Welcome.
I think all the religions developed in a place and time that was right for
their founders to have some sort of experience. After that experience, and
after the death of the founders, doctrine and dogma develop naturally, and they
accumulate.
A few religions -- maybe most -- have "wings", or branches, that are devoted to
practice(s) in order to enable followers to have the same experience as the
founder. One of these is the Zen tradition of Buddhism.
There are different streams of Zen practice and tradition.
And there are practices of other religions which look a bit like Zen practice,
and involve meditation or contemplation.
For example, there is Christian Contemplative practice; and, there is the Sufi
school of Islam, which is the mystical, direct-experience, branch of Islam.
The mystical branches are those that are not so much bound by "the Book", as
they are kept alive by actual, community, practice, usually involving direct
experience of a fundamental nature, or Nature.
Thus, I feel it would not be a good idea to mix all the religions of the Earth;
but, if you feel drawn to direct- and awakened-experience yourself, it would be
good to choose one tradition and find a teacher who can start you out on that
sort of practice. I did this in Sufism, and then afterward did this in Zen
Buddhism, and have stayed with Zen for the past 34 years or so. So far, so
good. It seems like a good match, and seems to have a minimum of baggage or
trappings, either ancient or modern. It seems basically Human, to me.
That's what I was looking for: not something that would "train" me in a certain
way, to conform with a book; but something that would open up something
original in a human being, or restore something that was just covered up by
education and societal training and conformance. This can definitely be found
in Zen practice.
If Zen practice interests you, it's important to know that you can get a good
introduction to it by a teacher. There may be Zen groups near you who have
teachers. They may have "Newcomer Nights", or something like that, which would
be a good time to show up. Maybe check out some local "Zendo" or Zen group on
the web, and see their schedule. Or just show up when they are open and see
what's going on.
Good luck!
People here at this Zen Forum group may have other suggestions. And of course
there's lots available to read. But Zen practice involves the whole person,
and is a collaboration of body and mind. There's nothing better than getting
the body involved earlier, as early as possible, and it's never too soon.
There's almost nothing in books but encouragement. Encouragement to begin
practice. Maybe you'll make a start.
Best,
--Joe
"kaydam60" <kaydam1@...> wrote:
>
> Hello all I know nothing about Zen. I enjoy the music and recently read a
> book about Edgar Casey and reincarnation. Found it very interesting and made
> some sense. I read a little about Zen and some of it sounds like what I read
> on Edgar Casey. Very interested. Was raised in a Christian household but
> have always had trouble buying into it. I think it covers some of what is
> next but with too much ceremony, like the Catholic faith. I liked the Secret
> but feel it's lacking something also. I truly think that if you could
> combine all the religions, you would have the answers. Thanks for reading
> and you will have to help me through this group thing. I'm a group virgin.
------------------------------------
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