Rules of Sitakaliism
Sitakaliism is the spirituality I created for myself when I was fourteen years old. After going through a phase of depression, and a bout of God-hatred, I managed to find myself in a series of young-adult fiction novels called The Last Vampire. I used the main character, Sita, as the main goddess in my eclectic pantheon. Kali is my favourite of all the gods in existing religions, hence the name Sitakaliism.
The main rule of Sitakaliism is as follows:
Nobody but me can be a Sitakaliist. This is simply to prevent others from blindly following someone else’s beliefs. If someone’s beliefs are similar to my own, that is fine, but they must come up with their own name for their spirituality.
Sitakaliism is split up into a more spiritual aspect, which involves the mystic gods and goddesses of my pantheon, and the more philosophical aspect, which I call Duality. It is not called Duality because I believe that everything in nature is polarized into good and bad; quite the opposite (not to polarize things or anything). Duality is based on the Taoist belief that nothing can exist without its opposite, and everything has a bit of its opposite in it (a visual representation is the yin-yang symbol). So, for example, all men have a feminine aspect to them, and women a masculine aspect. All cruel people have a bit if good in them, and all kind people have a bit of cruelty.
Some of my fundamental beliefs are:
1. “Do as thou wilt and harm none.” This is the Golden Rule, different versions of which are found in virtually all of the world’s religions. This simply means that you may do as you please, as long as it doesn’t hurt anybody. But that’s actually not simple at all. You must be careful, to prevent harm to others. This is different from the “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” belief (another version of the Golden Rule), because I do not believe everyone would be okay with the same things being done to them. If that doesn’t make sense, here’s an example:
Say that Martha is polyamorous by nature, and is in a relationship with Bob, who is monogamous. Martha goes by the “do unto others rule,” therefore not seeing any problem with sleeping with another man, since she wouldn’t mind if Bob did the same thing to her. But what will hurt Bob is different from what will hurt Martha. Martha needs to be sensitive to the fact that everything is relative, and people are different.
2. A connection with the spiritual involves a connection with the practical; the real. They are not separate. Therefore, you cannot go off into la-la land and be enlightened when you have done nothing for the people or other creatures of this earth. Some say that in order to help the world, first you must know yourself, or help yourself. This may be partially true, but don’t take it too far. In order to truly know yourself, you must understand your relationship with the rest of humanity, and the rest of the planet. You must understand that simply looking out for your own interests hurts everyone, including – eventually – yourself. To say that you must help yourself first before helping anyone else, is like saying you must feed yourself before you can drink any water. You actually need both, at the same time.
3. No devils exist except here on Earth. The only hell that exists is the one we create for ourselves (and others). We must stop fearing the unknown when there are plenty of well-known things for us to fear already. Stop trying to save people’s souls from some mystical hellfire if their souls are already being shattered by the world around them. Stop dismissing things as “evil,” and come to the realization that evil is within human potential, not some abstract demon. Since it is within human potential, evil can be dealt with.
4. Cruelty and violence are not destroyed with cruelty and violence. Justice and revenge are never the same thing. You cannot fight fire with fire and expect to win. This concept angers a lot of people, and rightly so. How dare I suggest that someone who has suffered at the hands of another not seek retribution! However, what many do not understand is that I am not saying that a victim has no right to retaliate. It is possible for someone to have a right to something, and for that something to still not be the best idea. Yes, you can take the eye of the person who has blinded you, but I ask you, what does that really accomplish, besides some kind of shallow, temporary sense of closure? Sometimes it causes the victim psychological harm to retaliate.
Those who are angered by this accuse me of having never experienced true pain at the hands of another. Without fully disclosing my deepest secrets, let me say that that simply is not true, in any sense.
By the same token, war will never stop evil. It may weaken it, or slow it down, but ultimately war creates violence in the psyches of people who have already experienced enough for one lifetime. It perpetuates an ongoing cycle of cruelty that has existed since the Neolithic era.
