Finding the truth and trusting (I think)

[mrjoshua]

First thread, don't want to offend anyone..

Firstly, I have no official religion, so I'm not trying to preach, I delve into alot of things, including religion(s) but also basics like astral travel, a complicated thing.

The below is not a new concept but one I have to remind myself of alot to feel complete after I feel like my spiritual constitution has been dissected by experience and words from many different people, alot of it true.
So maybe it can be of use to you.

Everyone has different view of the world and here is the place we express some of it in words. Words just give people a snippet of what a person believes and what emotions, experiences and thoughts have led them there.

Religions of all kinds were developed by humans for the purpose of categorising life, so we can make a narrow substitute for an infinite truth. This is so we can feel a bit more secure in life believing in our snippet of the truth.
Through both negative pride and insecurity, some religions(people) may hinder learning, like the "If it was not written, it cannot be true" attitude.
Conversely, associating religions with a negative image or emotion will will hinder people from learning more truth. It is best to be open. What does open mean?

No one can really know the whole truth about the history of the universe and whether we believe/accept it or not, we are all in the same game, not one of us is better than the other.

There is only one thing I believe without doubt: All of these names for the great spirit/god/El/Allah (whatever it be in your language) refer to the same thing. The closest English word is love    (although English linguists have combined many meanings into one word, you pick the right one).
Beliefs and religions evolve, love does not, love is an intelligent being that rules the universe and helps us to progress.

To learn more we shouldn't be afraid of feeling like we have a "weak" mind or feeling like actually know less than we think. We need to become like a child (This is not the first time this has been said), absorb and observe. Surely you trust in love enough to believe you will not be led astray, because trusting in love and devoting yourself to it will ensure that you will not be ensnared by "evil" beliefs or become "brainwashed" by a religion/cult, if that is your worry while you are on this journey that has lead you to this forum. Its great to think about what this means.
Think you can't feel love? don't worry it is within you and everyone else, you will realize/find it, I've been there for a long time(years).

OK, that's my first snippet, sounds simple, redundant, unromantic to me , like I have long hair and own a Hessian bag. Cheers.

Thank you if you have taken the above in, reply please. Be objective with what is said by anyone and believe what you want, but to get warmer you have to trust love first.

[fuji257]

>>There is only one thing I believe without doubt: All of these names for the great spirit/god/El/Allah (whatever it be in your language) refer to the same thing. The closest English word is love Embarassed (although English linguists have combined many meanings into one word, you pick the right one).
Beliefs and religions evolve, love does not, love is an intelligent being that rules the universe and helps us to progress. <<

Other than the above paragraph, you sound like a Zen Buddhist.

[mrjoshua]

wow, really? I don't know much about Zen Buddhism, I might take a look. Are you interested in Zen Buddhism, do you know a good place to read some basics about it? Also, what was about that paragraph that you meant "other than the above paragraph"?

[fuji257]

Yes, I'm interested in Zen Buddhism.  I started looking into it some time ago.  

I suggest reading Hardcore Zen by Brad Warner, Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steven Hagen (these two are good begginer books).

Zen Mind Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki is almost required, its reffered to so often.  But I wouldn't suggest it as a starter.

The paragraph I quoted had things in it that are not very "buddhist like" but the rest of your post sounded like it was coming from any number of Zen books.

Of course I've read Zen "masters" saying similar things to the quoted paragraph as well - - but its just always come off as an author trying to apease an audience with preimposed Christian thoughts/upbringing.

Remember when reading any Buddhism/Zen books that ultimately YOU are the authority not the author of the book.  Buddhism encourages you to question/test things.  

For example the doctrine of "no soul" in Buddhism causes a lot of debates.  I've seen WONDERFULL arguments for and against the idea of a soul and whether "the Buddha" beleived/taught it (not that it would/should matter).  I was at first appauled at the idea that we don't have souls - - - then I started believing we don't . . .now I'm back where I started and believe we do.  But the key here is . . . whether I believe we do (or do not) has become less important (and regardless of what you or I believe . . . does not change the truth; whatever that may be).

Whether your journey leads you to Buddhism or Islam or Scientology or anywhere else, I hope you find what you are looking for.  Good Luck and keep us posted.