'm sending you lots of love and Spring vibes. What a great teacher and guide you are! Thank you.
This so beautifully echoes my own learnings from years of spiritual path. Thank you for your eloquent articulations!
Great work, enjoy this topic. Thanks 🌿
Thank you Arith. You've given me some affirmations that I have kept close to my heart. Because I can't talk to anyone about them. Standing green ones, winged ones or watery ones. They can all give us something. Be it shade or the joy of their songs. Something's Spirit is not what I thought it was. It's (They're) timeless.
Wow... such an awesome explanation of animism ! As a Sophianic animist... this is top shelf Gnosis !
I have learned much from watching your videos. You have given me names to things I have worked with, known about, experienced since I was 14 when I met my first spirit. It seems animism has been part of how I have always seen the world as I rejected the idea of the one god early on. It was not until about a year ago when I rejected the written definitions of the historic gods that I found a connection with them and have only dealt with the one time, all other times I have dealt with the spirits around me when I had questions. Your video about the parts of self was in particular enlightening, giving me words to express concepts that came to me from past times/lives/predecessors. I do hope you can put these concepts down into book form, I am just very grateful to have found your videos they have helped me understand what I have been doing (able to put things into words) as I know they must have helped others.
Rob Ayotte ❤️❤️❤️❤️
This is the best birthday present I could ask for. Keep up the excellent work!
Ι believe that one of the reasons we find it hard to connect with spirits and an animistic worldview has to do with our modern languages as well. I joined a course from the university of Alberta about the indigenous of Canada and on the chapter about their worldview there was a lesson about the language of the Nehiyawak tribe. The Native American who presented it and speaks fluently this language said that in the majority of the words there is a little word in them which is pronounced ''kishi''. Kishi on its own means spirit. So the words were something with kishi in them. I don't remember the words that gave for examples but they were like ''bla bla-kishi-bla bla''. So their word for eyeballs, he said, literally translated as the ''mediator from which I observe the spirit''. So literally when they talked they always talked about spirits around them, even in casual conversations. These are not special words for rituals, they talked (some still talk) like that everyday all day. The Lakota as well have the word ''tanka'' inside the other words. Sumanitutanka they call the wolf and literally means wolf spirit, tatanka is the buffalo hence buffalo spirit. Inevitably when they talked, they talked about how they saw the spirit and heard the spirit and touched the spirit and ate the spirit etc. I also found out recently that the greek word for the vagina which is now the medical word for it, in ancient greek meant respected/sacred and vagina as well. The word is exactly the same today, but we all think that it is just a medical term for vagina. When I learned about that the whole perception of my body and specifically this area changed really fast cause now I can't speak,read or hear about it and not think of the word respected. I realised then that our languages have such a strong influence, cause we think in our language and what we think creates our perception of our reality and our worldview as well. Modern languages have nothing spiritual in them, they objectify everything, everything is a thing, just names so that we can communicate and understand each other.And as we think in these languages our minds automatically objectify everything too. I think ancient languages were somehow spiritual and as we started to disconnect from the earth and saw her as something we can take advantage of, our languages changed too and the words that remained the same lost their meaning.
Your intros are so awesome Another great video, animism is absolutely important to spiritually connect
Thank you for your lessons
Thank you for educating may the divine continue to use you as a guide to the 🔮 divine
34:00 hits home
Great talk. I have been taking the advice of the late John Trudell (Santee Lakota) who encouraged us, white settler colonists on Turtle Island, to learn what happened to the tribes of europe. Arith Harger is the best teacher I have found, Thank you.
I love the new setting! And the video length! It's really great to listen while I putter around the house and learn more about paganism. Thanks so much for all of your hard work and help with us poor, floundering modern pagans hahaha.
Woofinfloof's Magickal Life ❤️
Love your knowledge of the past and passion of the presant...very hard to explain but you seem to know how it is done ?? VERY GOOD !
This is so right on. Thank you for this valuable information! I think that understanding and incorporating this way of practicing in one's spirituality is the difference between those who truly wish to walk this path, and those that just want to get drunk and pretend to be Vikings.
What a spectacular video! By the way as always!
Very clear the information its contents are very important to cultivate!
please keep this going another excellent video thank you.
