The Buddhist Journey
Some months ago I went to visit a good friend in California. She in turn was getting ready one evening to go to one of her Buddhist meetings. From what I recall she mentioned it to me in passing and I jumped at the chance to experience it for the first time. This started my journey to becoming a Buddhist (a Chirstain Buddhist as I call myself). I sat through that first meeting feeling something being lifted off my shoulders: the tension of my pending divorce, the pain of being abandoned and the anger I felt consistently. Peace seemd to be in the energy all around me inside every person that was in attendance. I looked around and it was every kind of person of every creed and every age group including some children and teens. I was inspired and aftewards I knew I wanted to know more. The followng day I went with her to another meeting at another location and felt an even stronger connection to the practice. Afterwards we went to the shop where they sold Buddhist artifacts intended for starting a chanting practice like beads, alters, crystals and T-shirts that said: Never Give Up, red no less. I decided on a book of daily inspirations, a t-shirt and beads. My friend lovingly offered to gift me with the beds used for chanting. Although I was a bit hesitant I decided to buy these items with the intention that I may use them.
When I came home to Chicago my friend had already mentioned me to a couple of the Buddhist leaders in case I decided. There was no pressure as she had already let me know she would connect me with people who were in the practice in case I would like to pursue it. Again I attended a few meeting in people's homes and then at a temple in the South Loop. Each time I felt more connection and what I noted was how happy people were around me and the variety of people once again. Without any coaching I felt like there was something there for me, something my soul had been looking for, something I did not realize I needed. That day I purchased my alter.
This morning I received the script that goes inside the alter. As I walked up to the stage to receive it the cheers and the support was overwhelming for me. I felt enveloped with love and with an energy I have not felt in a public setting for a long time. It was as if I was to become a part of something big and there was no fear or hesitation anymore. Afterwards my sponsor and his wife, a new Buddhist friend and a leader in my area came to my home to help me install the sacred script into my alter. We chanted together afterwards and each of them sat on the rug while I sat in a chair to chant in honor of me. At that moment I felt like I was betraying something or some higher power at first but soon that went away. I knew at that moment that my life would never be the same and in truth feel like what is going on with me is in fact the most incredible occurrence of my life.
Finding your truth and finding what lifts you is the most important thing that can happen to us. It is a journey and each of us will take our own journey that will lift us up and heal our souls. I found mine and you can and will find yours. I feel fortunate and blessed to believe in God and to be a Buddhist in practice. Like other Christian Buddhist I feel like the two can work in harmony. I will know better down the road but for now my heart is open.
When I came home to Chicago my friend had already mentioned me to a couple of the Buddhist leaders in case I decided. There was no pressure as she had already let me know she would connect me with people who were in the practice in case I would like to pursue it. Again I attended a few meeting in people's homes and then at a temple in the South Loop. Each time I felt more connection and what I noted was how happy people were around me and the variety of people once again. Without any coaching I felt like there was something there for me, something my soul had been looking for, something I did not realize I needed. That day I purchased my alter.
This morning I received the script that goes inside the alter. As I walked up to the stage to receive it the cheers and the support was overwhelming for me. I felt enveloped with love and with an energy I have not felt in a public setting for a long time. It was as if I was to become a part of something big and there was no fear or hesitation anymore. Afterwards my sponsor and his wife, a new Buddhist friend and a leader in my area came to my home to help me install the sacred script into my alter. We chanted together afterwards and each of them sat on the rug while I sat in a chair to chant in honor of me. At that moment I felt like I was betraying something or some higher power at first but soon that went away. I knew at that moment that my life would never be the same and in truth feel like what is going on with me is in fact the most incredible occurrence of my life.
Finding your truth and finding what lifts you is the most important thing that can happen to us. It is a journey and each of us will take our own journey that will lift us up and heal our souls. I found mine and you can and will find yours. I feel fortunate and blessed to believe in God and to be a Buddhist in practice. Like other Christian Buddhist I feel like the two can work in harmony. I will know better down the road but for now my heart is open.
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