Lost faith in conventional theology!

I have spent my considerably long life trying to learn as much as possible. For many years I had a faith in world religions and tried to emulate their noble truths. In my later years I suppose I grew away from traditional religion. At first I felt empty and without foundation, however I still maintained an awareness of God and over time the empty feelings passed. It seems on a daily basis that I am engaged in an analysis of Gods creative wonders. My mind is like a child in a candy store enthralled over all the wonders before my eyes. Every moment of the day I look at nature and see the mystery and magic of Gods beautiful creation. Please don't label me as a New Age theology thump-er I am just a man trying to find purpose and substance in life. I suppose the intent of this post is just to share with you, maybe your insight can provide some spiritual substance.

Warm Regards

[Samana]

Originally Posted by William Schuck

I have spent my considerably long life trying to learn as much as possible. For many years I had a faith in world religions and tried to emulate their noble truths. In my later years I suppose I grew away from traditional religion. At first I felt empty and without foundation, however I still maintained an awareness of God and over time the empty feelings passed. It seems on a daily basis that I am engaged in an analysis of Gods creative wonders. My mind is like a child in a candy store enthralled over all the wonders before my eyes. Every moment of the day I look at nature and see the mystery and magic of Gods beautiful creation. Please don't label me as a New Age theology thump-er I am just a man trying to find purpose and substance in life. I suppose the intent of this post is just to share with you, maybe your insight can provide some spiritual substance.

Warm Regards

Hi William and welcome to the Buddhist forum. I am a Buddhist and practising Buddhists don't believe in a God. If you would like to share information on Buddhism please check some of the resources I've posted here.

lots of good wishes,

Samana

I have heard that Buddhist do not have a belief in a God (Generator, Operator, Destroyer). I think they believe in the No-Thing an essence beyond words and thoughts of mind. We humans are always trying to package this creative force into our belief system. We know it don't work, but we try anyway.

[BlueSky]

Hi William,
I think many feel as you do, enthralled over the wonders before your eyes.
I also think after we are done going off trying to explain it all by seeking every avenue that lures us in, we come right back to the childlike wonder you are experiencing now. You are blessed IMO.
In regards to Buddhism and God. My studies have shown that they don't not believe or believe in God. They simple leave that subject alone.
I could be wrong though.
Blessings and welcome....James

The other day I was on the internet doing some research and I came across some information on objective and subjective realities. The argument was which reality was the most real. Of course the guy who was writing it was a believer in the subjective reality being real because the action of perception through the senses takes place in the brain and when examined closely the researcher could not even find the sense data of perception. What this data is leading to according to a Fakir Chand is that every thing in our objective and subjective realities is an illusion and has no universal permanence. We all know there is no permanence to our physical life and no permanence to our inner dreams and fantasies. For some reason we want to believe and we are hungry in this attitude to make what we believe seem real.We all know that the only facility we have which can be shared with another is our consciousness and it is that which is real and eternal.

[Samana]

Originally Posted by William Schuck

.......and has no universal permanence. We all know there is no permanence to our physical life and no permanence to our inner dreams and fantasies. For some reason we want to believe and we are hungry in this attitude to make what we believe seem real.We all know that the only facility we have which can be shared with another is our consciousness and it is that which is real and eternal.

Hi William,

Impermanence is one of the key teachings in Buddhism. (See my thread on The Three Characteristics).

There isn't a belief in us having an 'eternal consciousness' however, because that would contradict impermanence and not-self. I think that's more of a Hindu belief.

Kind regards,

S.

[psychoslice]

theology and teachings can only take you to the door, you must drop the load of these teachings to enter on your own, Buddhism, Christianity, no matter what teachings, their all ideologies, concepts, when you are ready you will give up these toy's for the Real deal.

I awoke early today and could not get back to sleep. I have been thinking about my experience on this site. It is interesting to read the reply's and catch a glimpse into the workings of peoples minds.

"The way is not difficult for he who has no preference" This is a remark made by Don Juan of the Castanada series of books. I like the remark because it contains truth, life is easy for those who have not preference. Personally I believe I have many preference but at the same time I know they are a hindrance toward spiritual development.

When I set to write something my mind has the thought that I am only writing for my benefit and not for that of others. A friend once told me that a soldier on a battle field who throws himself on a hand grenade does so out of self interest. Maybe he believes just a moment before death that he has done a noble act protecting others. Personally, I can't get in the soldiers mind and know exactly just what his motives were.

Warm Regards,

I have been thinking about the Buddhist Book of the Dead. I have not read this book but I came across some information on the internet. In the article it was talking about how the book instructs the individual to protect themselves from deception after death. It seems to indicate that the Buddhist monks were knowledgeable about what the deceased would experience when they cross over. It instructs the newly deceased not to be caught up in the play before the eyes and not to listen and be influenced by the sounds heard. This suggest to me that they were able to cross over themselves in meditation and experience this personally. This knowledge seems reasonable to me because once in a lucid dream I became aware I was fully conscious and from this vantage point I observed the texture of the dream landscape. As I observed the scenery I noticed that it began to change into a kaleidoscope of ever changing patterns. Eventually the scenery all faded away and I was left out of the dream and fully awake. Any thoughts on the matter?

The real sanctuary of Spirit is in your soul, it is not a building made by men. And how can another person tell you how to think and how to experience spiritual things. All of these things come from within, not from without. Blanket theologies smother the individualality of their followers.