Where do I fit in?

GWUW

I like some of the idea of Buddhism such as reincarnation and meditation. However, I was raised Catholic and still maintain many of those beliefs as well. This leaves me without a true religious association, although I still feel very spiritual. What is the Buddhist communities take on this sort of mixed belief system?

TheFound

Welcome to Buddhism...:crazy:
I think the more you learn "what is what"..
You will have peace of mind..

Inji-gyo

All religions are a form of fruit. They taste a little different. They may not all look alike, but they fill us up just the same.

In both metaphors and literal meaning; I never turn down fruit salad!

fivebells

The Story of Fire (Go 4 min 5s in.) (text.)

Moral: all religions are corruptions of the same fundamental teaching.

Dazzle

GWUW wrote: »

I like some of the idea of Buddhism such as reincarnation and meditation. However, I was raised Catholic and still maintain many of those beliefs as well. This leaves me without a true religious association, although I still feel very spiritual. What is the Buddhist communities take on this sort of mixed belief system?

Hi GWUW,

Just take things slowly - and investigate!

You'll find lots of useful information on this site:

http://www.buddhanet.net/


Kind regards,

Dazzle

DhammaDhatu

There is the outer skin and the inner core.

These depend on what one obtains from religion.

For example, if our spiritually deeply cherishes living with harmlessness, non-violence & broad love, this is nourishment or sustenance from the inner core. This is life giving water. All religions include this heart.

But if religious life gives a sense of personal identity, belonging & comfort, such as beliefs in a personal saviour, life after death, etc, this is from the outer skin, where the different religions appear different.

So if one wishes to appreciate Buddhism more, it is best to examine the inner core rather than the outer skin. Reconciliation is easy here.

Kind regards

:smilec:

federica

GWUW wrote: »

I like some of the idea of Buddhism such as reincarnation and meditation. However, I was raised Catholic and still maintain many of those beliefs as well. This leaves me without a true religious association, although I still feel very spiritual. What is the Buddhist communities take on this sort of mixed belief system?

I spent 40+ years being a good, devout Roman Catholic girl/woman...then, I found Buddhism. And everything 'out of place' fell into place.

It took a while.
I even fought it, argued it, justified it and reasoned it.

You can live for a while with the two parallel. I tried to, and for a while, it was ok.....

But I found, for myself, after a while - I couldn't prevaricate any longer.
I had to commit, to either one or the other.

I made my choice.
Don't regret it, and am happier, more content and serenely at peace with Buddhism, that I ever was or could ever have been with Christianity, as proposed and perpetuated by the Roman Catholic church.

But don't take my word for it.
Walk your own path, absorb everything. Evaluate it, question it, challenge it and demand comprehension.

Then....

Well....that's up to you.

Welcome.

Tokyo_Rose

federica wrote: »

Walk your own path, absorb everything. Evaluate it, question it, challenge it and demand comprehension.

Then....

Well....that's up to you.

I couldn't have put it better myself.
^ ^ ^

Thats what you have to do, walk your own path.
I've tried to fit into what i 'should be' before, it doesn't work.
No-one should force you, and you shouldn't let them if they try.
You have to work it out for yourself.

Good luck. And welcome

Susie

Love-N-Peace

Someone advised on being A Christian Buddhist once, maybe you could look them up?:)

Joe