Not a Buddhist

[Tellyontellyon]

My position on God has shifted. I would now say I believe in God... but i don't really like the word. It implies too much for me at the moment. I feel more comfortable with 'the Light'. It's more meaningful to me.
So I say there is an intelligence, a power that is caring and watches over us.. or can help us.

But I can't say any more than that. I don't know about creation or salvation or anything more that I've said. I have no theology that I can name.

So, I can't really say I'm a Buddhist anymore, nor am i a christian or anything.

I don't know what I am?

I've been doing some Hermetic Qabbalah practices, but I wouldn't label myself in that respect.

I do feel some affinity with ancient egyptian beliefs. But still, nothing for certain.

I don't know where to turn next...?

 

[Lukaris]

I would consider reading the Gospel of John in your current mindset. It is the most theological Gospel for realization of God from God ( Jesus Christ per John 1:1-18 etc.). If possible, find another thoughtful Christian for one on one discussion.

 

[public hermit]

My position on God has shifted. I would now say I believe in God... but i don't really like the word. It implies too much for me at the moment. I feel more comfortable with 'the Light'. It's more meaningful to me.
So I say there is an intelligence, a power that is caring and watches over us.. or can help us.

But I can't say any more than that. I don't know about creation or salvation or anything more that I've said. I have no theology that I can name.

So, I can't really say I'm a Buddhist anymore, nor am i a christian or anything.

I don't know what I am?

I've been doing some Hermetic Qabbalah practices, but I wouldn't label myself in that respect.

I do feel some affinity with ancient egyptian beliefs. But still, nothing for certain.

I don't know where to turn next...?

As a Buddhist did you meditate? There is a rich tradition within Christianity of contemplative prayer, and you wouldn't have to approach it with a particular theology in hand. That can come later if that is God's will. The practice itself is fairly simply, and I will use The Cloud of Unknowing as an example of how one's practice might go. Ultimately, God is inscrutable, but God is always present and attentive to us. In that sense, there is a cloud between God and us that cannot be penetrated with our minds, i.e., a cloud of unknowing, but that cloud can be penetrated with the love of our hearts, i.e., our good desire. The practice is to place all "creatures" (mental images, ideas, forms) beneath a "cloud of forgetting," and penetrate the cloud of unknowing with the desire of our hearts. If you become distracted, you can use a simple word like "love," or "Jesus," or "Light," or whatever works for you, to bring your awareness back to the divine, Who cannot be conceptualized but is ever-present, loves us, and can be loved.

As one who has kept up this practice for several years, I can vouch for its efficacy. I would also concur with @Lukaris that it would help to begin reading scripture, and the Gospel of John is a very good place to start. To that end, you might practice lectio divina, which involves lectio (reading a short passage), meditatio (reflecting on a word or phrase), oratio (simple prayer related to your reflection), and contemplatio (contemplative prayer as I described above). Contemplative prayer in the western tradition comes out of the practice of lectio divina.

The Spirit is probably leading you, and these practices might help. If you have kept up a practice already, it should be a fairly smooth transition.

The Cloud of Unknowing - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Lectio Divina - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Mark Quayle]

My position on God has shifted. I would now say I believe in God... but i don't really like the word. It implies too much for me at the moment. I feel more comfortable with 'the Light'. It's more meaningful to me.
So I say there is an intelligence, a power that is caring and watches over us.. or can help us.

But I can't say any more than that. I don't know about creation or salvation or anything more that I've said. I have no theology that I can name.

So, I can't really say I'm a Buddhist anymore, nor am i a christian or anything.

I don't know what I am?

I've been doing some Hermetic Qabbalah practices, but I wouldn't label myself in that respect.

I do feel some affinity with ancient egyptian beliefs. But still, nothing for certain.

I don't know where to turn next...?

So get a bit philosophical: WHY would God create —in particular, why would he create Humans and not just uncounted universes? Why would he 'invent' the way of things: Reality, Principle, Order and Complexity, etc? If he was God, these did not pre-exist him. He did not come upon them, or discover them. He MADE them. On PURPOSE.

WE exist somehow, and we exist by intent.

 

[Richard T]

While anyone can read the gospel, the Christian reads it with the Holy Spirit who is said to be a helper, comforter and guide. This does not mean the Holy Spirit will not be at work in your life. H is the one that will draw you to Jesus, and to convict you of sin. That sin is not just your individual sin, but the sin nature that man brought on himself. The fix, is the free gift of Jesus and I pray you can find that way. Everyone's path is a bit different. Many of course reject God on the way. So what can you do that would be practical?

