Buddho-Christianity

Buddho-Christianity

My eyes have been opened. Now…don’t go crazy, but I think I may have recently been converted to Buddhism.

Here, let me explain.

We are all taught that all churches and religions have some truth in them. Most religions , in fact, have quite a lot of truth. However, what I’ve found in my few years of study, curiosity, and conversations with people of other religions is that the truths they share are truths that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints actively teaches. It’s like there are parts that have truth and are taught by our church, and the rest is false and is in contradiction or ambiguity with our church’s teachings. For example, there is no way to completely live the teachings of the Catholic church AND the Mormon church at the same time. I believe that Buddhism and Mormonism are completely compatible: that one can live completely by both at the same time. If I try to combine Buddhism and Mormonism: the only differences are regional traditions that have little to do with the religions. In general, for example, most Buddhists believe in reincarnation, and several Gods. However, these beliefs vary from place to place. Buddhists in Indonesia worship different idols than Buddhists in Nepal. Do Buddhists have to worship idols? Is that one of the tenets of their religion? No, it is not. Even the Buddha, himself, is just a man who achieved enlightenment, Nirvana. He taught others how they might try to achieve Nirvana themselves, which is simply a higher understanding and enlightenment concerning the connections between all living things. The belief in reincarnation is really the biggest lump in Buddho-Christian compatibility. This, however, is not an official Buddhist belief. The important thing to know and remember is that we are all connected. All things which are on earth were created in Heaven. This is a Christian concept that teaches the same lesson.

I challenge you to go through and look at Buddhist beliefs and tell me if you catch anything that is in direct conflict with the teachings of the church.

The thing is, the two religions cover completely different aspects of life. I thought that Buddhism was very much like ancient mythology like the Egyptians and the Greeks who basically invented several gods and goddesses to explain what was going on in the world around them. Some people expand that into Christian Monotheism, but we who practice know it is much more than just a way to explain things I don’t understand. However, the things Buddhism helps us understand have little to do with the natural world, and more to do with suffering and inner turmoil. Buddhism is about the quest to find peace through understanding the connections among all living things. It has nothing to do with worshipping deity, sins, or ordinances. It has to do with wisdom. Christianity is all about deity, and sins. Christianity deals with the cycles of faith (worshipping deity), repentance (after sinning), baptism by immersion, and the laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost (ordinances). What Christianity does not deal with is suffering. This has always been a vague concept with Christianity. The general idea is that this life is a test, more or less, and we need to choose right from wrong. God tests us, and Satan tempts us with challenges, trials, and suffering.

Take, for example, the movie, The Invention of Lying. The main character “invents” the basic ideals of Christianity with his new ability to lie. A cynic, atheist, or general audience member might think that this is trying to say that all religion is hooey invented to make us feel better about life. I think, however, that the message is about truth; truth always comes out, and it is beautiful. A world where only things that are provable exist is a terrible (and comedic) place to live.

At any rate, suffering may indeed be a refiner’s fire that God puts us through to make us better people, and so we can experience all that a mortal life has to offer. However, it is extremely difficult to simply have the force of will to give our lives to Christ, to place our burdens upon him.

I think that one way he helps us in this process is with Buddhism. That’s right, Buddhism. It’s all about getting over our selfish desires for comfort, happiness, or whatever else, and giving them up to a higher power—which in our case is Christ. Once we have learned to let go of these bad desires, we achieve Nirvana, a kind of peace and enlightenment. This peace and enlightenment is, I assure you, the same peace and enlightenment we get from Christ’s love.

I have no idea if I articulated this well at all, but there it is. Buddhism and Christianity don’t clash like most religion match-ups would, but they complement each other.

Let me know your thoughts about this! PLEASE do research before you comment or judge.

What Men Want

What Men Want
Men, it is generally agreed, are simpler creatures than women. This generally comes from men’s desire to understand things, as opposed to women who are more comfortable than men about not fully understanding the opposite sex. However—I believe that Satan is taking everything that men want and perverting it in two levels. One, is society’s representation of that instinctual desire, and two is a simulation of that desire that is almost always damaging and uses electronic devices to provide that.

