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I find the basic concepts of Buddhism appealing and largely true -- that life is difficult, all things impermanent, and we spend way too much time living in the past or the future rather than the present. The lack of a deity is also very nice, it keeps things relatively simple, although they do have other crufty mythologies and pomp and circumstance.
I don't personally get much traction out of meditation, though I'm open to it and have tried it. Partly because I'm not a broadly anxious person and have a pretty disciplined mind to begin with. But I respect the basic teachings just the same. Besides, little known fact -- lay meditation has not been a focus of Buddhism until the past century or so anyway.
Different facets of Paganism--I seem to have "practiced" them all my life without thinking it was...Paganism. Thought it was just normal communion with the natural world. Connections with things like rocks and trees and wind and fire and seeing the ocean as Mother, for example, and my own little made-up rituals centered around those elements. Feeling a connection to birds.
In my more recent studies of Christianity, I became drawn to what's called Franciscan (as in "of Assisi") theology, which is a connection with creation and seeing ourselves as part of it, not apart from it. It resonates.
mordant--my daughter practices Buddhism to some degree (but also has a Ganesh on her wall and refers to her HP, as do most people who are in recovery programs). I also adopted the awareness of impermanence as an important part of my spiritual/life outlook.
In my Christian tradition, we do something called Centering Prayer--it's basically a form of meditation. Silence as the "first language of God", letting thoughts go as they come in, having a sacred word to pull you back from your thoughts.
As far as Islam goes, I like the way they adhere to Inshallah--God's will. Don't worry, Que Sera, Sera, what will happen is meant to happen. That soothes a World Class Worrier With Oak Leaf Cluster like me.
Re: Christian denominations other than my own, I am truly in awe of so many of the beautiful Catholic cathedrals I've been in around the world. They touch my heart in a way I have a hard time expressing.
Re: Non-Christian religions: I have seen many Baha'i scriptures quoted, and I find them to be eloquent, almost poetic, and inspirational.
There are some great aspects of Zen Buddhism, Taoism, and Native American spirituality that I find not only compatible, but mutually beneficial, with the Gospels. They are universal truths spoken in different "languages" in a sense, but you can pick up on the commonality.
Though coming from a different angle, teachings parallel each other, and can make learning stronger by combining the multiple teachings together.
There are some great aspects of Zen Buddhism, Taoism, and Native American spirituality that I find not only compatible, but mutually beneficial, with the Gospels. They are universal truths spoken in different "languages" in a sense, but you can pick up on the commonality.
Though coming from a different angle, teachings parallel each other, and can make learning stronger by combining the multiple teachings together.
Bingo. Learning makes one's own spirituality stronger and draws us closer to one another.
Re: Christian denominations other than my own, I am truly in awe of so many of the beautiful Catholic cathedrals I've been in around the world. They touch my heart in a way I have a hard time expressing.
Re: Non-Christian religions: I have seen many Baha'i scriptures quoted, and I find them to be eloquent, almost poetic, and inspirational.
if you get people to believe in magic, there isn't a thing that you can't get them to do.
Like training a dog.
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