Temples for humanity

After attending retreats with ISTA (International School of Temple Arts), Consensual, Creative Consciousness and the Temple of Tantric Arts, I have grown fascinated with these temple-like sacred spaces. These spaces feel more like energetic fields held by the facilitators than solid physical and material temples created in most religions. Yet, there is something very special and beautiful about them: there is a deep knowing in me that in these spaces, parts of me that are not welcome in the "outside world", parts that are not even welcome by myself, are welcome and celebrated here. And this is something I find priceless and worth acknowledging.

Temples were originally created as places to connect with God(s) and Godesses and our divine essence. They were sacred spaces where we went to remember who we are.

Nowadays, many religious temples house a set of rites and practices that, in many cases, offer little in terms of inviting self-realisation. Quite the opposite, in fact. Rules and dogmas have been established, often misinterpreted or manipulated from the original texts, that distance us from our own nature, vital energy, and the ability to truly feel the divinity within us. Some of the methods employed include denying the body and its desires—primarily sexual ones—creating morality, a set of rules about what is right and wrong, and finally, instilling fear based on failing to adhere to this strict morality. These three points are essential components for promoting a culture of imbalance, disconnection from the body and soul, and over-identification with the mind.

Creativity, connection with ourselves and others, and curiosity are three fundamental components of our human essence that have no place in a world of fear, rejection, and morality. Creative energy is sexual energy, which is essentially rejected. Genuine curiosity requires mental and physical relaxation. The minds of denied bodies and psyches fractured by an arbitrary morality (not experienced by the individual) create tension in both the body and mind. What most of us consider curiosity is far from its true potential. Curiosity is divine observation; it requires the innocence that knows everything is perfect just as it is and simply wants to explore and play.

The global relationship between humans and nature is merely a reflection of the disconnection we have with our own nature. If we are at war with our own nature, how can we possibly be at peace with Mother Nature?

It is clear that the connection to God via religious means has taken us this far. The current state of affairs is yearning for something else, something that can hold the polarities of who we are as humans, and thrive as such. Temples for humanity are born with the intention of reclaiming the spaces where we can remember, reclaim, and recognise our human nature. These are spaces where Mother Nature is invited to be part of our journey back to the body and the soul. They are spaces of integration for everything that is human. They are places where the conviction prevails that nothing human can escape the divine. In these temples, the fuel is the vital sexual and creative energy that we all carry within. They are spaces that foster understanding of ourselves, others, and nature. They are spaces where our gaze turns towards God, not because we must, but because we understand and know that this is the highest standard to which we can aspire.

When these temples arise, a shift happens and innovation, science, art, and organisations deeply understand that they sole mission is that of being in favour of life, not against it. They become vehicles for the expression of life, nature, love, understanding, collaboration, individuation, and abundance. They are spaces, where the soul is safe to manifest itself in matter. They are eternal spaces. They are spiritually immeasurable, vortices to parallel realities, portals to new dimensions of our being and our humanity. And let's this be a message of joy and wonder, because these temples are spaces to, above all, celebrate the miracle of life!