scripture meditation
Is there anyone part Christian/ part Buddhist?
I was wondering if anyone was like a mix-match of Christian and Buddhist? Like maybe they believed in God and pray, but read the Bhagavad-Gita or Buddhist text instead of the Bible for holy scripture and also do meditation?
I wouldn’t say that I “am” either Christian or Buddhist, but I draw upon both traditions in my reading, study, and spiritual practice, as well as upon other traditions. From the teachings of Jesus I am reminded that there is more to life than the pursuit of material wealth and that living an ethical, socially-conscious life in which we look out for our “neighbor” is a good thing, indeed. From Buddhism I have learned the practice of living in the present moment–reflected also in Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount–and of living mindfully, as well as an emphasis on the value of cultivating compassion and lovingkindness. Remembering the principle of impermanence, that all things are changing and passing, moment by moment, is also valuable in living life with a light grasp, letting go of yesterday to be ready to receive today.
Drawing upon multiple religious traditions is a more common practice than some people may suppose: It depends, of course, upon recognizing that all religious traditions are human creations in response to the spiritual impulse within us, expressions of our values and ideals about how to live a good life. When you recognize that religious traditions are cultural creations, rather than seeing one tradition as containing All Truth, then it doesn’t matter if the traditions you draw upon are in complete agreement with one another; you use your own reflection and reason to decide what aspects of each tradition resonate with you and with what you need to develop in yourself at this point in your life. You take the good wherever you find it.
Jesus once likened the Kingdom of God to a banquet to which all are welcomed to the table. At a banquet, nobody is forced to eat everything on the table; rather, from the sumptuous spread each person chooses whatever appeals most to them and will nourish them and satisfy their hunger. So it is with religion and spirituality: The fundamental goods of love, compassion, kindness, generosity, and so forth are universal, even if they are presented to us in different forms.
Mail this post
Technorati Tags: bible, catholic, daily scripture meditation, meditation, religion, scripture meditation, scripture meditation cd, scripture meditation mp3, spirituality
