Gale Tobin on the Path to Spirituality

Gale Tobin was born as a Catholic and had religious parents who were firm believers of it. Aside from finishing most of her studies in a Catholic school, she also got used to attending the regular Sunday mass with her family. The religious traditions they practiced were something she regarded as the standard given that that was the kind of environment she grew up in. She followed and obeyed because that was part of the expectations. She was convinced of this reality, of having an all-knowing powerful creator that should be modeled by its followers.

It was not until she reached her early adulthood when she started questioning some of these practices. While she recognized that there is a greater force that created life, she continually raised doubts about the stories in the Bible. The truth behind this was simply justified on the account that it was according to Jesus-further leading to questions that the adults around her could not give an answer to or do not want to discuss. They identified these questions as a form of sin as she was disbelieving the existence of their creator. Because having these questions was considered wrong, it only made her realize that Catholicism limited her ability to think and act freely. Certain actions were considered as misconduct; not attending the mass, not listening to the readings, and not participating in religious events. Everything that does not align with God’s standard was framed upon. They had to conform to what was considered right and wrong according to the scriptures. They had to follow without questioning. They had to embody this image of purity.

Gale Tobin did not have any hatred towards her religion. She just yearned for more clarity-something that was impossible as there were no answers to her questions. She went through years of feeling as if there was something missing. She had an identity without a purpose, a sense of direction without attunement to her consciousness. Detachment to her being weighed her down, an issue she could not understand nor solve. Little did she know that it was part of her path to spirituality.

Tobin is currently on an unending spiritual journey-a path that resonated with her the most. It increased her self-awareness even more as it taught her about love, gratitude, and sensitivity. Everything she was already familiar with but with more authenticity and absorption. She has been introduced to Hinduism where she recognized that it naturally corresponded to her beliefs. A religion that believed in dharma and karma. A religion that embraced the essence of the universe and of the soul. This led her to discover various symbols, values, and cultures that she is still in awe of. While she is still spiritual more than religious, it is enough that she feels enlightenment in learning and relearning; in finally feeling the alignment to her conscious being.

Meditation is one of the practices she does daily in order to set kind intentions for herself and for the people around her. Healing the self is healing others. This allowed her to become more mindful of her thoughts and actions before channeling them to physical existence. This enabled her to perceive that each person has their own universe-guided by other universes in every interaction.

Tobin identifies all of these as a calling. She would not have questioned her religion if it weren’t for that voice within. Sensitivity is divinity-to listen to every sign served her in becoming aware of her path. Intuition and the courage to follow it guided her in identifying the nature of her soul.

Originally published at https://galetobin.com on October 12, 2021.