Indeed, fear is at the root of suffering. Glenn
--- In [email protected], Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote: > > > > Â fear..tis our own worst enemy..merle > > > Â > Thanks for this, Joe. I forget that it wasn't too long ago that I struggled > between the poles of the revealed and mystical traditions. And I know that a > big part of that struggle was fear: What if the authorities are right and I > might be going to hell? I remember one evangelist saying, "What if there is > no hell? Well, what if there is? Why take the chance?" > > Glenn > > --- In [email protected], "Joe" <desert_woodworker@> wrote: > > > > Glenn, > > > > Howdy. Taking two points, in turn: > > > > > Are there any Gnostic Christians still around? > > > > I don't think I've run into anyone in my travels who is self- described as > > a Gnostic. Elaine Pagels has written a nice book about the Gnostic > > gospels, though > > > > But there are "CONTEMPLATIVE" Christians around, and these regularly get > > into trouble with the Roman Church, and maybe other churches. Their > > practice is influenced by Zen practice methods, and by Thomas Merton > > ("Father Louie", who was himself influenced by his own epoch of Zen > > practice). > > > > And "Centering-Prayer", you know, has caused as much uproar in some > > quarters as it has caused peace, calm, and love in other quarters. ;-) > > > > > Why would people be more interested in being told what to believe, as > > > opposed to exploring Truth for themselves? > > > > I think that for some it's not a matter of "interest", or being interested, > > as it is a sense or feeling of safety or even compulsion in trusting the > > received understanding of scripture(s). Also, there's the matter of > > trusting or addressing "Authority", and not wishing to run afoul of it, > > whatever "afoul" would entail. In olden times -- not too long ago? -- > > afoul would entail death, usually a horrible death, at that. > > > > A Revealed tradition is different from a Mystical tradition. A revealed > > tradition is simply the codification and "doctrine-ification" of a > > founder's mystical- (direct-) experience. Scripture versus Experience seem > > to be the poles of religious life. Of course, in Buddhism, we are urged to > > have the experience of the Founder. The Zen tradition *really* emphasizes > > this, and even hints that we should KILL the Buddha, should we ever meet > > such a One. ;-) > > > > So, say, Buddha!: this Zen-planet is not safe for you; keep off. Or, > > remain incognito. ;-) > > > > Best we can do is practice. Thankfully, there are ways to do so, and much > > help, and many friends, available. Whew. > > > > --Joe > > > > > "Glenn Rogers" <rgthiessen@> wrote: > > > > > > In my Shangha searching, I have found many Buddhists who pray/chant to > > > Buddah, and they seem to view him as a god, rather than their own nature. > > > ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