My point is, don’t preach empty things about how you have no right to harm a human being if they’ve harmed you. The most important thing is to the look at the consequences. This isn’t about an individual’s rights, it’s about what will ultimately stop the perpetuation of violence in society as a whole.
5. Never dismiss your actions, or anyone else’s, as “human nature.” I have made this point several times before. Humans are naturally adaptive beings. It is in our nature to be able to adapt to a peaceful lifestyle, just has we have adapted over the years to violence. This isn’t just something that has been seen throughout history; it is true on a biological and psychological level. Blaming “human nature” for our negative qualities just confirms that we are trapped; we cannot change. And that’s simply not true.
If you wish to hold human nature responsible for positive qualities, on the other hand, go right ahead. That does no harm.
That’s it for now; tune in for more later 
You asked for comments on Sitakaliism.
Interesting name!
(I can't find how to comment on okcupid's tests!)
Ok,
I agree a lot with you.
Esp on moral compass, & on that everyone must find (or make) their own path.
I know Agnostics take offence if called confused.
But I AM religiously confused.
I'm a born Hindu, & Hindutva is a complex, expansive & diverse religion to say the least.
I personally can't be Hindu, as I can't bring myself to believe in reincarnation.
I do not find any explanation I've yet come across, plausible.
Especialy, the "why" of it.
WhenI say I don't know the meaning of life, i mean it.
In context, in relation to other humans, life is meaningful. But in itself?
In the vastuniverse?
Why?
Anyway, I do fantasize a heaven & hell *for earth*.
My definition of heaven is where everyone finds themselves as their own ideal selves. Plus, they acquire all the knowledge that humans have till date acquired on earth, & keep on automatically expanding it, as discoveres& inventions take place on earth. (Everyone hass average adult IQ)
Plus, everyone agrees to a comon standard of fairness,though not other things.
& lastly, everyone sees their (dead) loved ones the way they are most comfortable & fond of – the age(& their own age), & place that they enjoyed most together.
My idea ofhell will be going through all the painful experiences (including emotions & feelings) that one subjected any life form (insect or tree) to,knowingly or unknowingly.
Thus mighty conqurers willexperience thousands of painful deaths, with full knowledge of the victims background, for every decision that lead to that…
U would notice God doesn't even come into *picture*
That's because I know nothing about God.
However, this is only my theory of ideals.
I find it difficult to believe that such things exist
I feel that in reality, all unfairness, *JUST HAPPENS*
It stays, & is never avenged, never un-wronged, & nothing's the matter.
Sad view of a universe.
I like all of the precepts of your belief system. Sounds like a very thoughtfully considered and noble code of conduct to experience life by.
I am down with that and have decided to name it agrainofthruthism for my own practice (O:
That’s great, I haven’t really met another person yet who named their spirituality, so I’m glad to see progress
Hi, I found this thanks to your quiz. Very nice, I find it somewhat amusing you put this on a quiz, what with it being so open, accepting, everyone find your own path kind of thing. I wish there was more of that in the world.
Anyhow its really nice to see this, thank you I hope you do as you preach.
RE: “war will never stop evil”: ‘bombing for peace is like fucking for virginity’! That introductory humor aside, you are positively and beautifully unique, able to contribute to and easily confound the “highest” levels of today’s spiritual discourse. So, PLEASE jump in- promote yourself and your belief- yes, MORE! Personally, I’d love to see and learn from you corresponding with a dude named Ken Wilber. But don’t let him categorize/pigeon-hole you or even let him off the hook by his saying how wonderfully independent you are- make him try to figure you out in his own terms. I find you to be utterly avant-garde and meta-spirituo-intellectually gifted and inspiring.