I absolutely sense the spiritual all around me. My intuition is my guide, and I do not accept limiting my spiritual experience to another beings subjugation. I do not understand how another can say "you're not a true pagan, animist, xyz" if you don't worship this god. Attempting to define what and how another can or should practice their spirituality is what causes so much fighting that is nothing but destructive to all. It's also not the way of my ancestors and they are my guides, my intuition.
I accept the description of the gods as descriptions of our roles in life, and the attributes those roles provide us as we fill them throughout this life. To me, these are just names or personifications of all the attributes our ancestors found honorable and something to work towards in their own lives. They may have been an individual so influential that had these qualities that the.ancestors used as examples for following generations that evolved into "gods". I do not know. I do know that I do not believe there are individual beings sitting on a thrown meddling in my life and that I must seek favor with them. I'm much more concerned with my local land spirits and how I can live in harmony with them.
Vikki Edwards ❤️
Most underrated comment
🌱🙏Beautiful. ThankYou.⚘🍃
Wonderful and elucidative vídeo. Congratulations and many thanks for all🙏🙏🙏👍🏻👏👏👏
Thank you so much! I'm loving the information you have brought to my life. Please never stop.
Thank you Arith - this video is now one of my favorites.
An excellent follow up to your old vid on animism, which is still a masterpiece of information :)
Another brilliant video. Thank you
"The name that can be named is not the eternal name."
You are so on point with this video. Thank you very much for sharing your insight.
Sure from Laozi
A very good video, presenting some things that modern people have a great deal of trouble understanding. I believe the term for it is "Double Think", that bedevils many people who are confused. "Silly cat, your thinking too hard." A simple message pointing out a major problem that people have(yes, a message from my mysterious friend while I was typing this).
wow I really needed to hear this, thank you !
I really hope that you are teaching at a university. The way you speak is so well structured, passionate and full of humour, it would be a shame for students to miss out on that. Thank you for putting so much effort into your videos, it has become my daily ritual to listen to your insights during my lunch break (home office), and I have learned so much, it is incredible.
I think you just explained to me every single annoyance I have with Neo-Paganism but couldn't put into words...wow! So helpful.
I like your point about the symbiotic relationship between the Gods and humans. It begs the question, with the powerful and awe inspiring natural manifestation of the gods, what could we offer in exchange that would be of value to them? I'm inclined to think that as humans, with our capacity for identifying and comprehending different forces, that maybe our very recognition of the Gods and spirits is somehow empowering to them.
Wow, what a great talk... Thank u Arith for ur great work. Im with u, all the way tru. and i love the way how u presenting and explaining. From beginning to the end, well donne dear.
Another gift. Thank you. When all of this is said and done what is left is how do we change our perception of this spiritual expression of a planet that embodies all sorts of life. Spiritual and physical trying to coexist. I am struggling to find the words, perhaps it is not so much trying to find words of what I experience but just allowing things to be. Thank you again. I am so glad to have finally found someone who can put into words how I feel and view the world I live in.
incredibly put. i discovered your videos about a week ago, and thus far you have demonstrated more wisdom on these subjects and more food for thought as it were then i could have ever asked for.
Do not believe, just feel.
WOW. If I may say, this is your best video. Incredibly thought provoking. Slainte.
agreed!
Everything you said in this video was absolutely right on! Thank you for making this video.
Introduction 100%, the subject is above 100%, absolutely extraordinary! Thanks
It's so exciting to hear someone articulate aloud what I have felt for so long but had no context to explain or describe. Thank you for your incredible insights!
I LOVE the power and emotion you put into this as you explain. I’ve grown up like this without even knowing all these different Gods. (Not counting what they teach you in school about Greek Gods). But I have always felt safer out in the woods by myself. I have always at peace out in the woods or next with flowing water. Now if I’m with others like me in the environment of peace. I’m also at peace and can talk freely. But if I’m in a public place with others that are negative and all about “Go, Go, Go!!” I get so anxious and I just can’t function and have to leave. So I have to stay away. I work in a public place. But once I’m done, going home I have to stay there to “Unpeople” myself....not counting my family...lol....My animal family will come and help calm me knowing I had a hard day.....I find if I am out with others that are so negative and people that I know that are have such a bad day. I try to help them....many are in my clinic in my first job......and in my second job I work on the weekend....I am drawn to.....like my co-workers “younger ones” (at my second job). They have hard lives at home and school. But I have to go back to nature, and recharge and let go to help myself....sometimes if I can’t do that for myself....I get sick because their sadness, negativity, and needs will drain me and I just can’t maintain my own happiness. So your explanations of this is awesome!!!! I have said this before.....I’ll say it again........I could listen to you all day long.....I’m still not done catching up on all your videos.......Much love to you!! Hoping everything is still going good in your world!! Blessed Be!!
