| A positive attitude is a great benefit. With a positive | | | | investigation of the "self," itself, until the self is seen |
| outlook, we can psychologically reap the advantages | | | | through as an illusion. This is in lieu of a belief in a God. |
| of happiness without relying on necessarily positive | | | | It is a quasi scientific/philosophical/religious approach |
| results. Even if things fall apart, our positive outlook | | | | regarding examining our thoughts and emotions and |
| regarding how good things will be in the future keeps | | | | how they affect our lives. This is done by meditation |
| us satisfied. For example; if we are successful, we | | | | and awareness practices. The important thing is that |
| have been blessed. If we have bad luck, it's God's will | | | | both methods, Christianity and Buddhism, are designed |
| and there is a good reason for it. Either way, with a | | | | to limit the reliance of our selves, a self-reliance that |
| positive attitude, we remain psychologically happy all | | | | takes a Christian away from God, and takes a |
| the time. It's a win-win situation. | | | | Buddhist into illusion. |
| So when the Buddha says that life can be suffering, | | | | Where a Christian might surrender themselves to God, |
| this First Noble Truth seems depressing, and flies in the | | | | a Buddhist realizes that a fundamental self does not |
| face of positive thinking that regardless of what | | | | exist, and surrenders in that way. Either way, there is a |
| happens, it is God's plan and is always for the best. | | | | surrender to something greater, which if done sincerely |
| Since I am always attempting to build bridges across | | | | results in humility, self-effacement, and compassion. |
| our various beliefs, hoping that we can come together | | | | These are the trademarks of a religion that is working. |
| in compassion and understanding, I will go out on a limb | | | | These are the fruits of the practice. Self-righteousness, |
| here and say that the First Noble Truth, as well as the | | | | hatred, division, fighting and greed are indications that |
| statement that all is well if we believe that God has a | | | | one's religion isn't working, and are harbingers of the |
| plan for us, is no different. Both scenarios point to the | | | | many wars that have been fought throughout history. |
| fact that things won't always go our way, and this is | | | | Perhaps it is time to look toward each other, and to |
| okay; that there is a bigger plan beyond our individual | | | | look toward our political and religious leaders in terms |
| desires. | | | | of compassion, self-effacement, and humility, other |
| Both ways are just different ways of looking at it. In | | | | than in terms of their color, gender, or their religious |
| the end, there is agreement that we must not rely on | | | | beliefs. Maybe it's time to look at our own actions and |
| only our individual desires for happiness, and must at | | | | attitudes rather than our ideals, or what we are |
| times let go of our clinging to whatever success we | | | | supposed to be. |
| have. We must rely on seeing beyond that, which in | | | | What are we now? What do we say to each other |
| the case of Christianity is God's will, and in the case of | | | | now? What do we think about each other now? |
| Buddhism is relying on our own mind's wisdom and | | | | These are what will play out in our actions later. |
| awareness of what is. This is admittedly a small | | | | It's time to come together. The idea or separateness; |
| difference, only a difference of belief. The main thing is | | | | grabbing as much as we can before someone else |
| that we both see beyond relying solely on the power | | | | gets it, belongs to fear, which results in survival of the |
| of our ego, our "selves," for our happiness, and rely on | | | | fittest, and which is doubting that God will take care of |
| something else. | | | | us. This is not Christian; this is not what Jesus would |
| This step beyond our selves, for Christians, is relying on | | | | do. He gave Himself to the world, as did the Buddha. |
| God's judgment for what is good for us. Worry is the | | | | When we think of others instead of only fearfully |
| greatest sin, some say, and this is true. If a Christian | | | | thinking of ourselves, wonderful things can happen with |
| worries about their life, then they really don't trust God. | | | | our faith. It is time for great changes in our way of |
| Sometimes the greatest suffering brings a Christian | | | | thinking, a coming together that will bring peace in the |
| closer to God, and Christians in traumatic times may | | | | world. The present system doesn't seem to be |
| have a religious experience regarding God that | | | | working well. We must find a way to be peaceful, and |
| changes their lives. Happiness and ease sometimes | | | | not fearful or violent or separate from our fellow |
| take people further from God, as they get mixed up in | | | | human beings. We must find a way to really live what |
| money and power, politics and business, which rarely | | | | we profess. |
| culminates in religious experience. | | | | This would be a step above merely a positive outlook. |
| The step beyond ourselves in Buddhism is an | | | | This would be positive action. |