Studying a little bit about original Buddhism

[Anhelyna]

Wes

Do you know who, after Raymond's sister and our daughters , was the first person who knew that my husband had Leukaemia ?

My SF, who at that point was at home in Australia on leave - I knew that I could not cope without his help and support . His support during those 16 months was absolutely essential . Even after he returned to France - I couldn't meet with him - but I phoned him regularly .

 

[Protoevangel]

Wesley, it is clear that you've never even given Orthodoxy a genuine chance. Orthodoxy can't just be learned about, it must be lived. And it can't be lived alone, the hermits had to train in constant prayer for years and years before they were ready... And even then it was a dangerous vocation.

This is so very sad, Wesley. I knew you were a bit of a recluse, but you really need to make a genuine effort to live an Orthodox life, with a spiritual director. Otherwise, you will never experience the fullness of Orthodoxy. It will be just another fad that you gave up once you realized how much work it really took.

I hate to say it, but it looks like G. K. Chesterton's words were quite appropriate in this case: "The Christian faith has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried."

I'm not trying to be mean, brother. I'm trying to get you to see that you've been missing out on a very essential part of what it means to be Orthodox.

 

[ProScribe]

Wes

Do you know who, after Raymond's sister and our daughters , was the first person who knew that my husband had Leukaemia ?

My SF, who at that point was at home in Australia on leave - I knew that I could not cope without his help and support . His support during those 16 months was absolutely essential . Even after he returned to France - I couldn't meet with him - but I phoned him regularly .

Leukemia is one of the types of blood disorders.

I'm just now learning the emphasis Orthodox and Catholics place on their SF.

 

[ProScribe]

Wesley, it is clear that you've never even given Orthodoxy a genuine chance. Orthodoxy can't just be learned about, it must be lived. And it can't be lived alone, the hermits had to train in constant prayer for years and years before they were ready... And even then it was a dangerous vocation.

This is so very sad, Wesley. I knew you were a bit of a recluse, but you really need to make a genuine effort to live an Orthodox life, with a spiritual director. Otherwise, you will never experience the fullness of Orthodoxy. It will be just another fad that you gave up once you realized how much work it really took.

I hate to say it, but it looks like G. K. Chesterton's words were quite appropriate in this case: "The Christian faith has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried."

I'm not trying to be mean, brother. I'm trying to get you to see that you've been missing out on a very essential part of what it means to be Orthodox.

It does not matter anyway because a church/parish can function without me. The 2 churches are both Out-of-Area

Yes, there IS a problem.

 

[steve_bakr]

It does not matter anyway because a church/parish can function without me. The 2 churches are both Out-of-Area

Yes, there IS a problem.

It seems if your churches are out of the area, then you are in a sort of desert, as it were, like the Desert Fathers. Perhaps you can study the works of the Desert Fathers and gain inspiration from them.

 

[inconsequential]

Proscribe, do you have an aversion to being around people/groups? That's what usually keeps me out of Church. Is there something that is exacerbating your symptoms?

 

[ProScribe]

Proscribe, do you have an aversion to being around people/groups? That's what usually keeps me out of Church. Is there something that is exacerbating your symptoms?

Not really. My symptoms are minimal (If I still have the illness anymore)

 

[gracefullamb]

It does not matter anyway because a church/parish can function without me. The 2 churches are both Out-of-Area

Yes, there IS a problem.

Yes the parish can function without you, but you cannot function without it if you are going to live the fullness of the faith. This is your faith and your salvation, you need to own it! That requires you getting out of your comfort zone, to quit being a recluse and indifferent and actually talk to the priest. It is your problem not his, not the parish's problem and thus YOU need to tell THEM you need help. Your priest will never know until you tell him.

I know you have transportation problems, but did you speak to your priest and ask if there was a person in your area that could give you a ride to church? You can shrug off needing to speak to your priest about needing more of his time and instruction but it is going to get you no where. Your priest won't know you need more help until you tell him. You say you know you need a teacher and yet you refuse to speak to the one you already have, your priest. Searching for a new teacher in a different faith will get nothing because you will do with that Buddhist teacher what you are already doing with your priest, nothing but expecting him to be a mind reader. This erratic and unfulfilled behavior will continue because you keep doing the same thing over and over again.

Talk to your priest, tell him about your transportation problems and ask if there is someone who can give you a ride to church now and again. Tell your priest you are filling confused and need more instruction.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Yes the parish can function without you, but you cannot function without it if you are going to live the fullness of the faith. This is your faith and your salvation, you need to own it!

amen

 

[ProScribe]

I just learned that comparing Buddhism and Christianity is a huge and complex subject.

 

[Iona27]

Don't read about Buddhism. It's the Occult.

 

[Ortho_Cat]

I just learned that comparing Buddhism and Christianity is a huge and complex subject.

did you check out that podcast comparing orthodoxy and buddhism?

 

[ProScribe]

did you check out that podcast comparing orthodoxy and buddhism?

No, I'm hearing impaired so I don't listen to podcasts.

 

[Ortho_Cat]

No, I'm hearing impaired so I don't listen to podcasts.

ok i forgot about that sorry.

 

[ProScribe]

Don't read about Buddhism. It's the Occult.

I asked a priest several times on whether he would direct my studies and he did not give me an answer so I get to study about anything.

 

[Lukaris]

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior?

 

[ProScribe]

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior?

I think I am aware of His presence.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I asked a priest several times on whether he would direct my studies and he did not give me an answer so I get to study about anything.

just because you can study something does not mean that you should, especially without spiritual guidance. not getting an answer from your priest does not mean that it is okay. in fact, I would wait until I heard something.

 

[Macarius]

Don't read about Buddhism. It's the Occult.

That's... that's just not true.

I mean, there are cultures wherein Buddhism integrates into local polytheistic religions and, as with other polytheistic religions, this can be viewed as demonic. But Buddhism on its own is not inherently demonic anymore than Atheism.

Buddhism (at least Theravada Buddhism, the more traditional branch) is just a form of philosophical ascetic humanism. It doesn't worship a deity, because the Buddha is not viewed as a deity but rather as just an enlightened human being (nothing more). Technically it is atheistic or agnostic, but often combines on the local level with a polytheistic metaphysic (e.g. levels of evil spirits, animals, humans, levels of divine spirits) which one can reincarnate as. Because the spirits are merely reincarnated souls, they are not able to help one along ones journey towards enlightenment. One can worship them, but is not obligated to do so (and, in fact, such worship does little to help one towards enlightenment and is, therefore, a waste of time). Theravada Buddhist culture, therefore, tends to diminish (not increase) the presence of demonic polytheism.

Don't get me wrong - its not Christian or the worship of Christ. But it is WAY better than the occult (which straight up seeks demonic power).

It is rather like Christian ascesis / monasticism without Christ. This leaves it with an anti-materialist and, ultimately, nihilistic world view that I think Christ and Christ alone can resolve. But it is not demonic or occult.

 

[Lukaris]

I think I am aware of His presence.

Do you really know Him as your Lord and savior? As clearly testified in the Gospel of John etc., affirmed in the creed etc.? This should be an easy "yes" if you profess the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior. I do not believe Buddha was evil or anything but it is all about Jesus Christ as God become man, his life, his sacrament of the Eucharist, remission of our sin, His cross, His resurrection, His gift to us of eternal life, our confession of our sins. You want to recognize samsara? Know the Lord Jesus Christ is the end of all that and pray for others to have His salvation. I pray that you will truly know Jesus Christ as your savior and that of your neighbor.