Tracy Zimmerman ❤️❤️❤️🥰
What a sweet and heartfelt comment. I truly hope he gets to see it.
Love your knowledge. Keep sharing please. You are a great teacher.
Thank you once again a great video, really helpful to challenge the monotheistic programming we're all subjected to. I try to spend as much time as I can out doors in nature and when I walk into a woodland or river valley I know that it is the only temple I need.
This, in my opinion, is one of the most important topics you have tackled.
Thanks Arith to put in a video what I felt since the beginning: human being is part of the Nature, and not separated nor the owner of it
This talk is so deeply reflecting the turn my spirituality is taking.
As ever, I appreciate the knowledge shared here! Anyone who has a sincere desire to learn about themselves and their relationship to the divine all about them can truly be inspired by the information offered here. Thank you, Arith. The time you take to research such topics and then present them in an easily-understood yet profound manner is priceless. Thank you for helping me grow!
My goodness! What an absolutely excellent video. Many thanks!
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for this!
This is very well said! Very good video for those wanting to follow the more ancient paths.
Just had this exact argument with a number of "neo-pagans". THank you for reminding me that i'm not going mad.
Keep doing what you do .
...very inspired of your belief...🙂
Your awesome dude! Spirit's blessings upon you
I have to say, this video has one of the most profound massages that I've heard in a while.
One of the most insightful videos yet! Arith you are an asset to the study and practice of neopaganism! I agree that there is a lot still to learn and rediscover when so many of us have grown up in a materialistic world mindset. I am forging a relationship with a land god and other bios related entities on my land and home. I was wondering if you would consider making a video branching on the animist mindset, about how to cultivate such a relationship with a powerful deity of the land, and the possible consequences of not doing so?
Thank you so much for this exquisite lecture. It has helped me in reviewing my perspectives on all I understand of spirituality... "Consciousness is everywhere..." It's existence,...
Thank you for mentioning the Edda as a means to be connected to the Gods...
I want to compliment you by singing "Heaven must be missing an angel."
A number of Native American groups are in the process of trying to revitalize their ancestral beliefs and practices. And some modern non-indigenous neopagan people (I happen to be an American Wiccan) are also trying to incorporate some of those ancient perceptions into their daily lives. Knowing where your food came from, how it was grown and prepared, is only one way of connecting with the spiritual aspects of the universe around us. The famous phrase by science-fiction author Robert A. Heinlein, "Thou art God... all that 'groks' is God." sums it up pretty well.
Have they invited some chinese, some blacks and some europeians to take part in that revitalization process? Seems wery racist otherwise. Why should they have the soul rigt to the religion of "their" ancestors?
It is good to quiet the mental ramblings in our minds and stop and see things the way the really are around us.
Thank you, thank you for the truth.
A thought about racism in paganism and the pov's you describe. One resists racism, the other reaffirms it. Excellent video.
This is the best thing on youtube today. Perfect! Creating the name of a sword always made gods seem like contemporary imaginings. Why would a "god" use a sword and ride a horse? Now that we have Apache Helicopters and AR15's that seems absurd. Arith is correct, the description of the spiritual in relative terms destroys it.
Yes! The separation of the spirit is exactly why so many people lose their way. They are disconnected, feel it, but never learned how to tune back in. For me there are two great holes in the monotheistic religions: The disregard for nature (the animistic spirituality you describe so clearly) and the disregard for the feminine. But it is clear how this all developed over time. Great video Arith!
good morning Arith! lovely landscape. great video!
