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Trying to break away from my christian background, need help
I was raised a christian boy through to my teens. I have been given the whole fearing god treatment and I am trying to break myself out of such an attitude. Can anyone give me some advice on how to not hate myself for any past misdeeds or self forgiveness? Anything I can read on the subject?
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Thich Naht Hahn's "Living Buddha living Christ"
Jim Pym's "you don't have to sit on the floor"
And The Dalai Lama's "The Good Heart."
All books correlating the teachings of buddha and Jesus Christ, focussing on compassion, forgiveness, loving kindness and taking great joy from being alive, and relishing the opportunity to learn from two great, historical inspirational figures.
And "Without Buddha I Could Not Be A Christian" by Paul F, Knitter
@searchingone -- As unlikely as it may sound, a little meditation each day might help. Not overnight, perhaps, but a little at a time ... 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes a day. Here is a site that describes with pictures how to practice meditation. It is offered from the Zen perspective, but the postures and focusing of the mind are pretty similar across Buddhist schools. Reading may help, but meditation may help as well.
First, understand that a life without regrets is a life where no lesson is learned. Everyone has regrets unless they're so self-deluded as to think they've never made a bad decision or never been wrong. I am not the person that I was forty, or thirty, or twenty years ago. I have done things in the past that I would never do today. Foolish, sometimes hurtful things done by an immature person.
So for your first mantra, try, "That was then, this is now."
For the rest, remember you're moving from an exclusive religion that defines itself by stressing how different you are from everyone else, and how helpless and sinful you are, to an inclusive religion that seeks to break down those illusions and point toward the universal Dharma. The technical term is suffering from a restricted world view. It will take time, but the biggest antidote is to expose yourself to the vast diversity of thought and inspiration. Then question what you hear. It's all right to question, and to doubt, with Buddhism. The Dharma can take it.
Welcome to the Path. Grab a walking stick and come join the crowd.
Stop trying to break away and get on with life.
That's not what you wanted at all!
You wanted to expunge that side of things, leave it all behind,and feel pure, clean, happy and fulfilled! you want to drop the baggage!
well, what we're actually suggesting you do is to embrace your past, because you are a product of your past.
everyone is.
Part of the aversion you're experiencing is that you wish you'd never come across Christianity in the first place.
In your current opinion, it's done you nothing but harm and loaded you with nothing but pain.
i don't think this is true, and hopefully, on reflection, you'll see it's not true, too.
The Christian core principles are actually very sound, very loving, very benevolent and very forgiving.
And TNH, the Dalai Lama and Jim Pym, all know this, for a fact.
Thomas Merton, the Christian monk, stated that he wanted to be the best Buddhist he could, but he loved his faith in God and embraced it daily.
Rather than try to crush the past reject it and abandon it, maybe you could learn to make it your friend.
It served its purpose, and you should be grateful of where you find yourself today, because without it - you might nor be here.....
My experience is far more gentle and inclusive of our experiences.
The " super monk " , seeking of punishment and penance for past wrongs, giving of just desserts ... not a good way forward.