[Chewbacca]

Imo It should be rather easy to learn respect of someone elses beliefs. Understanding them from a holistic perspective is entirely different.
I apologize if this seems dragged out but my dsl comes and goes as it pleases certain weeks. Yorrick, please allow me to clarify and respond:

My issue with it is this. What you describe is a means to an end, not an end in itself. A way of achieving a realisation, and a state of being.

Actually I describe a way of living, personal transformation and self knowledge. No more than just about any religion can offer. An example of a means to an end is forgiving yourself before doing something you know is wrong.

I'm fully aware that you can grab bits and pieces of an ideology to serve your own ends, but I choose to look at the worldview in it's entirety. All the bits make up a whole.

Yes the interconnectivness of all things, and how every thing has its place in the perfection of creation, including the above supposition of what I grab to serve my own needs.

The meditative path you are describing hinges on the idea that the physical world is an illusion does it not? Truth is found within, when one blocks out the physical world, for we can't rely on our senses.

Thats not what I described and since you asked...Illusion is found within, along with enlightenemnt. What is egotistically believed about oneself, loved ones and the world around can be illusionary. What is believed is the transitory nature of physical reality, permanence of phsyical life is an illusion. Living and physical things grow, die, and change and are created and destroyed. Simple common sense.
Like a well oiled machine physical existance changes and has its seasons. In the extremes of this view point inspires aesticism(sp) Causually speaking, enjoy what you have while you have it.
What is also believed is the physical world exists interconnected with unseen realms both inner and outer. The physical world is no less "real" than the spiritual. What is also believed is a persons stay in a physical shell is temporary, your body dies and it is natural. But ones self extends beyond death in both reality and perseption.

Rather than avoiding love, or cherishing moments, things, places etc as the Buddha advocates, I seek to experience these things, knowing they are impermanent, or momentary. Balancing my expectation with reality, rather than restricting my experiences or emotional engagement. I see Buddhism as a limitation on individuals. My quarrel is not with the individual Buddhist, but with the ideology. I care about you guys. The Buddhists I know, I want to shake and share the love of Christ with. Out of care!

There are no implied or obvious implications of not living life how buddah supposedly did. Accepting impermanence for what it is and living in the present is a healthy buddist perspective. There is no rule against love or anything for that matter. Only guidelines and karmic lessons to be interpreted individually in solitary meditation. Compassion is core to contemparary buddist belief.

Chewbacca, I respect your beliefs. Your amalgam of shamanistic, Buddhist thinking. I respect you as a person of faith. If you want to tell me to take my care and love and shove it up my arse, so be it. [img]smile.gif[/img] But please don't mistake my motives. I acknowledge I could be wrong and allow for that possibility. But I do know, that I have a peace, a happiness, and an emotional healing in my life from knowing Christ. If your faith is working for you, great! I'd never try and take something that fills you away. If however there is a hole, a deep seated feeling of emptiness, I'd pray you find the God I know. The love he gives. Anyway, have a good day/night Chewbacca [img]smile.gif[/img] [/QB]

Yorrick,I am assuming that you only claim christianity for your religion and thats the only one you practice. It is dangerous and unwise to try to be authorative of a religion or belief system and make generalizations if you do not practice it yourself. I do say you picked a bit of the ideology inside buddism and try to make it all the ideology. Hopefully I have shared some deeper insight into pagan belief systems, although apparently I can only only digest bits and scraps to suit my own needs. I do respect your care, perhaps you should take some of it when it comes to religions besides your own. I dont seek to argue, I cant help but speak out against onesided critism. It helps that you maintain the possibility of being wrong. I respect your beliefs and your practice of worship, but I have little respect for some of your opinions. It is ironic that I acknowledge the peace and unconditional love of the consciousness of Christ every day, along with the same joyful compassion of Budda. Bet ya didnt know that and probably hadnt considered it a possibility. Although you are wrong in your opinion on the whole about buddism and my own beliefs, Excuse my bluntness, Yorrick, No love lost. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 05-25-2002, 11:43 PM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ]