Christian; finding truth in Buddhism

Aupmanyav said:
Abrahamic religions are 'dualistic'...
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At a simplified level yes. And certainly Greek philosophical dualism presents something of a stumbling block.

I can't speak for Judaism, but it always seemed much more holistic in the sense that closer attention to Hebrew ideas might have preserved against an overt Hellenistic dualism. The Christianity v Platonism debate is well recorded.

Aupmanyav said:
... therefore God cannot be in man, and man cannot be in God.
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Not according to Christian doctrine.
 
Cino said:
What are you referring to by "at risk"? To me this sounds like there is only a certain probability of encountering oneself including undesired aspects of oneself on an inner journey, an "Avoid that street, the rest of the city is safe" kind of scenario?

But what else could one possibly find on an inner journey if not oneself? How would one even avoid it?
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There are those people who wish to take up the spiritual life, yet are afraid of what they may uncover. For example, in the last ten years I learned that much of my suffering came from things buried and forgotten long ago. When those things rose to the surface it caused great havoc and grief. I know of others like myself, friends who have done all they can to avoid looking too deeply into themselves for this reason. They continue to suffer because of pushing away the experience.
Then there are those souls that have a certain existential angst about what they may find if they look too deeply within. I know of one young lady who began having serious panic attacks including blackouts and violent behavior because of this irrational, yet understandable fear.

What I personally found is that beyond self and non-self there is something, or rather nothing else. How can I describe it? People more talented and capable than me stumble with trying to tell about it. My personal belief here is that many people sense this on a deep level but don't know what to do with it.

I think further that there is no avoiding it, but it can be deferred. There are many people who will "refuse the call" as it were, but maybe all souls eventually must face it. I don't really know.
 
Thomas said:
Dark Night of the Soul ...

... a lot of people try to romanticise this, which I think is naive. More like lifting the lid on one's own, personal Pandora's Box ...
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Yes, it's hard to understand why people would romanticize getting shredded until there's nothing left. I really don't recommend it, though I didn't have any choice in the matter really. You know, holding on to a tether while in the midst of it probably saved my life. It got bad, real bad. I honestly felt like not going on for a while there. I kept remembering the story I read about St. John of the Cross, and stuff like that can really help when all the lights have gone out.
 
Nasruddin said:
in the last ten years I learned that much of my suffering came from things buried and forgotten long ago.
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I have heard that all such issues must be resolved before a person can achieve enlightenment and then go onto nirvana. Another reason why placing ourselves on the path can make more life more difficult.
 
Nick the Pilot said:
I have heard that all such issues must be resolved before a person can achieve enlightenment and then go onto nirvana. Another reason why placing ourselves on the path can make more life more difficult.
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I think I understand now what is meant by the saying "suffering is grace".
 
Cino said:
Nice trick. Can you also do "war is peace"?
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No, nothing like that. It's something I read once, and it hit me the same way. It isn't a profound truth, just a contextual one. A personal one. I wouldn't quote it to any one as any kind of profound thing to be considered.
 
Cino said:
Whose soul, whose agenda is this? And who is expected to bear the cost, to do the suffering? Are they the same, or is the burden being shifted here?
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Since we are in a Buddhist forum here, I guess the answer would be that of the first Noble Truth, the truth of suffering. There are those who can choose to turn the suffering they are already dealing with into a vehicle for awakening. Suffering as we do, despite our best efforts to avoid it, can change us for the better or the worse. It can soften a heart and provide a more compassionate view of others who have also suffered, like you. It can be a catalyst for change or it can just be suffering.
At no time should this experience of awakening because of a nadir experience be used as a "rule" for anyone.
I get the feeling that you or someone you care about was treated very poorly by narcissistic, authoritarian people. After being abused and then gaslighted into thinking the abuse was supposed to be good for you. I may be way off and if so I'm sorry.
 
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