I sincerely wish you well. (heh, Dayum- just when I was starting to thing i had ‘everything’ figured out, here you are)
I did your test thingy and got a 93, lol…i didnt realize someone out there had so muvh in common belief-wise. i couldnt figure out hoe to post with your quiz either. i have my own kinda belief system too…though i never really named it, i guess it could be called infinityism or something like that. anyway, its kinda hard to sum up in one little blog spot, but my core beliefs i guess you would say are along the ideas of harm none, help others, and to quote a book, lol, “there is no ONE true way”
In my mythology class in 10th grade (crazy class, crazy school) our final project was to write our own personal mythology. We had to write a paper on the myths/stories/experiences that made up our view of the world. It was something put forth by Joseph Campbell, a comparative mythologist who my teacher admired and whose work he had us study as part of the class. Since you’ve clearly done a lot of research, are you familiar with his work? I’m thinking that since I scored so high on your test you’ve either been influenced by him or would like his work.
I still have my paper saved somewhere.
When one puts their beliefs in writing they become clear. Easier to disect and improve upon.
Its just so incredible that I can understand how incredible it all is. . . . . . . .
How could I possibly judge the credibility of other Incredible possibilities.
I have been on a similar path since I was five years old, that is when I realized I knew things without knowing how I knew them. I have been able to communicate with animals since childhood. My intuitive abilities have grown strong since I experienced a Near Death Experience. Since that time I know that I am here to serve and knowledge is very important part of my mission here. I see all souls as one collective energy, although sometimes understanding others actions is not clear,we all have a lesson to learn. We will repeat those lessons until it has become clear, for clarity comes when judgment ceases. Thank You Becki
Interesting ideas. I’ve got my own beliefs and always welcome new ones so I can decide what’s bullshit and what fits and what doesn’t. What I like is when I find these ideas and realize that I’ve come to them on my own; that I share these ideas and they’re original for me because they were shaped by me so they’re different from known philosophy and religion, but the same or similar. Compassion, moderation and humility. The essence of a deja-vu. The feeling of a connectedness of all things – I don’t need a religion or practice: I am human and that’s all: My beliefs are of human nature and human nature is of humanity. Spirituality is human and likewise, Atheistiscity is also human.
Yes, I agree. I am a humanist, so your beliefs are similar in that respect. Spirituality and atheism can go hand in hand, as well.
I LOVE the last vampire, i wanna meet the author, he’s so interesting, but that isn’t why i can here. why is kali your favourite??
anyway, i just wanted to tell u that u heled me know that all through my childhood, i had created my own…spirituality or religious belief and i had NO idea, so i just wanted to say thank you. also it is a personal question, but why were you depressed?
if you feel uncomfortbale answering the question, it’s okay, you don’t have to
Sorry for the late reply. I’m glad to hear that I helped someone! That’s pretty cool.
Kali is so vast; she is time itself, she is the destructive force that keeps creation in balance, she is age and darkness. I appreciate that she is so misunderstood by Western culture, as are most Dark Goddesses (Ereshkigal, Hekate, and Sekhmet are another three I appreciate). The idea that in some religions no deity is actually evil, that they all just play a purpose, really helped me with my attitude towards life.
I was depressed for many reasons. I wasn’t treated well in school, that was one. I was going through changes, as most 13-year-olds do. So I needed some direction.
I can’t believe I never read this before. What a wise owl you are.
Thank you. I can’t imagine where I got it from
Hey! I totally loved your test! It’s not about what you believe just that you believe in something. I just everyone would be more open minded and not so judgemental! Most of humanities wars have been fought because or one religion or another when they’re all really just the same thing
Thank you. I really believe that people must find their own path and not simply believe what other people tell them. Critical thinking is the first step to finding your spirituality.
I took your tests and the results wer very high (above 80% on both paganism and Sitakaki. In one test you wanted to know other ideas about what happens after death. I would like to share my ideas but this is not sufficient room. I will try to send an email ecause I think you might be interested in my slant on it
Nice to find similar ppl….
Saw a comment about rebirth in here sumwhere n tot i’d share a lil sumthin i’d stumbled upon.
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2XmvEV/www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html
check it out….. i dont have any written-in-stone opinions about anythin spiritual or religious. they keep changing as i learn more.. if u find u lik this link i can give u links to other tid-bits i’ve found….
Interesting idea. I like it. I’ve thought about this idea in the past, it’s an interesting thought experiment.
glad u liked it…… u interested in tidbits on chakras?