Thanks, Scott, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I see all the religious texts as story and sources of wisdom but not as fact. Even the Tao te Ching's author is unknown, and I've read that there could have been multiple "Buddhas." At the least, the texts have changed dramatically over the centuries.
Thank you, Maggie, and I hope I didn't offend you with my dismissive references to God. I tried to speak to them but at the time I didn't know their language! Have you seen Jeremy Johnson's comment above? I really loved his way of seeing the languages of god/nature as different for everyone.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Jeremy. Yes, most interesting how are paths are both opposite and the same! You are very open-minded, and your note only confirms for me to continue being careful to never assume that any "certain path will bring us love and peace."
I'm taking note; great message you've written here about the higher power speaking in multiple languages!
I've never claimed to be a Buddhist, only that my meditation and mindfulness practice are "Buddhist-informed." But it seems that many (not you) are not quite catching that, and perhaps I've been too subtle. I've been thinking it's time to write a clearer post on what my practice and philosophy is, how it came about, and all that, especially considering the title of my blog!
So, thanks for sharing and for inspiring me, Jeremy!
What a beautiful explanation of Buddhism…thank you for this. Your journey through life unfolded exactly right…finding it/it finding you! 😊🫶your posts mean a lot as I believe in meditation and self love, all is right with the universe. Growing along, learning from others maybe. Raised Presbyterian, became Catholic thru marriage, attended synagogues with friends …any house of worship feels good to me. Now I’m curious what’s here in my town where Buddha may reign. (Is that a correct way to put it?) Great thought promoting piece, Don!
As it turns out, Mike Warnke embellished much of his "testimony" and has since been exposed by "Cornerstone" magazine. It's a cautionary tale about conversion via what amounts to a dramatic, emotion-wrought sales pitch. And yes, I've experienced it - and a Catholic upbringing - first-hand. Buddha, on the other hand, asks no questions and tells no lies. :)
Nice to hear from you, Paul! I do point out Warnke's fraud in the footnote. Hopefully, I haven't mislead anyone with this essay. Just sharing my own experience! 😇
You certainly weren't misleading - and I didn't mean to imply that you hadn't mentioned Warnke's misrepresentation of the facts. I do feel that my days around evangelical circles - corresponding with my doomed first marriage - were a "wilderness experience" of sorts.
Mike Warnke...there's a name I hadn't heard in a while! Growing up an evangelical Christian, I went and saw Warnke live. But I wasn't a "fan," necessarily. He was a funny guy. That said, it was disheartening when he was exposed.
My own journey through faith involved deconstructing some of my understandings of my own Christianity. (Today's post was about how I "converted" at age 7, and how today that makes me cringe a little, even though it remains an important memory for me.) I have a new appreciation for the things you mentioned about Buddhism. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, I feel bad for anyone who was taken in by him. To me he also just a "funny guy." Talented story-teller. Too bad he felt the need to lie, rather than just entertain. (It's fine for a comedian to exaggerate when everyone knows they're exaggerating. I didn't realize Warnke was claiming to be an expert in Satanism and also telling his stories in books as truth)
Getting laughs or affirmations from an audience is an addictive experience. "Do I hear an 'amen?'" I honestly think these things happen over time. We begin to believe our exaggerations and turn them into facts. Buddha might say we're looking for affirmation in the wrong place, no?
I grew up Catholic. I have grown apart from that institution. But I haven't severed ties. I have several family members that the traditions, service and reflections, give great comfort to.
I recognize something in your tale. When reading the bible, people talked to and were answered by God. When I prayed I never saw evidence anyone or anything heard. From the banal "Please let me do well on this test" to the profound "Let there be peace in the Middle-East" no answer.
For myself then, I strive to improve the bits of the world around me that I can. I try to take what good I can from teachings, and let the rest lie. There's a lot to the Buddhist practices that give people peace. Some of it isn't for me, but I'm glad you found a path for tranquility.
