I have been enjoying the podcasts of Tara Brach lately and finding a lot to reflect on. I seem to be finding that much of the what I have gained from Christian teachers, I find expressed in Buddhist teachings. I have never been comfortable with heaven and hell especially about "who" gets to go where. Christianity goes through such contortions to figure out what to do with unbaptized babies and those who have never heard "the Word." Also a division is created between "us" and "them" along with an urgent call to "save" them.
I have mentioned my concerns before in this blog such as here, here, pondered the consequences, and realized how it was changing me. I am becoming more aware of how my world view in changing. At various times, I recall encounters with understandings that are now coming to fruition. It seems I have had many opportunities to hear about and experience "presence" but I didn't get "it" until now. I have a newly found confidence without being confused about Christian teachings. I am letting go of those "beliefs" I have been taught but have never been comfortable with. I paid attention during Lutheran confirmation ("This is most certainly true.), studied new testament Greek in college, read a lot (especially in my early years after college), enjoyed Matthew Fox retreat near Yellowstone, and found an affirmative breath of fresh air in Bishop Spong and Marcus Borg. I would like to go back to books I have enjoyed, now that I have a better understanding of what it is that attracted me in books such as Thomas Merton. Here is blog post from a few years ago with the same thoughts on a day similar to today.
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