The examples I am about to go are in random order, except that they are probably more or less in the order that they were presented to me in, by my friend, Russ, in a lesson.

The first attraction is to power and performance. One might say that this attraction is what drives men to accomplish great things. We are always trying to push the limits on what is possible. This attraction has been with us forever—and for good reason. In order to survive in the wilderness, we need to have the most powerful weapons, and perform with them with precision and accuracy using our own strength, power, and performance. One modern societal manifestation of this attraction is cars. Almost all guys like cars. We like fast cars, powerful cars, cars that turn on a dime, etc. We are all attracted to the power and performance. One way that this attraction is simulated—and probably in the most healthy way of all the simulations—is with computers. It is comparing hardware or software: RAM, fast applications, special commands, control, etc. This is barely a simulation as another societal manifestation of the attraction. In fact, it would be quite a healthy outlet into this desire, as long as it does not turn into an obsession, as it so often does.

The second attraction is to male companionship. In stone-age times, this was quite necessary. It is, of course, much more difficult to hunt on your own than it is with a group of men. It might be easy enough to imagine stalking and killing a deer on your own, but bringing it to camp? All the time alone is also not good. A hunting trip could potentially take weeks. That is why we have “pals.” It’s not just enough to tolerate having other men with you; we have to instinctually like it. In modern society, however, homophobia runs rampant. Most straight men in Western society have inhibitions when it comes to revealing feelings to other men, or showing a need for companionship. Thus comes one of the most common societal manifestations of this desire: “booze.” Alcohol’s first job is to take away our sense of judgment, and therefore breaking down the walls that we’ve put up against our fellow men so that we can share our feelings—and embarrass ourselves. Only a fool or an alcoholic will tell you that alcohol is completely harmless. Many lives, families, homes, reputations and barstools have been destroyed by the influence of alcohol. It is already not the healthiest manifestation of the desire for companionship, but the simulation is steadily growing in damage: video games. When I was in high school—which wasn’t too long ago—there was a huge group of friends I had with whom video gaming was the only source of “real” socialization. The only time I have interacted with many of these friends was by playing video games with them. Sure, I might know that they prefer the energy sword over a gun, or have a favorite level on Zelda, but I did not get to really know these people, and in reality, neither did they.

The third attraction is to war. This has a very real stone-age manifestation. Ten thousand years ago, there were all sorts of wild animals and savage neighboring clans to deal with, and protection was a very real necessity. We created spears, bows, arrows, catapults, tomahawks, rockets, cannons, and today’s chief societal manifestation: guns. Other common societal manifestations include martial arts, boxing, all sports, and the spirit of competition. Most of these manifestations, if not all, are pretty healthy. However, the simulations are usually not so healthy. Violence in electronic media is desensitizing our society to the realities of death. If you mention the phrase “raping and pillaging” to a group of middle school boys, they will laugh. If you mention that phrase to a group of Dark Age Scotsmen, I doubt they would have the same response.

The final attraction is the most serious for a few reasons. For one, God gave us this attraction for the most sacred reason. For two, it is perverted more than any of the others by Satan. This, of course, is sexual desire. These feelings are extremely powerful. God gave them to us for a beautiful purpose. The societal manifestation of this has always been sex with women. Common societal perversions include pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex, sodomy, and the big catalyst for all of these perversions and more: pornography. Pornography is, of course, most accessible on the computer. It is the biggest web industry. Most sex offenders will tell you that they began with an addiction to pornography. This is the grossest of Satan’s attempts to pervert men’s natural attractions. It is a disease that runs rampant in our society today. It is the most serious temptation we are given in these latter-days.
Thus we see that all of these instinctual attractions can be twisted and perverted electronically into some fake simulation that too many of us men are substituting for the real deal. I want to see my friends in real life, not in a video game. I want to protect my family, not pretend I’m in a war on my computer. I want a fast car…AND a fast computer. I want to have sex with my wife, not watch some strangers re-create the experience for me.

