Protestantism

» paper_turtle - Divine nature

In response to Sorry posted by Brother_Jones:
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Brother Jones provided the following quote:
The practice of religion, for the Buddhist, is therefore not a static state of being good and obedient to God, but a dynamic process of growth, which is becoming "God.@
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then asked:
Is this the wisdom we should seek? Or is there another?
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The wisdom is in the Eight-Fold Path, and in the Four Noble truths. the Eight-Fold Path is briefly explained in the article I'm quoting, and hence will be presented in due time. The Four Noble Truths are briefly explained, below.
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Do Buddhists talk about becoming God? In a sense, they do, but not with the idea of having power or knowing all things.
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Do Christians have a similar belief? I think so:
Through his might and splendor, he has given us his promises, great beyond all price, and through them you may escape the corruption with which lust has infected the world, and come to share in the very being of God. (2 Peter 1:4)
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In KJV "share in the very being of God" is translated as "partakers of the divine nature."
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Christians are encouraged to become Christ-LIKE, to put on his nature, to become as he is, to be his love in the world. This is not so very different from what Buddhism says.
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The Four Noble Truths:
1. Life means suffering.
2. The origin of suffering is attachment.
3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.
4. The path to the cessation of suffering is the Eight-Fold Way.
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Christians say
1. Sin leads to suffering
2. The origin of sin is in attachment to worldly/fleshly desires.
3. The cessation of the consequences of sin is attainable (and we are encouraged to be "perfect" and therefore sinless).
4. The path to this attainment is faith--and walking the path means consistently living the "greatest commendments."
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Divine nature

In response to Divine nature posted by paper_turtle:

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So are you calling for an introspection regarding why we create religion in society?
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-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - Divine nature

In response to Divine nature posted by pink101:
I'm calling for introspection on why and how we, *individually,* walk a spiritual path--and how and why we can foster understanding and unity rather than divisiveness.
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What does it mean to YOU to be spiritual? How does it inform YOUR life?
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How would you paraphrase the Four Noble Truths? What do they say to you?
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Divine nature

In response to Divine nature posted by paper_turtle:
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Before one can explain what it means for them to be spiritual, it seems they should be able to give a good definition of what they mean by the word, spirit.
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We live in civilized society in which all our relationships are organized with all that means.
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The word, spirit, came into being to define something specific. For us, in the year 2007, not to be in full agreement about that says something about our dividedness.
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There is an old saying about attorneys that where two of them argue an issue there are three positions.
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You and I have a relationship here in these threads as do every other two participants. That can be expanded into any three who interact with each other and more and more people until we have the entire overall society involved in any relationship.
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There is a "something" in each and every relationship that defines the "nature" of the interaction involved. I see that "something" as the "spirit" of the relationship.
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You break your post down into four questions. One at a time?
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#1. What does it mean for ME to be spiritual?
Answer: It means that I have a relationship with someone and that I can experience the nature of the relationship.
#2. How does it inform MY life?
Answer: I am informed by that nature in such a way that my life is either enriched or devalued.
#3. How would I paraphrase the Four Noble Truths?
Answer: I have a problem with the assumption involved in those "truths" in that I do not agree with it. So, it would be difficult for me to satisfy your request.
#4. What do they say to me?
Answer: Again, that the authority that created them as "truths" wanted to control people who accept the underlying assumption given in the first "truth".
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Additionally, I get a sense that Buddhism is just another priestly method of controlling the underclasses who buy into its basic assumption that I see as false. It has an air of schizophrenia about it. I think all priestly classes give themselves an uncalled for authority for what other people think and do. I'm against the priesthood for that reason.
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The Four Noble Truths:
1. Life means suffering.
2. The origin of suffering is attachment.
3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.
4. The path to the cessation of suffering is the Eight-Fold Way.
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You asked and I tried to be honest in a way that informs you about my grasp on the subject involved.
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-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - Divine nature

In response to Divine nature posted by pink101:

"Spirit" is something different to each person--as it is experienced by that person. A universal definition would be meaningless and counter to Buddhism itself. I would venture it would also be counter to the true "spirit" of what Jesus taught.
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Life involves suffering. This seems self-evident to me. We can choose to look at painful or uncomfortable experiences as opportunities, and we can choose to endure (or even embrace)rather than suffer. But there is still suffering. We have to learn that the experience of suffering is optional.
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Did you read my paraphrase of the Four Nobel Truths as it relates to Chrisitanity?
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You are mistaken about Buddhism. It is about as far away from "priestly" as you can get. What I have quoted so far demonstrated that Buddhism is **not** dogmatic. Each person figures things out for himself--therefore, how can you say that people are "controlled" by what they determine, for themselves, is truth? They aren't told there are certain "right" answers to the cosmic theology quiz. Buddhism is about *being,* not doctrine.
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#2. How does [being spiritual] inform MY life?
Answer: I am informed by that nature in such a way that my life is either enriched or devalued.
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No offense, but your answer doesn't tell me very much.
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Does your spirituality give you a sense of connectedness?
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Do you feel called/inspired/motivated to respond to the world at large because of your spirituality?
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Questions

In response to Divine nature posted by paper_turtle:
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#1. Does your spirituality give you a sense of connectedness?
.#1 answer: A person cannot experience spirituality without being connected.
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#2. Do you feel called/inspired/motivated to respond to the world at large because of your spirituality?
.#2 answer: I think so.
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I think you should try to explain what you mean by spirit and spirituality.
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-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - Questions

In response to Questions posted by pink101:

Spirit is God as I experience him/her, speaking and acting within me, and manifested in those I encounter (whether they "know" it or not. I see it manifested in the natural world, and in the cosmos. I feel it in the sense of connectedness with all that is. Spirit is the voice of wisdom, compassion, and hope.
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Spirituality, to me, is seeking to live inspired/movitaved by spirit. It is a way of being, a response. It is my "practice."
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I "feed" Spirit through meditation, prayer, study, and acts of love and peace.
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Questions

In response to Questions posted by paper_turtle:

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Those definitions don't work for me.
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There are bad spirits and good spirits.
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God may be Spirit; but, what is spirit?

-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - Questions

In response to Questions posted by pink101:

That's why there cannot be just one definition for what spirit is. These definitions DO work for me. I don't believe in "bad" spirits. Spirit, as I define it, and as I experience it, is truth and goodness.

peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Spirit?

In response to Questions posted by paper_turtle:
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What do you call the nature of the relationship that exists between and among two or more people if you don't call it spirit.
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Have you heard of the Spirit of '76?
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-- posted by pink101