You actually have taken the first step. You have become a greater seeker of the truth. No doubt, like many, you are apprehensive. In part perhaps because you are maybe looking for a intellectual system to find God? I think too that you are capable of searching with your heart. I'd even go so far as to tell him what is on your heart and that you want to be corrected for any thinking that really is not based on truth. Every Christian has a story of how they heard and still hear and follow God. I am saying too that you can have one as well.

In other words, you need an encounter with God. So I encourage you to keep seeking, to be aware too that some encounters are counterfeit. That the world of darkness does indeed try to suggest it is light.

Is it possible that God is far more real than you have imagined or ever seen? Yes, and again, he does desire to meet you. God bless your path always.

 

[RileyG]

I would consider reading the Gospel of John in your current mindset. It is the most theological Gospel for realization of God from God ( Jesus Christ per John 1:1-18 etc.). If possible, find another thoughtful Christian for one on one discussion.

Agreed. The Gospel of John is almost the most spiritual of the Gospels with a high Christology.

Blessings!

 

[RileyG]

As a Buddhist did you meditate? There is a rich tradition within Christianity of contemplative prayer, and you wouldn't have to approach it with a particular theology in hand. That can come later if that is God's will. The practice itself is fairly simply, and I will use The Cloud of Unknowing as an example of how one's practice might go. Ultimately, God is inscrutable, but God is always present and attentive to us. In that sense, there is a cloud between God and us that cannot be penetrated with our minds, i.e., a cloud of unknowing, but that cloud can be penetrated with the love of our hearts, i.e., our good desire. The practice is to place all "creatures" (mental images, ideas, forms) beneath a "cloud of forgetting," and penetrate the cloud of unknowing with the desire of our hearts. If you become distracted, you can use a simple word like "love," or "Jesus," or "Light," or whatever works for you, to bring your awareness back to the divine, Who cannot be conceptualized but is ever-present, loves us, and can be loved.

As one who has kept up this practice for several years, I can vouch for its efficacy. I would also concur with @Lukaris that it would help to begin reading scripture, and the Gospel of John is a very good place to start. To that end, you might practice lectio divina, which involves lectio (reading a short passage), meditatio (reflecting on a word or phrase), oratio (simple prayer related to your reflection), and contemplatio (contemplative prayer as I described above). Contemplative prayer in the western tradition comes out of the practice of lectio divina.

The Spirit is probably leading you, and these practices might help. If you have kept up a practice already, it should be a fairly smooth transition.

The Cloud of Unknowing - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Lectio Divina - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Yes! This is a wonderful spiritual practice I recommend! It has helped me immensely!

Very well written post @public hermit

 

[Matt5]

A superior religion will produce superior societies. That used to be the West, until it switched from Christianity to the religion of equality. Now the West is literally dying.

Meditation can be harmful – and can even make mental health problems worse

Meditation can be harmful – and can even make mental health problems worse

In some cases, people have experienced psychotic or delusional symptoms.

theconversation.com

"But there was little media coverage in 2022 of the most expensive study in the history of meditation science (over US$8 million funded by research charity the Wellcome Trust). The study tested more than 8,000 children (aged 11-14) across 84 schools in the UK from 2016 to 2018. Its results showed that mindfulness failed to improve the mental wellbeing of children compared to a control group, and may even have had detrimental effects on those who were at risk of mental health problems."

 

[timf]

The objective of a Buddhist is to seek enlightenment. so the God is light reference would work well.

Most Buddhist practice seems to concern itself with meditation to suppress desires.

Christians have access through Christ to wisdom, truth, and a transformative Spirit, but seldom are aware of it or how to take advantage of it.

Often Christian practice is trying to exercise control over the flesh by means of the flesh like legalism.

https://christianpioneer.com/videos/video%20tract%20christianity%20comp.mp4

 

[FireDragon76]

Buddhism is compelling, however, Christianity arguably presents a more profound and coherent worldview, especially in its sacramental or mystical forms.

Aside from the exoteric doctrinal differences, the main difference between Christianity and Buddhism, when practice in a thoroughgoing manner, is posture. Christianity conceives of reality as personal or relational, with truth revealed through narrative, symbols, and parables, whereas Buddhism tends to come down on the side of philosophical abstraction.

 

[Tellyontellyon]

Buddhism is compelling, however, Christianity arguably presents a more profound and coherent worldview, especially in its sacramental or mystical forms.

Aside from the exoteric doctrinal differences, the main difference between Christianity and Buddhism, when practice in a thoroughgoing manner, is posture. Christianity conceives of reality as personal or relational, with truth revealed through narrative, symbols, and parables, whereas Buddhism tends to come down on the side of philosophical abstraction.

Thank you for your kind answer.. I'm in a sort of lost place at the moment. I don't really know where to turn.
How were you drawn to Christianity, how did you know it was your path?