The Way, not a Belief

February 3, 2018

I am becoming more and more comfortable with my developing view of religion and spirituality. I'm convinced that the spiritual journey is a way of life and not a set of beliefs. I think we need to find comfort and support in a community. For me that is currently a congregation of the United Methodist Church. Of course, I have a set of beliefs but they are not right or wrong in the sense of going to heaven. I think a Buddhist would say it is more about right attitude.

I enjoy when I am able to attend a retreat as I did recently with Buddhists. I find I am very comfortable with American Buddhism for the most part. I especially feel comfortable with the simplicity of Zen Buddhism. Especially since it doesn't even have to be Buddhism it can just be Zen. I don't know when I'll get the time to really get into it but when I hear and read Zen Buddhism, I keep nodding yes.

I recently heard Reza Aslan, a scholar of religion, talk about how monotheism leads to and encourages tribalism because everything else must be anti-God if they don't believe in your God. There is just one way to God. If one can decouple faith from religion, one finds that many of the symbols and metaphors are the same. Religion is the language to express faith. German and French speakers do not have to hate each other.

I have been concerned about syncretism or being in two camps since I have been writing this blog. I like the idea that you strike water by digging a 6-foot deep well, you don't dig six 1 foot deep wells. So for me I have my current community in the Methodist Church but I do not feel scattered. I feel like I am digging one deep well.