With that, I’m out.

Sometimes

Sometimes I forget.
I forget who I am and I fall into ennui and darkness.
Sometimes I forget.
I forget that I have no power.
All the power is with God.
Everything that I do.
Everything that I see, hear, touch, taste--even think is a blessing from God.
He created my tongue, my hand, my eyes, my ears!
Why?
Because he wants me to remember him.
In this effort, I fail.
His brilliance, His glory is too magnificent for men.
We cannot look upon Him in our normal bodies.
What is the glory of God?
His work is all of us: to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man!
His fire, His majesty, all is for mankind.
I need to remember Him--in everything.
I forget Him--almost every day.
Does He forget me?
I tell you now and forever, the answer is no!
In spite of my sins, in spite of my pride, even though I dance with the devil, giving him all control over me, the God who created me remembers me.
More importantly, He loves me without condition.
I love Him too, but I am not perfect.
I am lost.
The devil found me and he is cruel.
It is easy to escape:
If you open your heart to God,
His fire burns bright for us and He will guide us back to Him.
He is magnificent.
He is light, and truth.
Amen.

Sadness. Loneliness

Sometimes I feel so dead inside, I can't feel any emotion at all. Sometimes I feel like that's a blessing. If I felt anything right now, it would be too much for me to handle. I just want to cry and keep crying. I feel like there is so much going on in my head, I can't think about it all the time. I feel so alone. Alone, not physically, but like...spiritually. And not with God, either. I can't explain. I feel lonely...romantically. There we go. I want nothing more than for someone who loves me to hold me and tell me everything will be alright. When I go to bed, I want her to be with me. When I come home, I want her to be there. When I get a paycheck, I want to buy groceries for us and not just for me. What's worse is that I know she's out there. It's so frustrating. I've gone through so much, and I want to talk to somebody I know is always going to be there, in a romantic way.

I feel like I had this person at one time. But she has changed so much. I left her at a vulnerable time and now she became somebody else--somebody that I'm not in love with. The person that I still love is just...gone forever. Maybe someone else will come along that I feel the same way about.

Maybe I'm just selfish. I want what I can't have, or won't have for a pretty long time.

Every time I talk to girl, I feel so...unworthy? I feel like there is no way any girl could seriously think about me as a romantic possibility. I'm so used to being "the friend" or even "the gay friend" to girls. I've been a boyfriend many times, but not for a long time, and only a couple times where it was serious. I really miss that.

I think what brought this on is a step I'm only just now discovering I'm at.

I'm ready to be touched again.

Ever since I acted out over a year ago, I haven't really allowed people to touch me. Well. a little. Here and there. Close friends. But I don't like long hugs like I used to. I don't do the arm-in-arm thing anymore. I mean, I used to be super touchy-feely with my friends, and with my...lovers? But since then, well for one, I haven't had any girlfriends since then. For two, I haven't had any guy friends since then until recently. But now, I think I'm over it and ready to let people back on...in...around. And now that I'm ready for it, I'm almost demanding it. I'm needing it. But there is nobody there to approach.

Ya know, I'm not even completely sure if this is why I feel so sad. Maybe I just wish for something more without knowing what that more is. I just need to get it out, or I will explode.

Relationships: People You Know

This is part of a series I am trying to do in order to establish a social protocol. There has already been an earlier entry a couple of posts ago. Feel free to comment and discuss any disagreements or suggestions.

