posted July 22, 2015 04:40 AM              

I'm really interested in finding out more about this religion. I grew up as a Christian, although I do not necessary renounce the existence of a Christian God... I do think that my life journey has taken me down a road which has prompted me to question how I relate to Christianity and its principles. It just doesn't feel like a religion that accommodates me, who I am and what I've been through.

From what I understand, Buddhism involves meditation and a journey of self enlightenment; which I feel that I can relate to more - especially after the last few years that I've had. I'm definitely more 'of the earth' and spiritual.

However, does anyone else have any tips or suggestions for me to learn more about Buddhism?

posted July 22, 2015 05:27 AM              

I didn't even realise this forum existed lol! Now I know!

It definitely sounds like they are compatible. However, I think that the people I've been around have kind of "put me off" Christianity; as it seems that the goal on Christianity is "perfection" and I'm not really comfortable with that.

Not too sure why, but I feel like if I were to recommit myself as a Christian, I would always be destined to fail because my basic temperament isn't really compatible with it! I know everyone fails, but I feel like I fail more often than most and that defeats the whole point of asking for forgiveness.

I will always respect the Christianity and respect its teachings, but just seems like a religion in which I would live in fear and i don't like that very much

posted August 07, 2015 10:54 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by ikja:
Thanks AG!

I didn't even realise this forum existed lol! Now I know!

It definitely sounds like they are compatible. However, I think that the people I've been around have kind of "put me off" Christianity; as it seems that the goal on Christianity is "perfection" and I'm not really comfortable with that.

Not too sure why, but I feel like if I were to recommit myself as a Christian, I would always be destined to fail because my basic temperament isn't really compatible with it! I know everyone fails, but I feel like I fail more often than most and that defeats the whole point of asking for forgiveness.

I will always respect the Christianity and respect its teachings, but just seems like a religion in which I would live in fear and i don't like that very much

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Don't forget though, Buddhism believes in reincarnation through many lives (hundreds, thousands) until we're morally 'perfect.'

posted August 09, 2015 02:57 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by ikja:
Thanks Randall!

Feel so strange scrolling to the bottom!!! x

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posted August 11, 2015 05:55 PM              

Most scholars agree it means that nothing has inherent existence. In other words, things do not exist independently of the mind. This, indeed, reflects a Western empirical tradition - e.g., David Hume.

posted September 08, 2015 09:05 PM            

To me, there seems to be lots of disinfo about each religion out there. That's because it's approached through an intellectual way. And you can't get to the Core on mental knowledge only. It has to be something that synthesizes then incorporates into the deepest part of 'you'.

I remember going through phases, joining groups for a while and 'walking' within various religions, denominations, and philosophies.

Some I only sipped. Others I went into with complete and whole-hearted gusto.

After many many years, I became bored with battling back and forth ego-wise, and began to see more the places where beliefs intersect. I saw how we are the 'same' more than the 'mental-different'.... And then there are those who had TRUE encounters. It's like meeting people who have had amazing change happen after a NearDeath Experience. Some people will make wild claims?... but the genuine encounter with God has its mark.

It's my opinion that if you're in a religion that tells you to exclude people or thoughts out of fears you will be seduced by them if you were to visit, then (after you've Grown spiritually), that 'could' be a flag. I remember scare-films as a catholic child. It was like training that if I stepped inside a Jewish synagogue, then I'd be zapped by lightning or something awful would happen. (Those were in the 'older' days, late 50s/and the 1960s. I think (or at least ~hope) they are more open these days.) It's good to get a set of 'filters'... but not if they clog the free-flow of love between self and others who are not of your church/blfSysm.

You need your home-religion or practice group. You need some sort of base for group/corporate experience. Individual relationship to God, and a group-oriented one. Love God, Love your Neighbor.

(*sigh* Sad is that some groups I love, don't love the other-groups... No tolerances for style or approaches. I'm still ever looking for a more-perfect fit-- I read this book recently on Christian Mysticism. The author talked about the problem of 'fitting' when you're metaphysically oriented.)

I even took a big 'risk' and 'dropped' any faith at all in a few time periods of my life. As I said, I walked what the people I was with followed.

But I didn't or wasn't ultimately lost...
Maybe I was lucky? There was a homing device inside. God dealt with me, individually-- separated from a group. It was unique, and I didn't realize it then. (Howlingly lonely).

But I was being formed and 'preserved' so I could be sensitive. I knew that 'my experiences' were as a result of Him, and not 'a person'... I couldn't ascribe finding True faith to a church or group, even though their input was very much needed and a part of it. It was God Himself, in the pit of my soul, who raised me up and born me through all the things I had exposed myself to, as well as been trained in as a child (which I see, as a life-afterthought, was huge and important for me as an older person now). (Do NOT hesitate to train a child in 'something'... It's from 'there' they can push from and compare.)

