Sacred Pathways Assessment
Spiritual temperaments are the way each human being finds spiritual connection. (Based on “ Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul’s Path to God” by GaryThomas © 1996)
Name
First Name
Last Name
Email
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Discover how do you naturally connect with God
Score the following statements on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being not true at all and 5 being very true ).
Naturalist
love God best outdoors. They love God through the creation and discoverspiritual truths through nature.
I feel most at peace when I'm surrounded by nature – the mountains, the forests, or the ocean.
Not True
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Very True
5
1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I find it difficult to experience spiritual connection inside.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I would rather practice spirituality by spending an hour beside a small brook than by participating in a group gathering.
Not True
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Very True
5
1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
If I could escape to a garden to pray or meditate on a cold day, walk through a meadow on a warm day and take a trip by myself to the mountains on another day, I would be very happy.
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
A book called Nature's Sanctuaries: A Picture Book would be appealing to me.
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Seeing beauty in nature is more moving to me than understanding new concepts, participating in a formal spiritual gathering, or participating in social causes.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Calculation
Sensates
love the Divine through their senses. They worship through sensual experiences — sights (like art), sounds (music), smells, and more.
I feel closest to a Divine presence when I'm in a religious gathering that allows my senses to come alive - when I can see, smell, hear, and almost taste something sacred.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I enjoy attending a traditional religious service.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I'd have a difficult time experiencing presence in a building that is plain and lacks a sense of awe or majesty.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
The words sensuous, colorful, and aromatic are very appealing to me.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I'm naturally drawn to museums and concerts more than I'm inclined to take a walk in the woods, work in a soup kitchen or read a book by myself.
Not True
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Very True
5
1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I would really enjoy drawing exercises or classical music playing in the background to improve my prayer life.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Calculation
Traditionalists
Experience Presence through religious rituals and symbols. They believe structure, repetition, tradition leads to a deeper connection to the Divine.
I feel most spiritually connected when I'm participating in a traditional form of worship that has memories dating back to my childhood. Rituals and traditions move me more than anything else.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I begin to feel closest to a Divine Presence when I offer up a symbolic sacrifice.
Not True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
The words “tradition” and “history” are very appealing to me.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Participating in a formal prayer, developing symbols that I can place in my car, home, or office is helpful for me.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
A book about my religious traditions would be appealing to me.
Not True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I would really enjoy developing a personal rule (or ritual) of prayer.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Calculation
Activist
believe in confrontation, fighting for the oppressed, and extorting spiritualvalues. They express their spirituality through their dedication to and participation in social
I feel spiritually connected when I am engaged in acts of justice: writing letters togovernment officials and newspaper editors, picketing at a place of injustice, urging people to vote, or becoming informed about current issues.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I get very frustrated if I see apathetic people who don't become active. I want to drop everything else I'm doing and help people overcome their apathy.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
The terms “courageous confrontation” and “social activism” are very appealing to me.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Activities such as confronting a social evil, attending a meeting of the local school board to challenge the new curriculum, and volunteering on a political campaign are important to me.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
The book Fighting Modern Day Slavery would be appealing to me.
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I would rather stand in the rain for an hour to confront an oppression than sit in a room by myself for an hour and pray or meditate, take a walk through the woods, or spend an hour reading a book.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Calculation
Ascetics
love solitude and simplicity. They experience the divine through prayer, quiet time, and the absence of all outside noise and distraction.
I feel closest to the Divine when I am alone and there is nothing to distract me from focusing on Presence.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I would describe my spirituality as more "internal" than "external."
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
The words “silence,” “solitude” and “discipline” are very appealing to me.
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Taking an overnight retreat by myself at a sacred place where I could spend large amounts of time alone in a small room praying, studying sacred writings, and fasting for one or more days are all activities I would enjoy.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I would enjoy reading a book about Silence and Prayer.
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I would really enjoy spending time on a night watch, taking a short vow of silence or simplifying my life.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Calculation
Caregivers
experience love by serving others and giving of themselves. They may nurse the sick and disabled, “adopt” a prisoner, donate time at a shelter, etc.
I feel spiritually alive when I see the Divine in the needy, the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned. I feel presence most strongly when I am sitting quietly by the bed of someone who is lonely or ill or when I am taking a meal to someone in need. You can count on me to offer a ride or to volunteer for helping activities.
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I grow weary of religious people who spend their time singing songs while a sick neighbor goes without a hot meal or a family in need doesn't get help fixing their car.
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
The words “service” and “compassion” are very appealing to me.
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I sense Presence when I am counseling a friend who has lost a job, preparing meals for or fixing the car of a family in need, or spending a week at an orphanage in Mexico.
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
A book titled “99 Ways to Help Your Neighbor” would be very appealing to me.
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I would rather nurse someone to health or help repair someone's house than go on a prayer and fasting retreat or take a lonely walk in the woods.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Calculation
Enthusiasts
experience love through mystery and celebration. They express their spirituality through outward displays of passion and enthusiasm.
Celebrating Divine love is my favorite expression of my spirituality.
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Spirituality is exciting, I don’t understand how some spiritual people can act like they're going to a funeral when they engage the Divine.
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
The words “celebration” and “joy” are very appealing to me.
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I would enjoy attending a workshop on learning interpretive dance or a concert.
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I would enjoy reading the book The Mystery and Excitement of Walking With The Divine .
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I spend more money on music downloads than on books.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Calculation
Contemplatives
love God through adoration. They express their spirituality through their attentiveness, deep love, and intimacy. They have a deep prayer life.
I feel closest to The Divine when my emotions are awakened. I would rather be alone with God contemplating Love than participating in a traditional religious service or being distracted by a walk outside.
Not True
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
The most difficult times for me are when I can't feel a Divine presence.
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
The words ‘lover,” “intimacy” and “heart” are very appealing to me.
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I really enjoy having 30 minutes of uninterrupted time each day to sit in quiet prayer or meditation, enjoying Presence.
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Very True
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I would enjoy reading The Transforming Friendship .
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
When I think of spirituality, I think of love, friendship, and adoration more than anything.
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Calculation
Intellectuals
experience love with their mind and their hearts are opened up to a new attentiveness when they understand something new about The Divine.
I feel spiritual when I learn something new. My mind needs to be stimulated. It'svery important to me that I know exactly what I believe about the Divine.
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I get frustrated when spiritual gatherings focus too much on feelings and spiritual experience.
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
The words “concepts” and “truth” are very appealing to me.
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I feel close to The Divine when I participate in several hours of uninterrupted study time, reading sacred text or good books, and then perhaps having an opportunity to teach or participate in a discussion with a small group.
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
A book on religion or spirituality would be appealing to me.
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
I spend more money on books than music.
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1 is Not True, 5 is Very True
Calculation
Discover your sacred pathway?
The highest number of points possible in each section is 30. The higher your score, the stronger the dominance of this spiritual temperament is in your life. But remember, most of us have more than one temperament. Any score of 15 or higher indicates a tendency toward this temperament.
Scroll up. Which pathway/s had your highest total/s?
Submit
The Nine Sacred Pathways Credit
Based on “ Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul’s Path to God” by GaryThomas © 1996
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