Christians in particular are plagued by the very things that Buddhism serves to liberate them from. A culture of fear, good and evil and all three are extolled (rather than just the good). Begin expressing an open-mind free from guilt, fear, or malevolence and you will find Christians are among the first to shoot you down. Now, what I am saying is not that Christianity is wrong, but I find it particularly interesting that Buddhism is the oldest religion in the world. If one pays close attention to biblical scripture (most often mis-interpreted by Christians) the mandates parallel what I’ve learned about Buddhism, for example: “We then that are strong should bear with the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves” (Rom 15:1), says to me that one’s priorities should be the liberation of one’s fellowman from suffering rather than a self-involved lifestyle. However, we (Christians) are all guilty of violating that. I think somehow Christianity took a wrong turn by taking the concept of “freedom in Christ” as license to personal gratification, which consequently only creates more suffering.

I am no longer interested in waiting until I die to experience heaven. Nor am I even that interested in receiving paradise. I desire to create paradise here and now for all whom I love for I love all as I love myself.

Here’s the real kicker. I am not aware that Buddhism rejects Christianity but Christianity (at least in culture) rejects Buddhism and without sound reason. Some argue that Buddhism is riddled with demons and evil spirits. I am not even sure I believe in demons, devils and spirits anymore. The past two years practicing mindfulness and meditation has completely transformed me. I have never seen any evil spirits or have had any “cast out” of me. There were two occasions where this was attempted, but I felt nothing. The change I felt came when I began putting the Dalai Lamma’s teachings to work.

What I do know:
- There is something divine, like a father, that communicates with me from within
- I have a specific role and a purpose that I must fulfill at all costs
- This divine force is a limitless source of strength that I choose to draw on consistently
- I do not believe in right or wrong but rather action and consequence particularly how it relates to my fellow man.
- There is a growing splinter within my own family as some of them have degrees in divinity and their suffering is as plain as day to me.

What am I to do.