[ Testimony ] Buddhism was not the answer

Up until about the start of 2016, I was right into Buddhism. From the early ninetees I had been hooked by new age meditation.
It did help. I learnt how to monitor my own reactions to other people. It was like getting free counselling. Except you became your own counsellor. I learn more self-awareness in regard to emotions and thoughts.
I became more aware of my breathing, how central breathing is to our life.
But gradually I noticed a superficiality to it. And there was a sneaking suspicion that I was starting to worship myself, my own ability to solve all my own issues. I didn't feel the same warmth entering a Buddhist Temple or meeting other Buddhists to hear the Dhama. (teaching) It was helpful but it was cold too. I missed the warmth of a Christian Church. I missed home.
So I came home. But this time I had a new determination. I would try to understand more my own faith. I would not become a cafeteria catholic. I would study the Bible harder. I would work harder on a real relationship with God, not a half-hearted one.
I am still learning to surrender daily. My self-sufficiency ego is still there but I pray that God will cure me of that pride and point me in the direction he wants me to go. Who knows. Coming on to this forum may be the wrong direction. I am still searching and that search will not stop. I try for it not to be all about me, but narcissism still lingers. I'm a sinner just trying to minimise sins
Lord, Jesus Christ help me to be transformed through and in you. Lead me not into temptation and deliver me from evil. Amen.

It's funny you mention narcissism. After investigating Buddhism for a while, I finally made the conclusion that it's little more than one man's resolution to the negativities of life. A sheltered prince is suddenly confronted with the dark sides of human existence, and manages to architect a complex cosmology and psychology to resolve his own inner contradictions. I don't get the feeling that any of it was divinely inspired.

Not to say that any of it is "wrong" per se. More like it misses the point. Also Buddhism is probably the greatest humanitarian movement in history. But we know that works-based salvation doesn't cut it.

I actually have a great deal of respect for Buddhism. It is not without value. But I don't believe it will save you.

There are some truths in most Religions. But Christianity is the source of all truth because Jesus Christ as God is the centre of it.

hi. I'm glad you've rededicated your life to Christ.

I have a friend whose mother is big into new age stuff. Not Buddhism, but an almost cult like part of the New Age movement (inspired by an Indian guru). She even supplemented her alimony payments by taking in clients in need of "healing," thru the chakras, herbal remedies, etc. And yet...

behind that calm, cool, collected, oh-so-enlightened facade, she was (and is) one of the most wretched, miserable, self-centered human beings I can think of. I was, too, before Jesus saved me...which leads me to think that only Jesus can genuinely save, forgive, and truly transform anyone. Buddhism, New Age stuff...they can give the appearance of spirituality, the "look" of being enlightened, but they cannot provide inward transformation.

Christ_empowered said:

they can give the appearance of spirituality, the "look" of being enlightened, but they cannot provide inward transformation.

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I know what you say is true in a lot of cases. I cant help but remember one talk I received by a Buddhist guy and he said "don't listen to music, you don't need it, it's distracting". I thought this is kind of weird.
On the other hand, I think there is a glimpse of God's truth in Buddhism and meditation. Only a glimpse. That's why so many people stick to it for so long. It can cure anxiety to some extent for instance.

skyhigh said:

There are some truths in most Religions. But Christianity is the source of all truth because Jesus Christ as God is the centre of it.

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If Jesus is God then who is God?... isn't He Jesus' father?

I think what he's saying is that most religions contain elements of Absolute Truth, to the extent that their teachings overlap with The Gospel. And then there's Christianity, which is actually True because we worship the One, True, Living God.

something like that, anyway.

Christ_empowered said:

I think what he's saying is that most religions contain elements of Absolute Truth, to the extent that their teachings overlap with The Gospel. And then there's Christianity, which is actually True because we worship the One, True, Living God.

something like that, anyway.

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Oh... thanks,God Bless!