Relationships: People You Know

Teacher at School:

This person is a professional. They know more than you do. They challenge your mind and test your knowledge and, overall, have your best interests at heart. They more than likely are doing what they are doing because they strongly believe in helping you reach your potential. Because of this, respect them. They work more than you know with more care and concern than you are aware, so PLEASE follow these simple guidelines so they don’t go insane. Do what they tell you. TRY on your homework, which you should do. NEVER demean them, talk down to them, or argue with them about something unrelated to your education. They more than likely have different opinions than you, but you should still respect what they have to say in regard to what they’re teaching. You are around this person quite a bit and may possibly become friends. However, it is inappropriate in 99.998% of situations to romantically engage a schoolteacher at any level. As friends, remember that teachers are very busy and often have hundreds of students and may not return your friendship on the same level. In this relationship, the teacher affects each one of the students equally. If the unit of effect is 1 for each student, it is also 1 for the teacher. The entire class affects the teacher as much as the teacher affects each individual. Platonic love may be present in this relationship.

Religion Teacher:

You are more than likely closer with your Sunday School teacher than your secular school teacher. The subject matter is much more personal and real. Therefore, you may become very close with your religion teacher. Also, your religion teacher is more likely to be closer to your age. In church the teaching is done by all, and the teacher is more of a leader. Thusly everyone benefits 1 from each other. The teacher is merely a guide for the discussion. Discussion should be filled with love and wisdom and should not consist of backbiting, gossip, or harmful remarks. Respect everyone in the class and what they have to say. Do not interrupt. Never discuss politics in church. Come to class prepared, having read the material to be discussed in class.

The Unfriendly Co-worker:

We spend lots of time at work, and often with the same people. Over time, you can develop a special relationship with your co-workers. If nothing blocks that relationship, you will more than likely become good friends with your co-workers. Every so often, however, co-workers might not like each other. This creates a very awkward situation. Assuming you are not this type of co-worker (you should always try to be friendly with co-workers) certain behavior is unacceptable. You should never encourage someone at work to be unfriendly. This includes, but is not limited to, spreading gossip, being unfriendly yourself, mocking, discriminating, persecuting, categorizing co-workers as enemies in some work-related competition—organized, or otherwise—and leaving co-workers out. Once a co-worker has become unfriendly to you, do not reciprocate. Maintain friendliness despite everything. You should be working on regaining friendly relations with this person. How you do that is up to you. Remember that attitude is everything! “Killing them with kindness” is an unacceptable attitude. You are being nice, only so they feel uncomfortable with their feelings. You can still be nice, but be sincere.

The Boss:

It is in your best interest to become friends with this particular co-worker. Your continued employment with this company, as well as your raises, position, and comfort count on positive relations with this person. These relations are based on your performance, as well as friendliness. You need to do what your boss tells you to within reason. It is unacceptable for a boss to ask of you something against company policy, the law, or ethics. This type of behavior must be reported to a higher authority. If your boss is treating you a certain way, they are more than likely treating other employees the same way. It is your responsibility to keep your boss in line as far as unacceptable behavior is concerned. The boss most likely doesn’t show their faults to their superiors. Reporting improper behavior is the employees responsibility. Hopefully this never happens. With minor incidents, the employee should talk to the boss directly. Only major issues should be discussed with upper management. You can still be friends with your boss, but remember: a boss is a boss first, and a friend second. Their evaluation of your performance should not be based on your friendship, but on your performance. Any negative comments should not be personal, but professional. They are a person, too.

Non-Friend Fellow Church-goers:

Always maintain friendly connections with all fellow church-goers no matter what. New members need friends and positive reinforcement. For many people, religion is a complicated subject and you should never do anything that might create a negative experience for someone at church. Also, someone’s relationship with God is their own business, and not yours. Do not pry into their past, or their struggles. Do not create a clique in your church circles. Always try to invite new people. Remember, we are all striving toward the same goal, otherwise we wouldn’t be there.

Your Friend/Brother/Sister/Roommate’s Girlfriend/Boyfriend:

PLAY NICE! Who somebody likes, or is attracted to, can be personal. Several complicated situations could arise. If you like the person they are dating, back off. They’re dating them now. You should not be trying to break them apart so you can have a chance. You should not consider it a betrayal, especially if they didn’t know you liked them before. You are most likely closer to the friend/brother/sister/roommate than you are to the girlfriend/boyfriend. Remain cordial relations with the gf/bf. You should also understand that some people are off limits. If a friend/brother/sister/roommate dates someone you have already dated without your blessing, your friendship should be called into question. This is definitely an off-limits relationship. You need to let your friend know. Never confront your friend about a “poor choice” significant other. Let them see it through. You do need to confront if the relationship becomes damaging to either one. In the meantime, play nice, and go forward.

