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RE: Introducing Blockurator's Steem Monsters Leasing Program
Just noticed all the Biblical books you authored.
Cool. Very cool.
My father was an ordained Methodist minister - a rarity in Asia in the 60's - before becoming a shrink in the Veteran's Administration.
Consequently, I've been an avid "armchair comparative religionist" since early childhood and more so when I became a Buddhist.
Enjoyed your post.
Namaste, my friend.
JaiChai
Thanks. Out of curiosity, what made you become a Buddhist? Zen?
Oddly enough, the military stashed me there after a possible ID compromise (images/video) during a mission (long story).
Anyway, I was long overdue to do that traditional Thai "coming of age" thing. That's when a young man enters a Buddhist monastery for training in the Buddhist religion. I was viewed like all the other older men there - criminals who got leniency in the legal system.
The Spartan lifestyle was no problem. I treated it like any other survival evolution. But I failed the 30 day vow of silence three times! Why? A man can go crazy listening to his own thoughts 24/7 - unless he learns to make friends with himself.
I hadn't realized how much communication - in the form of giving orders and jibes among comrades - fed my ego.
Of course, the ego had to be increasingly subordinated with an end goal of "ego death".
Lastly, I was initially uncomfortable "begging" for food, but it was absolutely amazing how people were genuinely "honored" to give us all food in the morning.
I must confess that I didn't want to leave when my time was up and it was supposedly "safe" to go back to work. I learned so much about myself and the wonders of the "inner universe" there.
Wow. I didn't mean to make this a short story.
OK. 'Nuff said.
May you and yours be well and love life today.
Namaste, JaiChai
There is a lot about Buddhism that I admire, but it doesn't offer the one that I've found I needed the most. There's no personal savior to redeem me for the innate sinfulness of my bones. I don't have to work to earn God's favor. It's been done for me.