At 20:06 and 34:34 minutes You said all that really changed my life🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏
Excellent thought provoking video. Dovetails nicely with some of the concepts I'm playing with. Playing with really isn't accurate. Been thinking a lot about how belief and intention effect the over arching or higher reality. I'm primarily focused on The Celtic derivations of the divine but I gather so much useful information from your stuff it is greatly appreciated. By the way not to jiggle your arm but I hope to see some more rune videos at some point the ones you've done already have been immensely useful for me and I thank you for those as well.
Absolutely powerful analysis and arguements Arith. I've been meaning to listen to this for awhile. As a 'student' of Comparative Cosmology practicing an Inclusive Spiritual Practice where I approach each belief system as a piece of broken pottery that can help us reassemble that original Animisim. I wouldn't have called my belief system Animisim. I lo e your argument regarding the refutation of God/Spirit because there us "no scientific proof." Absolutely brilliant.
Absolutely brilliant video :)
Sophia, Goddess of Wisdom{ Earth} our Mother. Thank you,a wonderful video.
wow this is a fantastic talk, a lot to think about!
I agree with the point that the spirit doesn't have limitations but i also think that they know how far and deeply the most people in modern western societies are, seperated from our surroundings, that's why i think that many (maybe the most, but by far not in the slightest all of them especially those who are known to be mischivious or trickster spirits), appear to us in an familiar way.
For example once i had a conversation with hades in the morning, not in the night. In ancient greece the people were very afraid to even speak out the word 'hades' in my case nothing bad happened, i asked hades about it, as i mentioned it he got very serious. And his personality is very gentle and friendly, very different in some aspects to the old greek descriptions of him.
His first appearance to me was as an dense silouette of smoke and shadow, he circled around me like a vulture it does with an dying animal, he became slower and slower until he stopt in an fully humanoid form and he asked me ''How dare YOU to enter my realm?'' His voice was more surprised than threatening.
I know this video is 4 years old, but I'm watching it now. And I think and hope that this is changing. That more and more people are becoming aware of this knowledge and the more who do, the more who will. We are all magic. I know this with all my heart, because when my daughter was born it was obvious to me.
Thankyou for clarifying video!
We don't see the world as it is, we see the world as we think it is. Arith Härger
so very true
"People Trees: Worship of Trees in Northern India
" by David L. Haberman has a wonderful introduction that explores where the Western paradigm of separating "humans" from "nature" started. It's awesome.
Brilliant. Animism is fascinating
Nicely articulated consonants. Taught voice and artic.for forty years. They never got that! Attic is all about consonants!!!
I liked this video, like the most ones. But I must remind you that even indigenous peoples have their leaders, warriors and priests (the shaman/the medicine man/the witch/the wise lady). The tale about the noble savage is just a tale, even if Rousseau thought differently.
Emma Rydgren 🤔🤨..........?
Oh by the way.......you are wearing my jacket!! LOL!! I have that same one right next to me.....LOL!! Great minds think alike..... :)
GREAT video! Your explanation of animism is wonderful - and will help others understand the Heathen and Pagan peoples' minds.
This was great sir...
Tbh my witchcraft hero 🙌✨ blessings to u Arith
This is great information. I'm an indie game developer, and am currently developing a trading card game. Each set I release, at least to begin with, will be roughly based upon some kind of religion or culture. The first set will be based upon animism from as far back as about 100,000 BCE. I'm already getting plenty of ideas for this set, just from watching your video. Though, if you want to give any suggestions for cards, please do; I welcome it.
Wonderfully articulated as always.
Hi Arith! Hopefully you will add to to your Runes videos soon. I'd be very interested to hear about Othala and Ingwaz.
Excellent video!
Another exellent lecture ,thank you .
Brilliant!!
Hello Arith, great topic. I always enjoy your explorations of animism. I was wondering if you have read the fictional series "earth's children" by Jean M Auel. I am reading this series now and it does explore animism and humanity in the Mesolithic time period. It is a bit outdated as new scientific findings have shown that some prior assumptions of the Mesolithic time are untrue, but it's still a great story that I am enjoying and think you might enjoy as well.
You are so right and it is so sad that there has been much loss of original belief systems. What you present as a way to view spirituality is my natural belief, I feel it has come down through my DNA and I am somewhat fortunate to have this belief. However, I am weighted down by the mundane so its not easy to be in touch with the spirit world.