The Annoying Boy/Girl From Class That Thinks You Two Are Friends, But You’re Really Not:

This is awkward. Let them know that you’re not really friends. It is tough, and seems rude, but if you just don’t want to be friends let them know. Try not to let a relationship develop if you are not sincere. This can cause a broken heart when they find out you’re not really friends. If your other friends are sincerely friends with this person, then try to become friends with them. Do not ignore them, put them down, be rude to them, shame them, mock them, or talk about them behind their back. Such behavior is immature and unacceptable.

Long, random, meaningful, and overdue

I wrote this letter to an old friend while he was on his mission, but did not have the courage to send it. Besides, the government of the country he was in...not to be trusted. He might not have ever gotten the letter anyway.

well, here goes. We'll call him Brandon to protect his identity.

Brandon!

I know I said that I would write to you when you left, but it is only with thoughts of your return that I'm actually doing it. If you didn't notice, you got to witness my favorite pen die. Lame.

Anyway, I had a great year at BYU-Idaho. I absolutely loved it! I met so many friends there. I had both the happiest and saddest moments there, the latter of which has caused me to never be able to go back. I wish I could return, but I have chosen to reflect on how wonderful it was, instead of how wonderful it could have been. I imagine you had more joys from Rexburg than I did.

I guess now would be a good time to have a point to this letter. I just want to say how grateful I am to have met you. Your arm of friendship meant more to me than any other friendship before or since. This is not because it was all that close of a friendship, or because we shared so many great times, but because of the effect ift had on my testimony.

When we became friends I was not living my life the way I ought to. I didn't know it at the time, but my life was being overrun by Satan. I had not, as yet, considered whether or not the church was true. Yet, as we became friends I knew what you and [Tyler, let's say] might think about the things that I was doing. It was not a big step from "What do my friends think about what I'm doing?" to "What does my Father in Heaven think about what I'm doing?"

Soon after that I started changing my life around. It all started one day when you just started being my friend.

I would have liked to leave on my mission before you got back from [a South American country] but I'm afraid that is far from the truth. I was scheduling to write a letter to the 1st Presidency sometime this Fall, after which I might appeal to go on a mission, and might have been able to leave as early as March 2010! Unfortunately, I messed up big time after my second semester in Idaho. Now my only chance would be writing a similar letter of appeal in several YEARS and even then with a much less chance of being able to go.

How easily the hearts of men are provoked by Satan!

Over the years, I have gotten proficient at determining a positive attitude, and choosing not to get offended. So I will go forward, chin high, and take whatever life offers me. As Nephi, I will rejoice in God's glory instead of wallowing in my agony.

I don't know why I'm telling you this, but since you left, I have discovered something about myself: I am attracted to men. Last Summer, when I could finally admit to myself this truth, I was met with some measure of peace. When I discovered the church's view on it, I was met with even more peace. The attractions themselves are not a sin, but acting on them is. I was overjoyed! Not only this, but I was introduced to an online network called "Northstar!" There there were many dozens of other guys also struggling with same-sex attraction (SSA) who want to stay faithful in the church. More peace. Then, I met several other guys who struggled with SSA in Rexburg and Idaho Falls. In that support group I met some of the best friends ever. More peace.

Anyway, because of you, I will never be able to live my life the way man would tell me to and appease that side of me, but because of you, I have also found more peace and joy through righteous living more than I could any other way.

For these reasons, I consider the friendship we had some years ago the most important one in my life. I would never be able to thank you enough for that simple act of friendship nearly 5 years ago. The road is long and hard, but through the Lord, I will prevail!

Still your friend,