Spiritual beliefs and practices are becoming more popular all over the world. Many people prefer to explore the world outside and within without the confines of an organized religion. Gay spirituality is also gaining in popularity with groups and gurus appearing everywhere.

Spiritual practitioners have many reasons for choosing their path. The emphasis on material possessions and technology are not sufficient for everyone. They want to establish a deeper connection to the planet and the forces of nature. Spiritual practice is for many a more positive way of connecting with the Divine than organized religion as that emphasizes fear. Spiritual philosophies concentrate on love and the power of positive feelings.

Organized religion causes problems in the minds of some gay people because of its condemnation of the lifestyle. Religious forces are an important factor in shaping moral beliefs and even laws in many places. This has led to societies where gay people can be ousted and threatened or at least suffer disapproval. This often translates into self hatred and denial in homosexual individuals. Some people feel there are similarities between spiritual practice and coming out as they both require self knowledge and lead to self acceptance through introspection.

Some people have suggested that gay spirituality is following on from the tradition of gay people entering the caring professions. There has always been a high proportion of the gay population choosing careers such as nursing, social work and ministry. This may be because the majority of homosexuals choose not to have a family and so have more time and freedom to care for others. Following a spiritual path is another manifestation of this phenomenon.

The trauma of AIDS and its effect on gay men may also play a role in the growth of gay spirituality. Many young men have seen their loved ones; friends and peers die a terrible death at a young age. Death and the fear of it has always been a motivating factor in religious and spiritual belief.

Whatever the reasons for it there is no doubt that gay spirituality is increasing. There are several main aspects of the practices. Firstly many are seeking a higher consciousness through the use of sex and intimacy. Gay tantra is very popular and involves using breathing and physical intimacy to reach higher states of pleasure. It focuses on concentrating on the present which is an important part of spiritual work. The opposite side of the coin sees a growth in workshops encouraging gay people to discover ways of sharing intimacy other than sex. You can also find gay shamans, energy workers, pagans, healers, herbalists. Workshops on meditation, energy work, nature and drumming are also growing in popularity.

The internet has lots of information from a wide variety of sources about gay spirituality and how it can be practiced. There are increasing numbers of spirituality groups who run workshops and retreats of different kinds. There are online communities with blogs and chat rooms so that you can explore your thoughts with other gay people even if you cannot find a group near you. There are also sites which produce literature by well know gay practitioners.

Gay spirituality is a growing phenomenon and you can be part of it easily by using online resources. Whatever aspects of spirituality interest you there are many opportunities to join with other to explore them.