Options or Limits? Choice in the Spiritual Journey

OK... Confession time! I am a NERD/GEEK! There I said it out loud. I know , right? You are SHOCKED by this revelation! This is not something new that I just all of sudden realized about myself. No, I am a lifelong, card carrying member of the geek/nerd culture.

For me, being labeled as a geek/nerd is not the least bit derogatory. They are badges of honor. However, the focus of my nerdiness/geekiness touched on many different areas in my life. Besides my love for reading and all things bookish, I would say that my longest running nerd/geek obsession is computers. More specifically, open source computing. This is different from closed source. In other words, I am a GNU/Linux fanatic!

GNU/Linux, for those of you who might not know, is a free and open source operating system for use on computers from home systems to major servers. This is very different from a "closed source OS" like Windows or Apple. In those environments, the user is limited to the choices made for them by the software designers. It can be adjusted very little by the end user and there is absolutely no sharing of the source code of those systems with the users to develop.

One of the best things about the GNU/Linux operating system, besides being free, is the HUGE array of choices that it offers to its user base. From the choice of package management to the desktop to level of user-friendliness, options and choice are the "Linux Way". GNU/Linux, with a couple of notable exceptions, makes their source code available to the public and encourages the development of their work by the community. In fact, it is accurate to say that most Linux distributions (A distro or distribution is one flavor of the GNU/Linux OS such as Ubuntu, Slackware, etc.) are typically community-led efforts to get powerful computer software into the hands of those enthusiasts who can pay it forward to the next level. It is also to help those who are frustrated with the closed source software world to find a whole new world of personal and business computing.

I am a notorious distro hopper. I love to try one out for a little while then change to something new and see how it works. I switch desktop environments, types of package managers, etc. in a journey to learn more about Linux and what it offers. With over 700 distributions out there, I never run out of new ones to try. However, I must admit, I have a few favorites that I tend to return to repeatedly. Besides using the software for myself, I also participate in the development community as a beta tester or writer of code or documentation to give back to the community that has given me so much.

In my reflection about the different types of Operating Systems and their nature, I started thinking about how that applies in our journey to become Spiritual Heroes. From what I see, there are open source approaches to spirituality and closed source approaches.

In the closed source systems of spiritual development, the basics are pretty well set in place and all one needs to do to adhere to the system is to use it. It allows for some, but not a lot, individualization and offer some choices (Which flavor you prefer, etc.). But overall, that pathway is pretty clearcut and not open to (much) adjustment.

In contrast to the close source approach, an open source approach to spirituality encourages followers to explore and examine the different parts of the multitude of systems out there and make adjustments to make a system of their own. They can get under the hood, so to speak, and add to or remove the parts that don't work for them. They can create variations and see how they run on their "hardware" and decide to stay with what they find that works or adjust or change altogether.

As in my approach to software and operating systems, I prefer my spiritual journey to be open source. I like to be able to draw insights from numerous sources to build a spiritual life. I do not like being held back by someone else's approach and being told I have to do it their way or I will (fill in the blank here).

Now, some of you may say that this is just playing loose and fast with spirituality. I would disagree. It is important we find an approach to spirituality that is enjoyable, interesting and, yes, life-changing. No one can do that for you. However, we can have a community around us to support and encourage use in the journey. They can suggest, correct and celebrate as we explore, experiment and "try on" the different parts of the spirituality. However, just like in Linux, the kernel-the core of what makes it all work- is the same. That core for each of us is the connection we have to our ground of being, the Divine Source. Spiritual Heroes never lose sight of the importance of this core because this is what makes the whole thing work.

So- I guess my nerdiness even extends to how I approach spirituality. That is fine with me. It means that as long as I live, I will always have adjustments and changes to make to this powerful force in my life. I have an awesome of community of fellow enthusiasts who are doing the same. We can live, love, laugh and cry together to become the Spiritual people that the Source has destined for us to become.