Thanks for your comments, Mike. You sound like a logical person :-)
Take what you need and leave the rest—I agree!
In the essay, I refer to my practice as "Buddhism-informed" because I don't like to refer to myself as a Buddhist or as any "ism". One thing I like about Buddhist/mindfulness practice, is that it is a suggested way out of suffering that is intended to try for oneself, not a doctrine that is supposed to be believed and followed. Buddha is not a god, he was just a teacher who had some enlightening realizations about why people suffer so much. It's all really very psychological. Of course, people misunderstand and think they have to follow rules, repress desires, avoid "unwholesome" thoughts, etc. But really it's just about paying closer attention to how thoughts and desires arise and what they lead to.
Excellent story, I love it. Yeah, I remember hearing about Mr. Warnke, the "Satan Seller" (and yes, I read his book when I was a new Christian) being exposed as a fraud.
I've become cynical in my old age. I now insist that love is nothing more than a cocktail of brain chemicals. Must have something to do with being alone for over a decade.
I have loved and I have been loved, but not with the same woman.
Thanks, Ken. I lean more toward logical cynicism myself :-) Why make stuff up?!!
Really, the advantage of mindfulness practice is to see that most of the stuff that's making you unhappy is actually just impermanent thought processes (Buddhists call it "mental formation.")
Thanks, Scott, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I see all the religious texts as story and sources of wisdom but not as fact. Even the Tao te Ching's author is unknown, and I've read that there could have been multiple "Buddhas." At the least, the texts have changed dramatically over the centuries.
Thank you, Maggie, and I hope I didn't offend you with my dismissive references to God. I tried to speak to them but at the time I didn't know their language! Have you seen Jeremy Johnson's comment above? I really loved his way of seeing the languages of god/nature as different for everyone.
I agree, 100%!
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I really appreciate it!
Thank you so much for sharing this, Jeremy. Yes, most interesting how are paths are both opposite and the same! You are very open-minded, and your note only confirms for me to continue being careful to never assume that any "certain path will bring us love and peace."
I'm taking note; great message you've written here about the higher power speaking in multiple languages!
I've never claimed to be a Buddhist, only that my meditation and mindfulness practice are "Buddhist-informed." But it seems that many (not you) are not quite catching that, and perhaps I've been too subtle. I've been thinking it's time to write a clearer post on what my practice and philosophy is, how it came about, and all that, especially considering the title of my blog!
So, thanks for sharing and for inspiring me, Jeremy!
Someone once told me, “All paths lead to the same place: choose one with heart.”
I’m going to write this one down. Thanks, Paul!
What a beautiful explanation of Buddhism…thank you for this. Your journey through life unfolded exactly right…finding it/it finding you! 😊🫶your posts mean a lot as I believe in meditation and self love, all is right with the universe. Growing along, learning from others maybe. Raised Presbyterian, became Catholic thru marriage, attended synagogues with friends …any house of worship feels good to me. Now I’m curious what’s here in my town where Buddha may reign. (Is that a correct way to put it?) Great thought promoting piece, Don!
Thank you, Joan. It's the Buddha-spirit that reigns... in you! 😄
A lovely story unfolding in gratitude. Thanks.
Thank you, Galen!
As it turns out, Mike Warnke embellished much of his "testimony" and has since been exposed by "Cornerstone" magazine. It's a cautionary tale about conversion via what amounts to a dramatic, emotion-wrought sales pitch. And yes, I've experienced it - and a Catholic upbringing - first-hand. Buddha, on the other hand, asks no questions and tells no lies. :)
Nice to hear from you, Paul! I do point out Warnke's fraud in the footnote. Hopefully, I haven't mislead anyone with this essay. Just sharing my own experience! 😇
You certainly weren't misleading - and I didn't mean to imply that you hadn't mentioned Warnke's misrepresentation of the facts. I do feel that my days around evangelical circles - corresponding with my doomed first marriage - were a "wilderness experience" of sorts.
Sounds like there's a story there. We must get coffee some time!