What I found is that the universe granted me Direct Experiences. And the burn or imprint from these experiences acted as my line guards. No matter how far afield I went? I "found" myself back at strange-reference point, which I call center, so many times.

Find whatever ritual speaks to you. Then commit to it. Occasionally adjust? But... Follow 'God' with your WHOLE devoted heart. With ALL your Mind, your Strength, your Will and Emotions. THEN, you will be Guided. Stay sensitive to your Sensitivity that develops. Stay WITH it.... Don't stray long. Seek.

My 'Emptiness'.... got filled up with incredible warmth and honey of "Love" and "light" during a conversion experience that had begun as a dream and turned lucid-experience.

Ask... Seek. A Saint is just a sinner who fell down, but got back up again.

For me?, I follow Christ... And the experience of God, is Beautiful. Step in and cross that threshold into a World of Love.

It's one-on-one, In One Love.

posted November 11, 2015 02:06 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by mirage29:
Interesting conversation ...

To me, there seems to be lots of disinfo about each religion out there. That's because it's approached through an intellectual way. And you can't get to the Core on mental knowledge only. It has to be something that synthesizes then incorporates into the deepest part of 'you'.

I remember going through phases, joining groups for a while and 'walking' within various religions, denominations, and philosophies.

Some I only sipped. Others I went into with complete and whole-hearted gusto.

After many many years, I became bored with battling back and forth ego-wise, and began to see more the places where beliefs intersect. I saw how we are the 'same' more than the 'mental-different'.... And then there are those who had TRUE encounters. It's like meeting people who have had amazing change happen after a NearDeath Experience. Some people will make wild claims?... but the genuine encounter with God has its mark.

It's my opinion that if you're in a religion that tells you to exclude people or thoughts out of fears you will be seduced by them if you were to visit, then (after you've Grown spiritually), that 'could' be a flag. I remember scare-films as a catholic child. It was like training that if I stepped inside a Jewish synagogue, then I'd be zapped by lightning or something awful would happen. (Those were in the 'older' days, late 50s/and the 1960s. I think (or at least ~hope) they are more open these days.) It's good to get a set of 'filters'... but not if they clog the free-flow of love between self and others who are not of your church/blfSysm.

You need your home-religion or practice group. You need some sort of base for group/corporate experience. Individual relationship to God, and a group-oriented one. Love God, Love your Neighbor.

(*sigh* Sad is that some groups I love, don't love the other-groups... No tolerances for style or approaches. I'm still ever looking for a more-perfect fit-- I read this book recently on Christian Mysticism. The author talked about the problem of 'fitting' when you're metaphysically oriented.)

I even took a big 'risk' and 'dropped' any faith at all in a few time periods of my life. As I said, I walked what the people I was with followed.

But I didn't or wasn't ultimately lost...
Maybe I was lucky? There was a homing device inside. God dealt with me, individually-- separated from a group. It was unique, and I didn't realize it then. (Howlingly lonely).

But I was being formed and 'preserved' so I could be sensitive. I knew that 'my experiences' were as a result of Him, and not 'a person'... I couldn't ascribe finding True faith to a church or group, even though their input was very much needed and a part of it. It was God Himself, in the pit of my soul, who raised me up and born me through all the things I had exposed myself to, as well as been trained in as a child (which I see, as a life-afterthought, was huge and important for me as an older person now). (Do NOT hesitate to train a child in 'something'... It's from 'there' they can push from and compare.)

What I found is that the universe granted me Direct Experiences. And the burn or imprint from these experiences acted as my line guards. No matter how far afield I went? I "found" myself back at strange-reference point, which I call center, so many times.

Find whatever ritual speaks to you. Then commit to it. Occasionally adjust? But... Follow 'God' with your WHOLE devoted heart. With ALL your Mind, your Strength, your Will and Emotions. THEN, you will be Guided. Stay sensitive to your Sensitivity that develops. Stay WITH it.... Don't stray long. Seek.

My 'Emptiness'.... got filled up with incredible warmth and honey of "Love" and "light" during a conversion experience that had begun as a dream and turned lucid-experience.

Ask... Seek. A Saint is just a sinner who fell down, but got back up again.

For me?, I follow Christ... And the experience of God, is Beautiful. Step in and cross that threshold into a World of Love.

It's one-on-one, In One Love.

(music) We Fall Down (Donnie McClurkin) [4:53] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3ewPHaPBfA

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posted November 12, 2015 05:54 PM            

I LOVE that song, sooo much! As I've said it in other posts, this is one of the top songs for my lifetime.

Down, or up, or located somewhere inbetween those points---

WE who get whiff of a realization that there is 'something else out there' which is beyond the ordinary and mundane, have BEGUN the journey to series of changes. Starts slow, then can leap!

Life... Cultivate a Deep Honoring for your self and Self, and the things around you, and others catch the rhythm. We resonate, like tuning-forks... We hurt, we grow, we Love.