Linking two polarities with similar goals in mind
written by Anne SkyvingtonJanuary 1, 2023
Between the East and the West
I’ve written about this before, both here and for New Earth Consciousness on Medium. See Have You Ever Experienced the Numinous?
One of the first wisdom seekers to write about the numinous was Rudolf Otto in 1917.
Raja Choudhury of A Thousand Suns Academy is a more recent expert in the area of the numinous, and one whom I have been following for several years now.
What I like about the way in which Raja explains this topic, is how he offers a bridge between Eastern and Western concepts and language. He uses plain words rather than esoteric language. He offers hope rather than fear when speaking of the afterlife. And he always brings everything back to love.
Many of the world religions do the opposite, leaving fear in the hearts and minds of their adherents. This includes Buddhism from my experience.
After studying “Buddhism for Westerners” in Bondi Junction for a couple of years in the nineties, I had changed in many ways for good. It was a Tibetan style of Buddhism led by an English /Tibetan guru, the Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. I learnt how to meditate and appreciated the beautiful hymns and ceremonies offered. I withdrew only when I had learnt the main lessons, and became aware of the fear-based imagery at the heart of many of the religious dogma and practices.
This is not to be critical of religions. They all have important lessons and wisdom to share. But once religions become set in stone, they swerve further and further away from their ideal beginnings in love and positivity. And overcoming fear has been one of my main goals during this lifetime and I am still working on it. I might have been working on it over many incarnations. Who knows?
I loved Buddhism and I had to flee from it.
It is hard to escape contradictions here on earth.
That is because oneness does not exist down here.
Things of the spirit become set in stone.
Spirituality is light and easy as a feather flying in the breeze.
The spiritual is necessarily high and not heavy and earth-bound.
The spirit is all to do with ascension and vibrating at a higher level.
Sometimes we must seek alone
As above so below.
I was surprised to realize just now, on writing this post, that Kelsang Gyatso had passed away last month. Rest in peace, Dear Guru. I also discovered that the reference to Buddhism for Westerners on Google is my own. See my blog post at https://www.anneskyvington.com.au/buddhism-for-westerners/
Takeaway: I explore here why I don’t follow one religion, although I have benefited from Buddhism and I appreciate the lessons of Christianity and others.
How did the author research and experience Buddhism?What is A Thousand Suns Academy?What is the numinous?Who was Kelsang Gyatso?Who was Rudolf Otto?