Indeed! While my "part-time" hours have ramped up over time, I can probably sneak away for coffee and "bochinche."
Ditto with evangelical christianity and a doomed first marriage marrying someone "in the church" - what could possibly go wrong?
Mike should hook up with JZ Knight……(Chanel of Ramtha)
That is what I said!
A very relatable story, to me. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Mel. :-)
I had that record. Thank you for a beautiful story.
Thank you, Jennie. 🙏
Mike Warnke...there's a name I hadn't heard in a while! Growing up an evangelical Christian, I went and saw Warnke live. But I wasn't a "fan," necessarily. He was a funny guy. That said, it was disheartening when he was exposed.
My own journey through faith involved deconstructing some of my understandings of my own Christianity. (Today's post was about how I "converted" at age 7, and how today that makes me cringe a little, even though it remains an important memory for me.) I have a new appreciation for the things you mentioned about Buddhism. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, I feel bad for anyone who was taken in by him. To me he also just a "funny guy." Talented story-teller. Too bad he felt the need to lie, rather than just entertain. (It's fine for a comedian to exaggerate when everyone knows they're exaggerating. I didn't realize Warnke was claiming to be an expert in Satanism and also telling his stories in books as truth)
Thanks, Jeff!
Getting laughs or affirmations from an audience is an addictive experience. "Do I hear an 'amen?'" I honestly think these things happen over time. We begin to believe our exaggerations and turn them into facts. Buddha might say we're looking for affirmation in the wrong place, no?
Yeah, I imagine you’re right. And that’s very empathetic of you!
I grew up Catholic. I have grown apart from that institution. But I haven't severed ties. I have several family members that the traditions, service and reflections, give great comfort to.
I recognize something in your tale. When reading the bible, people talked to and were answered by God. When I prayed I never saw evidence anyone or anything heard. From the banal "Please let me do well on this test" to the profound "Let there be peace in the Middle-East" no answer.
For myself then, I strive to improve the bits of the world around me that I can. I try to take what good I can from teachings, and let the rest lie. There's a lot to the Buddhist practices that give people peace. Some of it isn't for me, but I'm glad you found a path for tranquility.
Thanks for your comments, Mike. You sound like a logical person :-)
Take what you need and leave the rest—I agree!
In the essay, I refer to my practice as "Buddhism-informed" because I don't like to refer to myself as a Buddhist or as any "ism". One thing I like about Buddhist/mindfulness practice, is that it is a suggested way out of suffering that is intended to try for oneself, not a doctrine that is supposed to be believed and followed. Buddha is not a god, he was just a teacher who had some enlightening realizations about why people suffer so much. It's all really very psychological. Of course, people misunderstand and think they have to follow rules, repress desires, avoid "unwholesome" thoughts, etc. But really it's just about paying closer attention to how thoughts and desires arise and what they lead to.
Beautiful writing Don. Your writing is so vulnerable and thought provoking. I can tell it’s coming from your heart. 💕
"My purpose is to understand who I am"....perfect....Thank you Don :)
Thank you, Andrea!
Aw, thank you, dear Jennifer! 💞
Excellent story, I love it. Yeah, I remember hearing about Mr. Warnke, the "Satan Seller" (and yes, I read his book when I was a new Christian) being exposed as a fraud.
I've become cynical in my old age. I now insist that love is nothing more than a cocktail of brain chemicals. Must have something to do with being alone for over a decade.
I have loved and I have been loved, but not with the same woman.
Thanks, Ken. I lean more toward logical cynicism myself :-) Why make stuff up?!!
Really, the advantage of mindfulness practice is to see that most of the stuff that's making you unhappy is actually just impermanent thought processes (Buddhists call it "mental formation.")
Love this post Don! All of my seeking led me into a couple of paths that meld together and I feel comfortable with. It's all about love.
Thanks, Pamela! And I saw that you are recommended Shy Guy. Thanks for that! 🙏
My pleasure Don!